Best breakfasts in London: 18 spots to kick-start your day

If you’re the type of person who wakes up hungry the minute your alarm goes off, or even if you‘re not, London’s best breakfasts cater for every sort of appetite. Whether you prefer a coffee and a pastry to go, or a proper fry-up within the comfort of a greasy spoon, London is filled with places serving top grub in the early hours of the morning.  

Which brings us to the question: what is breakfast? And when is it served? Where brunch is undeniably a mid-morning affair, and often flows seamlessly into the afternoon, breakfast is a steadfast early morning fixture. None of this waiting around until 11am malarky. These are places you can nip into before work for a bite to eat, safe in the knowledge you’ll find appropriate fare to fuel the rest of your day. Most of these places open at 8am at the very least, meaning you can hop and skip straight out of bed and into a plate of shakshuka before work, should you wish to.  

The best breakfasts in London are a wide and varied bunch, from cute cafes serving freshly-baked pastries and steaming cups of coffee, to awesome Aussie spots where boujie banana bread is king. That’s not to say breakfast is a lighter affair. We see all you fans of a proper cooked breakie and we raise you some of the best English breakfasts London has to offer. If you don’t fancy scrolling through pancake stacks and avocado toasts to find them, allow us to point you in the direction of Norman's Café, Regency Café and Terry’s Café, which serve up some of the best English breakfasts in London. Hint: if it has ‘cafe’ in the title, it probably does a decent full English. 

So without further ado, check out our ultimate list of the best breakfasts in London. And don’t forget to skip straight to the best section for you down below.

Best breakfasts in central London

Central London certainly isn't short of top breakfast spots, which is why we've made sure to include a diverse selection suited to every eater. From luxurious delis and posh hotels to an old-school cafe that's barely changed in 50 years, you're sure to find something you like.

Fallow, St James’s 

What: The day that Fallow launched its Saturday brunch menu, and in turn marked the arrival of its indulgent Royale buns, was a fine day indeed. Luckily for us, you can now enjoy them throughout the week thanks to its all-new breakfast menu, served Monday to Friday. Diners can order its famous Royales, which sees a croissant-like bun filled with the likes of salmon belly, crème fraiche and a runny egg, along with other indulgent treats. Think black pudding Benedict served on a honey waffle with black pepper hollandaise, bacon and a poached egg. 
Where: 52 Haymarket, SW1Y 4RP 
Book now: Fallow

Nessa, Soho

What: This neighbourhood restaurant and bistro is for those who want to see and be seen at the trendiest places to eat right now. Nessa was one of Soho’s shiniest 2023 additions, where executive chef Tom Cenci champions British produce and classic dishes with an inventive twist. Breakfast is served until 11am, and features a signature sausage and egg muffin with hot sauce and cheese, chocolate and orange French toast with Biscoff crumb, and a mixed grill with bacon chop, Oxford sausage, egg and the crispiest hash brown on the market.  
Where: 86 Brewer Street, W1F 9UB 
Book now: Nessa

The Wolseley, Mayfair 

What: Breakfast in style at Mayfair institution The Wolseley, which has menus and interiors inspired by the European Grand Café tradition. Breakfast is served seven days a week here, from 7am on weekdays and a more leisurely 8am on weekends. There’s an entire section dedicated to lighter options, from cereals, smoothies and yoghurt pots to pastries from the viennoiserie. Further down the list, you’ll find a selection of classic and signature hot options. Alongside a full English and eggs-cooked-any-way, discover the likes of bubble and squeak with wild mushrooms, fried haggis and duck eggs with whisky sauce, and grilled kippers with mustard butter.  
Where: 160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB 
Book now: The Wolseley 

Mount St. Restaurant, Mayfair 

What: Retro British classics are given a reboot at this beautiful Mayfair restaurant. Alongside eggs and continental options, you can choose from the likes of kedgeree, omelette Arnold Bennet and devilled kidneys on toast. With executive chef Jamie Shears leading the kitchen charge, it’s hard to go wrong whatever you choose.  
Where: 41-43 Mount Street, W1K 2RX 
Book now: Mount St. Restaurant 

