Where To Find The Best Pies In London

Where To Find The Best Pies In London

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World-class pie purveyors such as Corrigan’s Mayfair and Piebury Corner might be closed right now, but there are still plenty of places in the capital to get a good old-fashioned pie. From an institution that’s been serving them since 1902 to high-end options in Holborn, here are some of the best places in London to get your pastry fix.

Holborn Dining Room, Holborn

Rosewood London’s Holborn Dining Room serves up seasonal British cuisine in a huge, ornate dining salon. Within, The Pie Room is a one-stop destination dedicated to – you guessed it – pies. Spearheaded by exec head chef and pastry expert Calum Franklin – who’s been called “the pie king” by Jamie Oliver – the space is a treasure trove of savoury delicacies. Pastry fans should swing by and take away one of the team’s intricate creations, which include pies, pate en croute, sausage rolls and scotch egg, via a handy street-side hatch. If you’re after something a little more occasion worthy, The Pie Room is available for private hire, every evening, for up to six people.
 
252 High Holborn, Holborn, WC1V 7EN
 
Visit HolbornDiningRoom.com
 

Guinea Grill, Mayfair

The Guinea is a Mayfair institution – there’s been an inn on this site since 1423. The Guinea Grill restaurant opened in 1952. Since then, it’s become the place to head for dry-aged, grass-fed British beef cooked on an open grill. You’ll find a selection of Young’s ales at the bar and premium steak-and-kidney pies – which have been served on site since the 1940s – complete with suet lids and filled with offcuts of dry-aged beef on the menu. We also like the sound of the kitchen’s potato and wensleydale pie, served with truffle, leeks and a poached egg.
 
30 Bruton Place, Mayfair, W1J 6NL
 
Visit TheGuinea.co.uk
 

Quo Vadis, Soho

One of the very best members clubs in London, many of the spaces in this cool Soho townhouse are off-limits to non-members. But fret not if you can’t get in upstairs. On the ground floor there’s a small but perfectly formed restaurant headed up by Jeremy Lee. Bright and filled with crisp white tablecloths and stained-glass windows, this is a worthy spot for tucking into a pie. Following the must-try smoked eel sandwich, guests should order the pie of the day, which always comes with mash. Flavours vary, but highlights include chicken, tarragon and leek pie; and game pie – filled with slow-braised duck, pheasant and mallard.
 
26-29 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 3LL
 
Visit QuoVadisSoho.co.uk

Holborn Dining Room
Holborn Dining Room
Bob Bob Ricard
Bob Bob Ricard

Bob Bob Ricard, Soho

With its red and gold-gilded interiors, Bob Bob Ricard really sets a scene for destination dining. With an ‘elegant’ dress code (no need for ties), the restaurant serves British and Russian classics with a modern touch – think anything from lobster mac ’n’ cheese to elevated beef wellington. When it comes to pies, there are a few options: the truffle and champagne ‘humble pie’, with Jerusalem artichokes, mushrooms, celeriac and baby onions; the chicken and champagne pie; and the fish pie, which is filled with smoked haddock, salmon, cod, mussels and prawns. For an extra dash of extravagance, order bubbles via the restaurant’s famous ‘Press For Champagne’ buttons, located on every table.
 
1 Upper James Street, Soho, W1F 9DF
 
Visit BobBobRicard.com
 

M. Manze Pie & Mash, Various Locations

M. Manze Pie & Mash’s pies, mash, green liquor and eels are legendary and uphold the traditions created by founder Michele Manze more than a century ago. Today, its three London sites – in Bermondsey, Sutton and Peckham – continue to serve pies made with its famous handmade pastry. A light, flaky crust is filled with minced beef sourced from the freshest prime cuts – no filler meats or offal are used here – and a modest amount of gravy, before the final pastry lid is added. Looking for a meat-free option? There’s a vegan version made with soya mince.
 
Various locations

Visit Manze.co.uk

The Marksman
The Marksman
Bob Bob Ricard
Bob Bob Ricard

The Ivy, Covent Garden

The original Ivy in Covent Garden has kept its smash-hit shepherd’s pie on the menu for years, and with good reason. Now it’s available across the entire collection of Ivy Cafés. The pie, devised by head chef Gary Lee, comprises slow-braised lamb shoulder with beef and Wookey Hole cheddar potato mash. The reason it’s still on the menu? It’s a perfect example of comfort food. Creamed spinach, toasted pine nuts and gran moravia cheese makes a great accompaniment.
 
1-5 West Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9NQ
 
Visit The-Ivy.co.uk
 

The Windmill, Mayfair

The Windmill is a classic pub serving British dishes, including award-winning pies and seasonal classics made from local English produce. The kitchen’s pies have been hits at the highest level: its Hampshire venison, smoked bacon and wild mushroom pie placed in the top three pies in the UK in its category and won a gold award at the Great British Pie Awards last year; and its steak and mushroom pie won a silver award. Veggies should look to the pumpkin, chestnut and mushroom filo pie for a comforting autumnal classic. If you’re settling in, the bar serves cask ales from local breweries and a wide selection of craft beers.
 
6-8 Mill Street, Mayfair, W1S 2AZ
 
Visit WindmillMayfair.co.uk
 

The Marksman, Hackney

This traditional East End pub serves local beers, ales, lagers and ciders alongside a selection of fine wines, but is perhaps best known these days for its dining room, which in 2016 helped it become the first London boozer to be awarded Michelin Pub of the Year. Menus are inspired by the capital’s rich culinary history of London. They change daily, but expect to eat the likes of curd dumplings with nettle and hazelnut; guinea fowl with peas and artichoke; and curried lamb bun with salt lime yoghurt. When it comes to pie, check out the chicken and girolle number, which is designed to be shared between two.
 
254 Hackney Road, Hackney, E2 7SJ
 
Visit MarksmanPublicHouse.com

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