Monday, November 18, 2013

Eating my way around the East End

*I received a complimentary tour from Eating London for the purposes of review. 


Eating London Food Tour

I had the most fantastic morning Friday before last!  I joined the lovely Nicole for a feast of London.
(If you were following me on Instagram or Twitter, did I make you hungry?)

Eating London Food Tour

Nicole is the guide for the East End Food Tour with Eating London.
I've never done a food tour before but I will in the future.  It's such fun way to experience the city.
We stopped at eight unique locations, lovingly researched by Nicole, to try 8 scrumptious dishes.
The tours lasts for about 3.5 hours and it moves quick.  There a lot to see eat, so don't dally.

At each location we were warmly welcomed and after a personal description of the venue and the dish,
we were served sample size portions of some amazing food.
(It was all fantastic but if I had to pick a favorite it was the banana bread pudding.)

I won't tell you all of the places we visited, because you really should take the tour to see for yourself.  Nicole will do a much better job than I will.  Let's just say they're some of the best spots in the East End.  Real gems.

Eating London Food Tour

Food is the focus, but there are a few costars on this tour.
Nicole did an terrific job of explaining the architecture, culture and history of the area that we walked through.  She is originally from Australia, but the East End is now her home and you can tell that she is pretty passionate about it.

Eating London Food Tour

Eating London Food Tour

Eating London Food Tour

Eating London Food Tour

Eating London Food Tour

Eating London Food Tour

I've never really explored the Truman Brewery, Brick Lane or Spitalfield Market area.
But I will be back.   It's a quirky area that has been home to wave after wave of immigrants.
So much history from various cultures.  Nicole was sure to tell us how
important those various groups were and are to the feel of the East End.

And the street art!  I was with a group of bloggers who are like moths to the flame.  I see a Street Art Tour in my near future.  Nicole had quite a challenge keeping us all on task.  She just kept tempting us with the next dish.

Eating London Food Tour

Eating London Food Tour

Eating London Food Tour

Eating London Food Tour

So now let's just be frank.  It's not cheap. £59 per person is a big chunk out of that fun budget.
But it is very comparable to food tours in other big cities.

And what you get for your money is something pretty special and of great quality.
You get breakfast and lunch (It runs daily from 10am except Sundays).  And we're talking some awesome food.
You get 4 hours of undivided attention from an informed and engaged tour guide in a small group.
And you get insider knowledge of one of London's most exciting neighborhoods.
And you get fun.

So, if you're into food (who isn't?), you have the funds and are willing to pay to eat your way through history, tradition and culture then I can happily recommend this food and walking tour.  It's a splurge but it won't disappoint.

Eating London Food Tour

If that's not enough of an endorsement, they are ranked 5 stars on TripAdvisor
and have already made their way into the Top 20 things to do in London (#17).

Be sure to tell them that I sent you.


Which of those dishes up there look the most tempting to you?



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  *I received a complimentary tour from  Eating London Food Tours for the purposes of review.
All photos, writing and opinions are my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.


You can find this review and many others in my
London Attraction Guide

23 comments:

  1. This is my kind of tour!!! I had dinner in Brick Lane last night. It never disappoints. Seriously considering doing this when my friend visits. Mmmmm

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  2. I did a food tour in Greenwich Village when I visited NYC two weeks ago & I wanted to find something similar in London. Looks like I did! Thanks Selena!

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  3. I loved following your instagram photos when you did the tour and I know Alison equally loved it. Sounds like SO much fun!! Banana bread pudding sounds amazing!!!!

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  4. Looks wonderful! I was just in the same area yesterday. The street art is spectacular. I am looking forward to going back and trying some more wonderful food there. The banana bread pudding is on my list!

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  5. I read a blog post about this tour a few weeks ago and it sounds amazing!

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  6. I had an AMAZING time on this tour, I can't recommend it enough!

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  7. If I had known, my husband and I could have done THAT this weekend instead of wandering around East London with no one telling us what we were seeing :-/ we did see some of these pictures though :) And I have heard TERRIFIC things about Pride of Spitalfields pub. I'd love to do the Street Art tour as well!

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  8. Jess {JessinBelgium}November 18, 2013 at 1:37 PM

    Wonderful suggestion Selena - this looks like a real must-do - especially to get to know the area around where I now work! (And if I absolutely must choose, the cheese and cider are for me!)

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  9. I LOVE a food tour! Can't believe I've never done one in London before?! What the crazy. Have to put that on the to do list for next time. Maybe it could be a group outing! Also think the street art in the east end is just genius. Gorgeousness.

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  10. It was so much fun. One of the best tours I've done. But of course, it involves food :D Group outing is a great idea! I really want to do the East End Street Art Tour. I'll let you know when I get it scheduled. 

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  11. So lucky you get to work in that area! So much to see and do. I can't believe I haven't really explored it much. That cheese was pretty special. Cheese & Cider, mmmmm.

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  12. I'll let you know when I schedule the street art tour. I've had several people express an interest. We'll have to make it a group outing :D

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  13. Don't you love when you find those special things to do that you are thrilled to recommend? How lucky are we to be travel bloggers. :D

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  14. BTW, looks like we'll be in Folkestone for Christmas. Wanna sneak away to the pub one night? 

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  15. There were several bloggers that were able to attend during World Travel Market. We're all raving about it!

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  16. I loved, loved, loved your post with the street art. I'm thinking we need to get a group together for a street art tour of the East End. You in?

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  17. It really was a blast! I think I need to find a recipe for the banana bread pudding. It was so good! warm with crunchy sugar on top. hmmmm.

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  18. You are more than welcome. You're gonna love it. I can't wait to hear all about New York. I so need to go there someday. 

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  19. You'll love it. Nicole is a sweetheart and well the food! I loved the area and need to explore some more. Thinking of getting a group together to do a East End Street Art Tour. What'd you think?

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  20. Just did this tour last week - loved it!! Nicole is a great guide. Thanks for posting

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  21. That's awesome! I'll definitely put that on my list of things to do if I get to London!

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Thanks for commenting. I love to hear from you!