The 21 Best Breakfast Spots in London, UK in 2024
From a traditional English fry-up to perfectly poached eggs, we've rounded up the best breakfasts in London to start your day. London is full of culture and innovation, at the very forefront of food trends. It’s therefore no surprise that this has filtered down to the humble breakfast. Going for breakfast in London is a special event in itself and therefore requires a spot-on setting. Luckily, we know just the places for a breakfast in London that will definitely fit the bill.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why rush it? Too many times we chow down on a soggy slice of toast as we’re leaving the house. Just sometimes wouldn’t it be nice to have breakfast in style, savouring each mouthful and taking the time to sip that cappuccino instead of gulping down lava-hot instant coffee? When you have a morning free, why not explore the mouthwatering morsels that this city has to offer and check out the best places for breakfast in London?
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Find the Best Restaurants in London
Word of mouth and recommendations are always handy when you are stuck for restaurant inspiration for breakfast in London. What if we told you that there is another way to source out London’s best dining experiences? Well, there is, and it simply involves exploring the food scene on your own two feet. By embarking on food tours in London you can taste your way around London’s culinary past and encounter new flavours from its present.
The 20 Best Breakfast Places in London
1. Duck & Waffle
Take the lift up to the 40th floor of the aptly named Heron Tower to enjoy breakfast in London with a breathtaking view of this metropolitan city.
The Vibe
Serving from sunrise to sunset, Duck & Waffle offers an all-day dining experience combining traditional British dishes with European influences and championing local, seasonal and sustainable produce.
What to Order
If you can draw your attention away from the view long enough to look at the menu, we recommend the restaurant's namesake, the duck and waffle, a crispy confit duck leg and fried duck egg drizzled with mustard maple syrup, placed on a waffle.
Duck & Waffle | 110 Bishopsgate, 40th Floor, London EC2N 4AY | £££
2. The Regency Café
Want to have breakfast in London on the set of your favourite TV dramas and films? Well, this is the place for film fans as "Layer Cake" and "Brighton Rock" were filmed here.
The Vibe
The Regency Café could very well transport you to a scene in a police drama or spy thriller. Detectives grilling informants over cups of builder’s tea could very plausibly be seated nearby. Formica-topped tables and photographs of Tottenham Hotspur football players complete the retro London look.
What to Order
Don’t be fooled by the time-warped interiors and the simple menu; What they do, they do very well here. Go for the set breakfast, and if your appetite allows, add on black pudding for an authentic breakfast in London.
The Regency Café | 17-19 Regency St., London SW1P 4BY | £
3. Where The Pancakes Are
Who says you can’t eat pancakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Well, at Where The Pancakes Are, you can do just that.
The Vibe
If you’re looking for a pancake paradise for breakfast in London, you’ve found it. Perfect for a pancake party, this place has every single topping you could think of.
What to Order
For breakfast, why not go continental? The continental breakfast features two buttermilk pancakes with a choice of toppings, a glass of orange juice and a coffee to wash it all down with.
Where The Pancakes Are | Arch 35a, 85 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 0NQ | ££
4. E Pellicci
Priamo and Elide Pellicci opened this Bethnal Green institution over 100 years ago and brought their Italian delicacies to the East End of London.
The Vibe
E Pellicci is adorned with hand-carved wooden panelling created by carpenter Achille Capocci in 1946. As a result of his artistic touch, E Pellicci has been granted Grade II status by English Heritage. The authentic Italian eatery boasts a colourful past and reportedly has been visited by infamous criminal duo The Krays.
What to Order
Whilst the majority of the menu serves up Italian classics, the breakfasts are a nod to the Pellicci’s British home. If you are feeling particularly hungry, we suggest the Have the Lot (Meat) or Have the Lot (Veggie) breakfasts for super-sized portions nonna would approve of.
E Pellicci | 332 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 0AG | £
5. 26 Grains
If you find yourself feeling peckish near Covent Garden one morning, we recommend popping into 26 Grains for a satisfying and healthy breakfast in London.
The Vibe
Easily missed and set in a back alley away from the touristy hubbub of Covent Garden, 26 Grains exudes a calm and cosy vibe.
What to Order
Go for the five-grain porridge with banana, cacao nibs, sesame seeds and drizzled with tahini and honey. If you want a gut-healthy prebiotic-rich breakfast in London, this is it.
26 Grains | 1 Neal's Yard, Covent Garden, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9DP | £
6. Maison Francois
For French flair in St James, head to Maison Francois for a pinch of Paris at breakfast in London’s West End.
The Vibe
Styled after the walnut wood-clad brasseries of Paris, the chic setting makes it the perfect place to breakfast in London.
What to Order
For something light and typically Parisienne, opt for the pain Suisse alongside your cafe au lait. However, their breakfast sandwiches pack more of a flavour punch, filled with the finest ingredients such as jambon blanc, a fried egg and then topped with a crispy potato rösti and rich Gruyère cheese.
