As British Pie Week arrives once more (7-13 March 2011) we thought we’d pick out five great pie experiences to be had in London’s restaurants, from the humble mince-beef pie to be found in London’s pie and mash shops, to the Shepherd's Pie favoured by celebrities at The Ivy. We don't hold ourselves out to be pie purists, so whether it had a pastry crust or a potato topping - as long as it was tasty, it made our list.

Manze's - Tower Bridge Road, SE1

The original Manze’s pie and mash shop was founded here on Tower Bridge Road in 1903 and is still doing a roaring trade today. All pies are made from scratch on site, starting with the beef which is minced using only prime cuts. As for the liquor, apparently it includes a ‘special secret ingredient’ which they’re not about to divulge now. We love the Manze website, which bigs up the fact that Jim Davidson is a regular and boldly states that, ‘It is also said that David Beckham eats here when he is in England.’ Well you can’t blame a joint for trying.

What to eat: Meat pie and liquor.

More about Manze's

The Ivy - Covent Garden

When Shepherd’s Pie was first put on the menu at The Ivy back in 1990 it was a rather daring concept to team comfort food such as Shepherd’s pie and bang-bang-chicken with the glamour of a destination restaurant. But The Ivy’s menu was pitch-perfect for the celebrity crowd who craved – and still do – comfort food in familiar surroundings.

As for the pie itself – well you can’t go wrong with a well-made Shepherd’s Pie and the one at The Ivy doesn’t disappoint, particularly as it comes with a side order of celebrity-spotting.

What to order: Shepherd's Pie.

More about The Ivy

Wright Bros - Borough Market

Perch on a stool at the Wright Brothers spit-and-sawdust place in Borough market and feast your eyes on the glory that is their beef, Guinness and oyster pie. Here the oysters come on the side, with instructions to slip them into the pie’s meaty interior for a minute or two before eating. This pie is a signature dish that usually pleases everyone.

What to order: Beef, Guinness and oyster pie.

More about The Wright Bros

The Gun - Docklands

As part of Tom and Ed Martin’s group of London pubs, The Gun is embracing Pie Week in all its glory with a feast of pie offerings all week. Choose from   Cornish ‘Stargazy’ pie complete with cod cheeks, salmon, Scottish langoustines and mackerel as well as age-old favourite, oxtail and kidney suet pudding served with a native oyster on top and lashings of veal jus. Three courses available at £20, two at £16 and one course at £12.  And what better place to eat pie than in this painstakingly restored 18th century drinking hole?

What to order: We like the idea of pea, broad bean and quails egg pie to start.

More about The Gun

St John - Clerkenwell

There's only one thing you'll need (beside a good appetite) to enjoy Fergus Henderson's stonkingly-good Pigeon & Trotter pie and that's a crowd of friends to help you. The pie is available as part of a Feasting Menu for groups of six or more, so gather together a group of friends and head on over to Clerkenwell to enjoy.

What to order: Pigeon and trotter pie

More about St John

If you want to know where else to enjoy the best of British food, view our full list of London restaurant reviews.