Uncover Affordable Gems: Top Spots for Delicious English Breakfasts in London

When it comes to starting your day in London, there's no better way than with a hearty and delicious English breakfast. While the city is filled with upscale restaurants and trendy cafes, you don't have to break the bank to enjoy a top-notch breakfast. Here are some of the best affordable gems for English breakfasts in London, where you can savor traditional dishes without compromising on quality or your wallet.

Traditional English Breakfast Havens

For a classic English breakfast experience, you can't go wrong with these iconic cafes that have been serving up traditional fare for decades.

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Terry's Cafe, Borough

Tucked away in the heart of Borough, Terry's Cafe is a quintessential English cafe that offers honest, unpretentious, and good-value food. Their traditional English breakfast, featuring high-quality ingredients cooked to perfection, is a local favorite. Terry's prides itself on using family recipes and cooking everything on the premises, ensuring a homemade taste that's hard to find elsewhere.

Regency Café, Westminster

Opened in 1946, Regency Café is an authentic and famous London café that continues to attract a crowd. This café has made numerous appearances on film and television and is an icon for authentic full English breakfasts. While breakfast is the star of the show, there's also a small menu of sandwiches, salads, and hot meals for later in the day. With prices between £6 and £8, it's a non-nonsense breakfast spot that's both affordable and delicious.

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E Pellicci, Bethnal Green

E Pellicci, a family-run East London café, has a rich and vibrant history dating back to 1900. This Grade II-listed café is known for its simple menu of fried breakfasts, including vegetarian options. The classic British sandwiches are also a hit if you're looking for a smaller breakfast. The inside boasts classic wooden and ornate-panelled décor, and the staff are absolutely lovely.

Hidden Gems in Local Markets

Sometimes the best breakfast spots are found in the bustling local markets of London.

Maria's Market Cafe, Borough Market

Located in the vibrant Borough Market, Maria's Market Cafe offers a delightful breakfast experience. With a focus on fresh, market-sourced ingredients, their breakfast dishes are both flavorful and satisfying. It's a great spot to enjoy a meal while soaking in the lively atmosphere of the market.

Billingsgate Cafe, Billingsgate Market

For a seafood twist on the traditional English breakfast, Billingsgate Cafe at Billingsgate Market is a must-visit. This cafe is known for its fresh seafood and hearty breakfast options, making it a unique and delicious start to your day.

Modern Twists on Classic Breakfasts

While traditional English breakfasts are always a hit, some cafes are innovating with modern twists that are just as delicious.

The Breakfast Club

With several locations across London, The Breakfast Club is a quirky chain that offers a wide range of breakfast dishes. From eggs and bacon to French toast and plant-based options, their menu caters to all tastes. It's a pancake lover's paradise, with both savory and sweet options available all day.

Eggbreak, Notting Hill

Eggbreak in Notting Hill is a contemporary destination where eggs are the main event. Their menu is diverse but focused on eggs, with options like the Sweet Potato with goat’s cheese, honey, kale, pine nuts, dill yoghurt, and poached egg. For something different, try their Spicy Piggy Bun with Gochujang-spiced pork patty, homemade chilli jam, ginger, fried egg, and American cheese.

Buzzy Breakfast Spots

Some cafes in London have a buzz around them that's hard to ignore, and they're definitely worth a visit.

Dobar, North London

Breakfast at Dobar has a huge buzz around it, with limited seating that often requires a queue. However, once inside, you're rewarded with a variety of British and Mediterranean-inspired classic breakfast dishes. Opt for a fruity and generous pancake or a classic fry-up, finished off with a smoothie or hot drink.

Brother Marcus, Various Locations

Brother Marcus is known for its innovative breakfast menu filled with weird and wonderful dishes. The star of the show is the Sweet Potato Fritters: a tasty tower of gluten-free sweet potato, courgette, and feta fritters served with avocado, crispy kale, turmeric yoghurt, and a poached egg. This dish is not only delicious but also incredibly Instagrammable.

Luxurious Breakfast Experiences on a Budget

While luxury often comes with a high price tag, some high-end restaurants offer affordable breakfast options that are worth exploring.

Claridge’s Foyer & Reading Room

For a luxurious breakfast experience without the hefty price tag, Claridge’s Foyer & Reading Room is unparalleled. Their menu features timeless classics with delicious twists, such as Burford eggs ‘en brioche’ with caviar and French toast with clotted cream and seasonal berries. The art deco setting provides an inspiring backdrop for both business meetings and leisurely brunches.

The Wolseley, Mayfair

The Wolseley is famous for having the best Eggs Benedict in London, and at £15.50 a plate, it’s hardly got a Mayfair price tag. This restaurant is a great place to breakfast like a king without breaking the bank. They also offer a fantastic afternoon tea if you’re looking to stay all day.

