Savouring the panoramic views across the rooftops...
If you’re local to London and love playing the tourist, or you are visiting from further afield. Jumping on a panoramic bus tour is a fantastic way to see London’s historic sights.
If, you were then to combine this with a British dining experience with a petite French twist as well, then ‘oh la la’.
This is a unique concept that Bustronome has crafted, which all began in Paris.
![The pin image of our post -'Gourmet lunch through the streets of London with Bustronome'](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Gourmet-lunch-through-the-streets-of-London-with-Bustronome-Pin6.jpg)
Where is the pickup?
The pick for the Bustronome tour is on Victoria Embankment at coach bay 40B (Postcode - WC2N 6PB, or What 3 Words - ///nobody.gasp.bill), just a short walk from Embankment Tube station servicing the Bakerloo , Northern , Circle and District lines.
There is also Embankment Pier for London River Bus.
The nearest overground station is London Charing Cross.
Onboard the bus is a toilet and cloakroom facilities.
A gourmet tour with a difference
And I am just reminiscing![Janis is standing alongside the Bustronome luxury bus on Victoria Embankment just before starting the tour.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ready-to-experience-the-Bustronome-tour-Bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-london-sight-seeing-tour-of-london-V5.jpg)
![Inside the upper deck of the Bustronome tour bus with its panoramic glass roof.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-spacious-light-dining-area-Bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-London-sight-seeing-tour-of-london-V5.jpg)
The London gastronomic bus tour
Le Grand départAs the city tour began, Jerome, our Parisian waiter, talked us through how to use the multilingual audio guide. To make the experience a little more discreet, your audio guide is actually through an audio pen.
You are given a map of the route, and you just tap on the location with your audio pen when you pass nearby the historical site or significant monument, and your commentary begins.
![Janis listening into the tour on the guide pen, while taking in the views of London](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Taking-in-the-audio-tour-Bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-London-food-tour-of-london-V5.jpg)
![Looking up at the dome of St Paul's cathedral through Bustonome's glass roof.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Through-the-roof-to-St-Pauls-Cathedral-Bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-london-sight-seeing-tour-of-london-V5.jpg)
For me it was like a trip down memory lane, passing by old haunts, some I choose to remember and others I’ve tried to blank from my mind.
From the moment we picked up the bus from Victoria Embankment, it was a cultural trip from start to finish, I really didn’t want it to end.
![Looking through the roof of Bustronome to the Bank of England as we travel slowly through the roads of the City of London](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Taking-in-the-view-of-Threadneedle-Street-bustronome-food-tour-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-london-food-tour-of-london-V5.jpg)
Where to stay in London
If you want to stay in the heart of the financial district then why not choose the Leonardo Royal London St Paul’s (formerly Grange St. Paul’s), as we did? A short hop from Bank.
There are plenty of choices, why not check out Booking.com for something that suits your requirements?
The best sight-seeing tour of London?
Luncheon is served![Janis taking the first taste of her white wine with her starter](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Enjoying-the-wine-with-the-starter-Bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-london-places-to-eat-in-london-V5.jpg)
![Jerome, our waiter, pouring us a glass of red wine with The Shard in the background visible through the panoramic roof.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Jerome-with-our-red-wine-Bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-london-places-to-eat-in-london-V5.jpg)
Jerome made us feel very relaxed, described all the dishes and also the wine served with them.
To start with we were also given an amuse-bouche of green olive tapenade on small pieces of toasted bread.
![Quenelles of olive tapenade on toasted bread on a slate serving platter](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Green-olive-tapenade-amuse-bouche-Bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-london-places-to-eat-in-london-V5.jpg)
![The beautifully presented starter of crab & artichoke "gateu"](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Our-first-course-Crab-Artichoke-gateau-Bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-unique-things-to-do-in-london-places-to-eat-in-london-V5.jpg)
This was then followed by a crispy roll filled with goats’ cheese and beetroot prepared in three different ways.
Accompanying these two courses, we were served a glass of crisp white French Picpoule.
