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Eating London

January 23, 2022 | Michael Turtle | 5 Comments

FOOD EXPERIENCE

Eating London Tour, London, England

“I love eating,” Nicole Monaco tells me.

“It’s my favourite thing to do in the world and its how you can learn the most about a country.”

Eating London Tour, England

I’m learning a lot about Nicole just from her accent as she tells me this. I immediately pick it as Australian, with a strong twang but not from the north.

“Melbourne,” she says.

But here she is in the east of London, leading a food tour. True to her assertion, if you follow the food, the culture will reveal itself – and that’s just what she’s done here for the past three years.

Eating London Tour, England
Eating London Tour, England

Nicole wrote the itinerary for the Eating London food tour through this part of the city’s East End.

It’s an area of London that has always been influenced by the migrants and minorities that settled here over the years and the choice of culinary stops on the tour reflects that.

A touch of Jewish cuisine, the South Asian essential, a nod to the former dock workers and a glimpse of the hipsters.

Eating London Tour, England

To be more specific about our location, we are basically in Shoreditch, the hipster capital of the London.

Every second cafe seems to also be a bike repair shop, there are barbers who only cut beards, and I’ve heard there’s a new restaurant somewhere that serves just cereal (it’s not on the tour yet).

Luckily I’m not wearing the unofficial uniform of the hipsters – the skinny jeans – because there is a lot of food involved. That may not sound surprising but I can tell you I have been on some eating tours where I finish hungry. That’s definitely not the case here.

Eating London Tour, England
Eating London Tour, England
Eating London Tour, England

Like Nicole, I’m from Australia and have found myself spending a lot of time in east London over the years.

A tour like this is, I assume, aimed at foreign visitors but as Nicole points out little tidbits of history and takes us to her favourite restaurants, I feel like I’m seeing my local area anew.

I especially enjoy the combination of the general knowledge of the district with the culinary aspects.

Eating London Tour, England
Eating London Tour, England

In some ways, this is a journey through time:

The old 17th century building where you can get bread pudding – the dessert of the working poor…

The effects of the British colonial era captured in the South Asian diaspora of Brick Lane…

The fish and chip shop filled with wartime memorabilia…

And the  modern design of Shoreditch’s most popular trendy restaurants.

Eating London Tour, England
Eating London Tour, England

But, then again, it’s not history – it’s today. The influences of this ever changing social demographic in east London are clear to see and it makes a tour like this about more than just the food – it’s about the city itself.

>> You can find out more information here about the East End Food Tour <<

Time Travel Turtle was a guest of Eating London but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Renuka |

    December 18, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    Reply

    Gorgeous photos! London seems to be a foodie’s delight. 🙂

  2. Accommodations |

    December 19, 2014 at 6:51 am

    Reply

    London is a very famous city for its tremendous yummy foods and outstanding culture. i like the foods described here and I the photos are also very nice and attractive.

  3. Mary @ Green Global Travel |

    December 21, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    Reply

    The food looks good!! Eating your way through a city is definitely a great way to get to know a place! Thanks for sharing!

  4. Natalie |

    December 22, 2014 at 9:44 am

    Reply

    Fish, chips and mushy peas! My favourite

  5. Deb at Headout |

    August 19, 2016 at 6:19 am

    Reply

    In a place like London, where there is so much to do and see, it truly helps to have a food tour that will take you to the best and must-visit places. Great write up and beautiful pictures. The various exotic cuisine found in this part of London and the historical aspects are intriguing, not just for visitors but for a local like me too.

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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