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🇬🇧 The food of the United Kingdom

124 dishes from the United Kingdom, best known first, across 43 cities and regions.

British cooking brings together ancient Celtic roots, Roman imports, and centuries of influence from Europe, its former colonies, and global trade. Its food is known for roasts, pies, and puddings, but also adapts dishes and spices from many cultures, reflecting a long history of migration and exchange.

  • Roast dinners and full breakfasts are iconic British meals.
  • Pies, both savoury and sweet, are central to British cooking.
  • British cuisine includes a wide variety of cheeses, beers, and ciders.
  • Trifle and scones are traditional desserts still enjoyed today.
  • Immigration has led to the creation of new curries and spiced dishes.

The cooking of the United Kingdom

The food of the United Kingdom blends native traditions with a long history of outside influence. Early Celtic and Roman settlers introduced grains, cheese, cider, and a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Later, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings brought new techniques for curing meats and fish, while the Normans added French words and continental styles. Over time, British food absorbed ingredients and dishes from across the world, especially through trade and immigration from India, the Caribbean, China, and beyond. Classic British meals often feature roasted meats, pies, and both sweet and savoury baked goods. The cuisine is also known for its cheeses, beers, and ciders, and has a tradition of both simple home cooking and elaborate feasts.

Staple foods in the United Kingdom

Bread, often made from wheat, rye, or oats, has long been a mainstay, with its type reflecting social class. Potatoes, introduced from the Americas, became a key food. Meat, especially beef, lamb, and pork, is central, along with fish and shellfish. Butter, cheese, and eggs are widely used. Vegetables like carrots, turnips, and cabbages are common, as are apples and other fruits. Pies, both savoury and sweet, are a hallmark.

Breakfast in the United Kingdom 17 dishes

A traditional British breakfast is hearty and filling, often including eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and toast. This 'full breakfast' is a well-known feature, though daily breakfasts may be simpler.

Sweets and drinks in the United Kingdom

British sweets include trifle, a layered dessert with cream and fruit, sticky toffee pudding, apple pie, scones, and Victoria sponge cake. Tea is a popular drink, as are beers and ciders. Cheese varieties are numerous and widely enjoyed.

From region to region in the United Kingdom

Each part of the UK has its own food traditions. England is known for roast dinners and pies. Scotland has its own baking, such as shortbread and scones, and is the home of Scotch whisky. Wales and Northern Ireland also have distinct dishes, shaped by local produce and customs. Coastal areas often feature more seafood, while regional cheeses and breads vary widely.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "British cuisine", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

