Food challenges should be a staple of any student’s bucket list of things to do while at uni. There’s no better time when your body can handle a load of carbs or sugar being forced down in order to win some prize – even if it’s just respect from your peers. And for students in London, there are lots of food challenges in the city to choose from. Although we haven’t personally gone round trying them all ourselves, although there are definitely people doing that!, we’ve read the reviews and looked at the prizes to find the 10 best food challenges in London to pick from.
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?
Attempting an eating challenge isn’t just about stuffing your face (although not gonna lie that is a major part of it), but it’s also about the challenge, discipline and bragging rights. Oh…and in some cases…the prize. Imagine the thrill of being in the spotlight, turning heads as you take on a monstrous burger or a hellfire wing. It’s not for the faint-hearted—this is where the true competitors shine, separating the legends from the wannabes. The adrenaline rush (and inevitable sweats) and the sense of victory you get from conquering such a daunting feat is unparalleled. Plus, it’s a blast! Whether you’re in it for the laughs, the bragging rights, or just to say you did it, food challenges bring people together in the most outrageous way possible.
Let’s check out the slightly scary, yet fun food challenges around.
The 10 best food challenges in London
Are you ready to give your stomach a serious challenge? Then head to one of these London restaurants with food challenges inviting you to take your belly to the limits!
1. Porky’s Camden, Man vs Rib
Only available on Wednesdays, Porky’s challenge visitors to eat over a kilo (2.4lbs) of succulent, barbecue ribs, plus fries, coleslaw and Mexican beans.
If you win, you get your picture on their Wall of Fame, a shirt, and a free meal. Each month they also give away a free meal for two to the person that finished the fastest. So there’s your incentive to not only finish everything in one go to complete the eating challenge, but also do it as fast as you can. The Man Vs Ribs competition is a popular food challenge in London, that will sing your praise if you can manage it!
Address: 18A Chalk Farm Rd, Camden Town, London, England, UK NW18AG
Price to enter: £25
2. Wonder Cafe, Full English Breakfast Challenge
Think breakfast is your favourite meal of the day? Think again with this famously difficult eating challenge in London. Wonder Cafe invite you to polish off essentially double the amount you’d normally have. That’s 4 eggs, 4 pieces of toast, 6 rashers of bacon, 6 hash browns, 4 black puddings, oh and don’t forget the sides. These include beans, mushrooms and tomatoes.
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…just imagine if you are the new crown champion of a London food challenge that’s only ever been completed by one other person! That’s a pretty good story to tell at your next house party.
Address: Uxbridge Rd, Uxbridge, England, UK UB100PH
Price: £20
3. Amigos Burgers & Shakes, Monster Amigos Burger Challenge
For anyone who is a burger lover, this is probably one of the food challenges in London you’ll be drawn to. But, like most of them, it’s not exactly and easy and enjoyable experience. It sounds easier than it 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 win a free t-shirt and a £50 food voucher to spend there.
Address: Multiple locations
Price: £29.99
4. Red Dog Saloon, Davey Jones Locker
Think you can handle spice and heat? This spicy wing London food challenge will certainly test you. You’ve got 10 minutes to eat 6 Ghost Wings to be in for a chance at winning their silver or gold coins. If you complete the challenge, you’ll get the silver coin, which is 10% off for life across the restaurant chain. If you’re the fastest and beat the record, you’ll get the gold coin, which ups the discount to 25%. However, the current record is 44 seconds, so that’s a pretty tough one to beat!
You can take this food challenge across all the Red Dog Saloons in London, so there’s no excuse! Well the look on the guy’s face in the video might be a bit of an excuse but if you are tempted, it’s not an expensive eating challenge compared to others in London.
Address: Multiple locations
Price: £12.50
5. MEATLiquor, The Triple Chilli Challenge
This food challenge in London is only 3 dishes. Simple right? Well that’s 3 jalapeno dishes that are as hot as the sun. The Triple Chilli Challenge includes a jalapeno covered burger, jalapeno covered hot dog, and jalapeno covered fries. Oh and you need to eat all of this in under £10. If you do this within the time, the meal is free and you’ll also get a place on their Wall of Fame.
Address: Multiple locations
Price: £25
6. Fat Boys Cafe, Breakfast Blowout Challenge
Fat Boys don’t really give too much away about this eating challenge. All we officially know is that it’s a whole lot of breakfast foods to eat within an hour – in fact, it’s a 5lb plate’s worth. However, after some digging around, we believe it includes 6 bacon rashers, 2 eggs, 2 sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms, fried slice and chips. To be honest it all seems pretty doable…and if you do win, you’ll get the meal for free and a place on their Wall of Fame.
Address: 306 Thorton Rd, Croydon, England, UK CR03EU
Price: £19.99
7. Man Vs Food, Belly Buster Burger Challenge
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This may just be the hardest food challenge in London in this list. It involves a 7lb burger with all the toppings (veggie options available too so no excuses). The bun is thick, the cheese is loaded and it’s just basically a maxed out burger meal where everything is proportionally larger than normal. And you’ve got 40 mins to get it all down you. It’s a huge 15,000 calories per meal.
But to meet the difficulty of this challenge, the reward is pretty high. You can not only win a free meal and t-shirt, but £250 in cash as well as free food and drinks for the whole table. Want to be popular with your mates – this is definitely THE London eating challenge to do it.
Address: 42 Syon Ln, London, England, UK TW75NQ
Price: £55
8. Polo Bar, Pancake Tower Challenge
This challenge is more for the sweet-toothed competitive eaters out there. In just 15 minutes, you’ll need to indulge in a huge stack of 12 pancakes. There’s toppings too, which you can choose from berries, cookies and cream or banoffee. They estimate that this stack of pancakes equates to 5lbs’ worth, which is a lot of sugar to have in one go. And if you win, you can feel even more sick by downing the bottle of Prosecco you’ll get. The prize for completion also includes a free meal and place on their Wall of Fame.
Note – the current winning record is 4 mins and 4 seconds, which is pretty impressive.
Address: 176 Bishopsgate, London, England, UK EC2M4NQ
Price: £40
9. Polo Bar, Burger Stack Challenge
We’re not suggesting you follow the Pancake Tower Challenge with the Burger Stack Challenge, but one for when you’ve recovered maybe? Polo Bar’s savoury food challenge includes 5 steak burger patties, with cheese, mayo, onions and brioche buns. And they also include chips and onion rings of course! We’re not too sure on the time limit for this one but you’ll definitely want to ask before you start!
Note – the current winning record is 9 mins and 42 seconds.
Address: 176 Bishopsgate, London, England, UK EC2M4NQ
Price: £50
9. Tank n Paddle, Dude vs Dough
Think you get never get bored of pizza? Try this yard-long pizza and tray of mac ‘n’ cheese. You are given the option to choose type of pizza and mac ‘n’ cheese, but whichever you go for, it’s gonna be tough.
In 15 minutes, with just tap water to help. If you succeed at this food challenge, you get a £50 as a bar tab. Obviously, this may come in the form of digestifs as you probably won’t want any more food after this.
Address: Multiple locations
Price: £20
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.
Last Updated on May 23, 2024
Published on March 4, 2023