Maison Francois | 34 Duke St., St James's, London SW1Y 6DF | £££
7. The Wolseley
If you are after something a little more upmarket, splash your cash on breakfast in London at The Wolseley.
The Vibe
Enjoy a full English, but make it elegant. The attention to detail, from the décor to the silverware, is tremendous (not forgetting the seamless service from smartly dressed waitstaff). Simply put, you get what you pay for.
What to Order
See how the other half live and treat yourself to a classic Eggs Royale for that touch of sophistication that only smoked salmon can give. Truly the most luxurious place for breakfast in London.
The Wolseley | 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB | £££
8. The Breakfast Club
With various locations to choose from around the city, The Breakfast Club offers American-style breakfast favourites and cosy classics to diners in London. Check out their flagship café in Soho.
The Vibe
The owners were inspired by the TV show “Cheers” and wanted to recreate a friendly environment where “everyone knows your name”. They succeeded and continued to spread warmth across London with their comforting fry-ups.
What to Order
The “All-American” combines state-side staples such as pancakes, bacon and maple syrup with a proper British sausage in this flavourful culture clash. The best place for an American breakfast, London-style.
The Breakfast Club | 33 D'Arblay St., London W1F 8EU | ££
9. Dishoom
Inspired by the old Irani cafés of Bombay, Dishoom brings a unique blend of spice cultures to the city.
The Vibe
With numerous locations across London and beyond, it is no wonder Dishoom’s popularity is growing. The lively Kensington branch recreates the jazz clubs of 1930s Bombay and is suitably set in the art deco Barkers Building.
What to Order
Go all out with “The Big Bombay” and you won’t be disappointed with this flavour-packed breakfast in London. It combines spiced scrambled eggs and masala beans with peppery pork sausages and a myriad of other tantalising tidbits.
Dishoom | 4 Derry St., Kensington W8 5SE | ££
10. Farm Girl Café
Having just opened a second branch, the Farm Girl Café is continuing to serve up a healthy holistic breakfast around London in that typical Aussie way.
The Vibe
If you’re on a health-kick, the Farm Girl Café arguably offers the best breakfast in London. Instagrammable interiors and equally photogenic dishes make this the must-visit spot for diners in London.
What to Order
For a botanical twist on your morning coffee, try their rose or lavender lattes. Their avocado toast makes for a nutritious and delicious breakfast in London.
Farm Girl Café | 59A Portobello Road, London W11 3DB | ££
11. Granger & Co
Staying down under, we head to Granger & Co for a taste of that easy-going Australian lifestyle.
The Vibe
Well-known Aussie food writer and restaurateur Bill Granger has brought laid-back dining to the busy city of London, and surprisingly it's going well. With locations across the city, pop into the Westbourne Grove branch for brunch from the New York Times dubbed “egg master”.
What to Order
The Notting Hill menu features a whole section on eggs, so it would be plain silly to go for anything else for breakfast in London. The omelette brioche roll with koji tomatoes and shichimi pork patty is a flavour-bomb of a breakfast dish.
Granger & Co | Multiple Locations | ££
12. Sunday in Brooklyn
For a slice of NYC in the Notting Hill area, stop by Sunday in Brooklyn. This restaurant is the only international branch of the New York flagship, serving States-side-style breakfasts in London.
The Vibe
Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the New York-style eatery with light. Better still, situated on a corner of Westbourne Grove, it provides the perfect spot for people-watching and taking breakfast in London.
What to Order
Without a doubt, it's got to be the American-style stacked pancakes, indulgently topped with a hazelnut maple praline and brown butter.
Sunday in Brooklyn | 98 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5RU | ££
13. Nessa
After a night out in Soho, Nessa is the perfect spot to nurse a hangover with their upmarket take on comforting classics.
The Vibe
Nessa embraces its Edwardian heritage and architecture, with its name paying homage to the English painter and sister of Virginia Woolf, Vanessa Bell. Despite its nod to the past, Nessa is very much forward-thinking in its approach to modern British cuisine.
What to Order
For the morning after the night before, sink your teeth into Nessa’s classy version of a sausage and egg muffin. Choose from a selection of cold-pressed juices and smoothies to perk you up in no time. Nessa’s is the ideal place for breakfast in London if you require the best hangover foods available.
Nessa | 86 Brewer St., London W1F 9UB | ££
14. Chiltern Firehouse
Set in an old fire station, the Chiltern Firehouse puts a bold new spin on traditional dishes for a classically modern breakfast in London.
The Vibe
The restaurant and hotel now occupies the former Marylebone Fire Station, which is now a Grade II listed building. The interiors are designed to play with the space, using artfully placed mirrors to elongate the room. Existing features such as the firehouse doors have been restored and worked into the design.
What to Order
Incorporating the finest of British ingredients, their breakfast menu is mouthwatering. The Devon crab omelette is a celebration of the Southwest and transports you to the coast in one bite.
