The world can be divided into two types of people: those who wake up looking forward to a hearty breakfast of eggs, yoghurt, coffee and croissants, and those who couldn’t care less.
Here at ELLE UK, we’re firmly of the former camp and we're constantly on the lookout for London's best breakfast. It is, after all, the most important meal of the day.
But we're spoilt for choice. You could eat your way around the world trying out all of the best morning dishes in the capital, from cheese rarebit toast at BAO to Dishoom’s legendary bacon and egg naan.
Here is a list of the best breakfasts in London to start the day like a champion:
1) Café Bao
If you're looking to find a menu that combines your love of Taiwanese and western-style food, then consider CaféBao you're new breakfast must-visit.
Head on down to King's Cross' Café on either a Saturday or Sunday (9am - 11.45am) and tuck into its brand new breakfast menu, featuring everything from a sausage hash brown breafast bao, cheese rarebit bao toast (as seen above) and a simple boiled egg and black coffee, to the most delicious iced Americanos we might have tasted and the Dan Bing Pancake (bacon, egg and cheese inside a savoury egg crêpe).
If that wasn't enough (believe us, you'll leave stuffed), then you can also pick up some buns from the bakery counter, including the likes of molten chocolate baos and the salted egg custard sad bao.
Location: 4 Pancras Square, Kings Cross, London N1C 4AG
Click here to find out more.
2) Sunday in Brooklyn
A post Freedom Day London rightly deserves a new must-dine in breakfast spot, and that’s exactly what you get with Sunday in Brooklyn. Opening on June 22, The Williamsburg and New York Magazine favourite has made its way across the Atlantic and nestled itself into the Notting Hill neighbourhood. Yes, there are American staples (think stacked pancakes like you’ve never seen before), but there are also dishes like grilled beets, whole smoked artichoke, clams casino, beef tartare and the piece-de-resistance, chocolate s’mores.
Location: 98 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5RU
Click here to find out more.
3) Ozone
Obsessed with coffee? Then come right this way because Ozone Coffee Roasters, located in Bethnal Green, is here to cater you’re your caffeine needsand serve up some seriously delicious breakfast dishes. Our favourites? Eggs Benedict on bubble ‘n’ squeak cakes, fluffy pancakes topped with house mascarpone, summer fruits and dark fried chocolate and the Bacon Eggs Benedict Bun.
Location:
Click here to find out more.
4) Duck and Waffle
A 24-hour restaurant serving breakfast, brunch, dinner and desserts from sunrise to sunset with views across London, Duck and Waffle is a must-visit at the very least for a cuppa and piece of toast.
Head to Duck and Waffle before the crows at sunrise and tuck into everything from Greek yoghurt and porridge to crab and avocado Benedict waffles, ‘The Full Elvis’ (we’re talking PBJ and caramelised banana), English breakfast, mimosas and a darn good bloody Mary.
Location: 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY
Click here to find out more.
5) Claridge's
Think of a breakfast fit for royalty and you get the Claridge's menu. One of London's finest five star hotels, it's no surprise that breakfast is a big deal here. Seriously, the menu is so extensive, you'll need to come back another day to make sure you try it all.
From Severn & Wye smoked salmon & avocado to breakfast canapés (think fruit kebabs and bacon-wrapped chipolatas), there really is something for everyone. And it's all served on the hotel's signature jade-striped ceramics, so you really will feel like royalty as you sip your breakfast tea.
Alongside your eggs, you can enjoy great people watching too.
Location: Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR.
Click here to find out more.
6) Hawksmoor, Guildhall
Go hungry - and thirsty - for breakfast at the Hawksmoor, Guildhall (serving breakfast Monday-Friday 7-10am). The menu features 'Anti-fogmatics' which were coined by the Head Bartender at The Savoy in the 1920s as an 'anti-fogmatic, eye opener, bracer, corpse reviver or morning glory' to be drunk 'before 11am, or whenever steam and energy are needed'.
