Londoners have been tucking into pie and mash for over a century. While the city’s food scene has exploded with everything from sushi burritos to Michelin-starred fine dining, there’s something deeply comforting about a plate of golden-crusted pie. Paired with buttery mash and a pool of that gloriously green liquor, which is traditionally made with eel stock and parsley-packed, adding a silky, savoury kick to the dish, this isn’t just food; it’s history on a plate - born in the working-class pie shops of East London and still beloved by locals today.
From family-run institutions that have been serving up steaming hot plates for generations to newer spots keeping the tradition alive, we’re diving fork-first into the best places to get your fix. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a curious first-timer, here’s where to find the most authentic, soul-warming pie and mash in London.
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Traditional Pie And Mash In London
1. M.Manze Tower Bridge
- Where: Tower Bridge, Peckham, and Sutton
Some things never go out of style - like a proper plate of pie and mash. And when it comes to the real deal, M.Manze Tower Bridge is as authentic as it gets. Established in 1902 by Michele Manze, this legendary spot has been serving up steaming hot pies, buttery mash, and its famous green liquor for over a century, carrying on a proud East End tradition.
Everything here is made fresh daily, from the hand-rolled pastry and prime minced beef in the pies to the world-famous liquor, which boasts a secret ingredient that keeps loyal customers coming back for more. Fancy a taste of old-school London but can’t make it to the capital? No problem - M.Manze delivers its traditional fare chilled to anywhere in the UK, so you can enjoy a slice of history at home.
M.Manze Tower Bridge is still going strong with three locations.
2. Maureen's Pie And Mash
- Where: 6 Market Square, London, E14 6AH
If you're on the hunt for the best pie and mash East London's got to offer, then make sure to check out this beauty. For over 60 years, Maureen’s Pie and Mash has been serving up a slice of East End tradition, earning legendary status for its handmade pies, creamy mash, and irresistible green liquor.
Each pie is carefully crafted from the finest cuts of prime beef, minced and baked fresh every morning by Jason - the son of Maureen and Dave - ensuring every pie has that perfectly golden crispy pastry that’s earned its place in local hearts. And the mash? It’s not just mashed potatoes - Maureen’s mash is smooth and made with love, using locally sourced potatoes and seasoned just right with a pinch of salt.
3. Arments Pie & Mash London
- Where: Pie House, 7-9 Westmoreland Road, London, SE17 2AX
For over a century, Arments Pie & Mash London has been a South London staple, dishing up proper, no-nonsense comfort food since 1914. Just around the corner from East Street Market, this family-run institution is one of the last great pie and mash shops south of the river - and it’s still going strong.
What makes Arments stand out? It’s all about tradition and quality. Their signature pies are handmade daily using high-grade lean beef steak, wrapped in their trademark pastry, with a soft base and a crisp, golden top. Prefer something plant-based? Their vegan pies are just as packed with flavour, loaded with soya mince, fresh veg, and a well-seasoned kick. And of course, no meal here is complete without a generous helping of fluffy mash and their famous green liquor.
The addition of chilli vinegar at Arments Pie & Mash London is up to you - but it is delicious.
4. Cockney's Pie & Mash
- Where: 314 Portobello Road, London, W10 5RU
In the bustling heart of Portobello Road, Cockney's
Pie & Mash stands as a testament to London's rich culinary
heritage. Established in the mid-1990s, this family-run
establishment has become a beacon for both locals and visitors
seeking a hearty meal.
Unlike many pie and mash shops rooted in East London, Cockney's ventured westward, bringing the beloved dish to a new audience. The pies themselves are a masterclass in traditional baking. Each features a suet pastry base topped with a flaky crust, generously filled with minced beef and rich gravy. Served in classic china bowls, they're topped with liquor enhancing the authentic experience.
5. Goddards At Greenwich
- Where: 22 King William Walk, London, SE10 9HU
Goddards at Greenwich has been serving up one of London’s most cherished comfort foods for over 130 years; it has a history that’s as rich as its pies. Founded in 1890 by Alfred Goddard in Deptford, this family-run business has passed through generations, each one committed to crafting perfect pie and mash just the way Londoners love it.
Today, you can still taste the tradition at their Greenwich location, which opened in 1952, just as the Cutty Sark was being placed in dry dock. From handmade pastries to 100% British meats, every pie here is made with top-notch ingredients, and comes with the classic mash and green liquor - but it’s the family recipes, passed down through the generations, that really set this place apart.
