Seeing the thread about Harrods prompted me to ask about their food halls. We're renting a house in the Westminster area for a week, since there's five of us, and we'll be cooking a lot of our dinners at the house (eating lunches out). I've heard the Food Halls are expensive, but thought we might treat ourselves to one meal with food from there. How much (more) expensive is it, really, and what does anyone recommend buying there?

Really, are you buying foie gras or pork pies and sausages? it can be as expensive as you make it. selfridges and M&S food halls are less expensive and just as good.

I know that this does not answer your question about cost but after "the grand tour" of Harrods Food Halls this past may I would loved to have had one of their picnic hampers packed full of goodies! I am sure that this cost a lot of $$$ but it sure would be a nice treat if one saved for it. Thinking of it now makes me hungry!

Just for fun take a look at Harrod's Restaurant pages on the web:<BR><BR>http://www.harrods.com/restaurants/default.html

I love Harrods food hall. I live in Ireland and any time I am in London visiting I go and bring back some goodies. Last time I was there myself and 3 friends sat in the Cheese "cafe" and has a bottle of red and a plate of beautiful cheeses and people watched. It came to about 25.00 and was a lite lunch snack for us. Saying that though you can buy pre-made ethnic foods such as indian, italian greek, japanese in small cocktail sized portions. Forget the hampers and just buy some breads, salads, cheeses and meats. It is the best quality food I have ever bought. A good side though is Marks and Spencers lots of pre-packed food but very up Market. As well Sainburys is excellent as a supermarket. Enjoy!

They are pretty expensive! Pound to the dollar and all..but worth it for a meal or snack.<BR>We bought a good deal of prepared foods,pates,cheeses,coffee,and clotted cream and had dinner one night , breakfasts,and snacks,so it was good to do once.We rented a flat in SoKen and it added to that great feeling of actually being a resident of the neighborhood,walking home with flowers and dinner from Harrods.Have a great time!

marcie: no need to post your question twice! <BR><BR>Here it is!

Response to person thinking "marcie" posted twice - doubtful they did, likely just a computer glitch. It's happened to me too. . .let's not make others feel bad, pls.

I don't think the prices in the Food Halls are out of line for "gourmet" food; in other words, you're paying for what you get (a gourmet market here in Phoenix has comparable prices). I drool over the meat cases (thank heavens for the glass enclosures...) because they actually have VEAL ROASTS in the case; no ordering two weeks ahead.<BR><BR>I'd suggest you plan a gourmet meal to take best advantage of the Food Halls - rather than buy steak and potatoes, look for something you don't find in your usual supermarket; make a salad from the exotic lettuces...<BR><BR>

I would only go to the food halls to have a look around. They are stunning looking, but the food is really not that good quality-wise. You're better off going to Borough Market near London Bridge. That has wonderful farm fresh produce and straight from the farm meats. Unless you're a millionaire (which maybe you are), you can't afford to do regular food shopping at Harrods.

I'd echo Borough Market and also Spitalfields. There's a shop there with regional delicacies, Yorkshire Brach, ginger wine from Suffolk etc. etc.

Most of their foods are on the expensive side, but for a treat .. why not? Their desserts are to die for by the way! if you want to scale down a little try some of their sandwiches, they are really good and not all that expensive. Marks & Spencer's has a great assortment of foods and we usually shop there when in London as we rent an apartment. You can get lots of microwaveable dinners, etc.<BR>Actually, Safeway, Tesco, Sainsbury grocery stores all sell good varieties of quick to fix/eat dinners, etc. I'm not into cooking when on vacation but we always do some meals in and have had no problem finding food in any of these places I mentioned. We always get some desserts at Harrod's for a treat too.<BR>Fortnum & Mason has quite a selection too, but for more "everyday prices" you can't beat M&S. Selfridges's food court is good too, but a little pricey.