Britain · FOOD & DRINK
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 food & drink experiences worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Spend 9.5 hours exploring Highland Perthshire by minibus, with stops in Dunkeld, the Hermitage, Pitlochry, and Queen’s View before a guided Dewar’s whisky tasting. Guides such as Jim, Duncan, Kylie, and Graeme add Scottish stories, music, and humor along the way.
“Kieran was an absolute wealth of info and his music selection was outstanding. Made this trip all the better”
Join a 15-person pedal bike through Soho and Piccadilly, with an onboard driver and host/barista keeping the music going. Order drinks on board, stop at local pubs or a chocolatier, and enjoy a social London outing led in English. Guides may include Shady, Niamh, or Jennifer.
“Great laugh, but hard work. Loved every minute. We were supposed to have the 2hour ride but we were asked to come off after an hour to accommodate another big party. We were offered a voucher for our 2nd hour from Jennifer but have not received it yet. Well worth the hour though and would definitely do it again. Be prepared for thigh burn!!”
Spend 3.5 hours exploring Soho with an English-speaking guide such as Elle, Jay, Tom, or Layne. Taste eight dishes at five stops, enjoy two drinks, visit Chinatown for bao or dumplings, hear stories about Mozart and the Rolling Stones, and finish with a Michelin-star dessert.
“All the good was great and Katie was extremely knowledgeable. Very enjoyable tour.”
Spend three hours exploring Brixton with Obi, a lifelong local guide. Visit Brixton Market and nearby eateries, taste dishes such as jollof rice, jerk chicken, patties, callaloo and Ethiopian coffee, and hear personal stories about the people and events that shaped the area.
“I joined Obi’s food tour in London during a solo trip, and it was one of the best experiences of my visit. The food was absolutely delicious. I was especially pleased that Obi made accommodations to my pescatarian diet promptly.. Each stop came with rich cultural stories that brought everything to life. What really stood out, though, was Obi himself. He is not just a guide, he’s a host, a cultural ambassador, and someone who makes you feel like you’re exploring with a good friend. As a solo traveler, I never once felt out of place. In fact, Obi created a sense of community among the group, and by the…”
Walk from Spitalfields Market toward Borough Market with guides such as Devin, Pauline, Val, Valerie, and Laurie. Expect shared tastings of pizza, chai, cheese, meat pies, dumplings, desserts, and international food, plus London stories and a useful list of places to eat.
“our guide, Valerie, was great. She had a great personality, was engaging with all of us, and had plenty of information for both the food and some historical stuff as we walked between destinations. would highly recommend!”
Spend three hours exploring East London’s Indian food scene with a small group and an English-speaking guide such as Shay, Jai, Riki, or Rajiv. Expect five or six stops, curries, tandoori dishes, Indian sweets, beer or wine, spice lessons, local history, and plenty of food around Brick Lane.
“What a great tour! we tried so many Indian dishes we were unfamiliar with, and all were good. As others say, come hungry. This tour will not disappoint.”
Walk from Islington Marina through Ancoats and the Northern Quarter with a Mancunian guide such as Julia, Aisha, James, or Ian. Expect a full lunch of local and international tastings, wine, dessert, city stories, and small-group access to independent food spots.
“Excellent combination of great food and local history. Very enjoyable!”
Spend 75 minutes with guides such as Sharon and Dave at Stratford-upon-Avon’s only working distillery. See small-batch gin and rum made, bottled, labelled, and sealed by hand, then taste three spirits and choose gin and tonic or rum with a mixer.
“Fab way to spend a couple of hours informative fun and the tasting was delicious”
Spend 3.5 hours walking from Spitalfields Market through Brick Lane and Shoreditch, stopping for eight tastings at six local businesses. Guides including Isaac, Lauren, Max, Niall, and Flic add East End history, Cockney rhyming slang, street-art context, and practical food tips.
“It was funny and tasty. good job Max! Greetings from Marco & Tim”
Spend three hours walking from the Spirit of Soho Mural through Soho and Chinatown, stopping for British, Indian, Mediterranean, Chinese and dessert tastings. Guides such as Erica and Jeni bring local stories and an easy social feel. Vegetarian options are available, but not vegan or gluten-free.
“A perfect mix of culture, history, and mouthwatering food. Each tasting was better than the last. An unforgettable experience in the heart of London!”
At Glenkinchie Distillery in Tranent, an English-speaking guide leads you through a sensory tour of the working stillhouse, local heritage, and Johnnie Walker connection. Taste three whiskies and a small cocktail, with guides such as Kirsty and John W bringing the story to life.
“Very educational. Very very entertaining. Even more friend who has been on multiple whiskey tours learned a lot. We will recommend to friends”
Join No Diet Club for a 3.5-hour London food adventure linking South Bank and Camden. Expect shared tastings such as halloumi fries, dosa, Argentinian meat, grilled cheese, and more, with a mix of walking and cycling. Guides including Florian, Pauline, Barbara, and Géraud lead in English or French.
“Zoe was fantastic! The food was fantastic! The booking was fun, but should be reconsidered while there is so much construction.”
Visit Locksley Distilling at Sheffield’s Portland Works for a 90-minute tour with guides such as Jake, Danny, or Elliot. See how the distillery keeps production in-house, hear its story, enjoy a G&T, and taste the core range in a group of up to 10 adults.
“We had a great evening with Danny as our guide - he was friendly and so knowledgeable, and the drinks were delicious! Would highly recommend, so interesting to find out about local history and excellent value for money. Thank you!”
At Buffalo Trace Distillery London, you’ll follow the Kentucky bourbon story before tasting Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Sazerac Rye, Bourbon Cream, and a Buffalo and Ginger drink. Guides such as Martin, Eliza, and Anabel keep the small, English-language session friendly and clear.
“A must do for whiskey lovers! Eliza, our guide, was phenomenal. The whole experience was terrific!”
Spend an hour at Whitby Distillery with an English-speaking guide such as John, Alison, Fred, or Annie. See the copper still, smell the key botanicals, learn how gin is made and bottled by hand, then taste three spirits with a Whitby gin and tonic.
“We both absolutely loved it wish you all the best for the future when you get moved up near the Abbey Ross Kath”
Pick a city, a castle or a long drive north.
