Top 7 Best English Breakfasts in London (What’s Actually Worth It in 2026)
The first time I chased a proper Full English in London, it was raining, the café was packed, and the plate that landed in front of me changed my expectations completely. Crisp bacon, yolks done right, beans that actually tasted of something — no gimmicks, no regret.
London still hides breakfasts worth getting out of bed for. Here’s where to find the ones that deliver in 2026.
In 2026, the best English breakfasts in London aren’t hiding in luxury hotels or viral brunch chains. They’re in neighbourhood cafés, family‑run kitchens, and places Londoners actually return to on a cold Tuesday morning.
This isn’t a nostalgia list. It’s a reality check: where you can still get a proper fry‑up, how much it really costs in 2026, and which places are worth crossing the city for.
Top 7 Best English Breakfasts in London (2026 Edition)
All prices and opening times are correct as of January 2026. Always check the official website before travelling.
1. Poppins Cafe (City of London)
Poppins isn’t trying to be trendy. That’s exactly why it works.
Tucked just off Fleet Street at 4 Poppin’s Court, London EC4A 4AX, this long‑running café serves one of the best value Full English breakfasts in central London.
What to order (2026):
• Full English breakfast: from £8–£10
• Includes eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, toast, and tea or coffee on most set menus
Opening hours:
Mon–Fri: 6:30am–3:00pm
Sat: 6:30am–1:00pm
Sun: Closed
This is where builders, office workers, and taxi drivers eat. That’s usually your best signal.
Official site: https://www.poppinsrestaurants.co.uk/
2. The Chunky Teapot (Sidcup, South‑East London)
If you think London has lost its cosy, family‑run cafés, go to Sidcup.
The Chunky Teapot on Station Road, Sidcup DA15 is old‑school in the best way: friendly staff, freshly cooked breakfasts, and no rush to move you on.
Why it matters in 2026:
Places like this are disappearing. This one is still standing — and busy.
Breakfast prices typically sit in the £7–£10 range. Check their website for daily specials.
Official site: http://www.chunkyteapot.com/
3. Orpington (Orpington, Greater London)
This is not just a café. It’s a cultural hybrid.
Orpington combines breakfast, brunch, speciality coffee, and a record store under one roof — and somehow still gets the Full English right.
English breakfast price (2026): around £11.80
Open seven days a week, with dinner service on Thursdays and Fridays.
Official site: https://theorpington.co.uk/
4. Big Boys Cafe (Ealing)
Big Boys Café in Ealing proves something important: you don’t need a rebrand to serve good food.
The décor is traditional. The portions are generous. The prices remain reasonable by 2026 London standards.
Expect a classic English breakfast with no surprises — which, sometimes, is exactly what you want.
Official page: https://big-boys-cafe.edan.io/
5. Blighty Cafe (Finsbury Park)
Blighty isn’t pretending Britain is one thing.
Located at 5–7 Blackstock Road, London N4 2JF, Blighty serves a Full English alongside vegan fry‑ups, Commonwealth‑inspired sides, and ethically sourced coffee.
Opening hours (2026):
Daily: 8:00am–5:00pm
Full English and vegetarian options typically range from £10–£13.
Official site: https://blightycafe.co.uk/
6. Bob’s Cafe (Queen’s Park)
Bob’s Café is what happens when a neighbourhood bistro grows up — without losing its soul.
At 77 Salusbury Road, London NW6 6NH, breakfast runs alongside brunch classics and all‑day dining.
Opening hours:
Mon–Fri: 8:00am–10:00pm
Sat–Sun: 9:00am–10:00pm
Breakfast dishes typically start around £10.50. Dog‑friendly and genuinely welcoming.
Official site: https://www.bobscafe.net/
7. Red Onion Cafe (Ruislip)
Red Onion Café quietly breaks a myth: that vegetarian‑friendly cafés can’t do a proper breakfast.
Based at 95 High Street, Ruislip HA4 8JB, it’s one of the few High Street cafés with a garden — and one of the most consistently praised breakfasts in outer London.
Opening hours:
Tue–Sat: 9:30am–5:00pm
Sun: 10:00am–4:00pm
Mon: Closed
Expect seasonal breakfasts in the £9–£13 range, with strong vegan and vegetarian options.
So What’s the Real Secret to a Great English Breakfast in 2026?
It’s not about postcode. Or hype. Or whether the plate photographs well.
The best English breakfasts in London still follow the same rule they always have:
They serve locals first — and visitors second.
If you remember that, you’ll never overpay for a fry‑up again.
