Get set for the day; filling your stomach, not emptying your pockets
By Steph Dye (follow Steph on Twitter: @HelloIAmSteph)
It’s not always easy to make time for a filling, nutritious breakfast, especially on the go around London. However, as it is common knowledge that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, we have go to the trouble of putting together a list of great spots that will set you up for a day of action-packed activities without breaking the bank. So whether you are crawling out bed with a hangover, in serious need of a fry up, or you – for some reason – feel the need to finish that early morning jog with a healthy snack, this list has you covered! Tuck in!
As stated above, the all you can eat and drink have been chosen for their affordability. However, some of them are obviously more expensive than others so check out the ‘£’ for further details. £ = Serious bargain, generally items are less than a fiver | ££ = mid-range between £5 and £10 | £££ = perhaps more of a special treat, around £10 or just over!
The Basic One | Kipferl | Islington and Ladbroke Grove | ££
Semmel and coffee ©re_mi_ne via Instagram
What is it?: The Viennese Breakfast at Kipferl offers a pimped up version of every student’s staple dinner: toast and jam. However, in the luxe, Austrian themed setting of these chilled out cafés, you are definitely up for a classier experience that your student digs.
How much is it?: For £7.50, you will get two traditional Austrian rolls, jam, honey, a freshly made coffee of tea of your choice and a freshly squeezed orange juice.
Where is it?: Islington, 20 Camden Passage, N1 8ED; Ladbroke Grove, 95 Goldborne Road, W10 5NL.
When is it?: Islington, Friday-Sunday, 9am-1pm; Ladbroke Grove, Friday-Sunday, 10am-1pm.
The Super Healthy One | Granger & Co. | Various locations | £
Chia Seed Pot ©bill.granger via Instagram
What is it?: Inspired by a light, easygoing attitude to food, this breakfast menu of dishes that are unbelievably good for you definitely won’t cure any hangovers with greasy goodness; but they will make you feel better in the long run.
How much is it?: The almond milk chia seed pot with berries, pomegranate and coconut yoghurt is £5. Or fancy a liquid diet? Several of the smoothies are under a fiver, providing lots of healthy goodness without the inflated price tag.
Where is it?: Clerkenwell, 50 Sekforde Street, EC1R 0HA; King’s Cross, Stanley Building, 7 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG; Notting Hill, 175 Westbourne Grove, W11 2SB.
When is it?: Notting Hill and King’s Cross, Monday-Saturday, 7am-12pm, Sunday, 8am-12pm; Clerkenwell, Monday-Friday, 8am-12pm; Saturday, 9am-12pm; Sunday, 10am-12pm.
The Pastry One | Gail’s Bakery | Various locations | £
Gail’s Bakery Pastry ©gailsbakery via Instagram
What is it?: An artisan bakery chain that has branches across London, Gail’s Bakery is the perfect place to grab a quick pastry from bakers with world-class training.
How much is it?: Lots of the pastries and mini pastries come in at just £1 or £2 each, so you can mix and match with a coffee for a delicious, continental-style breakfast.
Where is it?: There are over 20 Gail’s Bakerys dotted around central London, so check out the website for details of your closest one!
When is it?: All of the branches have individual opening hours and breakfast serving times, so make sure you check out the website for details!
The Eggy One | Bad Egg | Moorgate | £
Eggs at Bad Egg ©fernandherfood via Instagram
What is it?: It can be easy to feel lost in the hectic bustle of the city during the week, so make Bad Egg – a fun chilled diner-style eatery – your new starting point. Unsurprisingly gleaned from the name, the venue does a great range of ‘egg-eats’ for breakfast, including their two eggs on sourdough.
How much is it?: £4.25 for two eggs cooked anyway you like (scrambled/poached/fried) and served on sourdough toast. Plus add extra item to shake it up even more: mushroom (£1), black pudding or bacon (£2) or sausage (£2.50).
Where is it?: City Point, 1 Ropemaker Street, EC2Y 2AW.
When is it?: Monday-Friday, 8am-11am.
The Fry Up One | Regency Café | Westminster | £
Regency café fry up ©rebizaccagnini
What is it?: A traditional greasy spoon that has managed to retains it’s Art Deco charm and therefore is also the location of many film shoots including ‘Layer Cake’. However, instead of the fame going to their heads, the venue has managed to retain it’s rock bottom prices.
How much is it?: The set breakfast is an astonishingly cheap £5.50 for eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes or baked beans, toast or bead and tea or coffee.
Where is it?: 19 Regency Street, SW1P 4BY.
When is it?: Monday-Friday, 7am-2.30pm; Saturday, 7am-12pm.
