What Foods Do People Eat in England?

By Staff WriterLast Updated May 20, 2025

Common foods eaten in England include Shepherd’s pie, fish and chips and scones. Other favorite foods are bangers and mash and Yorkshire pudding.

Enjoyed all over the United Kingdom, Shepherd’s pie is a traditional English meal consisting of finely chopped – or minced – lamb mixed with vegetables and covered with mashed potatoes instead of a crust. A variation on this classic meal is Cottage pie; the meat in this pie is beef.

Other common foods eaten in England include:

Fish and chips: Deep-fried battered whitefish served with what is typically known as French fries.

Scones: Typically served at afternoon tea, traditional British scones are served up with clotted cream, jams and jellies or just plain butter.

Bangers and mash: Considered a comfort food by many, this classic dish is sausages served with mashed potatoes and gravy

Yorkshire pudding: Although it sounds like a delicious dessert, this Sunday roast side is actually eggs, milk and flour mixed with the drippings from the roast.

The English are also extremely fond of sandwiches of all types, and the name sandwich is actually derived from the British Earl of Sandwich as a simple solution to eating meats without mess.

The most popular English drink is, by far, the classic cup of Earl Grey tea served with sugar and cream.