I Tried All The McDonald's UK Menu Items You Can't Get In America — Here Are The Best And Worst Ones

I'm Spencer, and I'm always so jealous of the cool fast-food items that are available in places outside the US. So, on a recent trip to London, I ordered allllll the McDonald's items I can't get in my home country. Here's my honest review of the best — and worst — foods you might not even know exist.

Person in a checkered coat making a peace sign in front of a McDonald's
Person in a checkered coat making a peace sign in front of a McDonald's
Hand pointing to a McDonald's digital menu highlighting new items including Big Tasty and Mozzarella Dippers
Hand pointing to a McDonald's digital menu highlighting new items including Big Tasty and Mozzarella Dippers

Spencer Althouse / Instagram: @spenceralthouse, Spencer Althouse / Instagram: @spenceralthouse

1.KitKat Ruby Chocolate McFlurry

McDonald's meal with a KitKat Ruby McFlurry, featuring a spoonful of ice cream and toppings
McDonald's meal with a KitKat Ruby McFlurry, featuring a spoonful of ice cream and toppings
Hand holding a cup of yogurt topped with cereal and a red fruit sauce
Hand holding a cup of yogurt topped with cereal and a red fruit sauce

Spencer Althouse

What it is: "Soft dairy ice cream swirled with ruby-covered KitKat pieces, wafer pieces, and topped with a raspberry sauce"

What it looks like on their site vs. what I got:

McFlurry cup with Kit Kat Ruby Chocolate pieces on vanilla ice cream
McFlurry cup with Kit Kat Ruby Chocolate pieces on vanilla ice cream
Hand holding a spoon with ice cream over a cup of Nestle KitKat Ruby Chocolate ice cream
Hand holding a spoon with ice cream over a cup of Nestle KitKat Ruby Chocolate ice cream

McDonald's / mcdonalds.com, Spencer Althouse

My rating: 8/10

This was one of the best UK menu items that I tried, and the raspberry sauce tasted especially good when mixed with the semi-melted ice cream. However, I don't think it's for everyone. Like, I love sweets, but even I couldn't finish more than half of the McFlurry because it was just ~too much~.

Also, this is definitely one of those desserts that's more for white chocolate lovers over milk or dark chocolate (which I prefer). I think a pump of hot fudge would have elevated this even more. Still, if you're looking for a cheap, sweet treat, then you really can't go wrong with this (also, McDonald's ice cream machines in the UK have never been broken in my many experiences, so they're already a step ahead of the US).

2.McPlant

Hand holding a McDonald's McPlant burger box on a table
Hand holding a McDonald's McPlant burger box on a table
Person holding a fast-food cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato partially unwrapped
Person holding a fast-food cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato partially unwrapped

Spencer Althouse

What it is: "A vegan burger made with a juicy plant-based patty co-developed with Beyond Meat featuring vegan sandwich sauce, ketchup, mustard, onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and a vegan alternative to cheese in a sesame seed bun"

What it looks like on their site vs. what I got:

Cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and condiments on a sesame seed bun
Cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and condiments on a sesame seed bun
Fast food hamburger with lettuce and tomato in an open box on a table
Fast food hamburger with lettuce and tomato in an open box on a table

McDonald's / mcdonalds.com, Spencer Althouse

My rating: 5/10

If you're a vegetarian or vegan, then I think this can be a decent (albeit flavorless) option for you, but I wouldn't put it at the top of your must-try list. The menu item requires a bit of doctoring up, so be prepared to order some extra dipping sauces. In fact, I've had some great meatless burgers in my life, and this one technically had the right ingredients, but it somehow didn't taste like I was eating anything.

The patty was reallllly bland, so each bite was masked by the taste of lettuce and tomato, which is totally fine, but at that point, you're better off just ordering a salad. I personally wouldn't recommend this to anyone who's a meat eater (I mean, hello, McChickens exist for a reason), but if you're not, then I think you can totally make this work. Again, just order some extra sauces.

