In London, a trip to the uber-luxurious department store, Harrods, was on the agenda. But, not for the designer Givenchy handbags, Escada dresses or Yves Saint Laurent shoes. I am not label whore. I wanted the ritzy experience of perusing the shelves of the famous Harrods Food Hall. I am a food whore.
Harrods Food Hall is one of the Worlds most opulent food courts, for lack of a better word. It features a series of food halls that each boast luxury eateries and gourmet goods.
As I walked through a maze of lavish apparel and extravagant accessories, towards the food hall, I couldn’t help but wonder whether there would be any product there that would be deemed affordable.
This seemed even more questionable as I passed the ₤505 Bvlgari sunglasses locked in a spotless glass case. I would go nutty if I accidentally sat on those.
Upon entering the Harrods Food Hall there was a sigh of relief, oysters at only ₤1 each. Reasonable.
Though the price rises dramatically if you would like the oysters shucked, prepared and you actually fancied sitting down to eat them.
The Oyster & Caviar House at Harrods Food Hall is for you with the deeper pockets. Much deeper.
Moving on and passing the pricey sushi bar along the way, a pastry case was beckoning. Ooh look, I could also afford a cherry Danish for ₤1.75.
Unshucked oysters and pastries. This meal is shaping up nicely.
Upon further discovery, Quail from France would only run me ₤2.95. Maybe that guy will throw in his hat as a bonus. Or at least cook it for me since I was lacking an oven at the Royal Garden Hotel.
So, now where does this Harrods Food Hall meal stand? One raw French quail, unshucked oysters and a cherry Danish. ₤5.45. At this point McDonalds is sounding slightly better, and I don’t do fast food.
The Salame al Tartufo catches my eye next and runs ₤8.75. Pricey, yet it would come with a hinged jar as a souvenir. Maybe I can grab a loaf of the fresh baked bread to slather it on.
As I looked around for something to wash down this delectable imaginary meal that I had created I saw the Harrods Limited Edition Glitterati bottled water…for ₤29.95. Seriously?
It was bedazzled, in a glass container. Could that make it taste so much better than a ₤3.20 plastic bottle of Evian?
In actuality I did not purchase one thing from Harrod’s Food Hall. I am cheap. We went for Bone Marrow at St. John Restaurant instead. I like my food cooked.
Though browsing through, the thousands of epicurean products temporarily filled the foodie in me.
Have you been to Harrods Food Hall? Would you ever pay ₤29.95 for the Glitterati water bottle?
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I think this would be a fascinating place to explore, but like you, I doubt I'd be able to find anything I'd actually want to drop the cash on. The $30 bottle of water is just ridiculous. I hope it's infused with diamonds.
Diamonds or 14kt gold flakes 😉
Sometimes stuff like this just reminds me how differently people with lots of money think! 30 dollar water…wowza! It's like Rhianna getting a $2000 dollar manicure (REAL gold on her fingers!) No really that happened.
I think I would enjoy wandering the food hall…I may have bought myself a danish, but that's about it!
Holy smokes! A $2000 manicure? I just that speaks to how much money she must have!
I would love to spend an afternoon exploring here…but yeah, 30 pounds for a bottle of water? $50! Insane…
It is worth a visit to peruse through the unique gourmet foods…and perusing is free 🙂
I have been to the food hall on both trips to London. It has been about 10 years since I was there and I do not remember the prices being this high. I do remember buying some prepared food and going to the park to eat it. It was pretty reasonable. I am positive I did not buy a ₤30 bottle of water.
I did see some products that seemed fairly reasonably priced, though most of the stalls where you eat “in house’ were pretty pricey.
I love wandering through Harrod's Food hall but I must admit I have never bought anything there. 30 pounds for a bottle of water is ridiculous. I wonder what is so special about it!
I might pay 30 pounds for water — if it was the only cure for the choking that price would induce in me.
absolutely ridiculous! Although the oysters seem to be pretty reasonable.
you take beautiful pictures. I look forward to reading about your adventures and following along as you cross items off your list 🙂
Thank you 🙂
I thought the oysters seemed reasonable too (& the pastries).
That's incredibly over priced but it's London and it's Harrods!
Good point!
I lived in London for a few years and LOVED going to the Harrods food hall for a treat. Usually reserved for when visitors came to visit. The salads are amazing. My favourite was the chocolates – strawberry, champagne and white chocolate truffles…. drooool!
A champagne truffle sounds amazing! I’m going to get me one if I ever go back!
First time seen your travel pages – makes me want to go on adventures which havent done for years. Did it as I was looking up the bottle i purchased.
I did buy a bottle only for the Mrs as she loves all things sprakly-water tasted the same!!!
Bottle is now filled with tap water – still tastes th same.
will definaely return to your links!
I didn’t even think about the ability to refill it! Good idea 🙂
I remember perusing through the food hall in Harrods too! I think I walked around there for an hour. Everything was displayed so beautifully – I had a hard time choosing something. In the end, I went and sat in their little cafe and had a scone and tea. 🙂 Never saw that bottle of water – not that I would've spent that much money on H2O! 🙂
Harrods Food Hall is one of those places that you could get lost in for hours, perusing the shelves. A scone and some tea sounds perfect!
Good morning,
would you please tell me if you supply water from Fiuggi in Italy, I would appreciate your reply.
Many thanks
Ann Davey
I buy things there that I need to recipes items etc it wouldn’t bother me to buy a 29.00 bottle but I would rather try it first and if it was rubbish never buy it again.