Best English Breakfast in London
London offers some of the best English breakfasts in the country, from traditional greasy spoon cafes to Michelin-starred dining rooms. Here are our top picks.
London Breakfast Culture
London occupies a unique position in the breakfast world. As one of the most global cities on earth, it has absorbed breakfast traditions from across the planet while fiercely protecting its own. The result is a breakfast scene unlike anywhere else: you can eat a perfect fry-up in a 120-year-old Italian cafe, then walk ten minutes and find a bacon naan roll that has food critics writing poetry.
There is a distinct divide between the West End and the East End when it comes to breakfast. The West End -- Mayfair, Soho, Covent Garden -- caters to visitors, business diners, and those seeking a refined experience. Here you will find grand hotel dining rooms, Art Deco cafes, and brunch spots with interior design budgets larger than most restaurants. The East End -- Bethnal Green, Whitechapel, Spitalfields -- is where the working-class cafe tradition lives on. These are the places with laminated menus, mugs of builders tea, and fry-ups that have barely changed in fifty years.
The greasy spoons of East London are the backbone of the city\'s breakfast culture. Places like E. Pellicci and Cafe Laguna serve the same communities their grandfathers served, maintaining a continuity that is increasingly rare in a city of constant change. Meanwhile, the hotel breakfasts of Mayfair represent the other end of the spectrum: flawless service, the finest ingredients, and a bill that could feed a family for a week. Both are essential London experiences.
Top London Breakfast Spots
1. The Wolseley
A grand European-style cafe serving a refined full English in an opulent Art Deco setting. The bacon is perfectly crispy and the black pudding is excellent.
2. Dishoom
While known for Indian food, Dishoom's bacon naan roll has become a London breakfast legend -- a fusion of English and Indian breakfast traditions.
3. E. Pellicci
A family-run Italian cafe that has been serving East London since 1900. Their full English is legendary, with perfectly fried eggs and homemade sausages.
4. The Regency Cafe
One of London's most iconic greasy spoon cafes, featured in films and beloved by politicians and cabbies alike. Proper, no-nonsense fry-up.
5. Terry's Cafe
A no-frills, authentic London caff that has been serving the same quality fry-up for decades. A favorite of Borough Market workers and tourists alike.
6. The River Cafe
This Michelin-starred riverside restaurant offers an upscale breakfast experience with seasonal British ingredients and impeccable presentation.
7. Hawksmoor
This high-end steakhouse serves one of London's most indulgent breakfasts, featuring their famous bacon, sausages from The Ginger Pig, and free-range eggs.
8. St John
Fergus Henderson's nose-to-tail dining institution offers a stripped-back but sublime full English. The toast is thick, the eggs are perfect, and the bones are roasted.
9. Claridge's
For the ultimate luxury breakfast experience, Claridge's offers a flawless full English with the finest ingredients in one of London's most beautiful dining rooms.
10. Cafe Laguna
A proper greasy spoon tucked away in Bayswater, beloved by locals for its generously portioned fry-ups, mugs of strong tea, and no-nonsense atmosphere.
11. V Q 2
A legendary late-night cafe that has been serving hungry Londoners around the clock for decades. The full English is straightforward, filling, and exactly what you need at 3am.
12. The Breakfast Club
A popular chain known for generous portions and creative twists on the classic fry-up. Their "Full Monty" is one of the best value breakfasts in London.
13. Hawksmoor Seven Dials
The Covent Garden outpost of Hawksmoor delivers the same extraordinary breakfast experience in a stunning subterranean dining room beneath the Seven Dials market.
14. Bills
Relaxed, welcoming restaurants across London serving a dependable and well-executed full English in comfortable surroundings. Great for families and casual brunches.
15. Poppies Fish & Chips
Best known for fish and chips, but their breakfast menu features a superb fried fish breakfast that is uniquely East End -- battered cod with all the trimmings.
Price Guide by Area
London breakfast prices vary dramatically by neighbourhood. Here is what to expect in each part of town.
| Area | Average Price | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Mayfair / Knightsbridge | £20-35 | Luxury hotel dining rooms, Art Deco settings, impeccable service, finest ingredients |
| Soho / Covent Garden | £12-20 | Trendy cafes, brunch spots, Indian-inspired breakfasts, creative twists on classics |
| City / Canary Wharf | £10-18 | Steakhouse breakfasts, power-breakfast venues, business-friendly service |
| East London | £6-12 | Historic Italian cafes, proper greasy spoons, family-run institutions, generous portions |
| South London | £5-10 | Classic working-class caffs, no-frills fry-ups, massive portions, mugs of tea |
Best for...
Best Value
Proper fry-ups under a tenner with generous portions and authentic London atmosphere.
Best Luxury
Flawless ingredients in stunning dining rooms. Dress smartly and book well ahead.
Best Traditional
Institutions that have been serving London for generations. History on a plate.
Best Modern
Creative takes on the breakfast canon. Trendy interiors and younger crowds.
Tips for Breakfast in London
Book ahead for popular spots
The Wolseley, Dishoom, and Hawksmoor all take reservations and fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Book at least a week in advance for Saturday and Sunday slots. The Breakfast Club often has walk-in-only policies with queues to match.
Best times to avoid queues
Arrive before 9am on weekdays for the best chance of a table at walk-in-only spots. On weekends, aim for early (before 9:30am) or late (after 1:30pm) to dodge the brunch rush. Dishoom's queues are shortest on weekday mornings.
Cash vs card
Almost all London restaurants now accept card payments, and many are cashless. However, traditional greasy spoons like Regency Cafe and Terry's still prefer cash. Always carry a tenner just in case.
Tourist trap vs authentic
Restaurants on major tourist streets near Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus tend to be overpriced and underwhelming. Head a few streets away for authentic, better-value breakfasts. If the menu has photos, consider it a warning sign.
Sunday service
Many traditional cafes close on Sundays. If you are after a proper greasy spoon on a Sunday, call ahead or check online. Hotel restaurants and chains like Bills are your safest bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Make It at Home
Can't make it to London? Our Full English recipe will help you create a restaurant-quality breakfast at home.