3.Mozzarella Dippers

McDonald's meal with 5 Cheese Garlic Bites, a dipping sauce, and a beverage on a tray
McDonald's meal with 5 Cheese Garlic Bites, a dipping sauce, and a beverage on a tray
Hand holding a half-eaten McDonald's Cheesy Garlic Bite with dipping sauce and McFlurry in the background
Hand holding a half-eaten McDonald's Cheesy Garlic Bite with dipping sauce and McFlurry in the background

What it is: "Three sticks of mozzarella cheese, coated in breadcrumbs and served with salsa dip"

What it looks like on their site vs. what I got:

Three mozzarella sticks with a side of marinara sauce
Three mozzarella sticks with a side of marinara sauce
Hand holding a cheesy garlic bite above a sauce container, with more bites in a McDonald's bag and a McFlurry cup visible
Hand holding a cheesy garlic bite above a sauce container, with more bites in a McDonald's bag and a McFlurry cup visible

McDonald's / mcdonalds.com

My rating: 8.5/10

The bag my dippers came in was labeled "cheesy garlic bites," so I felt especially duped when I opened it up to find plain, old mozzarella sticks. Even so, I'm thrilled to report that I thoroughly enjoyed them. Were they hot (or even warm) to touch? Nope. Did they have a great cheese pull that stretched several inches across the table, as the product's photo suggested? Heck no. Did any of this matter? Absolutely not.

The truth is that mozzarella sticks are good at any temperature, and these were definitely solid enough to order again. In fact, they're exactly how you'd assume fast-food mozz sticks would taste (and I mean that as a compliment!). The only issue was the dipping sauce. Instead of a marinara, McDonald's serves them with salsa. I have no idea why — they didn't complement each other at all. A more tomato-y pasta sauce would have worked wonders, but, hey, I guess you can just order ranch or even ketchup if you're that desperate.

4.McSpicy

Person holding a McDonald's McSpicy chicken sandwich box with the logo and text visible
Person holding a McDonald's McSpicy chicken sandwich box with the logo and text visible
Person holding a half-eaten McDonald's chicken sandwich with lettuce and sauce, fast food packaging in background
Person holding a half-eaten McDonald's chicken sandwich with lettuce and sauce, fast food packaging in background

Spencer Althouse

What it is: "Hot and spicy 100% chicken breast in a crispy coating, served with crunchy lettuce and a classic sandwich sauce served in a sesame seed bun"

What it looks like on their site vs. what I got:

Crispy chicken sandwich with lettuce on a sesame seed bun
Crispy chicken sandwich with lettuce on a sesame seed bun
Fast food chicken sandwich with lettuce in a paper container
Fast food chicken sandwich with lettuce in a paper container

McDonald's / mcdonalds.com, Spencer Althouse

My rating: 10/10

This was hands down the best menu item that I tried. It also had the most flavor. For my fellow Americans, think of this as a spicy McChicken sandwich. Like, you really can't go wrong. It also came with a vegan mayo sauce, which was surprisingly delicious and really complemented the sandwich well.

I should note that I love spice, and even though this sandwich literally has "spicy" in its name, I didn't really get any spice from it. So, if you're looking for something with a kick, then I'd probably order something else. Actually, some McDonald's in the UK have a "McSpicy x Frank's Red Hot" sandwich, which I think is the same exact sandwich except it's also coated in Frank's Red Hot, so that might be a better option for you. I do regret not ordering it, to be honest. Still, this sandwich was fantastic and would be my new go-to if I lived in London.

5.Veggie Dippers

A package of four veggie dippers in their box
A package of four veggie dippers in their box
Hand dipping a veggie stick into sauce beside a fast-food drink cup
Hand dipping a veggie stick into sauce beside a fast-food drink cup

Spencer Althouse

What it is: "A tasty blend of red pepper and sun-dried tomato pesto, all coated in crispy golden breadcrumbs"

What it looks like on their site vs. what I got:

Breaded veggie sticks with a side of ketchup
Breaded veggie sticks with a side of ketchup
Hand holding a bitten veggie dipper over a McDonald's box with more dippers and sauce packets inside
Hand holding a bitten veggie dipper over a McDonald's box with more dippers and sauce packets inside

McDonald's / mcdonalds.com, Spencer Althouse

My rating: 7/10

These veggie dippers had some flavor, and I think they would have been even better if they weren't lukewarm. In all honesty, they kind of tasted like two-day-old chicken nuggets (which isn't necessarily a bad thing!), and I think they'd make for great drunk food.

