Full English and so much more: where to go for the best breakfasts in London?

Whenever you’re planning to visit the UK capital, you’ll have no problem whatsoever getting the chance to sample some of the renowned fine dining available in London. From Michelin-starred celebrity-chef-run restaurants to accommodation eateries of the highest quality imaginable (for instance, at the Grand hotel London Hyde Park) and even from well-reviewed chain brands to locally adored greasy spoons, this is a city that has it all when it comes to sampling different dishes and enjoying various eating experiences every day of the week – and every time of the day.

And, speaking of which, given it’s the most essential meal of the day (so called, at least), breakfast is pretty much where you’ll find you’ll have to start. So, where to try first – breakfast around Paddington or one of these possibilities…?

Full English at The Regency Café

(17-19 Regency Street SW1P 4BY)

Having first opened its doors way back in 1946, The Regency Café is a top destination for good and proper British cuisine even today. The interior is very unpretentious, with basic art deco features and pictures of Tottenham Hotspur players on the walls (sorry, Arsenal fans). What it lacks in fanciful design, it sure makes up for with the food. The fry up is a total bargain, with the option to add extras (bubble and squeak, hash browns, black pudding) for less than £1 on top. You may have also spotted the café in various films and TV shows, including Layer Cake in 2004.

Bacon naan at Dishoom

(5 Stable Street N1C 4AB)

A hugely popular restaurant just a few moments’ walk away from the fabulously renovated, Eurostarred-up St. Pancras Station (in the fantastically, newly developed Granary Square), this Indian-cusine-serving establishment’s where to head for light puffy naan bread surrounds layers of crispy sugar cured bacon, melted cream cheese, coriander and chilli tomato jam. The Dishoom bacon naan quite literally laughs in the face of the British bacon buttie. In fact, we’d go as far as saying you can’t call yourself a Londoner until you’ve tried one.

Alternatively, opt for the Full, erm, Indian. The Big Bombay Breakfast includes akuri (spicy scrambled eggs), char-striped smoked streaky bacon, peppery Shropshire pork bangers, masala baked beans, grilled tomato and mushroom, and buttered pau buns. Match it with a lassi or a breakfast cocktail and you’ll be set for the day.

Fried chicken and egg wrap at Egg Break

(30 Uxbridge Street W8 7TA)

Inevitably so, eggs are what’s on the menu at Eggbreak. And these aren’t just the ‘done any way’ kind off eggs; no, they’re the done *every* way kinds – including ways that you didn’t even know were possible, quite frankly! So, try the fried chicken and egg bap if you’re after something downright dirty, it’s a sure-fire way to cure even the most persistent of hangovers. Or you can opt for their gorgeous French Toast: it’s topped with banana & blueberry, cinnamon and lashings of brown butter maple syrup. Extremely naughty, but possibly the best just-under-a-tenner you’ll spend that day.

Full English at Terry’s Café

(158 Great Suffolk Street SE1 1PE)

A family run establishment, for sure, Terry’s Café only ever serves up food that’s utterly top quality – and locally sourced. The meats they use are from Smithfield Market, where Terry worked before opening the café, and their fresh produce comes from Borough Market. They stick to a traditional breakfast of sausage, egg, bacon, bubble and squeak, black pudding, beans, tomatoes and mushrooms. It’s damn good – and ideal for those staying at a London Hyde Park hotel.