London is similar to New York, you can eat any time of day, and there’s definitely a big trend for breakfast and brunch restaurants, which also means you must book especially on the weekends. I’ve also added the food markets that are open all day.
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Looking for more places to eat in London? Don’t miss my guides to the best restaurants in London, afternoon tea experiences, and vegan and vegetarian restaurants to help you plan your perfect foodie itinerary.
Best Restaurants in London
Best Afternoon Tea in London
Best Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in London
I keep updating the list after trips to London and include them in my map.
Breakfast, Brunch and coffee
Let’s start with a delicious breakfast or brunch!
Scarlett Green
Scarlett Green is one of several locations where you can have the most delicious brunch, served till 4pm. It’s in the heart of Soho and has a lovely French manager who really takes care of his customers and employees. We even got offered a glass of Mimosa to celebrate my daughter’s graduation.
You would be advised to book especially on weekends.
We also went to Daisy Green in Marylebone and Timmy Green in Victoria and the quality of the food is consistently good in all of them. I suppose I will have to try them all out.
4 Noel St, London W1F 8GB, United Kingdom
WatchHouse Somerset House
This restaurant is open every day of the week from 8am to 6pm. When we ate there we didn’t have a reservation but we managed to get a table for two on one of the big tables that you share with others (except there was no one with us).
Although breakfast is served to 11am, you will mostly probably find what you wish for in the brunch menu options.
I do love poached eggs especially in the UK and I have always wondered why the yolk is so yellow compared to the eggs in Belgium for example.
Don’t miss going to the Courtauld Gallery after that.
Somerset House East Wing, London WC2R 1LA, United Kingdom
Caravan
Caravan has spots all across London and it serves all day menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner and weekend brunch.
I have been to a few and have never been disappointed.
Once again, I chose poached eggs in the one in Finsbury and the one in King’s Cross.
30-35 Drury Ln, London WC2E 9NA, United Kingdom
152 Great Portland St, London W1W 6AJ, United Kingdom
1 Granary Square, London N1C 4AA, United Kingdom
26 Grains
26 Grains is nothing like the rest of the places. It’s super original, healthy and changes the menu according to the seasonal products.
The porridge is to die for, it comes with all sorts of different toppings and warms you up from head to toe.
You can’t book a table but be patient because it is SO worth it.
1 Neal’s Yard, London WC2H 9DP, United Kingdom
Brother Marcus
Brother Marcus is never a disappointment. There are several places all over London and they are always packed especially on weekends so don’t forget to book.
The flavours and recipes are Eastern Mediterranean, full of colours and spices.
We tried the one at Borough Yards and Covent Garden.
23 Slingsby Pl, London WC2E 9AB, United Kingdom
1 Dirty Ln, London SE1 9PA, United Kingdom
2 Crispin Pl, Whitechapel, London E1 6DW, United Kingdom
1-3 Pelham St, South Kensington, London SW7 2ND, United Kingdom
37-39 Camden Passage, London N1 8EA, United Kingdom
Reuters Plaza, YY Building, London E14 5HX, United Kingdom
The attendant
This is a funny one. So The attendant is in a disused Victorian toilet in Fitzrovia, yes, you read it correctly!
You will be able to get a delicious brunch or breakfast with seasonal food from local producers and really great coffee.
27A Foley St, London W1W 6DY, United Kingdom
There are other Attendant Coffee Roasters but none are as fun as the one in the toilet!
Continue Exploring London
If breakfast is your favourite meal, London certainly won’t disappoint. Once you’ve fuelled up for the day, here are a few more guides to help you discover the city through its food.
→ Best Restaurants in London
→ Best Afternoon Tea in London
→ Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in London
→ How to Plan a Trip to London
London Food Markets
This is a great alternative if you have not booked a table or if you can’t make up your mind which type of cuisine you want. I’m going to name those I have eaten at in no particular order.
Boxpark Shoreditch
Shoreditch has become in the last 10 years an arty area with young creatives and trendsetters. The restaurants gastropubs and trendy hotels have also taken over the area .The Boxpark Shoreditch is on of those meeting points to enjoy the evening. The Boxpark is made from shipping containers, situated just above the Shoreditch High Street tube station. This food market has lots of different food choices from all over the world. I went there in the summer during the world cup so we got to enjoy a great food and drinks on the roof top whilst watching a football game.
If you want to treat yourself to an authentic gelato, don’t miss Sicilian Pride, and it was easily one of the creamiest and most delicious I’ve tasted.
There are other events that are organised there weekly such as DJs, quizz nights and live music.
If you feel like enjoying a seated restaurant instead in the are, we discovered a lovely Japanese restaurant called Sanjugo.
2-10 Bethnal Grn Rd, London E1 6GY, United Kingdom
Seven Dials Market
Seven Dials Market is really close to Covent Garden. Again the choice of different types of food and drinks is amazing, but the good thing about Seven Dials Market is they have a part called Banana Warehouse that is indoors, so if it’s start to rain you can just spend the afternoon eating and drinking there.
Earlham St, London WC2H 9LX, United Kingdom
Borough Market
Borough Market was established in 1756 and is one of London’s oldest and most vibrant food markets, making it a must-visit for anyone who enjoys discovering a city through its flavours.
Nestled beside London Bridge, the market brings together passionate producers, artisan bakers, cheesemongers, street food vendors and independent traders from across Britain and beyond.
Whether you’re stopping for a freshly baked pastry, sampling award-winning cheeses, enjoying international street food or picking up local delicacies for a picnic along the Thames, there’s something to tempt every palate.
My advice is to arrive early, wander without rushing and let your senses guide you. The lively atmosphere, delicious aromas and friendly traders perfectly capture why food is such an important part of experiencing London beyond its famous landmarks.
Visit Borough Market before 11 am for a quieter experience, then enjoy lunch at Agora Souvla Bar or OMA before walking along the South Bank.
Once you’ve explored the market, don’t leave the area too quickly. Borough and nearby Southwark are home to some of London’s best restaurants, from Michelin-starred dining to cosy neighbourhood favourites, making it the perfect place to continue your culinary journey. One of my all time favourite in the area is Agora souvla bar, the little ‘sister’ of Oma.
If you’re planning a full day around the area, I’ve also put together a guide to the best restaurants in London, including Agora sovla bar alongside other memorable dining experiences across the city.
Continue your stroll towards South Bank or combine your visit with my guide on how to plan a trip to London.
8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL
Mercato Metropolitano
I’ve visited two of these markets so far. The vibrant and original one in Elephant and Castle and the one set in a beautiful deconsecrated church in Mayfair.
The one in Elephant and Castle is huge and seem to always be packed at whatever time of day, so I suggest, you can book a table. The choice for food and drinks is unlimited, so be prepared to order to much because you will want to try as much as possible.
The Mercato Mayfair is a lot smaller. It’s worth checking it out just for the grandeur of the location. I did also like the entrance with the pots and plants for sale.
42 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DR, United Kingdom
St. Mark’s Church, N Audley St, London W1K 6ZA, United Kingdom
