London Food Tours: Borough Market, Soho & East End Private Tastings

Summary

Private tastings in London’s Borough Market Soho & East End with local stories

You’ll eat your way through London’s Borough Market, Soho, and Brick Lane with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Expect everything from flaky pastries to spicy curries, plus drinks along the way. You’ll leave full—probably happier than you expected—with little moments you’ll keep thinking about.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I thought I knew London’s food scene. But the way our guide (Tom, who grew up two streets from Borough Market) talked about pie shops and curry houses made me realize I’d barely scratched the surface. We started in Borough Market, weaving through crowds and that wild mix of smells — fresh bread, fried onions, something sweet I couldn’t place. Tom handed us a sausage roll still warm from the oven. Flaky pastry everywhere, but no one cared. He waved at a fishmonger who shouted “morning!” like we were regulars.

Soho was next. The neon signs in Chinatown flickered even though it was daylight — kind of surreal. We squeezed into a tiny bakery for egg tarts (I tried to say “dan tat” properly; Li behind the counter just grinned). There was this moment when Tom explained how Soho’s always been a bit rebellious — you could almost feel it in the air, or maybe that was just the gin cocktail kicking in. We laughed too much at something silly and nearly missed our next stop.

Brick Lane hit different — louder somehow, spicier. The smell of curry clung to my jacket all afternoon. Our last bite was a salt beef bagel with hot mustard that made my eyes water (in a good way). By then we’d lost track of time and calories. Tom told us about his nan’s favorite stall — turns out she still comes here every Sunday. That stuck with me for some reason.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private London food tour experience

• Meet your private food tour guide
• Visit Borough Market and London Bridge
• Sample British food specialties
• Explore Soho and Chinatown food spots
• Discover East End markets and Brick Lane
• Enjoy tastings at pubs and bars

Top questions

Is this London food tour private?

Yes, all tours are private for your group only.

Which neighborhoods are included on the tour?

The main options are Borough Market/London Bridge, Soho/Chinatown, East End/Brick Lane & Spitalfields, Camden markets, or Mayfair/West End for gin.

Are drinks included on the tour?

Yes, alcoholic beverages are included unless you request otherwise.

How much food is served during the tour?

You’ll get plenty—dishes range from small bites to large tastings; come hungry.

Is the tour suitable for children or people with strollers?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in prams or strollers.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all routes are wheelchair accessible.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup; tours start at central meeting points near public transport.

What’s included

Your day includes generous tastings across several neighborhoods—think pastries in Soho, market snacks at Borough Market, spicy bites on Brick Lane—and drinks (alcoholic or not), all led by a local Londoner who shares stories as you go. Just show up hungry; everything else is sorted.