Duck & Waffle
The Duck & Waffle opened on August 2012 on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower in London's Square Mile. Expect a fancy take on breakfast favorites, such as foie gras all-day breakfast, smoked trotter-braised beans on toast with bacon jam, and duck leg confit and waffle with fried duck egg and mustard maple syrup. British chef Daniel Doherty keeps things local, rustic, seasonal, and sustainable in his bustling open kitchen. Architects CetraRuddy designed the interior complete with wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook London landmarks such as The Shard and Tower Bridge. Expect your breakfast buddies to be a mix of suit-wearing business types and clubbers on the way home from night out in Shoreditch. Breakfast is served from 6 am to 11 am.
Pictured: Duck and Waffle English breakfast – courtesy of Duck and Waffle
The Electric Diner
Adjacent to Notting Hill's iconic Electric Cinema and downstairs from the Electric House private members club, the newly reopened Electric Diner is a collaboration between Soho House and American chef Brendan Sodikoff (Au Cheval, Chicago). Interiors are inspired by traditional American diners, with leather booths, counter dining, and music played on an old-fashioned reel-to-reel machine. The French American all-day menu has a dedicated egg section including ham steak and green eggs. Breakfast is served from 8 am onwards.
Pictured: The Electric Diner – Courtesy of The Electric Diner
Ozone Coffee
Don't be fooled by the exposed brickwork, weathered tables, and chill vibe at Ozone Coffee, this place takes its coffee seriously. Opened in March 2012 by an award-winning New Zealand roaster in the East End of London, it's equipped with a stunning roaster surrounded by burlap sacks of green beans, which are toasted on site. But it's not just about the caffeine, there's also a classic breakfast menu including buttermilk pancakes with maple ricotta, spiced figs, and caramelized walnuts. The baked eggs with braised mince and cheese, served with sourdough toast is a hearty hangover cure. Breakfast is served from 7:30 am weekdays and 9 am weekends.
Pictured: Ozone Coffee – Courtesy of Ozone Coffee
Caravan King's Cross
The arrival of new breakfast den Caravan King's Cross is indicative of King's Cross as a patch of gritty London on the rise. Tucked behind the renovated King's Cross station, beside Regent's Canal, it's set in a light-flooded, former granary that dates back to 1851 (the building is also home to Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design). There's an on-site coffee roaster and coffee bar, and a brunch menu that invites you to be healthy or indulgent with everything from coconut rice and roasted plums to salt beef bubble, poached eggs, spinach, and hollandaise. Breakfast is served from 8 am weekdays and 10 am weekends.
Pictured: Caravan King's Cross – Courtesy of Caravan's King's Cross
Dishoom Shoreditch
The story goes that an eccentric old Irani café, once part of the fabric of life in Bombay, has moved into an empty space in London's East End. No one really cares that in reality Dishoom Shoreditch was designed by Russell Sage Studio to resemble one of these old cafés. Opulent detailing is juxtaposed against antique furniture and worn-in fittings. There's a marble topped bar with copper edging and simple bentwood chairs and tables with green check tablecloths under glass. Breakfast favorites include Bacon Naan Roll, spicy Akuri eggs on toast, and the hearty Full Bombay (abundant Akuri, char-striped back bacon, Cumberland sausage, toast, and tomatoes). Breakfast is served from 9 am.
Pictured: Dishoom Shoreditch – Courtesy of Dishoom Shoreditch
The capital is waking up to the most important meal of the day