THE FULL ENGLISH.
the 5 best breakfasts in london from traditional fry-ups to modern brunch takes
THE LONDON 100 WINNER / BEST FULL ENGLISH
⏺ THE BREAKFAST CLUB
UNDISPUTED CHAMPION OF THE MORNING AFTER
Let’s be honest: 11am on a Saturday usually involves a pounding head and a desperate need for grease. Enter The Breakfast Club. Ignore the queue (it moves fast, promise) and step into a neon-lit hug of pure nostalgia. We’re talking about ‘The Full Monty’ - a plate so glorious it should have its own residency. Meaty sausages, perfect eggs, and that "if you know, you know" atmosphere. It’s the kind of fry-up that doesn’t just cure a hangover; it makes you feel like a functional human again. Grab your sunnies and get stuck in.
London Bridge
thebreakfastclubcafes.com
photos from @thebrekkyclub
⏺ THE WOLSELEY
BREAKFAST, BUT MAKE IT CINEMATIC
If you want to feel like the main character of a high-stakes spy thriller, head straight to The Wolseley. This former car showroom is the ultimate power-breakfast spot. Think vaulted ceilings, black marble, and white-glove service that’s as sharp as a tailored suit. While the menu is vast, their Full English is the gold standard, served with the kind of precision usually reserved for Swiss watches. It’s pricey, yes, but for the world-class people-watching and the silver teapot treatment, it’s worth every penny. Whether you're sealing a deal or nursing a very classy hangover, this is London’s grandest morning ritual.
Mayfair
thewolseley.com
photos from @thewolseley
⏺ SIZZLING SAUSAGE
LEYTONSTONE’S LEGENDARY NO-NONSENSE FRY-UP
If you’re looking for avocado roses and fairy lights, keep walking. Sizzling Sausage is for the purists. Tucked away on Hainault Road, this is a proper East End institution where the steam on the windows is a sign of greatness. Their secret weapon? The tiger bread baguette. Imagine a Full English, but structurally engineered to be eaten on the move. Crispy, salty, and life-changing. It’s loud, it’s friendly, and it’s remarkably cheap for the sheer volume of food you get. It’s not just a meal; it’s a Leyton rite of passage.
NO RES
Leytonstone
instagram.com/sizzlingsausageleyton
photos from @sizzlingsausageleyton
⏺ INIS
ULTIMATE IRISH CANALSIDE CURE
Hidden away on Fish Island, Inis is the neighborhood spot Hackney Wick was crying out for. Forget the industrial grime, this place is a sleek, light-filled sanctuary where the "Full Irish" is the undisputed star. We’re talking hand-cut belly bacon, proper black and white pudding, and the real game-changer roast potato farls. Wash it all down with a pint of Guinness and you’re kicking off your day in the best possible way. It’s run by a duo with serious pedigree (ex-Ginger Pig), so the meat is top-tier and the vibes are immaculate.
Hackney Wick
inisfishisland.com
photos from @inisfishisland
⏺ RIVER CAFE
THE REAL RIVER CAFE EXPERIENCE
Forget the Michelin stars and the celebrity prices; this is the River Cafe that actually feeds the soul. Located right opposite Putney Bridge station, this 1960s time capsule is a masterclass in Formica tables, blue + white tiling, and proper British hospitality. It’s run by a father-son duo who serve up a Full English so honest it should be under oath. No sourdough, no smashed avocado, just thick-cut bacon, perfect eggs, and a mug of builder’s tea that could jumpstart a tractor. It’s cheap, it’s cheerful, and it’s a slice of old-school London that’s becoming a rarity.
NO RES
Putney
instagram.com/river.cafefulham
photos from @river.cafefulham