Where to find the best avocado toast in London—7 affordable spots from east to west

Wherever I am in the world, home or away, I love heading out for breakfast or brunch. Whether that’s dining on decadent pancakes at one of the latest luxury London breakfast spots, finding the best cafes in Tbilisi for great coffee and pastries, or getting economical by hunting out affordable breakfasts in London (easier said than done!), there’s something pretty special about getting up and out before the buzz of the city hits. London is teeming with brilliant places to eat and drink, but where to head for the best avocado toast in town? After visiting over 50 breakfast and brunch spots, these are the seven places I rate for a healthy, wholesome start to the day.

The best avocado toast in London

1. Milk Beach

An impromptu brunch with friends led me to Milk Beach, and what a find it is. Halfway down a cobbled mews street, the Australian restaurant serves good coffee and a great selection of dishes from pancakes and avocado on toast to salmon royale and banana bread.

Avocado toast with a side of bacon at Milk Beach

But back to the dish in question, avo here is served on St John’s sourdough toast with watercress pesto, feta, and crunchy pumpkin seeds, resulting in one of the best breakfast dishes I’ve tried in a long time. And I made it even better by adding a side order of triple oak smoked streaky bacon. Milk Beach’s avo toast is currently $14.50 (£11.50) with the option to add eggs and other sides for around $4.50 (£3.50) a serving.

Address: 19-21 Lonsdale Road, London, NW6 6RD

Closest tube: Queen's Park

Opening hours: 8.30am to 11pm Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 11pm Saturday, 9am to 5pm Sunday. Closed Monday.

2. The Breakfast Club, St Pancras

The Breakfast Club has grown exponentially since it launched in 2005, which was exactly the same year I moved to the capital, too. And luckily, they continue to serve up a pretty decent breakfast. The St. Pancras branch is spacious and calm, making a great spot to head to before heading out of the city, while waiting for a train.

Avo toast at The Breakfast Club, St. Pancras

The avocado toast here is a flavour explosion with a sundried tomato paste and the option to add two sides included in the price—I opted for chirozo and wilted spinach, which was a winning combination. They also serve an amazing array of various other breakfast dishes, like a Full English, pancakes and waffles.

Address: St. Pancras International Railway Station

Closest tube: St. Pancras/King's Cross

Opening hours: 7am to 11pm daily.

3. Bond St Kitchen at Fenwicks

Not far from L’Atelier Robuchon—the place to go for some of the best cocktails in London—is Bond Street Kitchen, tucked away on the second floor of Fenwick. It’s not the restaurant to pick if you're looking for an early breakfast in London since it doesn’t open until 10am, but it shouldn’t be missed if, like me, you’re a fan of decent avocado toast.

Avocado toast with smoked salmon at Bond St Kitchen

Served on wholegrain toast with lime, chilli, and a dusting of sprouts and seeds, this is one of the most flavorsome options I’ve tried in the city, and at $14 (£11) it’s well priced too. Diners can add poached eggs to their toast for an extra charge or go off-menu, like I did, and ask for a side of smoked salmon. Service is fast, and there’s always space during the week; however, the coffee isn’t great. Better instead to opt for one of the best speciality coffee shops in London if you appreciate a good brew. 

Address: 63, New Bond Street, London, W1S 1RQ

Closest tube: Bond Street

Opening hours: 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 11.30am to 5pm Sunday.

 4. Palm Vaults

I visited Palm Vaults when it was relatively new and it was clear that the place is made for Instagram. The interiors are kind of aesthetically pleasing, yet my drink was served lukewarm and staff were more into talking to each other than serving customers.

Palm Vaults' avocado toast comes with seeds and edible flowers

One thing they do do well though is avo toast. Served on gold-rimmed pretty pink plates Palm Vault’s avo toast is presented with an edible flower topped side-salad and a sprinkling of seeds. The avo-to-toast ratio was good for $9 (£7) and I added a side of halloumi because why not?

Address: 411 Mare Street, London, E8 1HY

Nearest tube/train: Hackney Central

Opening hours: 12pm to 7pm Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Monday. 

5. Elan Café

Just around the corner from one of my favorite London hotels, The Mandrake, is a place I’d never normally visit if it wasn’t for a friend needing to use up some vouchers and taking me along to EL&N London as her guest.

Avocado on pink toast at Elan Café

This place is everything I dislike in an eating establishment: it tries too hard, is made for influencers, is quite pretentious, overpriced (a blue sapphire latte on the menu costs $19/£15) and the hot drinks aren’t hot. But the avocado toast with a side of feta served on pink(!) sourdough is pretty great. 

Address: 9-10 Market Place, London, W1W 8AQ and various other cafes across London

Closest tube: Oxford Circus

Opening hours: 9am to 9am Sunday to Thursday, 9am to 10pm Friday to Saturday.

6. Mali’s

At $11 (£8.50) Maili’s is one of the most affordable avocado toast options in London and comes with sliced (not mashed) avo served on sourdough toast.

Mali's Avocado toast 

Diners also have the option to add bacon, smoked salmon, or poached eggs to their order. The cute cafe is a two-minute walk from room2 Chiswick, one of my favorite eco-hotels in London and the UK’s only net-zero hometel.

Address: 216-218 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, London W4 1PD

Closest tube: Turnham Green

Opening hours: 8am to 5pm daily.

7. Art Yard Bar & Kitchen

Not far from some of the best brunch places in London Bridge is Art Yard Bar & Kitchen, part of Bankside Hotel. This early morning London breakfast spot boasts nutella french toast, chia pudding, and more, as well as smashed avocado on toast with two poached eggs for $16.50 (£13).

Avocado toast with seeds and a side of salmon at Art Yard Bar & Kitchen

I switched the eggs for smoked salmon but you can also sub in bacon, black pudding, or Cumberland sausage. 

Address: 2 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 9JU

Closest tube: Blackfriars/Southwark

Opening hours: 6.30am to 10.30am Monday to Friday and 7am to 11am Saturday to Sunday.