Fischer's, Marylebone

What: A Viennese style restaurant and cafe, Marylebone eatery Fischer’s manages to combine an informal yet chic feel and is a perfect spot for breakfast. Served until 11.30am, the breakfast menu includes freshly baked pastries, breakfast favourites such as eggs benedict along with traditional Gröstls (that’s a potato-based Viennese dish).
Where: 50 Marylebone High Street
Book now: Fischer's

Regency Café, Westminster 

What: This no-frills corner café has been serving full English breakfasts to the people of Westminster since 1946. Now very much a part of the furniture, punters return again and again to this endearing spot for its retro interiors and unashamedly British breakfasts. A full English is the thing to get here, which includes an egg, bacon, sausages, beans or tomatoes, bread or toast and your choice of tea or coffee. All for less than £7! It's barely changed over the years, and we hope it stays that way. 
Where: 17-19 Regency Street, SW1P 4BY 
Book now: Regency Cafe 

Honey & Co, Bloomsbury 

What: Now with a few outlets across town, our favourite has got to be Honey & Co's restaurant on the forever-charming Lamb’s Conduit Street (find it opposite Noble Rot). From the unstoppable duo that is Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich, it’s undoubtedly one of the best places to eat Middle Eastern food in London – and that goes for its breakfast too. Look out for cheesy bureka filled with feta and zaatar, garlic yoghurt and a fried egg, or a classic sabich which sees fried Italian aubergines marinated in a chilli and garlic dressing and served on a pitta with tahini and a fried egg. You can also opt for ‘The Big Breakfast’ instead, which includes a selection of mezze to share for the table, followed by your choice of egg dish. 
Where: 54 Lamb’s Conduit Street, WC1N 3LW
Book now: Honey & Co

Best breakfasts in north London

Jealous doesn't come close to how we feel about lucky north Londoners who have these epic breakfast spots on their doorstep. 

Cafe Beam, Highbury 

What: Now with four sites across London including in Highbury, Crouch End, Muswell Hill and Notting Hill, Cafe Beam serves a Middle Eastern inspired all-day menu, although it’s best known for its epic breakfast and brunch dishes. This one in Highbury opens every day at 8am, ideal for those looking to grab a delicious bite before getting on with their day. Our favourite is the Mediterranean breakfast, a humungous plate featuring grilled halloumi, egg, a filo feta pastry, grilled spicy sausage, avocado, feta, marinated olives and harissa yoghurt, and artisan bread and jam. 
Where: 184 Blackstock Road, N5 1EF 
Book now: Cafe Beam

Pophams, Islington 

What: You can find Pophams' bakeries in London Fields and Victoria Park, but this one in Islington is where it all began. The menu has evolved a lot since 2017, but it's still one of the leading purveyors of exceptional baked goods in London. Pop in for a pastry and a flat white any day of the week. Sweet and savoury options include bacon and maple; Marmite, schlossberger and spring onion; and olive tapenade and thyme. 
Where: 19 Prebend Street, N1 8PF 
Book now: Pophams Islington

Norman's Cafe, Tufnell Park

What: We hesitated about including Norman's Cafe in this guide, namely because it's only open from 10am to 3pm, Wednesday to Sunday, so isn't really suitable if you're after something to eat first thing. Still, you can't deny that these guys serve up a stellar British breakfast. Unapologetically basic, what you see is what you get when it comes to the food menu. Think sausages, chips and beans, fried eggs on toast, and a chip butty. What's not to love?
Where: 167 Junction Road, N19 5PZ
Book now: Norman's Cafe

Best breakfasts in west London

They say 'west is best', and when its breakfast scene is this good, who are we to disagree?

