Food challenges are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, attracting foodies and competitive eaters alike. But for those who love eating challenges, you need to have a go at one in London.

It’s the perfect place to try out some of the most difficult and unique food experiences. Whether it’s giant ribs or bizarre combos, check out all of these impossible food challenges in London and see if you’d be up to the mark.

Why attempt one of the eating challenges?

As well as naturally getting bragging rights, these food challenges offer a variety of awards for those who are able to conquer them. With copious amounts of food piled in front of you, these are not for the faint-hearted.

Let’s check out the slightly scary, yet fun food challenges around.

1. Porky’s Camden, Man vs Rib

Man vs Rib
Source: The Hand of George WordPress

Porky’s challenge visitors to eat a kilo of succulent, barbecue ribs, plus 400 grams of crispy french ribs.

If you win, you get your picture on their Wall of Fame, a shirt, and a free meal for two next time you visit. It’s a popular food challenge in London, that will sing your praise if you can manage it!

2. Man vs Food, Banana Split Belly Splitter

Banana Split Belly Splitter
Source: Man vs Food London, Facebook

Arguably the best name for a food challenge, Man vs Food in London sums it up. It involves 3 lbs of vanilla ice-cream, 2 bananas, whipped cream, chocolate and toffee sauce, nuts, sprinkles and cherries. You’ve got 30 minutes and a teaspoon!

If you can, you’ll get your photo on the wall, a t-shirt and the chance to enter another challenge for free. The challenge costs £20, so you have got to be sure you’re ready!

3. The Wonder Cafe Challenge

The Wonder Cafe breakfast
Source: The Wonder Cafe

Do you love a cooked breakfast? What about one with 4 fried slices, 4 slices of toast, 4 eggs, 6 sausages, 6 rashers of bacon, 6 hash browns, 4 black pudding, plum tomatoes, beans and mushrooms?

Reckon you can handle that in 45 minutes? If so, you’ll get it for free. Otherwise, it’s £20. It has only been beaten once.

4. Amigos Burgers & Shakes, The Amigos Challenge

Amigos Eating challenge
Source: Paulo Fanucci

For anyone who is a burger lover, this food challenge in London may sound easier than it really is. All you have to do is eat a 50oz beef patty burger with a side of fries in 30 minutes. It’s free if you succeed, but £29.99 if you fail.

You will also get on the Amigos website and social media, as well as winning an undisclosed prize if you succeed.

5. Red Dog Saloon, Devastator Challenge

Red Dog Saloon Devastator Burger
Source: Trip Advisor

Think you can handle your meat? Try this 18oz steakburger with 200g pulled pork, 6 rashers of applewood smoked bacon, six slices of American cheese, fries, and a milkshake. If you finish in 10 minutes, you will get a Red Dog t-shirt, and your name on the leaderboard. The dish costs £27.75 though, so be sure you’ll win before taking the plunge!

6. MEATLiquor, The Triple Chilli Challenge

Chilli Challenge
Source: MEATLiquor

This food challenge in London is only 3 dishes. Simple right? Just like a 3-course dinner right? Wrong, it involves a green chilli cheeseburger made with two patties, cheese, spicy chilli butter, red onion, pickles, lettuce, mustard and ketchup. A chilli dog with smoked beef frank in a bun, topped with beef chilli, cheddar cheese, onions, jalapeños, and mustard. And chilli cheese fries. Oh and if you can devour it all in 10 minutes, you get it for free. Otherwise, it’s £25.75.

7. Pride of Paddington, Terry Tucker Food Challenge

Terry Tucker Food Challenge
Source: Extreme Eats UK

This food challenge in London gives you a choice;

  • Triple beef, triple bacon, triple cheeseburger, served with triple chips and triple onion rings.

or

  • Chicken parmigiana pile up (four layers of the Australian classic dish with chunky chips and salad)

or

  • Ten super fiery onion wings

To succeed at this food challenge, you must eat either option one or two in under 20 minutes and its free, or eat the wings in 10 mins and withstand a 10 minute burn time. Win these challenges and you’ll go on the Wall of Fame. Lose, and you’ll be on the Wall of Shame. Options one and two are £25 and the wings are £12.50.

8. Octoberfest Pub, The Lumberjack’s Double Knuckle

The Double Knuckle Challenge
Source: Octoberfest Pub

This challenge involves 2 slow-roasted pork knuckles, on a bed of chips with a side salad and sauerkraut plus a boot of their finest lager. You have a mere 45 minutes to eat this, and if you succeed you’ll be up on the Wall of Fame, the website and the next newsletter. You’ll also get a beer and you can take your glass boot home. If you fail, you get a small gift for trying. Only 7 out of 2,200 people have succeeded. It’s London so you know it might cost a bit – this food challenge requires £35 to get involved.

9. Tank n Paddle, Dude vs Dough

Dude vs Dough
Source: London Revealed

Think you get never get bored of pizza? Try this yard-long pizza and Mac ‘n’ Cheese. In 15 minutes, with just tap water to help. If you succeed at this food challenge, you get twice the cost as a bar tab, a t-shirt, your face on the wall of fame in London and you will be a Doughminator. Lose, and you lose the £20 it costs.

10. The Cinnamon Club, Bollywood Burner

Bollywood Burner challenge
Source: Bun Kabab

The Cinnamon Club call this ‘the hottest curry in the world’. It has some of the hottest chillis available in it, like the karolina reaper, scotch bonnet, scorpian and nega. Whilst this doesn’t have a timer on it or anything like that, it is known to be a challenge. So much so that you must sign a waiver before trying it, and the restaurant needs a weeks notice to prepare the ingredients.

So that’s our roundup of the best food challenges in London. They should come with a warning. You may have a belly screaming for lots of delicious grub – but these are often more than one can handle! If you do manage, we salute you! Wholeheartedly and wholebellyedly!

Take a look here for more food challenges in London. Alternatively, why not try a normal-sized dinner at one of London’s best restaurants offering student discounts.