![The second course a crispy roll with goats cheese & three ways beetroots on a plain white plate. The cutlery is magnetic so stays in place as you make your way through London](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-crispy-roll-with-goats-cheese-three-ways-beetroots-bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-london-food-tour-of-london-V5.jpg)
![The view from Westminster Bridge to the old County Hall and the London Eye.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Views-along-the-Thames-from-the-City-of-Westminster-Bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-london-sight-seeing-tour-of-london-V5.jpg)
The best lunch in London?
Go with the flow![The main course of seared tuna, carrot purée, girolle mushrooms & tarragon sauce beautifully presented on a plain white plate.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Simply-beautiful-gourmet-food-Bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-london-places-to-eat-in-london-V5.jpg)
The quality of food is incredible, you forget that this is being prepared for you on a double-decker bus.
All the while you’re relishing the experience pleasant music is being played, some of which transports you to a street-side Parisian café.
![The subtle ambient lighting of the bus as we pass through the tunnel on Upper Thames Street.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-ambient-lighting-inside-the-bus-Bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-london-sight-seeing-tour-of-london-V5.jpg)
The seating arrangements are comfortable, and the tables are tastefully laid out.
Bustronome have taken into consideration that there is a need to support your wine and water glasses.
Also, keep a lookout for the magic magnets hidden in the table, so your cutlery doesn’t move about.
Stay Connected
![The final dessert course of strawberries & ginger pavlova with ginger sorbet.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/A-beautiful-seasonal-summer-desert-Bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-london-places-to-eat-in-london-V5.jpg)
Bustronome offers three choices of dining;
Lunch 7 days a week from 12:15 (1hr 45mins tour)
£70: Menu with water and a hot drink
£90: Menu with wine pairing, including:
2 glasses of wine, 50cl mineral water (still or sparkling), coffee or tea
£40: Children menu (up to 12 years old) – One soft included
Dinner 7 days a week from 19:15 (2hr 45mins tour)
£120: Menu with water and a hot drink
£150: Menu with wine pairing, including:
1 glass of Champagne, 2 glasses of wine, mineral water (still or sparkling), coffee or tea
£50: Children menu (up to 12 years old) One soft included
Enjoy London sight-seeing; the Bustronome way
But it's over too soon![Nelson's Column and the National Gallery as we pass Trafalgar Square on our tour of London](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-view-of-Trafalgar-Square-Bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-london-sight-seeing-tour-of-london-V5.jpg)
It’s great fun people watching from up above, although we did notice that the Bustronome bus was grabbing attention from passers-by too.
Our lunch experience lasted 1 hour, 45 minutes. In hindsight, perhaps we should have chosen the dinner option, and then the historic trip would have taken us on an even more extended voyage around London.
Tube Station Walks
We love to explore London on foot; a great way to break it into bite-sized pieces is to pick an underground station.
Why not browse our posts on tube station walks to find out what we uncovered in different districts?
The Bustronome experience
Our final thoughts![The view of Tower Bridge as we crossed over it, looking through the glass roof to the southernmost bridge tower.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Stunning-views-of-the-City-of-London-Bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-london-sight-seeing-tour-of-london-V5.jpg)
![The Shard, visible through the panoramic roof.](https://ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/A-view-of-The-Shard-Bustronome-gourmet-food-tour-bus-things-to-do-in-london-sight-seeing-tour-of-london-V5.jpg)
The price of the trips may initially appear costly; however, not only are you embarking on a guided tour of London, but you also tasting some delightful food as you journey through the city’s historic streets.
I personally think it would make a lovely gift for someone.
Check your options
Why not take a look at their choice of menus, in addition to their regular menu they also offer vegetarian, vegan and children’s options?
Whichever one takes your fancy book directly online here.
We have a little book on our shelves that we sometimes delve into when we're about to hit an area of London.
Packed full of historical facts, and broken down into the different regions of London, it's a great resource to help you see what's hidden in plain sight.
Available in Kindle & Hardback editions, it's an excellent addition to anyone's collection who loves London.
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Looks absolutely fabulous, you’re so lucky with the weather.
Yes it was a lovely trip, it’s a relaxing way to see London and great views.