Breakfast in London is one of the most joyful parts of the day. The city’s mornings are alive with freshly baked bread, simmering chai, and the scent of coffee drifting from quiet cafés to busy streets. With more than 11,000 places to eat across Greater London, each day offers a chance to start your morning in a new and inspiring way.
From historic greasy spoons to minimalist bakeries and elegant dining rooms, this guide brings together the most beloved breakfast spots across the city. Whether you’re craving a classic full english breakfast, seasonal porridge, or the perfect croissant, this list is designed to help you discover the morning moments that make London unforgettable.
Key Takeaways
- London’s breakfast scene celebrates variety. From Full English fry-ups to nourishing smoothie bowls and plant-based creations.
- Historic cafés like Regency and Pellicci are full of character, while spots like Granger & Co. and Farmacy showcase modern, curated menus.
- The city’s bakeries deliver world-class pastries, with Pophams, Toklas, and Lily Vanilli topping the list.
- For a beautifully guided local experience that takes you beyond the obvious, book one of our London tours and discover hidden gems you won’t find in typical guides.
Best Full English Breakfasts
Regency Café, Westminster
Source: Tripadvisor
Since 1946, Regency Café has been the kind of place where Londoners return for comfort, tradition, and unbeatable value. Its black-and-white tiled walls, old football posters, and booming kitchen orders echo a style that’s become iconic. You might recognise it from films like Layer Cake and Brighton Rock, but locals know it simply as the spot for a no-nonsense breakfast.
Order the Full English with eggs how you like them, streaky bacon with crisped edges, sausage, beans, mushrooms, tomato, and toast. Add hash browns and black pudding if you’re hungry. The tea is strong, the portions are generous, and the service is fast. You start by paying at the till, waiting for your name, and then you can grab a window seat if at least one is empty.
The Wolseley, Mayfair
Source: Tripadvisor
If Regency is humble, The Wolseley is regal. This grand European café, set in a former car showroom on Piccadilly, is the kind of place where marble columns, silver teapots, and white tablecloths feel entirely natural even at 8 o’clock in the morning.
Their Full English is refined yet hearty, with Wiltshire-cured bacon, herbed sausages, roasted tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, and perfectly poached eggs. Don’t miss the Eggs Arlington, a smoked salmon twist on the classic Benedict, or the Viennoiserie basket if you lean towards the sweet in the morning.
The setting is calm and elegant, perfect for a special morning out.
E. Pellicci, Bethnal Green
Source: E. Pellicci Website
Step into East End history at E. Pellicci, a family-run café since 1900, completed with art deco interiors and a warmth that’s impossible to fake. The staff will likely greet you by name on your second visit, and the banter flows as freely as the coffee.
The Full English here is generous and comforting including bacon, sausage, eggs, beans, mushrooms, grilled tomato, and toast served on cheerful retro crockery. This is breakfast as it should be: honest, hearty, and full of character.
And let me not forget, always ask for black pudding. If they have it, you’re in for a treat.
Best Trendy & Modern Brunches
Granger & Co., Notting Hill, Clerkenwell & Other Locations
Source: Granger & Co. Website
Owned by Aussie chef Bill Granger, this bright and airy café brings a slice of Sydney to London. High ceilings, sunny interiors, and smiling staff set the tone for one of the most consistently excellent brunches in town.
Start with the ricotta hotcakes, served with banana, honeycomb butter, and a drizzle of maple syrup. Their scrambled eggs are famously soft, paired well with sourdough toast, smashed avocado, or gravlax. There’s usually a queue on weekends, but it’s definitely worth the wait.
Dishoom, Various Locations
Source: Dishoom Website
Dishoom’s take on Irani cafés of old Bombay blends style and substance beautifully. Each branch has its own atmosphere. Carnaby is lively, Kensington feels a bit more lush. But the quality never slips.
The bacon naan roll is legendary, which is made from charred naan straight from the tandoor, filled with crispy bacon, cream cheese, and a slick of tomato-chilli jam. Pair it with a cup of house fragrant, spiced chai or try the Akuri, spiced scrambled eggs served with pau buns.
The Good Egg, Soho & Stoke Newington
Source: Tripadvisor
Blending Tel Aviv markets with NYC delis and East London cool, The Good Egg offers bold flavours and a buzzing vibe. It’s colourful, casual, and always packed.
The shakshuka here is rich and full of depth. And if you have never heard of shakshuka before, you’re missing out. It’s eggs baked into a spiced tomato and pepper stew, served with thick-cut challah. Bagels with labneh, sabich with aubergine and tahini, and freshly brewed coffee round out a truly satisfying brunch.
For a quieter morning, come midweek and take your time.
