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Breakfast in London runs the full range of the city itself, from a chrome-and-formica cafe serving a faultless full English to the grand dining rooms where the day begins with linen, silver and a pot of good coffee. For the visitor it is the easiest great meal to get right, and a lovely way to start a morning of walking. This guide covers where to eat a proper London breakfast, from the classic caffs that locals swear by to the landmark rooms worth booking, and what to order when you get there.
What makes a great London breakfast
The centrepiece is the full English, a plate that rewards good ingredients handled simply. Beyond it, London does grand hotel breakfasts, excellent pastries and a strong showing of eggs done every way. A few things separate the places worth seeking out.
- A full English built from good sausages, dry-cure bacon and properly cooked eggs, with grilled tomato, mushrooms, beans and toast, and black pudding or fried bread for the traditionalists.
- Bread and pastry that are taken seriously, whether that is thick buttered toast or a flawless croissant.
- Coffee or a proper pot of tea to match the food.
- A room with character, from a heritage caff to a landmark cafe, and service that is warm rather than rushed.
The classic full English
For the real thing in its natural habitat, London's traditional cafes are unbeatable. Regency Cafe in Westminster is a beautifully preserved art deco room and a local institution, while E Pellicci in Bethnal Green is a Grade II listed family cafe that has been serving since 1900. Near Borough Market, Terry's Cafe flies the flag for a generous, old-fashioned fry-up. These are cash-friendly, unpretentious rooms where the breakfast is the whole point.
Grand rooms for a landmark breakfast
When the morning calls for occasion, a handful of dining rooms make breakfast an event. The Wolseley on Piccadilly is the definitive grand cafe breakfast, all marble and bustle, and its sister The Delaunay near Aldwych offers a Viennese-tinged version. For the height of luxury, the dining rooms at Claridge's and The Connaught serve breakfasts to match their reputations. Booking is essential at all of them.
Modern breakfasts and something different
London's global kitchens do breakfast brilliantly too. Dishoom draws morning queues for its bacon naan roll and Bombay-style breakfasts, and Caravan in King's Cross is a reliable all-day room for eggs and good coffee. If you are after something closer to a lazy weekend spread, our separate guide to the best brunch in London covers the later, boozier end of the morning.
Good to know
What is in a full English breakfast?
A full English typically brings together fried or grilled bacon and sausage, eggs, baked beans, grilled tomato and mushrooms, and toast. Regional and personal variations add black pudding, fried bread, hash browns or bubble and squeak. It is traditionally served with tea or coffee, and most cafes will happily adjust the plate to taste.
Where do Londoners eat breakfast?
For an everyday breakfast, locals lean on independent cafes, often called caffs, and neighbourhood coffee shops rather than hotels. The classic experience is a fry-up or a bacon roll at a family-run cafe, followed by a strong tea or a flat white from a nearby specialist.
What time is breakfast served in London?
Traditional cafes open early, often from seven or eight in the morning, and serve breakfast well into the day. Grand hotel dining rooms tend to run breakfast until around half past ten on weekdays and later at weekends. All-day spots serve breakfast dishes right through, which is useful if you are a slow starter.
Where to go next
For the later end of the morning, see our guide to the best brunch in London, and pair your breakfast with a great cup from our pick of the best coffee shops in London. Planning a full day of eating? Start with the best restaurants in London, or try grab-and-go classics at the best bagels and best bakeries in London.
