If your idea of street food is greasy hamburgers and limp hot dogs, you’ve obviously never encountered one of the fabulous gourmet food trucks around London where they serve cuisine, not junk food.
From divine breakfast benedicts to mouthwatering fresh fruit crepes, these inventive (foodie) entrepreneurs cook up dishes that can make even the most superior foodie jump for joy.
1. The Bowler
The delicious smells that waft from this astroturf covered van, nicknamed the “Lawn Ranger,” should be enough to let you know this is no ordinary street food.
Specializing in meatballs “made with love,” the founder, Jez, dishes out culinary concoctions to suit all kinds of tastes. Besides the spicy meatballs, he also makes balls out of fish, fresh vegetables and even chicken. He boasts that his balls all contain free range meats and fresh, seasonal veggies, no frozen and microwaved ingredients allowed!
What’s more, you can top off your balls with a choice of delicate herbal drizzles, spicy sauces or hearty marinara. So when you’re ready for some “Great British Balls,” let your nose lead you to the Bowler!
Be bowled over with the latest news and menu additions at @TheBowlerUK
2. Street Kitchen
Feel like a fancy meal but don’t want to get “sticker shock” when you see the bill?
Then search out the Street Kitchen’s Airstream trailers around London where you can indulge in dishes like hot smoked salmon with roasted beetroots or slow roasted pork in an apple glaze with celeriac coleslaw for a fraction of what you’d pay in a sit-down restaurant…if you can find one that even has such delicious offerings.
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The Street Kitchen’s bistro-style dishes only use fresh, local ingredients so their menus changes constantly to match the mood of the season. This truck is the brainchild of famous Chefs (also on The Food Network) Mark Jankel and Jun Tanaka, so you know you will only be served the best. They are such purist that they only serve organic beer and all their packaging is biodegradable, making these street meals guilt-free as well as easy on the pocket book.
Follow News and Menu Additions of their Vintage Trailer at: @Streetkitchen
3. Crêperie Nicolas
This fleet of bright blue gourmet creperies can be spotted all over London, from private parties to street fairs, bringing a little taste of France to British festivities.
Their delicious sweet crêpes are made with the freshest ingredients and stuffed with seasonal fruits and melt-in-your-mouth chocolates and, of course, Nutella!
They also whip up some fine coffee drinks and galettes with ingredients like brie, crispy bacon and mushrooms, Yum! It’s enough to make you hungry just reading the options!
4. Bean About Town
Imagine savoring a hand pulled espresso served from a remodeled Vintage Volkswagen bus and you’ll get the idea of what to expect from this mobile gourmet coffee shop.
Serving Londoners from their carts near rail and tube stations, these trained baristas not only use only ethically sourced coffee beans, they put it in an environmentally sound container so you can ditch the cup with a clear conscious.
Be warned, though, once you have wrapped your lips around one of these fabulous coffee treats while waiting for your train in London, you may never be satisfied with Starbucks again!
Get your latest fix at: @beanabouttown
5. Big Apple Hot Dogs
Don’t worry; all this gourmet food on the streets hasn’t run off the hot dog vendors, but the high-end competition has made them bring their dawgs to a whole new level.
At the Big Apple Hot Dog truck by the Old Street Tube Station in London, you can satisfy your craving without compromising your foodie integrity with their organic, free-range, oak-smoked (even gluten free) wieners couched in a bakery fresh bun and topped with savory condiments.
To further tempt your backyard barbeque cravings, they also make a succulent spice-laden pork sausage with a just-right crispy casing that makes that satisfying snap as you bite through to the juicy filling that even has the mustard flavor worked into the recipe so you don’t have to risk the inevitable yellow stains on your clothes.
Follow @BigAppleHotDogs to keep up with a little New York in London!
6. Churros Garcia
Even though this small family business has been serving Londoners treats on the streets for over 40 years, they are still winning awards as a favorite outdoor vendor even with all the new gourmet competition.
For those who haven’t tried hot churros, they are kind of a cross between sopapillas, croissants and donuts and are best when served hot, of course. You can sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon on them or drizzle the chocolate sauce over the top for a truly decadent snack.
Though they may technically be classified as peasant food, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything as luscious in even the finest French bakery!
Author Bio: Lela is a foodie and world traveller who works as a part time copywriter for HostelBookers, where you can find chic hotels in London, close enough to get to any of these gourmets street trucks.
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Jo Thompson
3 years ago
To be frank, yes, I never had a cuisine like meals at a food truck in London. Will heed your advice and try one of these.
Arianwen
12 years ago
I live in London too, and I don’t make the most of the street food vendors, but there’s a Guyanese roti caravan near me in Brixton that’s awesome. We even got invited inside once when it was raining!
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
The diversity of London’s cuisine (and its residents) is just incredible!
Greg Hughes
12 years ago
I live in London, and I’m loving the street food scene right now. Not only is the food good, but the pop up street food fairs are a great place to socialise – good food, local beer and occasionally a sunny evening!
Out of this list the only one I have had is a Big Apple hot dog, but needless to say they taste INCREDIBLE. I’ll definitely make an effort to try the Bowler Man soon as I’ve seen him at a few events before.
Other favourites of mine on the street food scene are Banh Mi 11 (amazing Banh Mi), Kimchi Cult (delicious burgers topped with Kimchi) and Horn OK Please (great Indian street food)
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Great to hear this Greg and thanks for sharing those other London street food trucks as well. London has such a wonderful diversity, range, and creativity of cuisine and it’s so cool to hear about all these street food trucks popping up (and the food culture revolving them).
Sandhya
12 years ago
Thanks Greg. Glad you like us 🙂
HOP
Carly
12 years ago
Wow! I don’t go to London often, but will certainly look out for some of these, they look great!
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Great to hear that, if you go to one of these places, let me know how it is!
AdventureRob
12 years ago
Wow, they all look great, I’ll need to come back here before the next time I go to London.
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Thanks Rob, makes me want to visit London for some food too.
Christina
12 years ago
I’ve definitely seen Bean About Town before. The Bowler looks so cute, I think I might have to give it a try. What a crazy van!
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Cool Christina. Are you in London now? You’ve got to let me know how it is if you go!
anna greenwood
12 years ago
These all look ace. I have tried the bowler myself and loved it. Also just came across a v cool vintage truck called rainbo selling gyoza in london which is pretty cool. that and mexican and im sorted!
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Awesome to hear that Anna. Glad that you have already tried the Bowler and loved it. Gyoza and Mexican food sounds great too!
Ayngelina
12 years ago
I could have really used this when I was in London in the Fall, I found all the food to be…meh.
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
I know for sure that if I travel to London anytime soon, I’ll be stopping my most of these trucks!
jen laceda
12 years ago
Holy, Batman! (He, he, he) These look amazing! Who would have thought? London = Great Street Food Truck?!?
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
I agree, they all look great!
sully86
12 years ago
mark: hrmmmm food that moves…
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Not so many food trucks in Bangkok, but there is a ton of food on wheels!