Practical Tips and Recommendations

Here are some practical tips and recommendations to help you make the most of your breakfast adventures in London:

Booking in Advance

Especially on weekends, popular breakfast spots can get very busy. It's a good idea to book in advance to avoid long wait times. For example, Dobar in North London and The Breakfast Club often require reservations to secure a spot.

Exploring Local Markets

Local markets like Borough Market and Billingsgate Market are treasure troves for breakfast enthusiasts. These markets offer a variety of fresh ingredients and unique breakfast options that you might not find elsewhere.

Checking Menus

Before heading out, it's always a good idea to check the menu of the cafe or restaurant you plan to visit. This ensures that they have options that suit your dietary preferences and cravings. For instance, Eggbreak has a diverse menu focused on eggs, while The Breakfast Club offers a wide range of dishes including plant-based options.

Detailed List of Top Breakfast Spots

Here’s a detailed list of some of the top breakfast spots in London, including their specialties and what makes them stand out:

Terry's Cafe
Location: Borough
Specialty: Traditional English breakfast with high-quality ingredients
Price Range: Affordable
Must-Try: Full English breakfast
Regency Café
Location: Westminster
Specialty: Authentic full English breakfasts
Price Range: £6-£8
Must-Try: Full English breakfast

E Pellicci
Location: Bethnal Green
Specialty: Fried breakfasts and classic British sandwiches
Price Range: Affordable
Must-Try: ‘Have The Lot’ (veggie or meaty option)
The Breakfast Club
Locations: Various across London
Specialty: Wide range of breakfast dishes including eggs, bacon, French toast, and plant-based options
Price Range: Affordable
Must-Try: Pancakes and American-style breakfast

Eggbreak
Location: Notting Hill
Specialty: Diverse egg dishes
Price Range: Affordable
Must-Try: Sweet Potato with goat’s cheese and Spicy Piggy Bun
Dobar
Location: North London
Specialty: British and Mediterranean-inspired breakfast dishes
Price Range: Affordable
Must-Try: Fruity pancakes and classic fry-up

Brother Marcus
Locations: Various across London
Specialty: Innovative breakfast dishes
Price Range: Affordable
Must-Try: Sweet Potato Fritters
Claridge’s Foyer & Reading Room
Location: Mayfair
Specialty: Luxurious breakfast with timeless classics
Price Range: Mid-range
Must-Try: Burford eggs ‘en brioche’ with caviar

The Wolseley
Location: Mayfair
Specialty: Best Eggs Benedict in London
Price Range: Mid-range
Must-Try: Eggs Benedict

Comparative Table of Top Breakfast Spots

Here is a comparative table to help you decide which breakfast spot best fits your needs:

Cafe/Restaurant	Location	Specialty	Price Range	Must-Try
Terry's Cafe	Borough	Traditional English breakfast	Affordable	Full English breakfast
Regency Café	Westminster	Authentic full English breakfasts	£6-£8	Full English breakfast
E Pellicci	Bethnal Green	Fried breakfasts and classic sandwiches	Affordable	‘Have The Lot’
The Breakfast Club	Various	Wide range of breakfast dishes	Affordable	Pancakes and American-style
Eggbreak	Notting Hill	Diverse egg dishes	Affordable	Sweet Potato and Spicy Piggy Bun
Dobar	North London	British and Mediterranean-inspired	Affordable	Fruity pancakes and fry-up
Brother Marcus	Various	Innovative breakfast dishes	Affordable	Sweet Potato Fritters
Claridge’s Foyer & Reading Room	Mayfair	Luxurious breakfast with classics	Mid-range	Burford eggs ‘en brioche’
The Wolseley	Mayfair	Best Eggs Benedict in London	Mid-range	Eggs Benedict

Quotes from Food Enthusiasts

Here are some quotes from food enthusiasts and reviewers that highlight the excellence of these breakfast spots:

"Terry's Cafe is a quintessential English cafe serving honest, unpretentious, and good-value food. Their traditional English breakfast is a local favorite," – Secret London.
"Regency Café continues to attract a crowd with its authentic full English breakfasts. It's an icon for traditional breakfasts," – That's Up.
"Eggbreak offers a diverse menu focused on eggs. It's an egg-cellent place to start the day," – Secret London.

"The Breakfast Club is a pancake lover's paradise with both savory and sweet options available all day," – Evan Evans Tours.
"Brother Marcus’ breakfast is out of this world. The Sweet Potato Fritters are mind-blowingly delicious," – Secret London.

London offers a plethora of delicious and affordable breakfast options that cater to all tastes and preferences. Whether you're in the mood for a traditional English breakfast, a modern twist on classic dishes, or a luxurious start to your day, there's a spot in London that's sure to satisfy your cravings. From the bustling markets to the cozy cafes, each of these gems provides a unique and satisfying breakfast experience that will kick-start your day in the best possible way.

So next time you're in London, take a step away from the cheesy tourist attractions and long wait times, and discover these hidden gems that will make your breakfast truly unforgettable.