London is full of expensive fine-dining restaurants and luxurious hotels serving elegant afternoon teas which make wonderful Instagram photos but leave a serious dent in your wallet. Luckily, there are also plenty of photogenic foodie spots in London that will make awesome pictures without breaking the bank. Check out our recommendations below and be the food-envy of all your friends on your next trip to the city.
Colorful Cafés & Latte Art
You don’t need to spend hundreds of pounds in fancy London restaurants to have a great dining experience and get some first-rate Instagram shots. London is full of colorful cafes that make great photo backdrops serving beautiful latte coffees topped with intricate foamy designs. Some of the most popular cafes for Instagram in London include the EL&N cafes with their floral walls and candy machine displays, the rose lattes at AIDA Café in Shoreditch and the sweeping wisteria plants at Aubaine in Selfridges.
Parks & Outdoor Spaces
Did you know that almost 50% of London is dedicated to parks and green spaces? A picnic in the park with friends and family is always a treat on a sunny London day, and the abundance of green spaces in the capital makes it easy to find a quiet spot to set up a picnic blanket and some lunch. One of the most scenic spots is Hampstead Heath with its elevated views over London, swimming ponds, and the 17th century Kenwood House.
Other scenic parks include Greenwich Park which is home to several historical buildings, museums, and live deer, the Japanese inspired gardens at Holland Park and centrally located parks such as Hyde Park and Regent’s Park. If you don’t want to make a picnic yourself, stop at a department store food hall such as Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, or Harrods to pick up some luxurious treats to feast on.
Food Markets
Londoners love a good food market, and luckily there are plenty to choose from around the city, creating excellent photo opportunities. One of the oldest and largest of all the food markets is Borough Market in the London Bridge area, which has hundreds of food stalls selling everything from paella to bread and cakes. The backdrop of Borough Market’s bustling food stalls, Victorian architecture, and brick archways make it a popular filming and photography spot that has been used in many TV shows and movies.
Other food markets that are great for Instagram photos include historic Greenwich Market which has been running since 1737, a covered market surrounded by independent shops where you’ll find food vendors serving global cuisine from Ethiopia to Vietnam. The dining outlets and market stalls of Leadenhall Market are also an Instagram-worthy visit. The covered market was first established in 1321 and was redesigned in the late 1800s with the addition of an ornate roof structure and cobbled floors.
Street Food Trucks and Stalls
London’s street food scene has grown rapidly in recent years, with food trucks and stalls now a common sight in many central areas. Many food trucks provide restaurant-quality dishes at a fraction of what you would pay in a sit-down restaurant, making them a good dining option if you are looking for a substantial meal on a budget.
Boxpark in Shoreditch is a good place to find delicious and unique street food – from Greek souvlaki flatbread wraps to Korean inspired chicken burgers. Not only is the food totally worthy of Instagram by itself, but the streets of Shoreditch are also home to some of London’s best street art and murals which make awesome photos too. The Southbank Centre Street Food Market is also a photogenic spot by the Thames River with plenty of mouth-watering dishes to try.
Pretty Pub Gardens & Rooftop Terraces with Views
Many of London’s pubs have beautiful gardens, rooftops, and courtyards that you would never have guessed were there from looking at the exterior. Enjoying a beer or glass of wine with some bar snacks in a hidden garden is an affordable way to enjoy some food and take some great Instagram shots.
A few examples of great pub gardens include the Albion and The Canonbury Georgian pubs in Islington, Magic Garden in Battersea, and the Crabtree Tavern in Hammersmith. When it comes to rooftop bars and terraces, try Bar Elba in Waterloo, or Giant Robot in Canary Wharf.
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