‘All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast.’

John Gunther

Breakfast gets us out of bed in the morning; the smell of freshly baked pastries, the lure of an expertly made coffee and the endless joy of cutting into a perfectly poached egg. We’ve discovered five new breakfast places that will help feed your coffee and toast habit (it’s the best habit to have). Early risers of London, read on:

1. For a Taste of Tel Aviv: Sarona 

Star Dish: Tunisian Brik – spring roll pastry, roast tomatoes and free range egg served with Israeli salad

The Run-Down: From the markets of Tel Aviv to the streets of East London, Sarona is a new Middle Eastern restaurant nestled in the heart of Clerkenwell. Open all-day, the eatery is inspired by the flavours of the Tel Aviv, taking staples and classics, and reimagining them with a distinctive London twist. For breakfast, try the likes of their shakshuka, or the avocado on toasted challah with either poached egg, salmon or halloumi. Dreamy.

Gimme More: During the day, Sarona serves up coffee from its partner, Workshop Coffee, and an extensive range of Newby teas.

Where: 27 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1M 5RN

2. For Nordic Creations: Ekte 

Star Dish: Buns. Open rye sarnies. Cakes. You’re in for a good time.

The Run-Down: Bringing some Nordic flare (and not to mention freshly baked cinnamon buns) to Bloomsbury Arcade, Etke is a Scandinavian-influenced restaurant and café/deli open daily throughout the day for both eat-in or takeaway. Ekte, meaning genuine or real in Norwegian, offers a varied Nordic menu, overseen by Swedish-born Head Chef Robin Björn Freeman, and features breakfast eats such as various smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches on rye bread), Gravad Var salmon with mustard and dill sauce and rye crumbs; and the traffic haltingly good Rullrån (crisp tuile) filled with cloudberry cream and lingonberry cream.

Gimme More: For the love of all things holy, don’t miss the Kladdkaka – a sticky chocolate cake topped with whipped cream and pistachio praline.

Where: 2-8 Bloomberg Arcade, London EC4N 8AR

2. For Healthy Eats: Feya 

Star Dish: Pancakes with blueberries

The Run-Down: Picture perfect interiors and healthy and wholesome breakfast bites, new café Feya will make your Instagram weep with joy. Thoughtfully designed with bang on trend decor (note: marble textures, florals and pastel interiors), Feya sells everything from patisserie and baked goods to breakfast dishes and superfood lattes. Created by cook book author Virpi Mikonnen, the menu features classic brunch dishes such as smoothie bowls, avocado on toast, pancakes and loads more.

Gimme More: For another healthy kick, Feya bang out a range of superfood lattes including beetroot, blue algae, matcha, and turmeric.

Where: 23 James St, London W1

 

3. For an Aussie Breakfast: Abuelo

Star Dish:Sloppy Jose (Sweet and spicy beef dripping mince, parmesan, soy cured egg yolk)

The Run-Down: The menu is Australian style brunch with a twist of Latin American flavours. The dishes are all designed to be visually styled while remaining delicious and satisfying. Highlights include the Abuelo Cubano, the Peruvian chicken sandwich, and the Mango and passionfruit compote with vanilla whipped mascarpone on brioche. Their usual Australian style Speciality coffee is made with Latin American beans. The Dulce de Leche coffee (Iced cold brew with a thick head of dulce de leche and cream on top) has been an early bestseller along with the Cardamom and Hazelnut cold foam iced coffee (vegan), which are unique to Abuelo.

Gimme More: Abuelo combines chic, sophisticated interiors, stylised casual food, speciality coffee and now adding their evening offering of natural wines, Tayer and Elementary cocktails, small plates and a DJ on Saturday nights.

Where:7-11 Cavendish Place, W1G 0QD

 

4. For British Produce: Claude’s Deli 

Star Dish: Granola with plums, honey and Greek yogurt

The Run-Down: One of the most exciting openings of 2018, Market Hall Fulham is a mega street food arena dedicated to home-grown food and drink. You can pick up anything here: Thai plates, fried chicken baps, posh kebabs, and poke bowls. But if you’re coming for breakfast, make an early morning pit stop at Claude’s Deli for a menu championing the best of British produce. For grab and go options, there’s granola, bircher muesli and acai bowls, and for something on the hearter side, order one of their open face ‘toasts’ topped with cured salmon, herbed cheese, fennel and cucumber or aged feta, blood orange and dill.

Gimme More: Their bacon bap is what your morning needs: smoked bacon, tomato relish and melted gruyere

Where: 472 Fulham Rd, Fulham, London SW6 1BY

5. For a Beirut Favourite: The Lebanese Bakery 

Star Dish: Breakfast Manousheh

The Run-Down: Born and raised in Beirut, brothers Samer and Bassam’s passion for food led them to create The Lebanese Bakery back in 2016 – and they’ve now opened their first international flagship store in Covent Garden. There’s only one breakfast dish you need to know about: Manousheh, Beirut’s most popular snack. Made from a soft dough similar to pizza, the Manousheh is sprinkled with toppings such as herbal za’atar, cheese, chopped tomatoes, and meat, and always served piping hot. As Manousheh is typically eaten at breakfast time in Lebanon, enjoy the signature baked egg Manousheh, served with free range eggs, sunny side up. Breakfast pizza? Get some. 

Gimme More: Also on the menu is the Basterma and Kashkawan manousheh with spice-cured beef, cheese, tomatoes, and Lebanese pickles.

Where: Drury House, Russell St, London WC2B 5HA