The Princess Royal, Notting Hill 

What: The Princess Royal, part of Cubitt House, serves up a mega breakfast Monday to Sunday. Overseen by chef director Ben Tish, the menu features much-loved classics with a twist such as scrambled eggs with wild mushrooms, summer truffle and Parmesan, and avocado flatbreads with watercress, rose harissa, preserved lemon and dukkha. For those with a sweet tooth, you can choose from the likes of ricotta hotcakes with honey butter, caramelised orange and English strawberries, and house granola with orange blossom honey.
Where: 47 Hereford Road, W2 5AH 
Book now: The Princess Royal 

Granger & Co, Chelsea 

What: Aussie breakfasts might just be some of the best in the business, and fewer places do it better than at Granger & Co. Originally opened by Bill Granger in Sydney back in 1993, he now boasts multiple cafes across the globe, from Seoul to Tokyo and London. This one in Chelsea was one of the first to open in the capital, and you can grab a bite to eat from as early as 7am seven days a week. Expect everything from pineapple and oat bircher, with toasted coconut and fresh passion fruit, to potato and feta rösti with poached eggs, gravadlax and dill yoghurt.  
Where: 237 Pavilion Road, SW1X OBP 
Book now: Granger & Co Chelsea 

Best breakfasts in south London

On the hunt for banging breakfasts south of the river? We've got you. From a retro cafe specialising in the mighty full English, to where to find the perfect flat white, we've got you covered.

Tashas, Battersea

What: South African all-day dining concept Tashas has made its way across the pond with the launch of its debut London site in Battersea. With its quite frankly gorgeous interiors and a breakfast menu that will have you ordering everything on it, there's no better place south of the river to kickstart your day in our books. Breakie is served from 8:30am, and includes dishes like egg salad and avo on toast, sweetcorn scramble with bacon and aleppo pepper butter, and brioche French toast with almond frangipani, clotted cream, strawberries and maple syrup.
Where: 3 Prospect Way, Battersea Power Station, SW11 8BH 
Book now: Tashas

Terry’s Café, Borough 

What: An honest and unpretentious café in Borough that’s been serving English breakfasts, old fashioned British classics and sweet treats from its dessert trolley since 1982. Fry-ups are served all day here, from the ‘Full Works’ to veggie and vegan options, and you can always round it off with a slice of jam sponge if you fancy something sweet.  
Where: 158 Great Suffolk Street, SE1 1PE 
Book now: Terry’s Café 

Flotsam & Jetsam, Wandsworth 

What: This Antipodean-style café overlooking Wandsworth Park is rammed at the weekends, which is why we recommend popping in for breakfast during the week when it’s a little quieter. The menu changes all the time and inludes the likes of American style pancakes with crispy bacon, caramelised bananas, fresh berries, maple syrup and mascarpone; smashed avo and feta on toast; and chorizo scramble with focaccia.  
Where: 4 Bellevue Parade, SW17 7EQ 
Book now: Flotsam & Jetsam 

Best breakfasts in east London

Those fortunate enough to reside on the east side of the capital are privy to a wealth of excellent breakfast spots - including the legendary Dusty Knuckle bakery. 

Bangers, Shoreditch

What: If you're in the market for a fancy breakfast sarnie, we can highly recommend Bangers, which offers a huge range of different baps, burgers and muffins to suit all sorts, alongside excellent Allpress coffee). There are lots of delicious choices but we're big fans of the original sausage sarnie, and Bangers use quality produce from front to back too, working with the likes of Clarence Court and Lidgates organic butchers.
Where: 5 Leonard Circus, EC2A 4DQ
Book now: Bangers

Café Cecilia, Hackney 

What: Breakfast at Café Cecilia is only served Friday to Sunday, for less than two hours, so you’ll need to get in quick if you want to try the menu. Most of the dishes are under a tenner, and keep things refreshingly simple. There's porridge with apple butter and hazelnuts, an egg and cheese sandwich, and Guinness bread with boiled eggs. We'd expect nothing less than plates as cool as the restaurant’s owner: the one and only Max Rocha (previously The River Café and St John Bread & Wine). 
Where: 32 Andrews Road, E8 4FX 
Book now: Café Cecilia 

The Dusty Knuckle, Dalston 

What: The chances of getting a seat at The Dusty Knuckle on weekends are depressingly slim, so week days are your best bet. On Mondays it serves bread, coffee and pastries only, while for the rest of the week it offers an extended breakfast menu featuring granola with compote and yoghurt, or toast (of course) with a variety of spreads.  
Where: Abbot Street Carpark, E8 3DP 
Book now: The Dusty Knuckle 

Prefer a lie in? Not to worry. Our guide to the best brunches in London means you can enjoy all the best bits about breakfast, just a few hours later.