Bangers and mash
Photo: Qwerty Binary · CC BY-SA 3.0

Pork sausages on buttery mashed potato with onion gravy. London's defining pub plate, eaten in gastropubs and chippies across the capital since the early twentieth century.

The bangers-and-mash name came from World War One British troops, when sausages with high water content tended to burst (bang) in the pan. The pairing of pork sausage and mashed potato is older, with London piesmiths and butchers selling versions on Fleet Street and Whitechapel from the 1800s. Gastropubs revived the dish from 1990 onwards: The Eagle on Farringdon Road, Mark Hix at the now-closed Le Caprice, and S&M Cafe (1992) made it a kitchen-led plate. The modern London version uses Cumberland, Toulouse or Lincolnshire pork sausages, finished with a deep onion gravy.

3 editor picks for Bangers and mash in London, ranked by editorial score. All London signature dishes · Bangers and mash across every city.

The Camberwell Arms ★ 4.7

££GastropubPeckham

Mike Davies's gastropub on Camberwell Church Street in south London, opened 2014, runs a daily-changing seasonal menu and a famous family-style Sunday roast.

OrderSunday roast for four (booked in advance), or whatever whole-animal cut is on weeknight dinner.

TipSunday lunch books a fortnight ahead and serves until they run out. The bar room takes walk-ins all evening.

The Eagle ★ 4.3

££GastropubClerkenwell

Britain's first gastropub on Farringdon Road in Clerkenwell London, opened 1991 by Mike Belben and David Eyre, still serves Mediterranean-leaning.

OrderThe Bife Ana steak sandwich, on the menu since 1991, and a pint of bitter.

TipWalk-in only. The chalkboard menu rewrites every day at 12:00; the best dishes go by 14:00 on a busy lunch.

Quality Chop House ★ 4.3

£££Modern BritishClerkenwell

The 1869 Farringdon Road working-class dining room in Clerkenwell London, restored under Will Lander since 2012, runs daily-changing British cooking.

OrderThe famed confit potato, then mince and potatoes off the daily menu, with a bottle from the shop next door.

TipThe wine shop next door is corkage-free if you buy a bottle there. Lunch takes walk-ins at the counter Tue-Sat.

Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide

Bangers and mash makes more sense with someone from London explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.

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