The Wholesome One | Dishoom | Various locations | £
House Porridge ©emihashas via Instagram
What is it?: Taking inspiration from the ‘Irani’ cafés of Bombay, these retro, distinctive eateries are great for an unlimited breakfast offering of porridge.
How much is it?: A never-ending portion of porridge with fresh banana and Medjool dates is just £3.90 whilst unlimited house chai is just £2.50.
Where is it?: Shoreditch, 7 Boundary Street, E2 7JE; King’s Cross, 5 Stable Street, N1C 4AB; Carnaby, 22 Kingly Street, W1B 5QP; Covent Garden, 12 Upper St Martin’s Lane, WC2H 9FB.
When is it?: Porridge is available Monday-Friday, 8am-11.45am; Saturday-Sunday 9am-11.45am. Chai is available all day, so check the website for full opening times.
Or check out more options for unlimited eats and drinks here!
The Veggie One | Milk | Balham | ££
Sweetcorn Fritters ©katesykes10 via Instagram
What is it?: A relaxing coffee with a newspaper and Radio 4 this isn’t, pounding out the funky tunes from a bright, airy cafe space.
How much is it?: It’s not exactly cheap to eat at Milk, however the ever-instagrammable sweetcorn fritters, grilled halloumi, smashed avocado, kasundi and lime is to die for, and definitely worthwhile for a special treat.
Where is it?: 18-20 Bedford Hill, Sw12 9rG.
When is it?: Monday-Saturday, 8am-5pm; Sunday, 9am-5pm.
The Classy One | Haberdashery | Crouch End and Stoke Newington | ££
Eggs Royale ©Jenny4u02 via Instagram
What is it?: Sourcing seasonal, sustainable produce whilst embracing a vintage feel with mismatched crockery and twee artwork, the Haberdashery is a great place to hang out with friends if you happen to be in north London. Plus, it’s won loads of praise for it’s breakfasts and coffee, making it a destination worth travelling to if you aren’t nearby.
How much is it?: The set price of £8.95 may seem steep for an eggs benedict/florentine/royale, however, if you order it before 10am, you get a free hot drink or soda jar to go with it!
Where is it?: Crouch End, 22 Middle Lane, N8 8PL; Stoke Newington, 170 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7JL.
When is it?: Monday-Sunday, 9am-6pm.
The Sharing One | Hawksmoor | Bank | £££
Hawksmoor Sharing Breakfast ©hawksmoorrestaurants via Instagram
What is it?: A pricey yet self-proclaimed master of meats, the sharing breakfast at the Hawksmoor Guildhall is no exception. Recline in wood-paneled, leathery luxury but don’t feel intimidated by the suits – anyone is welcome at the Hawksmoor table.
How much is it?: Priced at £36, it is obviously the most expensive on the list – however shared between three (which it will easily feed) it comes out at £12 a head, which is reasonable considering it includes: smoked bacon chop, mutton, beef and pork sausages, black pudding, short-rib bubble and squeak, bone marrow, trotter baked beans, fried eggs, grilled mushrooms and tomatoes, HP gravy and unlimited toast. For the quality and quantity, you won’t get a more reasonable deal!
Where is it?: 10 Basinghall Street, EC2V 5BQ.
When is it?: Monday-Friday, 7am-10am.
The One “To-Go” | Farmstand | Covent Garden | £
Farmstand Breakfasts ©wearefarmstand via Instagram
What is it?: With an emphasis on sustainable, ethically sourced, organic food that is naturally dairy and gluten free with no added sugar, Farmstand is a great way to get your morning kick. They also offer a “build-your-own” service to create the ultimate breakfast treat, so you can have everything you want without feeling guilty.
How much is it?: Feeling indecisive? A hot sausage and egg brioche is just £3.99.
Where is it?: 42 Drury Lane, WC2B 5AJ
When is it?: Monday-Friday, 7.30 am-12pm; Saturday 9am-12pm.
The Unusual One | Koya Bar | Soho | £££
English Breakfast Udon ©eveningstandardmagazine via Instagram
What is it?: When it comes to thinking about breakfast, Japanese is probably the last thing on your mind. However the fun, if not a little unusual and gimmicky, is the English Breakfast Udon from Koya Bar. This simple, clean and modern little café is a great place to escape the hubbub of central London.
How much is it?: Rather pricey at £10.90 – definitely the top of our budget – the fried egg, bacon and shiitake mushroom with Udon and a hearty broth will definitely keep you full for hours.
Where is it?: 50 Frith Street, W1D 4SQ.
When is it?: Monday-Friday, 8.30am-12pm; Saturday-Sunday, 9.30am-12pm.
Already thinking about dinner? How about one of these Middle Eastern or African offerings?
Or perhaps pizza is more your thing?
