The Living History of London’s Oldest Pie Shop

Tucked away just south of the Thames, M.Manze Tower Bridge stands as a defiant monument to working-class culinary history. Established in 1902 by Italian immigrant Michele Manze, this flagship location on Tower Bridge Road is officially recognized as London’s oldest surviving pie and mash shop. It remains an operational, Grade II-listed Edwardian time capsule that has survived economic shifts, gentrification, and two World Wars completely intact.

Stepping through the front doors feels like crossing an invisible boundary into the early 20th century. The interior timetoeatarlington.com boasts its original white and green wall tiling, deeply varnished wooden high-backed bench booths, and marble tabletops. The acoustic environment—where the clatter of heavy ceramic plates bounces off hard surfaces—carries the authentic chatter of multi-generational London families alongside modern culinary tourists.

The Immutable 1902 Menu

While the culinary landscape of modern London changes rapidly, the menu at M.Manze remains fiercely unchanged, relying on the same foundational recipes used on opening day over 120 years ago.

• The Traditional Pie: Every single minced beef pie is prepared entirely from scratch on-site. The pie utilizes a proprietary double-pastry technique: a dense, rich suet pastry base to support the filling, capped off with a light, golden, flaky top crust. They are packed with 100% prime cut beef mince and a splash of rich gravy, baked daily on massive metal trays inside the shop’s traditional stone ovens.
• The Mash: Massive sacks of potatoes are brought into the kitchen every morning to be peeled, boiled, and vigorously mashed into a smooth, thick consistency. It is scraped aggressively onto the side of the plate using a traditional wooden pallet knife.
• The Liquor: The defining hallmark of the meal is “liquor”—a vibrant, savory, emerald-green parsley sauce. Historically brewed using the leftover broth from stewed eels, it provides a sharp, herbaceous counterweight to the rich beef pastry.
• The Eels: For the adventurous traditionalist, M.Manze continues to serve eels in two classic preparations: hot stewed eels swimming in warm liquor, or cold jellied eels set in a deeply savory, clear gelatin.

The “Double Double” Ritual

Dining at M.Manze is governed by a long-standing local etiquette. The most common order amongst regulars is the “Double Double”—consisting of two meat pies and two scoops of mash, all pooled in a generous lake of green liquor.

To eat it like a true Cockney, patrons eschew the fork entirely, opting for a knife and a large spoon. The ritual begins by flipping both pies completely upside down so the softer suet base absorbs the liquid. The diner makes a small split across the center crust, heavily dusts the plate with ground white pepper, and adds a aggressive douse of the house specialty: chili vinegar. The vinegar cuts cleanly through the richness of the pastry, transforming simple ingredients into a deeply comforting flavor profile.

Pop Culture and Enduring Community Footprint

The cultural footprint of this specific shop extends far beyond its food. The flagship building has served as a gritty, authentic backdrop for countless books, television dramas, and films. Most notably, Elton John utilized the shop’s timeless green tiles as the primary set for his “Made in England” music video, and famous patrons ranging from American music legend Roy Orbison to David Beckham have sat in its wooden booths.

Even in 2026, the shop remains anchored to its community roots. In a testament to its cultural significance, the local Southwark council named a new residential block on the neighboring St Saviour’s Estate “Manze Apartments” to honor the family’s multi-generational contribution to the neighborhood.

For anyone seeking a true culinary pilgrimage, a trip to 87 Tower Bridge Road provides more than a filling, affordable meal under £10—it offers a rare, unbroken connection to the historic soul of working-class London.