Considered a staple of the British cuisine, the full English breakfast started in decadent dining rooms of Victorian Britain and was cemented as tradition by 1950s manual workers seeking a filling meal to get them through the day.
Nowadays, there’s nothing us Brits love more than a good ol’ fry up. Whether it’s the full version with crispy bacon, grilled sausages, juicy beans and crispy hash browns or a veggie version with mushrooms, fried eggs and tomatoes, nothing beats the satisfaction of a hearty, warming full English breakfast.
Fancy trying it for yourself? Here’s where to find the best English breakfasts in London to sink your teeth into, from old-school British cafes to upscale restaurants.
Best for breakfast with a vibe: The Breakfast Club
Famous for full fry ups and cafe classics, The Breakfast Club offers a diverse range of breakfast dishes to enjoy all day long. Check out cafe classic The Greasy Spoon, featuring crispy bacon, sausages, hash browns, beans and the most deliciously golden eggs served your way (their scrambled egg is out of this world).
This friendly and vibey cafe chain plays the best 80s pop music and I love the cosy decor with bright pops of colour and the vintage knick-knacks adorning the walls. Some of The Breakfast Club venues also have a secret bar area which can be accessed using special passwords…
The Breakfast Club operates mostly on a walk-in basis, but if you’re an early riser you can reserve one of the limited spots from 7.30am onwards.
Where? Locations across London including Hoxton, Soho, London Bridge and Spitalfields.
Best for 24-hour breakfast grazing: Polo Bar
Check out the laid-back Polo Bar, serving up breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner 24 hours a day.
The family-run cafe, open since 1959, serves a tasty traditional English breakfast with grilled bacon, Cumberland sausage, free range egg, black pudding, beans, roasted mushrooms and tomatoes a slice of bloomer toast to mop up the leftovers.
Feeling exceptionally peckish? Get your chops around the Mighty English Breakfast, including multiple streaks of streaky and back bacon, sausages, beans, roasted mushrooms, bubble and squeak, hash browns, black pudding and toast.
I particularly love this spot as it’s open 24 hours a day and serves simple yet delicious filling dishes in a cosy exposed-brick atmosphere three-storey cafe.
Where? City of London (176 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4NQ)
Best for breakfast with iconic views: Duck & Waffle
Fancy a fry-up with a view? Whizz up to the 40th floor of 110 Bishopsgate and step into Duck & Waffle, where floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the iconic London skyline.
Besides the iconic crispy duck leg confit, fried duck egg and mustard maple syrup waffle, Duck & Waffle is renowned for its English breakfast featuring Victorian sausage, two eggs any style, dry cured bacon, roasted tomatoes, field mushrooms, hash brown and a cheese scone.
Expect sophisticated food and breathtaking views over the city from sunrise to sunset at this boujee spot.
Where? City of London (110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY)
Best for hearty British grub: Terry’s Cafe
Terry’s Cafe is a certified Southwark hotspot serving hearty British grub in a traditional, unpretentious cafe. Think tables topped with Formica cloths and walls adorned with black and white photographs and retro knick-knacks.
Try one of their famous cooked breakfasts, served between 7.30am and 2.30pm daily. Tuck into The Works, featuring Cumberland sausage, fried egg, bacon, bubble and squeak, black pudding, baked beans, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms.
Where? Southwark (158 Great Suffolk Street, SE1 1PE)
Best for old-school charm: The Regency Cafe
The Regency Cafe in Westminster is celebrated for its old-school charm, affordable meals and a renowned legacy that attracts locals and tourists alike.
Its traditional breakfasts have taken centre stage since 1946, with its popular traditional English breakfast consisting of egg, bacon, sausage and choice of either beans or tomatoes, bread or toast, and complimentary tea or coffee for just £8.95.
Where? Westminster (17-19 Regency Street, SW1P 4BY)
Best for breakfast with a unique twist: Dishoom
Looking for something a little different? Dishoom serves much-loved Bombay comfort food, from hearty breakfasts to street food staples.
Dishoom naan rolls are a popular breakfast order. With each naan freshly baked to order, choose between various fillings such as smoked streaky bacon, Shropshire pork sausages and fried Cornish free-range eggs with saffron-orange yolks.
Where? Locations across London including Battersea, Canary Wharf, King’s Cross and Shoreditch.
Best for a classic East End cafe: E. Pellicci
E. Pellici has been serving its famous full English breakfast for more than 100 years.
The old-school cafe (frequently visited by the infamous Kray twins back in the day) is renowned for its eclectic East End atmosphere, with just enough space to fit 33 diners on seven tables.
Be prepared to queue for a table in this renowned cafe, but it’s worth it for the full English you’ll soon tuck into, featuring Cumberland sausages, bacons, mushrooms and beans (with the option to go meatier or make it veggie).
Where? Bethnal Green (332 Bethnal Green Road, E2 0AG)
Everything else you need to know about English breakfasts
Where is the best place to have breakfast in London?
Whether you’re looking to start your day in a traditional greasy spoon or boujee sky-high establishment, there are so many great places to have breakfast in London.
From chains such as Bill’s, McDonald’s and Wetherspoons, to unique trendy coffee spots dotted throughout the city, you’ll be spoilt for choice on the best places to have breakfast in London.
What is the most famous British breakfast?
The most famous British breakfast undoubtedly has to be the traditional English breakfast. Usually consisting of bacon, eggs, sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms, black pudding, baked beans and buttered toast, it’s a staple hearty meal to set you up for the day.
What’s included in a full English breakfast?
A traditional English breakfast often includes bacon, sausages, eggs (fried, poached or scrambled), fried or grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans, black pudding and toast or fried bread. These days, veggie options are very common, including vegetarian sausages, halloumi, hashbrowns and spinach.
If you’re hungry for more of London’s food and drink, check out more of the best breakfast venues in London. Start the day a little later and have a bite to eat at a brunch spot in London, or enjoy a coffee at one of the city’s top coffee shops.