Would I order them again? Possibly, but they definitely wouldn't be super high on my list. I'm sure I'd feel differently if I were a vegetarian or vegan. Overall, they were totally fine!

6.Toffee Apple Donut

Hand holding a McDonald's doughnut with icing and nut topping at a restaurant table
Hand holding a McDonald's doughnut with icing and nut topping at a restaurant table
Person holding a partially eaten McDonald's apple pie with visible filling
Person holding a partially eaten McDonald's apple pie with visible filling

Spencer Althouse

What it is: "Ring donut filled with toffee apple compote, topped with crumble pieces and toffee sauce"

What it looks like on their site vs. what I got:

Donut with caramel icing and nut topping, cut into quarters on a white surface
Donut with caramel icing and nut topping, cut into quarters on a white surface
Man in a patterned jacket holding out a donut towards the camera, seated indoors
Man in a patterned jacket holding out a donut towards the camera, seated indoors

McDonald's / mcdonalds.com, Spencer Althouse

My rating: 8/10

The first few bites of this donut were fantastic, but I've gotta be honest with you: It was way. too. sweet. I think this would make for a good snack to share with someone else because — and I'm sorry — it's nearly impossible to get through more than half of it on your own. And I say that as someone who loves donuts.

I also wasn't expecting there to be a toffee apple compote oozing from its center, so that was a nice surprise. Ultimately, though, for a McDonald's donut, it's pretty dang good.

7.The Sweet Chilli Chicken Wrap — Crispy

A close-up of the yellow box that the McDonald's wrap comes in
A close-up of the yellow box that the McDonald's wrap comes in
Hand holding a wrapped sandwich with crispy chicken, lettuce, and sauce, with a blurred fast-food meal box in the background
Hand holding a wrapped sandwich with crispy chicken, lettuce, and sauce, with a blurred fast-food meal box in the background

Spencer Althouse

What it is: "Crispy chicken breast with a sweet chilli sauce, cool mayo, lettuce, and cucumber in a soft, toasted tortilla wrap"

What it looks like on their site vs. what I got:

Chicken wrap partially inside branded packaging on a white surface
Chicken wrap partially inside branded packaging on a white surface
Man holding a partially wrapped burrito, looking at it while seated at a table
Man holding a partially wrapped burrito, looking at it while seated at a table

McDonald's / mcdonalds.com, Spencer Althouse

My rating: 7.5/10

I miss McDonald's Snack Wraps from the mid-2000s, so this chicken wrap had me feeling extra nostalgic and hopeful. But even though I was able to get a couple perfect bites out of this, I was a little disappointed overall, and here's why:

I'm a sauce guy. I love sauce. But, even for me, there was simply too much sauce on this wrap. Between the mayo and the sweet chili sauce, it felt like I was getting full bites of pure sauce instead of the other ingredients. If McDonald's used half as much sauce and added a second piece of chicken to each wrap, then I think they'd have a winner on their hands. But I guess if you're looking for something quick and on-the-go, then this isn't a bad choice. Just be prepared for some mess.

8.Pineapple Stick

Hand holding a McDonald's Pineapple Stick package in front of a red counter with a McDonald's meal box behind it
Hand holding a McDonald's Pineapple Stick package in front of a red counter with a McDonald's meal box behind it
Person holding a partially unwrapped popsicle
Person holding a partially unwrapped popsicle

Spencer Althouse

What it is: "A sweet and juicy stick of pineapple"

What it looks like on their site vs. what I got:

Pre-packaged pineapple slice in clear plastic wrapping with label
Pre-packaged pineapple slice in clear plastic wrapping with label
A man in a patterned coat examines a popsicle indoors
A man in a patterned coat examines a popsicle indoors

McDonald's / mcdonalds.com, Spencer Althouse

My rating: 8/10

Look, this is just a regular slice of pineapple. It was good and juicy. No complaints! I love that this was offered as an option with the Happy Meal instead of fries. You can also order it as a standalone item, so, like, if you're really craving some fruit and walk by a McDonald's in London, then you know where to go. Cool!

