Eat London

London's food halls are the envy of the world. Here are some of the best.

Harrods food hall

First stop is the opulent food hall at Harrods. Opened in 1849, London's largest store is more than just a tourist destination and more that just a magnificent building. Its sense of being is tied in to the people who have passed through its doors and worked there; Noel Coward, Sigmund Freud, Queen Mary and Pierce Brosnan have all added something to the stores rich patina. Harrods food hall is one of the most indulgent gastronomic experiences known to man. This may sound like an overstatement but when you're inside one of the several halls that make up the food hall complex you'll see what I mean. Each hall is decorated according to the food it sells - and they sell most types of food. They even have a Krispy Kreme donut counter where they make fresh donuts right in front of you. Up to 300,000 people visit the store on peak days - so best to go early.

Fortnum and Mason

On smaller scale is Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly Street just off Piccadilly Circus. Spread over two floors in a grand setting this is easier to navigate than Harrods. This Eden of rarefied delights has a fine selection of teas and traditional preserves in addition to almost every other type of food you can imagine. I was there with a friend of mine last week as she wanted to find something typically English to take back to her country. She settled on some exotic jam and home made fudge and still had change from a twenty pound note.

Paxton and Whitfield

Behind Fortnum and Mason is Jermyn Street and there you will find - at number 93 - a fine cheesemonger by the name of Paxton and Whitfield. Quintessentially English since 1797, the staff are friendly and will happily let you try any cheese you are thinking of buying. According to Winston Churchill, 'A gentleman only buys his cheese from Paxton and Whitfield.'

Whole Foods Market

Back to Knightsbridge and just down the road from Harrods is Whole Foods Market . Here they have a passion for selling only the finest quality natural organic products available. They like to source their products from local farmers and by that they mean only produce that has travelled less than 7 hours by car or truck will make it onto their 'locally grown' label.

Selfridges

Next up is Selfridges. I like the cocktail bars there but they also have an amazing range of food including UK sourced delights from Baker and Spice and Banger Bros sausages. They also stock one of only 17 bottles of Louis XII Cognac to be imported into the UK at L20,000.

John Lewis

A more homely option is John Lewis who have just finished a complete refurbishment of their food hall to include a range of deli counters with prices that won't leave you with a singed wallet.