If you’re looking for a great breakfast place in East London, you’ve come to the right place. Out of my 19 years of London living over nine of them have been spent east. I’ve lived in Mile End, Bethnal Green, Victoria Park, London Fields, Hackney Downs, Clapton, and Stoke Newington, and while the restaurant scene is ever-evolving there are a few stand-out places I like to return to again and again.
Whether you’re looking for a luxury London breakfast spot, somewhere to get a unique breakfast in London, or are simply after a good old fry-up I’ve got you covered. I’ve visited every place on this tightly curated list, oftentimes more than once, and have pulled out one or two recommended dishes for each listing. From friendly locally owned cafes to established small chains, these are the best East London breakfast spots to visit now.
10 unmissable East London breakfast spots
1. Bistrotheque
Having visited on a couple of occasions, I love the bright, white, open industrial space of Bistrotheque, and both times diners were treated to live piano music—a rare occurrence in London these days. The menu is packed with delights like French toast served with honey-comb whipped burned butter and a slightly pricey cooked breakfast ($32/£25).
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| Maple Candied Bacon Benedict at Bistrotheque—one of the best East London breakfast spots |
For my first visit, I opted for a maple candied bacon benedict with bacon butter hollandaise and smoked bacon salt (boy, that’s a lot of bacon) and although I’m not usually a fan of the benedict this was pretty delightful, but tbh how could it not be? The second time, I splashed out on the full English. Due to the price, I’d say Bistrotheque is more of a special occasion type of place and service can be hit or miss, but their inventive cocktails are some of the best in London. Address: 23-27 Wadeson Street, London, E2 9DR
Closest tube: Bethnal Green
Opening hours: from 11am Saturday and Sunday
2. Jam Cafe
Technically Jam Cafe has a North London postcode but it’s right on the edge of Hackney Downs so I’m including it here because I adore this friendly place.
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| Jam Cafe's breakfast sandwiches |
The breakfast sarnies are unbeatable for size, quality, and price, choose from home-baked focaccia, ciabatta, or sourdough, and fillings like pork belly and chimichurri, bacon with homemade ketchup or sausage and chili chutney (prices start from $9.50/£7.50). Jam’s fresh juices and coffee are also good and service is unbeatable.Address: 247 Amhurst Road, London, N16 7UN
Closest overground station: Rectory Road
Opening hours: from 8am Monday through Friday and 9am Saturday and Sunday
3. Liverpool Street Grind
Also included in my best brunch places around London Bridge roundup, Grind serves some of the best coffee in town, and the small chain’s cooked breakfast is pretty unbeatable too. With the usual sausage, bacon, beans, and tomato they sometimes add white pudding, field mushrooms, and a potato hash or rosti.
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| Full English breakfast at Exmouth Market Grind |
My other go-to here is the avocado toast with a side order of bacon, smoked salmon or feta.
Address: 38 Broadgate, London, EC2M 2QS
Closest tube: Liverpool St
Opening hours: from 7.30am Monday through Friday, 9.30am Saturday and 10am Sunday
4. The Breakfast Club, Spitalfields
When I first moved to London back in 2005 The Breakfast Club opened their very first store—the OG in Soho and you had to queue up to get in, the buzz was very real. Now, it seems the chain has a new store popping up almost monthly with 15 and counting, and more to follow. But my fave Breakfast Club location with its not-so-secret downstairs bar is the Spitalfields branch.
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| Fried chicken waffles and huevos rancheros at the Breakfast Club |
For an unforgettable early London breakfast must-try dishes include fried chicken and waffles and huevos rancheros—sure, they’re not on the same level as breakfast in Mexico City but the combination of well-fried eggs, chorizo, salsa, refried beans, and avocado make a solid London option. Sweet breakfast fans will love the club’s four pancake options or the French toast fingers. As well as Spitalfields, there are also East London Breakfast Clubs in Hackney Wick and Hoxton. The only element that lets the place down, in my opinion, is the coffee which is always pretty mediocre. Address: 12-16 Artillery Lane, London, E1 7LS
Closest tube: Liverpool St
Opening hours: from 7.30am daily
5. Dishoom, Shoreditch
March 2014 marked my very first bite of a Dishoom naan roll and I’ve been hooked ever since. While I loved the original Covent Garden store, these days I’ve switched to the Shoreditch branch (not far from Nobu hotel) because the outside area is super romantic and it’s a little bit cuter.
