British Pie Week: London's best, from St John to The Devonshire

London has been in a committed relationship with pies since time immemorial — well, since we first made them in the Middle Ages — and it’s been a full-on romance which shows no sign of relenting.

From flabby suet puddings to flaky golden pastry-topped pots, our adoration of pies knows no bounds. It stretches to glorious Wellingtons, homely chicken and mushroom numbers and even an imported galette de rois or two. Nothing beats the pleasing simplicity of a pie and a handful of newer restaurant openings have ensured that pies remain golden jewel in the crown of London's best menus.

Whether craving something savoury or sweet, needing a number wrapped in pastry or simply topped with silky mash below are London’s perfect pies to satisfy.

Manze’s

Let's start at the beginning. Though eaten widely for centuries, it was east Londoner’s love of pies helped translate the staple into a national dish during the 19th and 20th centuries. Manze’s in Deptford has been a classic pie shop for more than 110 years,