City of London Food Tour: 2000 Years in Tastings

Eat where merchants built an empire, from Roman stone to modern glass

A three-hour food tour through the City of London with a local English-speaking guide, tasting at historic dining destinations (oyster houses, chophouses, chocolate houses, taverns) that fed the city's rise from a small island capital to a global metropolis. The tour weaves 2,000 years of history through medieval buildings, Roman ruins and literary landmarks, with food tastings, insider tips and access to places like the oldest chophouse in London, where Charles Dickens once dined. Children from age 4 are welcome. Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

Step-by-step itinerary

City of London food and history tour

• Discover City of London history
• Visit historic pub on old road
• Eat at London’s oldest fish restaurant
• Explore medieval buildings and Roman ruins
• See Royal Exchange and spice trade legacy
• Visit 19th century bank turned hotel
• Eat at oldest chophouse in London
• Walk past Harry Potter filming location

The experience

The City of London sits downriver from Westminster, but it's older, Roman times older, and this tour reads that history through the places where people actually ate. You'll taste your way through the oyster houses, chophouses, chocolate houses and taverns that fed the commercial and political ambitions of a growing city, each one a chapter in how London became what it is. The guide is a local who speaks English and knows the story behind every stop, from the medieval buildings still standing to the markets that once defined the neighborhood to the Roman ruins underfoot.

Three hours on foot means you move through the City at a pace that lets the details stick. You'll walk past medieval architecture and see the places where William Shakespeare, Roman soldiers and Harry Potter's film crew all left their mark. One stop is the oldest chophouse in London, dating to the 1700s, where Dickens had supper. They still have the bill from a party he threw there. Another is London's oldest fish restaurant, a favorite of Anthony Bourdain and Fergus Henderson. A historic pub on one of Britain's oldest roads housed the builders of St Paul's Cathedral. Between the tastings and the stories, the City of London stops being a financial district and becomes a place where you can see the layers.

The food is a selection of local flavors (tastings, not a full meal), and the operator notes that what's offered can shift by day or season. Vegetarian, gluten-free and other dietary needs can be arranged if you email ahead or add a note at booking. Children under 4 can join for free but don't get food included. Ages 4 and up have paid tickets with tastings. The tour runs with a minimum of two guests. If that's not met, the operator will reschedule or refund you directly.

What’s included

• Local English-speaking guide.
• food tastings at historic oyster houses, chophouses, chocolate houses and taverns.
• 'Food & the City' insider tips.
• access to the oldest chophouse in London with its Dickens connection.
• stories woven through medieval buildings, historic markets and Roman ruins.
• the chance to walk in the footsteps of William Shakespeare, Roman soldiers and Harry Potter.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDeparts at 13:15

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by London Food Tours by Eating Europe

Is this one for you?Book the small-group tour if you want to move through multiple historic eating spots with a guide explaining their role in London's rise as a commercial center. Choose the private version if your group prefers to set your own pace through the same stops.

Traveler reviews

4.99★★★★★★★★★★

295 verified traveler reviews

5 ★291

4 ★4

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What's the difference between the City of London and London itself?

The City of London is the oldest part, dating back to Roman times and sitting downriver from Westminster. The tour explains what marks a real Londoner and how the two areas developed differently, walking you through medieval buildings, historic markets and Roman ruins that show the distinction.

What kind of food will I actually taste on the tour?

You'll taste at historic dining destinations (oyster houses, chophouses, chocolate houses and taverns) with a selection of local flavors. The exact tastings vary by day and season, but the operator works with dietary requirements like vegetarian or gluten-free if you mention them at booking.

How long does the tour take and how much walking is involved?

The tour runs three hours and covers the City of London on foot. It's suitable for all physical fitness levels, and infants or small children can ride in a pram or stroller if needed.

Where does the tour start, and do I need to arrange my own transport?

Public transportation options are available nearby the City of London. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you'll arrange your own way to the meeting point.

Is there a Harry Potter connection on this tour?

Yes, one stop is a filming location from the first Harry Potter film, and you'll walk in those footsteps as part of the route through the City.