Notting Hill is one of London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods and is perfect for a day out, whether you want to stroll around the garden squares or grab a bargain on Portobello Road. You’ll need some serious fuel to keep you going though, so enjoying a good breakfast before setting off on your W11 adventure is essential. We’ve rounded up our favourite Notting Hill cafés and restaurants to help kick-start your day, ranging from health-conscious acai bowls, to belt-busting stacks of waffles.
Daylesford Organic
Why: If you’re looking for a breakfast that will leave you feeling good inside and out, this farm shop and deli is a good shout. Kick-start your meal with a wellness shot blending turmeric and ginger, before tucking in to a menu of seasonally changing organic fare. Perhaps porridge topped with seasonal fruit and honey will take your fancy, or maybe scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and a slice of toasted sourdough.
Where: 208-212 Westbourne Grove, W11 2RH
Egg Break
Why: This boho-chic café, a few minutes’ walk from Notting Hill Gate tube, serves a menu which majors in, you guessed it, eggs. Options include a Mexican omelette, crab cakes with poached eggs and sriracha hollandaise, and a sizeable shakshuka. If eggs aren’t your thing, try the sweet potato rosti with goats’ cheese, honey, kale, pine nuts, dill yoghurt and leave out the poached egg.
Where: 30 Uxbridge Street, W8 7TA
Electric Diner
Why: Part of Soho House Group’s much-loved Electric Cinema, this place is a true homage to classic New York diners, complete with red leather booths and a kitchen-facing counter. You’ll find every kind of tea and coffee under the sun, alongside eggs every way, and a full English. Lighter options see pink grapefruit and oatmeal, while those looking to indulge can try the French toast smothered with raspberry jam.
Where: 191 Portobello Road, W11 2ED
Farmacy
Why: Camilla Fayed’s yummy mummy mecca serves up an entirely vegan menu, which is free from dairy, refined sugars, additives and chemicals. That doesn’t mean there’s no sense of fun though, with tempting items from the breakfast menu including the likes of chocolate chip waffles, and a protein ‘omelette’: a chickpea pancake filled with roasted butternut squash, avocado, chard and harissa.
Where: 74-76 Westbourne Grove, W2 5SH
Farm Girl
Why: This health-conscious café is designed with Instagram in mind, thanks to ocean blue tiled walls and garden-style furniture. The breakfast offering is just as photo-friendly, with dishes including vibrant fruit, granola and acai bowls, paired with rainbow coloured lattes and superfood smoothies. Looking for something a little heartier? Opt for the vegan BLT, which uses ‘coconut’ bacon in place of the real thing.
Where: 59a Portobello Road, W11 3DB
Granger & Co
Why: Aussie restaurateur Bill Granger is often credited with persuading Londoners to love brunch, but sitting down to eat at this hipster haven a few hours earlier is just as tempting. Expect signatures such as the fluffy ricotta hotcakes, which are topped with slices of banana and lashings of honeycomb, while savoury options see soft-shell crab with chorizo, kimchi, fried rice and a poached egg.
Where: 175 Westbourne Grove, W11 2SB
Ottolenghi
Why: This branch of Yotam Ottolenghi’s colour-supplement café chain features his signature mix of chic, all-white interiors joined by counters loaded with salads, savouries, cakes and oversized meringues. Pop by from 8am to enjoy the likes of brioche French toast served with mixed berry compote, or perhaps scrambled eggs and smoked salmon resting on toasted focaccia. To quench your thirst, there’s an extensive list of teas, coffees and juices.
Where: 63 Ledbury Road, W11 2AD
Pizza East
Why: A sibling to the original Shoreditch site, this pizza joint gives pride of place to its two roaring wood-fired ovens. Breakfast is served until 11.45am, and features a run of simple, fuss-free options. Choose from the likes of crushed avocado on sourdough toast, or go big with a full English. To drink, there’s a matcha latte and cold-pressed juices, such as a ginger, green apple and lemon concoction.
Where: 310 Portobello Road, W10 5TA
Snaps + Rye
Why: This Danish café and shop, where pared-back interiors are matched to a menu of Scandi delights, is on hand to bring some hygge to your life. Top calls at breakfast include house-cured salmon and scrambled eggs on rye bread, and a smoked salmon and haddock kedgeree. Healthy juices dominate the drinks menu, while if you’re on the go, you can grab a freshly-baked Danish pastry.
Where: 93 Golborne Road, W10 5NL
VQ
Why: Although this branch of the popular 24-hour chain calls it a night around 3am, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy its extensive menu of comfort food. We’d recommend stopping by for a breakfast of buttermilk pancakes, topped with fruit and maple syrup, or if you’re really hungry, steak and eggs with hash browns. Cold-pressed juices and fruit smoothies are on hand to wash it all down.
Where: 24 Pembridge Road, W11 3HL
Looking for breakfast somewhere else in the capital? Feast your eyes on our list of the best breakfasts in London