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| Bacon naan rolls and chai at Dishoom |
I’m obsessed with their perfect bottomless chai and cannot resist Dishoom’s signature fluffy naan, chargrilled bacon, cream cheese, and chili tomato jam combination—so much so that I daren’t try anything else for fear it won’t live up to the moreish naan bacon roll. The kitsch Indian artwork and signage give me flashbacks to Mumbai too.
Address: 7 Boundary Street, London, E2 7JE
Closest tube: Liverpool St/Overground: Shoreditch High St
Opening hours: from 8am Monday through Friday and 9am Saturday and Sunday
6. Cafe East
I’ve been going to Cafe East before it even became Cafe East when it was just a regular greasy spoon. These days, every Saturday the new and improved iteration has people queuing up outside waiting patiently on a table. It's an unassuming, very well-priced spot at the market end of Roman Road and well worth a visit if you’re in the area.
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| Pancakes and fruit at Cafe East, one of the best East London breakfast spots |
The menu is huge—which in my opinion is usually a bad thing—but here everything, from waffles and pancakes, to eggs benedict and avo toast are all really good. Portions are generous and prices are more Midlands than London, plus the staff are friendly too. The only downside is the tables that are pretty close together but it’s got charm and you’ll most probably leave with new friends. I like the vegetarian breakfast with its on-the-vine tomatoes and homemade bubble and squeak or any of the pancake options.Address: 426 Roman Road, Bow, London, E3 5LU
Closest tube: Mile End
Opening hours: from 8.30am Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. From 9am Saturday and Sunday. Closed Wednesday
7. Hash E8
Home to the very naughty but very delicious pig muffin, Hash E8 isn’t afraid to go big on its breakfast creations. Filled with bacon, a sausage patty, hash brown, pork belly, egg, cheese, and bacon jam, the pig muffin will ensure anyone visiting will be oh-so satisfied.
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| Hash E8's Pig Muffin |
Billed as a modern greasy spoon, they also offer free filter coffee refills so you can pretend like you’re in the States, yolo!
Address: 170 Dalston Lane, London, E8 1NG
Closest overground station: Hackney Downs
Opening hours: from 9am Monday, Thursday, Friday, and from 9.30am Saturday and Sunday
8. Mare Street Market
My weekend routine used to consist of a run through Victoria Park and down the canal, then brunch somewhere after. While I can’t stand Mare Street Market on evenings and weekends, and staff are generally always pretty indifferent, the breakfast option is still pretty decent.
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| Ground chorizo on sourdough at Mare St Market |
Ground chorizo on sourdough toast with fried egg is rich and indulgent but 100% worth it and the coffee is always spot-on. If you’re in the area on a weekend it’s always worth a stroll along Broadway Market before it gets too busy. Be sure to stop at Oyster Boy for some of the best oysters in London and to say hi to Ben who runs Draw My Town, a personalized art company with a stall at the market most weekends.
Address: 117 Mare Street, London, E8 4RU
Closest tube/overground: Bethnal Green/London Fields
Opening hours: from 9am daily
9. Sodo Pizza, Walthamstow
Brunch at Sodo Pizza is served only on weekends but with four varieties of baked eggs on the menu, it’s worth a stop-by. I opted for ‘Hot Eggs’ with nduja, chili flakes, and smoked mozzarella in a delicious homemade tomato sauce, and served with toast.
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| Hot eggs at Sodo Pizza Walthamstow |
Sodo’s coffee is also pretty decent and the atmosphere is chilled to the max.
Address: 21 Hatherley Mews, London, E17 4QP
Closest tube: Walthamstow Central
Opening hours: from 10am Saturday and Sunday
10. The Ivy City Garden
As the Ivy chain gets bigger and bigger—there are 37 branches of Ivy Grill, Brasserie, and Cafe now—Ivy City Garden remains my favorite for its location and garden vibes. The bar is pretty swish too but best avoided on weekends when it’s overrun with boys wearing loafers and no socks.
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| Garden breakfast at The Ivy City Garden |
Made up of halloumi, avocado, egg, tomatoes, beans, mushroom, potato hash, and toast, the garden breakfast is simple yet satisfying, but they also serve an intriguing smoked salmon crumpet and a well-priced set breakfast comprised of juice, pastry, and cooked breakfast for $20/£15.95.
Address: Dashwood House, 69 Old Broad Street, London, EC2M 1QS
Closest tube: Liverpool St
Opening hours: from 8am Monday through Friday and 11am on the weekend
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