The Best PIES in London
Craving delicious pie? We have got you covered with our list of the 10 best places to go and eat a sumptuous pies of all types in London. But no sweet pies you dastardly Americans. Savoury only here!
📷 @goddardsatgreenwich
10. Goddards at Greenwich
For many people, Goddards is the first name that comes to mind when you think about pie and mash shops. This place is no nonsense with pretty much no social media presence and a very basic website. Because at their very core they haven’t changed their formula for yeeeeears. And why would they? This place is built around doing one thing extremely well and that’s pie, mash & liquor.
They haven’t changed the recipe for over 100 years. That’s a testament to this wonderful location. Go to Greenwich, grab this amazing meal, go sit in the park and enjoy this beautifully iconic dish.
📷 @manzespieandmash
9. M Manze
Coming to you with another traditional pie & mash shop, you can essentially rinse and repeat every we said above. Open for over 100 years? Yep. No nonsense menu with traditional recipes? Yep. Decorations look like they haven’t been updated since our parents were in school? Yep yep yep. And do we love it? We most definitely do, ‘cos if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
The pies here are like a big warm hug, followed by another even bigger hug of mashed potato. In fact, always make sure to get two pies, otherwise you’ll leave wanting more. And grab a few more to go while you’re there. They most definitely know what they are doing here.
📷 @newmanarms
8. The Newman Arms
OK hear us out. Yes the Newman Arms’ food menu is currently closed while the work on a new food menu buuuuuut we really needed to talk about this pub as not only is it one of our fave central London proper ol’ pubs, but since we can remember it has also done some of the best damndest pies you can find.
Whether that’s traditional, modern, or veggie, they nail it. Every. Single. Time. So here’s hoping that their new menu will come full of pies so we can head back for another nostalgic evening settling down with an amazing pint and some pie, mash n gravy. Ooooh yes.
📷 @thecamberwellarms
7. The Camberwell Arms
Not that we need a reason to head over to South London, but we are incredibly fond of the lovely Camberwell Arms, home of a beast of a pie - the Chicken & Smoked Ham. Only served on Friday, Saturday & Sunday lunchtimes this enormous pie is a thing of beauty. The menu does suggest this be shared between two but if you enjoy a challenge or are just a fan of Man v Food then get set for a mind-blowing meal.
In the winter months you can also find an absolutely cracking beef and ale pie that could win prizes on its own. Actually all the food here is amazing, pie or no pie. What we’re trying to say is, go to the Camberwell Arms at your next possible opportunity, you won’t be disappointed!
📷 @holborndiningroom
6. Holborn Dining Room
You know you’re in for a treat when you turn up somewhere and they have a dedicated room called The Pie Room. That’s right ladies and gentlemen, the team behind Holborn Dining Room do not mess about. You can even order your pies for takeaway and pick them up from The Pie Hole. No, we’re not making this up. Yes, this does make up extremely happy. The pies are decadent, filled to the brim with flavour, and made with love. Chicken & tarragon pies, game pies, braised beef steak pies, pork pies, dauphinoise potato pies, they have ‘em all.
And watch this space because soon you’ll even be able to go there and do a Pie Masterclass. Well that’s Christmas presents sorted for the whole family this year.
📷 @marksman_pub
5. The Marksman
Come on down to one of our favourite pubs in London to experience one of the best pies experiences you can find. Granted, the pub is more of a restaurant, and the pies are more on the expensive side, so this should definitely be more of a special occasion treat than a habit. And your waistline will thank you because these pies are enormous. To share only.
Current menu favourite is the Duck, Bacon & Prune Pie, whose flavours are unbelieveable. But to be honest, you can’t go wrong, so get any pie that is on the menu. Go for Sunday lunch and while away the day with an amazing meal and a few bottles of wine. Literally can’t think of anything we’d rather be doing.
📷 @willys_pies
4. Willy’s Pies
Since moving to new digs right by Netil Market in London Fields after lockdown Willy’s Pies have spread their wings and are really broadening their horizons, we’re sure you’ve spotted their iconic pies all over the place with their colourful boxes and fascinating mixture of bold flavours.
We’ve had the pleasure of trying their Beef Mince and Westcombe Cheddar pie which was mmmm lovely with some mash and gravy, but the real winner was the Chard, Celeriac and White Bean pie - we’re not usually one to praise vegetarian food when there’s a carnivore version on the cards but my oh my this one was absolutely delicious! And every month they are coming out with new pies so a great excuse to keep going back for more, can’t wait to see what they cook up next!
📷 @matchstickpiehouse
3. Matchstick Piehouse
So surprisingly the main pull of this venue is not actually their pies (which are very delicious), but the fact that this place does great food on top of having a whole load of entertainment on offer. Theatre, cabaret, poetry, and music gigs. You name it, they’ve got it on throughout the weeks.
In fact, every Wednesday they have a regular slot dedicated to their in-house band Steam Down who play incredible music to get you over the hump of the week and get the vibes and energy going again. So grab some pies, mash and gravy, and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of this stunning location under the arches in Deptford.
📷 @soanemuseum
2. The Ginger Pig
Coming at you from leftfield here, the Ginger Pig is a actually a butcher shop at heart, with so many great things going on at its 8 locations around London (love the one in Wanstead). And, again, deviating from the rest of the list, we’re not talking traditional pies here, its’s actually all about their amazing pork pies.
These pies are a thing of beauty, and nothing puts a smile on our face quite as quickly as popping into a Ginger Pig to grab one of these will strolling by. Also grab a sausage roll while you’re there, but that’s for another list... They actually post all their main recipes online so if you’re that way inclined go for it and try to recreate these pork pies at home too. Or take one of their butchery classes as start getting comfortable with the basics of butchery.
📷 @st.john.restaurant
1. St. JOHN
Welcome to the iconic St. JOHN Restaurant group (yes, the same people who do those amazing donuts right by Maltby Street Market). With 4 stunning locations around London, our personal favourite is the original location in Smithfield. This is the home of some exceptionally interesting and homely foods, using only the very quality and curious products. Oh, and they make incredible pies.
The Pies: continuously changing with the seasons but always different and intriguing, on the current menu are game pie, chicken & trotter pie and pig’s head & potato pie. That’s a helluva selection. Go ahead, treat yourself.