After reading all of the humorous (but gross!) postings about "the most adventourous thing you ever ate" and "what I ordered without meaning too" (or something like that) I have to ask this question! Where are some good places to eat in London that serve food that someone with a sensitive stomach could handle? My sister cannot (or will not) eat food with organ meat or meat other than chicken, beef, and (occasionally) pork. She also is severely allergic to many seafoods, making it much better for us to avoid all seafood just in case. One last question (for now!), how is the meat normally cooked in the UK as far as rare, medium, etc, because she also cannot handle any "pink" in the meat at all! She isn't really just 'picky', she gets sick very easily, and we don't want to waste our trip by having to stay in the hotel room! Thanks to all for any help you can give me on this post, as well as all the wonderful help you have given me on previous posts!

And, just to let you know, I have done "my homework" by looking through various guidebooks as well as on-line recommendations, but everything I have found lists foods that she won't eat. I am really hoping that we will get to eat somewhere other than McDonalds on this trip, but it isn't looking likely!

I'm not sure what the general rule is as I never ate beef in the UK. Maybe your sister could eat vegetarian food, like at an Indian restaurant, or just eat chicken. Beef seemed more expensive in the UK anyway - so I always ended up getting chicken when I did eat meat. It's a little hard to answer your question, as I think there's always going to be something suitable available, even with your sister's restrictions.

You can eat anywhere in London; chicken is on the menu at most restaurants, as are vegetarian dishes. I have always thought that the beef in the USA is the best (I am Dutch, but lived in the USA as well as in London), but London restaurants often serve excellent beef from Scotland. Just ask for it to be well done. Organ meat is not something most Londoners eat regularly (but you may find something like steak and kidney pies on menus).

HeatherH, restaurants in England post the menus outside so you can determine if they have something your sister will eat and, contrary to your impression, most foods are pretty standard. Failing that, they also have Burger King, Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Starbucks and a few others. As a last resort, the markets also carry all those protein/breakfast bars.

Can she tolerate cheese? If so, what about a Ploughman's Lunch type plate -- salad, slices of apple, cheese, bread?
We had a fantastic cheese sandwich at Castle Howard -- would never have thought it, not slices of imitation cheese on white bread but grated 'real' cheddar with mayo & herbs on wheat! Then noticed this type of sandwich available even in the convenience shops at train stations.
Guess this & various egg dishes would fall into the Veg. group, but somehow when I ordered those, or a Cobb salad (absolutely delish & just in ordinary Edinburgh pub) I wasn't thinking veggie but rather "protein but light" or "saving room for dessert". IMHO these options enjoyed in a British Pub/Restaurant are much better than resorting to a chain.

Thanks to all! I am hoping to avoid most of the chain restaurants that we find here because I really want to enjoy something different, but I am definitely reassured by your posts! It seems that everything I read has the "steak and kidney pie" listed, as well as other (to us) unappetizing dishes. We are from the south (Memphis area) and very unadventurous as far as food goes, and she more so than I! It will really help having the menus posted, and we will probably be avoiding beef, so all is well! (Especially with the recent Starbucks invasion spreading to London, I wasn't sure how I was going to live without my iced white chocolate mocha cappucinos!!!!)

Some of the best food in London is ethnic-Chinese, Indian, Thai etc. Most people assume all Indian is spicey but it's not true. Also, there's great FISH (cod, plaice, DOVER SOLE) in London, whether Fish & Chips (french fries) or grilled fish. If you & sister like fish, do a text search here for fish AND London for recommendations.

There are a number of Italian chain restaurants in London that serve surprisingly good pastas & pizzas. Pizza Express and Ask are 2. These are not serve yourself fast food places & are better IMO than US equivalents.

You can get meat cooked any way you want.

What does your sister eat at home?

I have always been a big breakfast eater, much to my chagrin while visiting Italy. I found the English breakfasts to be outstanding! Eggs, yogurt, fruit, bacon and sausage, fried tomato, bread, etc. Loved to start out the day with that kind of meal as opposed to a thimble full of coffee and a (generally) tasteless pastry I got while in Italy. Thank God the remaining Italian meals were so fantastic.

With the very GREATEST of respect for you and thanking you on your sister's behalf for doing so much legwork...I hope SHE is also involved in this effort ..after all, she's the one with the "special diet."

To mclaurie: at home my sister really eats very little. She is very small, and generally eats stuff like grilled chicken and rice, or even Mexican food (not spicy stuff, just grilled shredded chicken with sauteed onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and Mexican rice.) She will eat pasta, but neither of us is really that big on meat.

To Intrepid: She is doing as much planning as she can, but, yes, I am doing most of it. She is still in high school (she is much, but I'm not saying how much!, younger than me) and our mother firmly believes in teaching responsibility so she has to pay her own car insurance PLUS pay for this trip herself (and she only can work a part time job, needless to say, I am pitching in without saying anything). All in all, (after giving you this vast amount of TMI, that I'm sure you didn't want to hear ) I don't mind doing whatever I can to ensure that both of us have a wonderful time.

6 months, 3 weeks, and counting !!!

Although many restaurants will do dishes with fancier ingredients and sauces and so on, most will also offer some plainer options such as grilled steak or chicken etc.

I'd select a few restaurants you like the sound of and just check on arrival they have a dish she can enjoy.

That way you can go adventurous and she can stick to what she prefers.

Browns on St Martin's Lane, near Leicester Square, is a low cost bistro style lunch and dinner place that also has a bar and does tea and coffee etc and has a number of simple dishes.

Truly I can't think of any of the good restaurants I've enjoyed that wouldn't cater for her other than the ethnic ones, which may not work.

Heather,
Bistro Banitos on Earls Court for Lasagna and Wolfs near Picadilly Circus for american type food.
Enjoy!
(I may not have spelled the names correctly, but they are close)

Hi Heather,

You needn't worry. Indian restaurants make dishes that have minimal spices and are very good. Tandori chicken (grilled) will suit your sister's stomach, as will the vegetarian dishes. Chicken tikkin masala has become the most popular food in London.

You will find Moroccan and other Middle Eastern restaurants that do beef, chicken and lamb that are savory, but not spicy.

You might want to try bangers and mash with mushy peas.

I agree with Kavey about Brown's Restaurant. They have a steak and mushroom pie (no kidneys) that is very good, and their sticky toffee pudding is wonderful.

Several of the pubs have carveries (like U.S. buffets) with roast turkey, beef, etc., and vegetables. The Albert near Westminster Abbey is a good one.

If you like Italian, some of the good places are Bella Italia, Ask, Pizza Express, and Cafe Uno (great breakfast here too!). These are all reasonably priced too.

HI Heather,
I really think your sister will be ok, and won't have a problem finding food she likes. You can ask that the meat be well done. Even in the pubs, I think you'll be ok for food. Does she like chips(french fries)? Mmmm. On one of my visits to London, I was on a very strict diet ( for health, not weight) and always managed to find something without too much trouble.
Have a great time . What a great sister you are!!