Modern Britain may be a melting pot of food cultures and cuisines, but traditional grub still rules the hearts and minds of UK consumers.

The British public voted fish and chips Britain’s most iconic food, followed by the cuppa and the roast dinner, in a poll for The Grocer by Harris Interactive. The fish supper garnered nearly 20% of votes, with tea and the roast getting 9.4% and 8% respectively.

The remainder of our consumer top five is rather less British, with US-owned Heinz baked beans and Coca-Cola in fourth and fifth place.

Visitors to the London 2012 Olympics will be able to sample Britain’s most iconic food this summer, thanks to a change of heart by McDonalds. As a Tier One sponsor, the fast-food chain owns the exclusive rights to sell chips and fries at the Games but the London organising committee persuaded McDonalds to loosen its grip to meet LOCOG’s ambitious food vision.