British Pie Week 2024: London’s Best Pies
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7 months ago
Superior pies in the capital
Whether it’s a suet pudding, a golden-crusted steak number or a fruity pudding, there’s nothing like a good, hearty pie. Although the dish can be traced back to Ancient Rome, over the years it has become known as one of Britain’s national dishes – so much so that one, the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie, has gained official PGI protected status. And what better time to celebrate (and eat) the staple dish than during British Pie Week? The important culinary event returns to the capital from 4 – 10 March 2024, and restaurants are getting involved with special pop-ups and creations. Here are the best pies in London to try during British Pie Week and beyond.
Best Pies In London
The Pie Room at Holborn Dining Room, Holborn
The clue’s in the name: this destination is dedicated to all things pie. Hidden away within Rosewood London’s Holborn Dining Room, the space serves as a kitchen by day and a private dining room by night. A team of pastry experts whizz up an array of hand-crafted pies, and of course they’ve created a special dish for British Pie Week. The limited-edition Pepper Steak Pie is a celebration of head pie maker Nokx Majozi’s South African roots, created using a British suet pastry. It’s available for collection from the venue’s Pie Hole throughout the week.
Available for collection 4 – 9 March 2024, 11 – 3pm, 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN. holborndiningroom.com
108 Brasserie, Marylebone
Marylebone favourite 108 Brasserie is getting involved with the festivities, collaborating with farm shop and artisan butcher DukesHill on a special menu. Diners will be able to choose from an array of deep-filled pies, including steak and ale, chicken and ham, and cheese and onion – all made using top ingredients from DukesHill.
Available 4 – 8 March 2024, 108 Marylebone Ln, London W1U 2QE. 108brasserie.com
St. JOHN, Smithfield
Fergus Henderson’s famed restaurant St. JOHN was a pioneer in nose-to-tail dining, having been going strong for almost 30 years. Its pies are legendary – particularly the giant pig’s head and potato pie, designed to be shared between eight or more guests. You’ll have to plan ahead though: it needs to be ordered two weeks in advance. However, the menu also includes a regularly sized chicken and trotter pie, plus a game pie.
26 St John St, Barbican, London EC1M 4AY. stjohnrestaurant.com
Bob Bob Ricard
Feeling fancy? Head to Soho stalwart Bob Bob Ricard and order its decadent chicken and champagne pie, which combines Bollinger with veggies to create the ultimate pie filling. Continue the theme by pressing for champagne with the famous button, perched beside each table.
1 Upper James St, London W1F 9DF. bobbobricard.com
The Devonshire, Soho
Everyone’s raving about this buzzy Soho gastropub, which sees reservations snapped up within minutes of going live. If you manage to nab one, be sure to order the beef cheek and Guinness suet pudding, which has risen to cult dish status within just months of the venue opening.
The Devonshire, 17 Denman St, London W1D 7HW. devonshiresoho.co.uk
J Sheekey
Few pies are as well-known as the fish pie from Covent Garden’s J Sheekey, which has been the restaurant’s bestselling dish since it began. You can find the recipe online – but nothing beats the original, made with chunks of salmon and cod, with an oozing breadcrumb and parmesan crust.
28-32 St Martin’s Ct, London WC2N 4AL, j-sheekey.co.uk
The Windmill, Mayfair
Mayfair pub The Windmill is renowned for its golden-crusted, award-winning pies, which celebrate the best of British produce. The menu includes a selection of classic pies, such as steak and mushroom, Shropshire chicken, bacon and leek, and squash, feta and lentil. There are also two potted pies on offer: a Dorset lamb shepherd’s pie, and a Devon crab, king prawn and haddock fish pie.
6-8 Mill St, London W1S 2AZ. windmillmayfair.co.uk
Manze’s
Deptford’s beloved Manze’s has been serving pie and mash to East End locals for over 100 years – but next year, it will sadly close its doors. All the more reason to take a trip there to try its famous family recipe, which hasn’t changed since 1890.
204 Deptford High St, London SE8 3PR, manzepieandmash.com
Boundary Bar & Brasserie, Shoreditch
Shoreditch’s Boundary Bar & Brasserie is known for its brunch and Sunday roast, but this week it’s mixing things up with a pie menu. There are three pies on offer: a corn-fed chicken, mushroom and champagne number, a Comté cheese and caramelised red onion creation, and a sweet apple and rhubarb pie, served with pouring custard.
Available 4 – 10 March 2024, Ground Floor, 2-4 Boundary St, London E2 7DJ. boundary.london