Best Healthy & Vegan Breakfasts
26 Grains, Covent Garden
Credit: Tripadvisor
Tucked into Neal’s Yard, 26 Grains feels like a slice of Copenhagen in central London. This tiny spot is known for its minimalist interiors, ceramic bowls, and beautifully plated dishes.
Their porridge is made with organic oats, oat milk, and seasonal toppings. It’s like spiced apple Christmas pie, or pumpkin-like Halloween, tahini caramel, or blood orange with pistachios. Their avocado toast is equally elegant, topped with za’atar or pickled onions.
Farmacy, Notting Hill
Credit: OpenTable
Plant-based with a polished twist, Farmacy serves up breakfasts that feel indulgent but clean. It’s nutrient-packed, artful presentation, and a menu designed for energy and wellness.
The Full Vegan comes with turmeric tofu scramble, sautéed mushrooms, roasted cherry tomatoes, baked beans, avocado, and house-made sourdough toast. Their juices are cold-pressed, and their coffee is organic. It’s a favourite of the wellness crowd for good reason.
Palm Vaults, Hackney
Credit: YG
A pastel-pink dream filled with hanging plants, neon signs, and rose-coloured lattes. Palm Vaults is known for its aesthetic, but the food holds up too.
Try the vivid pink pitaya smoothie bowl, packed with tropical fruit, and topped with seeds and coconut. Their vegan toast options and matcha drinks are also popular. The space is compact but charming. Even non-vegans find themselves returning. It’s truly that good.
Best Bakeries for Breakfast
Pophams, Islington & Hackney
Credit: Hot Dinners
Pophams has redefined what a London bakery can be. Combining classic lamination techniques with inventive flavours, it draws queues for good reason.
The maple bacon croissant is their signature. It’s smoky, sweet, buttery, and flaky all at once. Other standouts include rosemary and sea salt twists, and seasonally inspired tarts. With its open kitchen and warm interiors, it’s a sensory delight.
Lily Vanilli, Columbia Road
Credit: Moon Diaries
A hidden treasure behind Columbia Road Flower Market, this bakery feels like a secret until you taste the cinnamon buns. Soft, sticky, spiced to perfection, they’re reason alone to get up early on Sunday.
Her other creations range from blood orange brownies to flourless chocolate cakes and are equally divine. Coffee is excellent too. Find a bench outside and soak up the East London charm.
Toklas Bakery, Temple
Credit: The Good Food Guide
Sitting beneath the Toklas restaurant, this stylish bakery turns out some of the best sourdough and viennoiserie in the city. It’s where fashion editors and architects come for their morning fix.
Go for the almond croissant if you can get there early as they often sell out. Also try the canelés and savoury pastries. The coffee is top-tier, and the minimalist setting adds to the charm.
Bring a book and take your time, no reason to rush once you get a table.
When to Go for Breakfast in London
Weekday mornings offer calm and space and are ideal for solo diners, slow coffee, and journaling over eggs. Many spots open early and fill with locals before they rush to the office.
Fridays and weekends are livelier. Brunch spots buzz with energy, and queues can start before the doors open. Arrive early or reserve if possible, especially at places like Granger & Co. or Dishoom.
Spring and autumn mornings in London are a joy too. Imagine golden light, outdoor tables, and just the right chill in the air to make that first sip of coffee even more satisfying.
After a delicious breakfast, continue your slow journey. Choose from one of the beautiful cafes and enjoy the blend with a beautiful view or people watching.
After Breakfast
Take your time walking it off through nearby markets, along the canal, or across the quiet parks and gardens. And if you’re curious to explore beyond the well-known routes, our private London tours are designed to show you a side of the city that doesn’t appear in guidebooks.
We take you to the best cafés, delicious food markets, hidden spots, and stories, all with a local by your side.
Conclusion
London’s mornings are filled with flavour, warmth, and personality. From charming cafés with generations of history to bright spaces serving plant-based elegance, the city offers endless ways to begin your day beautifully.
Choose a slow coffee and pastry, a grand dining room with silver teapots, or a vibrant bakery filled with locals, and let the city welcome you. Breakfast here is more than a meal. It’s a feeling, a rhythm, a way to connect.
And if you’d like to see the heart of London through local eyes discovering hidden streets, tucked-away cafés, and iconic morning rituals, book one of our guided London tours. We’ll show you where the city truly begins.
FAQ
What is a popular breakfast in London?
A popular breakfast in London is the Full English Breakfast, which typically includes eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, and toast.
What is a good breakfast in the UK?
In the UK, a good breakfast often features the traditional Full English Breakfast, comprising eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, and toast.
Is the breakfast club halal in London?
The Breakfast Club in London does not serve halal-certified meat. However, they offer vegetarian and non-meat options on their menu.
What is the best meal in London?
Determining the best meal in London is subjective and depends on personal preferences. The city offers a diverse culinary scene, from traditional British fare to international cuisines, catering to various tastes and dietary requirements.