Choose a Marmalade Cocktail or a Green Maria (not your average green juice, this has Mezcal and Green Tabasco in) to give your morning a kick. And order the smoked bacon chops with short-rib bubble & squeak to share. You may need to undo a button or two.
Location: 10 Basinghall St, London EC2V 5BQ.
Click here to find out more.
7) The Wolseley
Starting your day at The Wolseley, a London institution, will set you up for the week. Housed in a former bank, the setting is grand and yet there's lots of buzz as regulars book their favourite booths.
If you're feeling virtuous, order the Wolseley Green Juice (a blend of kale, spinach, celery, cucumber & ginger). And if you're after something more substantial opt for the smoked haddock kedgeree or the fried haggis and duck eggs with a whiskey sauce. You won't have to eat again until dinner!
Location: 160 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9EB.
Click here to find out more.
8) Dishoom
There are now five London locations of Dishoom, including the recently refurbished Covent Garden site which now sprawls over two floors. When it comes to breakfast, it has become synonymous with the unforgettable, melt in your mouth bacon naan roll. The famous dish contains Ramsay of Carluke’s smoked streaky bacon which is matured for two weeks and smoked overnight to give it extra deliciousness. And if that's not enough, you can now order a double bacon roll.
Cups of chai are refilled for free and if you order the date & banana porridge, you can get another bowlful as soon as you've finished your first. Which pretty much means you'll probably never want to leave.
Location: Covent Garden, King's Cross, Kensington, Shoreditch, Carnaby.
Click here to find out more.
9) Mount St. Restaurant
If you like to eat your eggs by an Andy Warhol or want to admire a Picasso as you indulge in some black pudding, then this Mayfair outpost is for you. Owned by Artfarm, the hospitality branch of gallerists Hauser & Wirth, and located above revamped pub The Audley, Mount St. Restaurant is an art lover's dream breakfast destination.
Every inch of wall is covered by jaw-dropping creations; even the salt and pepper shakers are designed by American artist Matthew Day Jackson. As soon as we arrived we fell in love with the floor tiles, which are, yep you guessed it, also an artwork by Rashid Johnson entitled 'Broken Floor'. The kedgeree is delicious too!
Location: First Floor, 41-43 Mount Street, London W1K 2RX.
Click here to find out more.
10) Riding House Café
The last time we went to Riding House Café we bumped into Phoebe Waller-Bridge so that alone is a reason to visit this London institution. Even if the Fleabag star isn't there when you pop in, the breakfasts are worth the trip. From classics such as smashed avocado and buttermilk pancakes to Israeli couscous with coconut yoghurt, the menu is lip-lickingly good.
We'd also recommend trying one of the goji, avo or berry smoothies which contain all the superfoods you never knew you needed, including açaí purée and pumpkin seed milk.
Location: 43-51 Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, London W1W 7PQ.
Click here to find out more.
11) Megan's
With seven locations across London, Megan's is a great option for a hearty breakfast in a neighbourhood setting. There are lots of favourites on the menu, including the half-baked cookie dough (served with Nutella, pistachios & ice cream) and coco berry overnight oats.
We also love their twists on the classics - and neologisms - such as Shakshoumi and Shakshorizo.
Various locations across London.
Click here to find out more.
12) Milk Teeth
A south London favourite, Milk Teeth is the place to go for a weekend breakfast. Try the broad bean and garden pea smash or the Sweet Maria sweetcorn fritters, and you'll soon become one of the many people who love this local haunt.
We particularly like the attention to detail such as the homemade espresso hollandaise and the sourdough doughnuts dusted with wild black current sugar (on Saturdays and Sundays). The coffee is also excellent. It's a win-win.
Location: Mitcham Rd, Tooting, London SW17 9NG.
Click here to find out more.
13) Pedler
A light-filled local restaurant in Peckham that serves breakfasts that are perfect for the morning after the night before. 'The Pedler' breakfast features poached eggs, homemade baked beans and sourdough bread from St John's bakery with maple salted butter, while 'The Garden' comes with crispy tofu, slow roast tomato and kale.
