Best Food and Restaurants in and Beyond: Quick Guide for Singapore Travellers
If you are planning a UK 7 days trip and want the best food and restaurants in and beyond London, focus on three hubs: central London for iconic British classics, neighbourhoods like Soho and Shoreditch for global flavours, and day‑trip cities like Bath or Brighton for regional specialties. A well‑planned London itinerary for one week UK can easily mix must‑see sights with memorable meals, even if it is your first time Britain.
This cluster guide supports Homejourney’s main UK travel pillar article Ultimate UK 7-Day Itinerary: London and Beyond (Homejourney Guide) by going deeper into where and what to eat, while also helping food‑loving travellers, expats and investors understand how lifestyle and dining scenes connect back to longer‑term relocation or property investment decisions.
Destination Overview: Why Foodies Should Visit London and Beyond
As someone who splits time between Singapore and London, the first thing I tell Singapore foodies is this: treat London like a giant hawker centre spread across postcodes. You get the same mix of affordable street eats, heritage dishes and top‑tier restaurants that we are used to near Maxwell Food Centre or Lau Pa Sat, just stretched across neighbourhoods instead of under one roof.
Why visit for food:
- London has one of the world’s most diverse restaurant scenes, from Michelin‑starred British tasting menus to casual Sri Lankan, Pakistani and East Asian joints.
- Day‑trip cities ("beyond London") such as Bath, Oxford and Brighton offer regional British fare: Cornish pasties, proper seaside fish and chips, Sunday roasts in centuries‑old pubs.
- For Singaporeans and Asian expats, you will find plenty of good Asian options (from Malaysian to Korean), which makes a one‑week UK trip less of a culinary gamble.
Best time to visit for food: Late spring to early autumn (May–September) is ideal: longer daylight, many outdoor markets, and seasonal produce at its best. Winter can still be rewarding for hearty roasts and festive markets, but days are short and you will spend more time indoors.
Getting there from Singapore: Non‑stop flights from Changi to London Heathrow typically take about 13 hours; Singapore Airlines and British Airways are the most common carriers. If you are planning potential relocation or investment, flying into Heathrow also gives you easy onward links to European hubs where you might compare property markets before coming back to Singapore via Homejourney.
Currency tips: The UK uses the British pound (GBP). As a rule of thumb, mid‑range restaurants in central London will often feel like eating at a higher‑end spot in Singapore CBD. Many Singapore‑based users track their budgets in SGD while evaluating properties in GBP or EUR; Homejourney’s multi‑currency support (including GBP) can help you benchmark everyday costs like dining and groceries against potential Singapore property expenses when you are back home.
Top Food Neighbourhoods and Experiences in London
Think of London’s neighbourhoods like Singapore’s districts: each has a food “personality”. Here are the most useful zones for a first‑time, food‑focused London itinerary.
1. Soho & Covent Garden – Central, Walkable, Huge Variety
If you only have one week in the UK, base several evenings around Soho and Covent Garden. From Leicester Square station, most of these spots are within a 5–10 minute walk, similar to walking from Raffles Place MRT to Boat Quay.
- What to eat: Modern British small plates, tapas, good Italian, late‑night Chinese, and dessert bars.
- Why locals go: Theatre crowd, after‑work drinks, and friends’ gatherings all end up here because you can decide last‑minute and still find something.
- Insider tip: Many popular spots keep some seats for walk‑ins. If you miss out online, show up right when they open for a better chance—similar to queuing early at a famous chicken rice stall in Singapore.
2. Shoreditch & Spitalfields – Hip, Street‑Food Friendly
If you like Singapore’s Tiong Bahru or Joo Chiat vibes—independent cafes, creative restaurants, street art—Shoreditch and Spitalfields are your London equivalents.
- Old Spitalfields Market: Covered food hall with everything from dumplings to burgers, ideal for groups with different cravings.
- Brick Lane: Traditionally famous for curry houses; nowadays you will also find bagel shops and pop‑up concepts.
- Insider tip: Come on a weekend late morning: brunch in Shoreditch, browse the market, then early dinner before crowds peak.
3. Borough Market – The “Gourmet Hawker Centre”
Borough Market, near London Bridge station, is probably the closest thing London has to a curated hawker centre: packed food stalls, local produce, and plenty of quick bites.
- What to try: Fresh oysters, grilled cheese sandwiches, artisan bakeries, pies, and British cheeses.
- Best time: Weekdays before lunch rush. Saturdays get extremely crowded—treat it like visiting Tiong Bahru Market at 11am Sunday and you get the idea.
Best Food and Restaurants: London and Day‑Trip Cities
Below is a practical short‑list you can plug directly into your one‑week UK plan. Exact menus and prices change often; always check recent reviews and confirm opening hours before you go.
London Essentials for First‑Timers
- Classic Fish & Chips (Multiple Locations)
Look for spots that fry to order and serve mushy peas and tartar sauce. For Singapore standards, think of paying roughly what you would at a mid‑range restaurant at Clarke Quay, not a hawker stall. - Sunday Roast Pubs
Many central London pubs offer Sunday roasts: roast beef or lamb, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and gravy. Book ahead for Sundays between 12–3pm. - Afternoon Tea
This is a splurge item but memorable for a first time in Britain. For a more casual version, some hotel lounges and cafes offer weekday deals that cost less than the most expensive brunches in Singapore.
Beyond London: Bath, Brighton, Oxford
If you can spare 1–2 days from your London itinerary, these cities add local flavour without exhausting travel time.
- Bath: Known for Georgian architecture and buns. Try local bakeries and classic tearooms near the Roman Baths area; most are within a 10–15 minute walk from Bath Spa station.
- Brighton: Ideal for seaside fish and chips and independent cafes. From the station, walk downhill about 15 minutes to the seafront and you will pass dozens of casual eateries.
- Oxford: University pubs and cozy cafes. If you enjoy Singapore’s heritage kopitiams, you will appreciate sitting in centuries‑old rooms with simple food and beer.
Practical Travel & Safety Tips for Food‑Focused Trips
Homejourney’s core value is safety and trust; that extends to how we talk about food and travel, not just property. Here are grounded, experience‑based tips to keep your trip smooth.
Visa, Transport, and Getting Around
- Visa: Singapore citizens currently do not need a visa for short UK tourist stays (always double‑check the latest rules before flying). Other nationalities should confirm requirements well in advance.
- Transport in London: Use a contactless card or mobile wallet to tap on/off the Tube and buses; fares cap daily, similar to using your contactless card on Singapore’s MRT. Avoid driving in central London unless you are very confident—parking and congestion charges add up quickly.
- Day‑trips: Advance train tickets can be significantly cheaper than walk‑up prices. Time your meals around train schedules; I usually eat an early lunch before a mid‑day train to avoid overpriced, mediocre station snacks.
Food Safety, Allergies and Budget Control
- Food safety: Tap water is safe to drink. For street or market food, I apply the same rule as in Singapore: pick busy stalls with high turnover.
- Allergies & dietary needs: UK menus usually label common allergens; if you have severe allergies, still inform staff directly. Vegetarian and vegan options are common, especially in central London.
