With an abundance of restaurants, each competing to offer the best culinary experience, it was only a matter of time before the city's eateries began challenging their customers to take on a number of eating adventures. In recent years, the popularity of food challenges has grown massively, thanks to viral trends and thrill-seeking diners.
Wondering where to find the very best London food challenges? We've got the low-down on all the top spots to take on an absolutely massive meal, from endless chicken wings to burgers galore.
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London's rib challenges has never been so delicious. Camden BBQ gives you 30 minutes to smash two full racks of hickory-smoked BBQ ribs on top of fully loaded fries, featuring pulled pork, mac 'n' cheese, more cheese, jalapenos, BBQ sauce, blue cheese sauce and Sriracha. Complete it in half an hour and it's free.
Think you have what it takes to conquer Hackney Wick's most outrageous food challenge? No90's 9-Tier Burger Challenge is not for the faint-hearted. You've got nine minutes to take down: two smashed patties, spicy grilled chicken, American cheese, crispy bacon, fried egg, an onion ring, and sriracha mayo - stacked sky-high in a brioche bun, a side of cheesy bacon fries, and one ice-cold beer to wash it all down.
Can you handle it? For £29 per person, you can test your limits and earn bragging rights for life - getting it all for free if you're under nine minutes. Whether you're taking on the challenge solo or going head-to-head with a friend, this is one meal you won't forget.
Three delicious dishes, all covered in jalapeño and ready to burn their way through your vital organs; sounds like the Triple Chilli Challenge at Meatliquor. You've got ten minutes to complete this heart-clogging challenge. Alongside an exquisite, jalapeño covered burger, you'll have to wrestle a chilli dog and a portion of their delicious fries slathered with chilli con corne, melted cheese and a daunting helping of even more jalapeños.
If you've got a bottomless stomach and a point to prove, this legendary 24-hour East London haunt opposite Liverpool Street station is ground zero for extreme eating.
Polo Bar throws down two formidable gauntlets for hungry thrill-seekers: a monstrous five-patty British steak burger stack loaded with cheese, caramelised onions, chips, and onion rings (£50), or a dizzying 12-pancake tower slathered in your choice of berries, cookies and cream, or banoffee Biscoff (£40). The rules are brutal but simple: clear your plate in under 15 minutes and your meal is completely free, plus you'll snag a complimentary bottle of prosecco and a coveted spot in their Hall of Fame alongside the UK's elite competitive eaters.
Most London food challenges follow a simple format: you pay an entry fee, then attempt to finish a set amount of food, usually an oversized or extremely spicy dish, within a strict time limit. Complete it and you typically win your meal for free, plus extras like a t-shirt, a cash prize, or a spot on the venue's Wall of Fame. Fail, and you pay the menu price. Rules vary by venue, but common ones include no sharing, no leaving the table, and no vomiting.
Entry fees for London food challenges typically range from around £20 to £50+, depending on the venue and the scale of the challenge.
It depends on the venue. Some London restaurants allow walk-ins for their food challenges, while others - particularly for larger or more popular challenges - require advance booking. It's always worth calling ahead or checking the venue's website before you go, especially if you're planning a group visit or a special occasion like a birthday or stag/hen do.