The best thing about Pedler? That you can have 'breakfast pudding' and finish off with something sweet like the choccy mouse with mint cream and shortbread.
Location: 58 Peckham Rye, London SE15 4JR.
Click here to find out more.
14) St. JOHN Bread and Wine
Doughnuts will never taste the same once you've tried one of St JOHN Bread and Wine's. An iconic speciality, you can top and tail your breakfast with one (and take some away with you, because they're that good). Also on the small, but perfectly formed, menu, there are bacon sandwiches, kippers on sourdough toast and devilled kidneys on toast. Avocado who?
Location: 94-96 Commercial Street, London, E1 6LZ.
Find out more here.
15) Pophams
The fashion world cannot stop talking about east London's Pophams. And for good reason. Inspired by traditional viennoiserie baking techniques, Pophams (whose original site is in Islington) serves up the most amazing pastries. From classic croissants to their signature bacon and maple, you'll need to prepare yourself for some tough decisions when you come to order. Or just opt for one of each.
On the weekend, don't miss the PBJ (peanut butter, jam & banana) and the millionaire cannoli. Just how mamma used to make it.
Location: 197 Richmond Road, London, England, E8 3NJ.
Click here to find out more.
16) Wood St Coffee
An independent cafe and specialty coffee roasters, Wood St Coffee in Walthamstow is one of the most exciting spots for breakfast. A changing seasonal menu features homemade granola, sourdough toasties and brioche French toast. The coffee is so good, you'll want to order several. And don't leave without one (read: three) of the vegan chocolate jonuts.
Location: Blackhorse Workshop, Sutherland Road Path, E17 6BX.
Click here to find out more.
17) 400 Rabbits
The much-loved pizza pioneers 400 Rabbits have taken over the Lido café in Brockwell Park. Expect toasted banana bread, oat milk porridge and Portuguese eggs with sourdough. Wash it all down with a C-Bomb juice (orange, lemon and cherry) or a Bloody Mary. You might need it if you're brave enough to go for a dip in the lido beforehand.
Location: Brockwell Park, SE24 0PA.
Click here to find out more.
18) The Pilgrm Hotel
Catching a train from Paddington? Arrive early and plan for breakfast at this west London hotel. The Pilgrm's interiors is classy and eclectic and the menu includes wild mushroom and burrata on sourdough toast with spicy chorizo and the Pilgrm bacon butty which comes on a black onion seed bun.
There's also a cake of the day - in case you need to round off breakfast with something sweet. Very sensible in our opinion!
Location: 25 London Street, W2 1HH.
Click here to find out more.
19) The Homestead Cafe
Housed in the newly refurbished Georgian stable blocks of Beckenham Place Park in south London, The Homestead serves breakfast with a view. If it's warm enough, get a table outside and feast on avocado and smoked salmon on toast. The coffee is by Square Mile Coffee Roasters, and if you're on the later side of breakfast then you can also pick up a delicious stone baked pizza.
Location: Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham BR3 1SY
Click here to find out more.
20) Circolo Popolare
If you like your breakfast extra, then Circolo Popolare is the place to go in London. Part of the Big Mamma group which also includes Gloria in Shoreditch, this Fitzrovia restaurant is pure escapism.
The menu will make you smile before you've even ordered, with instructions like 'to ensure that all our dishes are as sexy as we intended them, ingredients can be moved but not swapped by request'. So, order some sexy scrambled eggs or go for the full English the Italian way. All of the dishes are served on colourful Sicilian-style ceramics. This is pure dolce vita in the heart of London.
Location: 40-41 Rathbone Pl, Fitzrovia, W1T 1HX
Click here to find out more.
21) Madera at Treehouse London
Weekend brunches are a staple at Madera – think fry ups, carne asada and egg and avocado on toast – but we’re a big fan of its monthly party brunches too, which in August and September this year feature a house DJ set, live dance acts, Casamigos tequila cocktails and the eatery’s usual Californian-Mexican brunch dishes.
Location: Treehouse Hotel London, 14-15 Langham Place, W1B 2QS
Click here to find out more.