Grab your knife and fork and wolf down a traditional pie at Goddards at Greenwich.
6. F. Cooke
- Where: 150 Hoxton Street, London, N1 6SH
F. Cooke is one of the oldest and most iconic names in London’s pie and mash scene, with a legacy that stretches back to 1862. Founded by Robert Cooke just off Brick Lane, his shop marked the start of what would become a small empire of pie shops that have stood the test of time.
While the original Broadway Market location closed in 2019, the family’s influence continues in the form of shops in Hoxton, Romford, and Chelmsford, all proudly run by the Cooke family. Now under the care of Joe Cooke in Hoxton, the shop remains a beacon of tradition, serving generously sized pies filled with quality, and a liquor that stands out for its soupier texture and vibrant fresh parsley - giving it a flavour depth that has made it famous.
7. G. KELLY
- Where: 526 Roman Road, Old Ford, London, E3 5ES
Nestled on East London's historic Roman Road, G.
Kelly's pie and mash shop stands as a cherished
institution, serving traditional British fare since 1939. The
interior honours its legacy, featuring restored white tiles, framed
black-and-white photographs, marble tabletops, and warm globe
lighting, creating an inviting atmosphere that transports patrons
to a bygone era.
The culinary offerings remain rooted in tradition. The signature pie, mash, and liquor - a parsley-based sauce - are crafted with high-quality beef minced on-site each morning, ensuring a rich experience. For those seeking variety, the menu also includes jellied and stewed eels, as well as a selection of fresh seafood available on weekends. Notably, G. Kelly was among the pioneers in introducing vegan pies to the menu, catering to diverse dietary preferences.
G.Kelly sports cool interiors, from soft, spherical lighting to glossy white tiles.
8. Noted Eel & Pie House
- Where: 481a High Road Leytonstone, London, E11 4JU
When it comes to pie and mash, London knows what it's doing and Noted Eel & Pie House is no exception - it's been serving up traditional eats since 1926. Originally established in Bow, the shop relocated to Leytonstone in 1978, where it continues to dish out handmade pies and smooth mash.
Here, tradition reigns supreme - their Scotch beef pies are still handmade daily, minced onsite for the perfect texture, and baked in 70-year-old gas ovens, giving them the signature flaky pastry and rich, meaty filling that customers have loved for decades. But they’re not stuck in the past - after much demand, they introduced a vegan pie and mash, ensuring that even plant-based diners can get their fix of this classic dish.
Double up at Noted Eel & Pie House and devour two pies with double the sauce.
9. BJ's Pie & Mash Shop
- Where: 330 Barking Road, London, E13 8HL
Tucked away on Barking Road in Canning Town, BJ's Pie & Mash Shop may be modest in size, but it packs a flavourful punch that has endeared it to locals and visitors alike. This snug establishment, characterised by its wooden tables and tiled walls, offers an authentic East End dining experience.
At BJ's, tradition is served with a side of hearty banter. The pies, known for their desirably well-done lids, are filled with minced beef and rich gravy, accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes and a well-seasoned parsley liquor. For the adventurous, a dash of chilli vinegar adds an extra kick. In a departure from convention, BJ's offers chips as an alternative to mash - a choice that has sparked lively debates among purists but delights those seeking variety.
10. Robin's Pie & Mash
- Where: 50 Station Road, London, E4 7BE
For over five generations, Robin’s Pie & Mash has been serving up authentic comfort food, keeping the tradition of handmade pies, creamy mash, and signature parsley liquor alive since 1929. What started as a humble eel pie shop - a staple of London’s dockside heritage - has evolved into a beloved family-run institution with six locations across East London and Essex, all known for their exceptional quality and time-honoured recipes.
The pies at Robin’s are a true labour of love, made fresh every day using 100% Scottish beef for that perfect hearty, rich filling, wrapped in flaky golden pastry. But they don’t stop there - vegetarian and vegan pies are also on the menu, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a proper pie and mash experience. And of course, no plate is complete without a generous ladle of their famous parsley liquor, a tradition that dates back to the Dutch sailors who first introduced it to Billingsgate Market centuries ago.
Robin’s Pie & Mash still serves fresh eels, prepared the old-fashioned way.
Hungry for more? Check out our guide to the best comfort food in London.
