Who ate all the pies? Us, actually, but it’s British Pie Week this week so we think it’s completely acceptable. Crusty pasty has never been more enjoyable and it comes at the perfect time – January diets are forgotten and the concept of beach bodies still seems far enough away to be able to indulge, so dig into your paper bag, bite into that wonderful buttery crust and savour every mouthful.
The Ginger Pig
Gourmet pork pies
Go gourmet this Pie Week and head to The Ginger Pig for a chicken and mushroom, pork and apricot, steak and kidney or steak, stilton and onion pie. Planning a wedding? Head baker, Les can make your dreams come true with a custom tiered 7”, 10” and 13” pork pie cake, complete with hot water pastry lettering or flowers and your choice of filling; smoked ham, chicken, black pudding, get creative.
Where: Various
Website: http://www.thegingerpig.co.uk
M Manze
Traditional eel and pie shop
Want a proper pie? This is the place for you. Established in 1902 by Michael Manze, M Manze serve your pie (1,2 or 3) with mash smoothed (1 scoop or 2) onto the side of the plate and a generous ladle of liquor (homemade parsley gravy). Stewed eels are available for the brave but we’re happy sticking to the carbs…
Where: 87 Tower Bridge Road, Southwark, SE1 4TW
Website: http://www.manze.co.uk
Billy and the Chicks
PBJ pie with Mr Whippy ice cream
Steak and ale, chicken and leek… they’re all very well but sometimes the only thing that will hit the spot is one that provides a decent sugar hit. Soho’s Billy and the Chicks is known for its fried chicken but pop in this week for an apple pie or peanut butter and jam, served with Mr Whippy-esque ice cream.
Where: 27-28 St Anne’s Court, off Dean Street, Soho, W1F 0BN
Website: http://billyandthechicks.com
Battersea Pie Station
Pies in Covent Garden
Battersea Pie Station are tricking you. They’re not in SW at all – you’ll find them tucked away very comfortably amongst the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden – but that’s where the deceit ends. Their pies are some of the best in London, in fact, TimeOut rated them ‘Best Pie in London’ full stop. Choose from big pie/baby pie/cold pie and fillings including salmon, cod and prawn or butternut squash and goats cheese.
Where: Lower Ground Floor, 28 The Market, Covent Garden, WC2E 8RA
Website: http://www.batterseapiestation.co.uk
The Savoy Grill
Swanky Pies
If you love the humble pie but prefer it in grand surroundings, check out The Savoy Grill’s offerings. With a whole section on the menu dedicated to the creatures, the difficult part comes when trying to pick between them but you can’t go wrong with steak, onion and ale in a shallot gravy.
Where: The Savoy, Strand, WC2R 0EU
Website: https://www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/savoy-grill
The Windmill
3x National Pie champions
If you’re stuck somewhere in between wanting a traditional pie experience and going all out, The Windmill is your middle ground. Traditional favourites such as fish pie, chicken pie and shepherd’s pie have earned them their pie-tastic reputation but we recommend the classic steak – it’s a three time winner of the National Pie Award! Still not convinced? They also have a pie club, pie-focused YouTube channel and dedicated pie rooms. A charity evening on Thursday 10th March honors the departure of their very own Pie Master so go whilst you can.
Where: 6/8 Mill Street, Mayfair, W1S 2AZ
Website: http://www.windmillmayfair.co.uk
Albion
Best of British
You can’t really get a more British restaurant if you’re looking for somewhere to get your pie fix this British Pie Week – after all, Albion is the oldest name known for Great Britain. With pies already appearing on the menu, they’re upping their game with three ‘Best of British’ pies: Shepherd’s pie, chicken and ham hock pie and steak, ale and mushroom pie. Wash it all down with Albion’s Pale Ale or Golden Ale – beer and pie, humble but a classic.
Where: Albion Bankside, Block B NEO Bankside, Holland Street, SE1 9FU
Website: http://albiongrill.co.uk/
The Hat and Tun
£5 Lunch Time Pies
Lunch time; the highlight of any working day, as soon as you sit down with your morning coffee all eyes are on the clock. When is lunch acceptable, can you get away with 11:30am? Is often a question asked at The Handbook HQ – but you know what would make lunch great? Tucking into one of The Hat and Tun’s £5 pies that they’ll be serving up this Monday – Friday lunchtime!
Where: 3 Hatton Wall, Farringdon, EC1 8HX
Website: http://www.thehatandtun.com/
The Arch London
All the pies
What’s better than one pie? Two pies, obviously. If a supper made up of just pies sounds like your sort of thing then you need to head Hunter 486 at Arch London, where they will be serving savoury pies such as the Hunter fish pie and chicken, mushroom and tarragon pie followed by apple and rhubarb pie and vanilla custard.
Where: 50 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London, W1H 7FD, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Marble Arch (0.3 miles)
Website: www.thearchlondon.com
Mr Fogg's Tavern
Eye on the Pies
Whilst Phileas J Fogg was off on his adventures, the home comforts he missed the most were the pies he’d eat in London town. Now that he is back in the city, he is celebrating his love for his favourite dish by offering up his famous pies for a mere £1. That’s right, for just one hundred pennies you can feast on Dedham Vale beef, suet pastry and home smoked Dingley Dell bacon pie with mashed potatoes, British greens and braising liquor. Keep your eyes on the pies though, Phileas is predicting the crowds of London might gather when they catch wind of the price and you don’t want to miss out.
Where: 58 St. Martin’s Lane, Covent Garden, WC2N 4EA
Website: http://mr-foggs.com/tavern/
Darwin Brasserie
The Pies the Limit
Darwin Brasserie at Sky Gardens are taking the modest cottage pie and are giving it the super luxe treatment, out with the beef and in with the lavish duck confit. Makes a change from its original use as way to use up the last of the leftover meat.
Where: Sky Garden,1 Sky Garden Walk, EC3M 8AF
Website: http://skygarden.london/darwin
Percy & Founders
British Classic
If you work or live near Pearson Square then make sure you head to Percy & Founders for their leek and mustard-braised ham hock pie. Simple, but truly a British classic and it is British Pie Week after all.
Where: Fitzroy Place, 1 Pearson Square, London, W1W 7EY
Nearest station: Goodge Street (0.2 miles)
Website: www.percyandfounders.co.uk