Chiltern Firehouse | 1 Chiltern St., London W1U 7PA | £££
15. HIDE
Michelin-starred restaurant and bar HIDE is headed up by Ollie Dabbous and offers a range of delectable breakfast dishes.
The Vibe
The restaurant complex is set over three light-filled floors connected via a spectacular spiral staircase with views of Green Park.
What to Order
The truffled scrambled eggs on toast are recommended if you’re after an indulgent breakfast in London.
HIDE | 85 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NB | ££££
16. Ole & Steen
With multiple locations across London, Ole & Steen have brought Scandinavian staples to the city.
The Vibe
A Scandi-chic bakery offering the very best of Nordic baked goods. The system is slick and sophisticated: Take your ticket and wait to be served with sample bowls to nibble on while you wait.
What to Order
Try the sausage and egg breakfast roll for a Danish twist on a classic breakfast bap. Ole & Steen have elevated this grab on-the-go sandwich, smothered in spiced butter and served in a Skagen roll, for a quick breakfast in London.
Ole & Steen | 1 Bedford Ave., Unit 4, London WC1B 3AU | £
17. Terry’s Café
Make a stop at Terry’s Café in the south of the city for a good-value home-cooked breakfast in London.
The Vibe
A family-run establishment founded in 1982 by Terry Yardley, a former butcher and pig farmer from South London. Serving up good British food using fresh produce straight from nearby Borough Market.
What to Order
Go for “The Blowout” and feast on two free-range eggs, bacon and Cumberland sausage. Choose from bubble and squeak or chunky chips, baked beans or grilled tomatoes to complement this superb breakfast in London.
Terry’s Café | 158 Great Suffolk St., London SE1 1PE | £
18. Milk
A cool café in bustling Balham serving up all-day brunch and speciality coffee. Milk attracts quite a crowd, so expect it to be busy if you don’t arrive dot on 8 a.m.
The Vibe
Featuring delightfully retro tiled interiors yet open and airy, we recommend starting your day with Milk. There are spaces to eat both inside and out, weather permitting.
What to Order
Try Milk’s own granola with its autumnal flavours of red plum and spiced quince jelly with fig molasses for a sweet start to your day with breakfast in London.
Milk | 18-20 Bedford Hill, London SW12 9RG | ££
19. The Black Penny
Situated between Holborn and Covent Garden, The Black Penny is a friendly local eatery that will leave you spoiled for choice with its offering of breakfast dishes.
The Vibe
One of the city’s best-kept secrets, this hip hangout comes complete with bare brick walls and a top quality artisanal coffee menu. Take breakfast in London with the locals at The Black Penny.
What to Order
The Hunter is the perfect breakfast for meat-lovers, whilst their vegetarian equivalent The Gatherer substitutes sausages and bacon for grilled halloumi and sautéed spinach.
The Black Penny | 34 Great Queen St., London WC2B 5AA | ££
20. Koya Soho
Open your mind to a whole new cuisine at breakfast time. Whilst we might dine on noodles at night, have you ever considered going for a Japanese breakfast in London?
The Vibe
Serving up morning meals from 10 a.m., Koya Soho is Japanese simplicity at its finest. Despite their popularity, the udon noodle specialists always seek to seat their guests as quickly as possible.
What to Order
In addition to classic Japanese breakfast dishes of grilled fish, miso soup, pickles and rice, there are alternatives on the menu. Opt for a Japanese take on a full English complete with shitake mushrooms and freshly prepared udon noodles.
Koya Soho | 50 Frith St., Soho, London W1D 4SQ | ££
21. Balans No. 60
For over thirty years, four locations of this legendary eatery have been serving all-day breakfast in London (or lunch, dinner and late-night cocktails) to a wide array of Soho patrons. But it's No. 60 — described as "the big one" — that catches our eye. Artsy, fun and filled with a contagious raunchy spirit, Balans No. 60 is a spot where memories are made and palates are delighted in equal proportion.
The Vibe
This is the kind of place you go to imbibe while making all the right types of mistakes. Literary bigwigs, screen stars and drag queens will be your companions in revelry as the Champage flows around you.
What to Order
Opt for the full English breakfast if you're feeling traditional. Otherwise, one of their three famous pancake dishes will hit the spot: two classic sweet versions (one vegan) or a sweet and savoury choice with fried chicken and kimchi salad.
Balans No. 60 | 60 Old Compton St., London W1D 4UG | ££-£££
Join 200,000+ Culinary Enthusiasts
These 21 best breakfasts in London reaffirm the fact that this is the most important meal of the day and should be regarded as such. London eateries have cottoned onto the idea that breakfast should be celebrated and have thought up the most mouthwatering breakfast menus, leaving you spoiled for choice. So, for your next morning treat, go out, discover and dig into the best restaurants the city has to offer.
For even more ways to explore London and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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