9.Salsa Dip

A close-up of a pack of their salsa dip
A close-up of a pack of their salsa dip
Person dipping a chicken nugget into sauce with a fry box and drink in the background
Person dipping a chicken nugget into sauce with a fry box and drink in the background

Spencer Althouse

What it is: "Tomato salsa dip for mozzarella dippers"

What it looks like on their site vs. what I got:

A bowl of red sauce on a white background
A bowl of red sauce on a white background
An open sauce packet squeezed into a small cup on a countertop, with some sauce spilled on the surface
An open sauce packet squeezed into a small cup on a countertop, with some sauce spilled on the surface

McDonald's / mcdonalds.com, Spencer Althouse

My rating: 4/10

I love salsa, but there's not a single item on McDonald's menu that requires it. I'm still confused as to why they serve this with their mozzarella dippers (in fact, I even googled whether or not salsa and marinara were interchangeable words between the US and the UK — like football and soccer — in case I just got a bad batch or something). If McDonald's wants to start serving tortilla chips, then they can keep the salsa. Until then, let's pray they replace it with a proper marinara sauce.

10.Sweet Curry Sauce

A close-up of the packet of Sweet Curry dip
A close-up of the packet of Sweet Curry dip
Hand dipping a chicken nugget into sauce with fast food items in the background
Hand dipping a chicken nugget into sauce with fast food items in the background

Spencer Althouse

What it is: "Sweet and sharp-tasting sauce with a fruity apricot flavor and delicate spices"

What it looks like on their site vs. what I got:

A container of the Sweet Curry sauce
A container of the Sweet Curry sauce
An opened single-serving condiment packet stands upright with sauce inside
An opened single-serving condiment packet stands upright with sauce inside

McDonald's / mcdonalds.com, Spencer Althouse

My rating: 8/10

I enjoyed the sweet curry sauce! I personally think it's better suited as a dip with their French fries instead of their veggie dippers, but, hey, to each their own. Also, I get why this sauce is served with the veggie dippers, but the two together need a bit more flavor to make for a decent pairing. Depending on what you're eating, I'd suggest swapping out the sweet curry sauce for a barbecue or hot sauce instead.

11.Bonus: French Fries

Hand holding a McDonald's small fries with other food items on table
Hand holding a McDonald's small fries with other food items on table
Open fast food french fries container on a table with other wrappers nearby
Open fast food french fries container on a table with other wrappers nearby

Spencer Althouse

What it is: "Fluffy yet crispy French fries cut from whole potatoes"

What it looks like on their site vs. what I got:

A McDonald's medium french fries in its iconic red carton
A McDonald's medium french fries in its iconic red carton
Person holding a carton of fries with fast-food packaging in the background
Person holding a carton of fries with fast-food packaging in the background

Spencer Althouse

My rating: 7/10

Having worked in fast food myself (shoutout to my first job ever at Dairy Queen, which I genuinely loved), I have strong opinions about French fries. I can firmly say that McDonald's has some of the best fries of any fast-food restaurant, but I was surprised at how different they tasted in the UK. Like, the US is obviously known for its, well, ~over seasoning~ of salt and oil and grease and all that other good stuff, which makes them taste so much better.

Instead, the UK fries definitely lacked seasoning. The color on these fries was also off — they were way too pale and not that traditional golden brown I grew up loving. Even cold McDonald's fries in the US are great, but these fries from the UK didn't hold a candle to them. But would I still order them again? Of course. They're McDonald's fries.

I also ordered a frozen strawberry lemonade, but I didn't realize until I left that it never came. I'll genuinely think about that missed opportunity for weeks. Anyway, here's a bird's-eye view of everything I ordered. Yes, the stomach ache that I got after was so worth it. Okay, bye!!!

A cup with a yellow lemonade icee in it with a red strawberry liquid on top
A cup with a yellow lemonade icee in it with a red strawberry liquid on top
A variety of McDonald's meals and snacks spread out on a table
A variety of McDonald's meals and snacks spread out on a table

McDonald's / mcdonalds.com, Spencer Althouse