Did you know that there’s a window in London through which pies are served?
It’s known as the Pie Hole, and while it’s pretty popular with those in the know, many still consider it to be one of the capital’s secret hidden gems.
This is because it’s tucked away in a rather unexpected spot – inside a five star-hotel near Covent Garden and you can only visit at certain times.
The Pie Hole is a takeaway window attached to the Pie Room at the Rosewood Hotel, a glass-fronted kitchen described as a ‘one-stop destination dedicated to one of Britain’s most iconic dishes’.
The Pie Room itself is part of the Holborn Dining Room – it’s where all the pies are made and also doubles as a private dining space for the hotel.
But on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, between 11 am and 3 pm, the windows open to the public, and it transforms into the Pie Hole.
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Four to five chefs work together there each day, prepping pastry, rolling dough, and assembling, crimping and baking pies.
As many as 200 pies are sold via the takeaway window and in the dining room each day, according to the hotel’s Head Chef, Ilona Perczyk.
She tells Metro that there’s a real ‘mastery’ and ‘discipline’ to making pies, and all of the staff have nailed this, which is evident in even the smallest details.
‘Becoming a master of pie really comes down to repeating the basics over and over until they feel completely natural,’ she says. ‘Over time, those habits turn into instinct. And that’s when skill becomes mastery.’
What’s on the menu at The Pie Hole?
Visitors will notice the menu is rather limited, with just a few classic options available.
This includes a free-range chicken and wild mushroom pie, a beer braised beef ribs pie, a hand-raised pork pie, as well as lamb and aubergine option and a veggie cheese and potato one.
Ilona claims the menu was intentionally left small, as it was ‘created with precision in mind’.
‘We wanted to focus on perfecting each filling rather than offering lots of different varieties,’ she explains.
‘Every pie was chosen for a reason, and we spent time making sure the flavours, textures, and techniques were exactly right.
‘For us, quality comes before quantity, so the menu is intentionally tight, allowing us to deliver each pie at its absolute best.’
As such, the pies don’t come cheap, with prices starting from £12 for a pork pie, and rising to as much as £15 for larger meat pies.
There’s also a sausage roll available that costs £9.
On TikTok and in Google Reviews, a few people have complained about the food being ‘overpriced’, but overall many seem to think the pies are ‘the best’ in London, with some hailing them as ‘wonderful’, and ‘delicious’.
What should you try?
Bestsellers on the menu are the beef and chicken, as they’re ‘comforting, familiar, and packed with flavour,’ according to Ilona.
She claims that those who have tried them usually ‘come back for them again’.
Specials are also available throughout the year, with the team creating a ‘pie of the month’ every month to introduce new flavours.
This sometimes includes a sweet pie, with a rhubarb pie currently on the menu for British Pie Week, which runs until March 8, 2026.
Other sweet options can be found at times like Valentine’s Day or Christmas, and when ‘the season is right’.
For British Pie Week, the team has also created a limited-edition savoury option, which is scallop and lobster pie. Ilona is ‘proud’ of this dish, as she says it offers ‘something a bit different, and showcases what we can do when we push creativity a little further’.
Did you know about London’s pie window?
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Yes
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I had no idea!
Where is the Pie Hole and when can you visit?
The Pie Hole window can be found at 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN and is open from 11 am until 3 pm, Tuesday to Thursday.
Those keen to visit will need to arrive promptly, as the pies sell out quickly – especially the classics and anything seasonal.
‘I always recommend coming earlier in the day if you have a specific pie in mind,’ advises Ilona.
And even if you do miss out on your favourite, you likely won’t be disappointed as you’ll still get to see the pie masters at work, which is an experience in itself.
‘Everything is made fresh in small batches, and that’s part of the charm. Guests order directly at the window, watch the team at work, and get their pies hot and ready,’ Ilona adds.
‘It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s a great way to see the craft behind what we do.’
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