Cities and regions of the United Kingdom

Cornwall 5Yorkshire 5Lancashire 3London 3Bury 2Devon 2Oldham 2Pembrokeshire 2Wales 2Birmingham 1Cambridge 1Carmarthenshire 1Cheshire 1Cullen 1Derbyshire 1Dundee 1East Midlands 1East Yorkshire 1England 1Fermanagh 1Glamorgan 1Glasgow 1Hull 1Lincolnshire 1Liverpool 1Lorne 1Melton Mowbray 1Midlands 1Moray 1Mossley 1North Devon 1Nottinghamshire 1Plaistow, Newham 1Port Talbot 1Preston 1Rochdale 1Scotland 1Sheffield 1Southall 1Stornoway 1Swansea 1Ulster 1Wigan 1
MealBreakfastLunchTea timeDinnerSupperSnacks
KindMain dishStreet foodSoupStew or curryRice dishNoodle or pasta dishDumplingBreadGrill or roastSandwich or wrapPie or savoury pastrySalad or sideCheese or dairy foodSausage or cured foodSauce, pickle or fermentSweet or dessertDrink
DietVegetarianVeganFish and seafoodMeat
Pizza 🇮🇹 Italy and 4 moreFlatbread topped with tomato, cheese and baked at high heat Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Ice cream 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreA frozen dessert made from sweetened, flavoured milk or cream Sweet or dessert, Snacks French friesVeganpommes frites 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreDeep-fried strips of potato, served hot and salted Street food, Lunch, Dinner Candy 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreSmall sweet treats made mainly from sugar or sweeteners Sweet or dessert, Snacks French toast 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreBread soaked in egg and milk, pan-fried and served sweet or savoury Main dish, Breakfast, Snacks Pancake 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreFlat cakes made from batter, cooked on a griddle or pan and served sweet or savoury Main dish, Breakfast, Snacks Pie 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreA baked dish with a pastry crust and sweet or savoury filling Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Aloo tikkiVegetarian 🇮🇳 India and 3 morePotato cutlets spiced and fried, served hot with chutneys Street food, Snacks Chocolate brownieVegetarianBrownie 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreDense chocolate squares baked as a bar, often served warm or with toppings Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time Mulled wineGlühwein 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreRed wine heated with spices and fruit, served hot at Christmas and winter gatherings Drink, Tea time, Dinner Apple pieVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreA baked pie with apple filling and pastry crust, served hot or cold Sweet or dessert, Snacks Punchपंच 🇮🇳 India and 5 moreA party drink of fruit juice, sweetener, and sometimes alcohol, served in a large bowl Drink, Snacks Pickled cucumberVegan 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreCucumbers preserved in brine or vinegar, enjoyed worldwide in many styles Sauce, pickle or ferment, Lunch, Dinner Whipped cream 🇫🇷 France and 2 moreLight, sweetened cream whipped to a fluffy foam for desserts and drinks Sweet or dessert, Snacks Eggnog 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreA creamy, sweet drink of milk, eggs, sugar and spirits, served at Christmas Drink, Snacks Scone 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreA quick bread, sweet or savoury, served with tea in Britain and beyond Bread, Tea time, Breakfast FudgeVegetarian 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreSoft, creamy confection made from sugar, butter and milk Sweet or dessert, Snacks ColeslawVegetariankoolsla 🇳🇱 Netherlands and 5 moreShredded raw cabbage salad with a creamy or tangy dressing Salad or side, Lunch, Dinner Corned beefMeat 🇮🇪 Ireland and 5 moreSalt-cured beef, often pink, eaten fresh or canned in many countries Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch ShortbreadVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 3 moreCrumbly Scottish biscuit made with butter, flour and sugar Sweet or dessert, Tea time, Snacks Egg tartVegetarian蛋撻 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA small pastry tart with a sweet egg custard filling, found in Cantonese cuisine Pie or savoury pastry, Snacks, Tea time Scotch eggMeat 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 2 moreEgg wrapped in sausage, coated in crumbs and fried or baked Street food, Snacks, Lunch Ginger snapVegetarian 🇦🇺 Australia and 5 moreA crisp biscuit flavoured with ginger and spices, popular in many countries Sweet or dessert, Tea time, Snacks Battenberg cakeVegetarian 🇬🇧 United KingdomChequered pink and yellow sponge cake wrapped in marzipan Sweet or dessert, Tea time, Snacks Christmas cake 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreCakes served at Christmas, often rich with fruit, nuts or cream Sweet or dessert, Tea time, Snacks BLTMeat 🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreA sandwich filled with bacon, lettuce, and tomato, often with mayonnaise Sandwich or wrap, Lunch, Snacks Welsh rarebitVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 1 moreToasted bread topped with a hot, savoury cheese sauce Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Clotted creamVegetariandehen molys 🇬🇧 United KingdomA thick, rich cream formed by gently heating and cooling cow’s milk Sauce, pickle or ferment, Tea time, Snacks Deviled eggsVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreHard-boiled eggs filled with a seasoned yolk mixture, served cold Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Candy appleVegan 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreWhole apples dipped in a hard red sugar candy shell on a stick Sweet or dessert, Snacks Baked beans 🇺🇸 United States and 3 moreWhite beans slow-cooked in a sweet or savory sauce, often served hot or on toast Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch Mince pie 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 4 moreSmall sweet pies filled with spiced fruit mincemeat, eaten at Christmas Pie or savoury pastry, Tea time, Snacks BhajiVegetarian 🇮🇳 India and 4 moreSpiced vegetable fritters from the Indian subcontinent, often sold as street snacks Street food, Snacks Black puddingMeatmarag dhubh 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 1 moreA sausage made from animal blood, fat and cereal, cooked in a casing Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch Hot cross bunVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 3 moreA sweet, spiced bun with a cross on top, eaten at Easter Bread, Breakfast, Snacks White puddingputóg bhán, marag gheal 🇮🇪 Ireland and 1 moreA sausage of oatmeal, fat and sometimes pork, without blood, from Ireland and Scotland Main dish, Breakfast, Dinner CrumpetVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreRound, spongy griddle bread with a porous top, often eaten toasted with butter Bread, Breakfast, Snacks Welsh cakeVegetarianpicau ar y maen 🇬🇧 United KingdomRound, spiced cakes cooked on a griddle, filled with currants or sultanas Sweet or dessert, Tea time, Snacks PastizzVegetarianPastizzi 🇲🇹 Malta and 5 moreMaltese savoury pastry filled with ricotta or curried peas Pie or savoury pastry, Breakfast, Snacks Bara brithVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 1 moreWelsh fruit bread with tea, dried fruit and spices, sliced and served with butter Bread, Tea time, Snacks Fried bread 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreSlices of bread fried in fat or oil until crisp and golden Bread, Breakfast, Snacks Tikka 🇮🇳 India and 2 moreChunks of marinated meat or paneer cooked in a tandoor oven Main dish, Snacks, Dinner Cucumber sandwichVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 1 moreThin cucumber slices between buttered bread, a classic for British afternoon tea Sandwich or wrap, Tea time, Snacks Jamaican patty 🇯🇲 Jamaica and 5 moreGolden, flaky pastry turnovers filled with spiced meat or other savoury fillings Pie or savoury pastry, Lunch, Dinner Simnel cakeVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 1 moreFruitcake with a marzipan layer and marzipan balls, linked to Easter and Lent Sweet or dessert, Tea time, Snacks Pork pieMeat 🇬🇧 United KingdomEnglish meat pie with pork filling and jellied stock in a hot water crust pastry Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Grilled cheeseVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 1 moreMelted cheese between bread, cooked until golden and crisp Sandwich or wrap, Lunch, Dinner Cruller 🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreDeep-fried twisted or ring-shaped pastry, often topped with sugar or icing Pie or savoury pastry, Breakfast, Snacks
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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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