breakfast (dates) in london
my favourite breakfast spots in the city
The question I get asked most in life is, “Where’s your favourite spot for breakfast?”.
It usually comes after I tell anyone that I run Breakfast London, which I have done 9 years now. I’ve been called “Queen of Breakfast” (which I very much enjoy) and “Breakfast Lady” (enjoy this less) amongst content creators, and published a book with Ebury Press (Penguin Random House) 2019 on where to go for breakfast. Sometimes when people ask me that question and I’m feeling pass-aggy, I just send them a link to the book.
Kidding – Because of my delightful people-pleasing demeanour, my answer is always: “It depends on the location and occasion”. I’ll then ask whereabouts they live and work, whilst silently praying it’s an area I can name at least name one or two nearby spots so I don’t accidentally unveil myself as a fraud. SHAME, Breakfast Lady.
Truthfully, it really does depend on location and occasion. There are so many amazing spots scattered around London, and your favourite spot that day totally depends on so many factors. It’s basically asking someone for their favourite song. A ridiculous question.
Breakfast is also very underrated for dates. I love a breakfast date (although someone had to point out to me that having “I know the best spots for breakfast” on my Hinge profile might be considered incredibly suggestive). I’ve even once arranged a first date to accompany me on a breakfast review for Breakfast London, where I (very kindly and not at all sternly) instructed him on various cutlery hand positioning and yolk-breaking/cheese-pulling/bread-dipping actions whilst I intensely filmed and photographed. It’s great because even if the date were to flop, I’d still get some breakfast content out of it. Productive, no? (Side note: Do I have a problem?)
SO whether it’s a date, a birthday, a pastry stop, a hungover fry-up, at long last I’ll finally be writing up a (fairly) concise list of my favourite spots for breakfast in London, just for you!!! The question will finally be answered!!! In a somewhat chaotic manor, but still!!
MY FAVOURITE BREAKFAST SPOTS IN LONDON
That banging go-to spot to catch up with a friend and enjoy a breakfast out
If I have to name a breakfast spot as my favourite, I’ll usually say Brunswick East in Dalston. They’re run by two sisters from Melbourne, have incredibly good coffee, a seasonal menu with awesome produce (the chilli poached eggs are fire) and even a sky farm on their roof. They’re also right next to my pub which is very ideal.
Other unreal spots:
Juliets Quality Food in Tooting – a friend of mine moved to the area, a primary reason being so this would be her local
Esters in Stoke Newington – get the seasonal French toast and make sure you leave with some cookies
26 Grains in Covent Garden – porridge heaven for cosy autumnal mornings
Kolamba in Soho – unreal Sri Lankan weekend brunch
Pear Tree Café in Battersea Park – a great stop during a dog walk. In summer evenings, it also gets PUMPING with young singles and live music.
NOLA in Peckham is also great – I went with a date and ordered the NOLA plate, made up of various different breakfast components which reminded me of Copenhagen. He only ordered a pastry as he was having lunch soon after, which he finished before my order arrived. I felt bad having him just sitting there while I ate, so said he was welcome to try some of my plate.
I then watched in disbelief as he proceeded to eat THE ENTIRE GRANOLA POT, which I’d even gone out of my way to ask for coconut yoghurt in when ordering. “You’ve eaten the whole pot!”, I exclaimed (as casually as my body could manage). He pointed out that he hadn’t, showing me the sad puddle of yoghurt (sans granola) left at the bottom. I managed to scrape a mere mouthful before he finished it off. It went straight into the group chat, and he was henceforth known as ‘granola pot thief’ amongst the girls.
The pastry stop for coffee and baked goods so delicious that you’ll be leaving with a box of them
I love Birley Bakery in Chelsea so much that friends have checked in on me when I haven’t posted about them in a while. I really need a loyalty card or sponsorship of some sort. Their Almond Croissant and Almond Pain au Chocolat are incredibly popular, as well as their Cinnamon Croissant. They do an amazing vegan chocolate chip cookie and a couple of vegan cakes (including a gluten-free vegan). And recently I’ve discovered that their brownie is maybe one of the best I’ve ever had. And their boxes are so CUTE, perfect when gifting baked goods or bringing a selection to a brunch event!
Kapihan in Battersea – for Filipino-style pastries and hot honey lattes!
Aromé in Covent Garden/Duke St – French pastries with Asian fusion twist, get the Honey Butter Toast along with everything else
Chestnut Bakery in Belgravia/Covent Garden – amazing savoury pastries too
Miel in Fitzrovia – the summer special Alphonso Mango Tarts have been on my list forever
The Barbary Next Door in Covent Garden – they used to do an amazing sit-down weekend breakfast, but now they just do pitas and pastries in the day, which are still fantastic
Other spots I’ve wanted to visit but haven’t been to yet: Chatsworth Bakehouse in Crystal Palace, TOAD Bakery in Peckham, Layla Bakery in Ladbroke Grove.
The special occasion location for a birthday or celebratory morning
OPSO in Marylebone – Greek-style weekend brunch
Seabird in Southbank – Rooftop brunch vibes
Mallow in Borough Market – 100% plant-based
I’ve (somehow!) still not been HIDE in Piccadilly and Bistrotheque in Bethnal Green but they also make for a wonderful special occasion brunch setting.
Other worthy breakfast shout-outs
Norman’s Cafe in Tufnell Park, as well as the OG greasy spoons: Regency Cafe in Westminster, E. Pellicci in Bethnal Green and Terry’s Cafe in Borough.
Stop at The Bagel Guys in Netil Market before you head to Broadway Market around the corner.
The Dusty Knuckle Bakery in Dalston/Harringay, which is a social enterprise and where it’s illegal to leave without at least one loaf of potato sourdough.
Still on my list is HOKO on Brick Lane for their Hong Kong French Toast, Café Cecilia in Hackney, No Drama in Acton for their breakfast buns, and the canal-side Towpath in De Beauvoir (closed during winter).
Anywhere you think I’ve missed? Leave a comment with your favourite breakfast and brunch spots below! Happy brunching and breakfast-dating, girlies! Xxxx