Amongst the glorious green spaces, streets lined with Georgian townhouses and riverside pathways that wind through the area, South West London maintains a reputation as one of the prettiest spots for a meal in the city. In such resplendent settings, it makes the first meal of the day that much more momentous, rather than a quick fix as part of the morning routine.
Indeed, setting aside the time to enjoy indulging that little bit more for breakfast in South West London is a rewarding way to start any day in the capital. From elegant hotel dining to the Michelin-favoured restaurants tucked into the area’s quiet backstreets, these are the breakfast destinations worth waking up early for.
The Goring Dining Room, Belgravia
Taking a brief diversion to stroll around the perimeter of Buckingham Palace is as fine a start to any morning as there can be, whilst en route to The Goring for an exemplary breakfast. With its Royal Warrant and century-long heritage, the hotel’s dining room remains a favourite for those who appreciate poached eggs served with all the refinement of a hallmark of British dining. As one may expect from its pedigree, breakfast at The Goring is extremely well-polished, but not quite to the point of being pompous.
There is no better take in London on the quintessentially British, Full English Breakfast than that of The Goring's. Burford Brown eggs, dry-cured bacon, Cumbrian sausages, grilled tomato and mushrooms, each item sourced from small British producers to maintain a sense of consistency with how this staple of British dining would have been assembled for centuries. Whilst many will come for the Full English, the detail and effort put into sourcing the entire menu has to be respected. From honey harvested from hives on the hotel roof, fine leaf teas from Tregothnan, and melt-in-the-mouth pastries served with French butter and Scottish raspberry jam, The Goring treats breakfast with the respect it truly deserves.
The LaLee, Chelsea
Tucked along the discreet pavements of Sloane Street, breakfast at The Cadogan Hotel remains under the radar despite its location among the celebrated glamour of Chelsea. Within the hotel's stylish Edwardian facade, visitors will discover the house restaurant, The LaLee. Open throughout the day and evening, this restaurant offers a fine blend of comfort food and refined, continental dining, which serves as a hallmark for the local area.
Diners can ease themselves into the day with crushed avocado toast topped with soft herbs, accompanied by Clarence Court poached eggs, or enjoy house-made granola with organic yoghurt and Kentish berries. The food is a fine companion to LaLee's lavish interiors. Velvet booths married with marble tabletops, antique mirrors and the sound of soft jazz, breezes through the restaurant as a morning greeting of sorts to hotel guests and visiting locals.
The Ivy Garden, Chelsea
Having carved out a reputation for upscale dining across the city, whether it be pre-theatre evening meals or leisurely lunches, it should come as no surprise that The Ivy is a prime choice for all things breakfast. The Chelsea branch, aptly named the Garden for its fresh, botanical-themed interiors, is an idyllic place for the most important meal of the day.
At The Garden, continental influences which have characterised The Ivy's image for decades, give way to that of a Victorian manor house, with floral patterned salon chairs, lush green tones wallpaper, and a bright and beautiful terrace for dining al fresco. The menu offers a range of comforting breakfast staples from the Full English to Eggs Florentine, French Toast and other classic European staples. At the Ivy, one can always expect a dining experience of consistently high quality.
Café Kitsuné, Belgravia
Residing in the heart of Belgravia's Pantechnicon – a five-storey temple to all things stylish – Café Kitsune is a fusion of Nordic and Japanese aesthetics. The Belgravia outpost is the first UK location for the Parisian-Tokyo establishment, which exudes character and oozes a quietly confident sense of cool, with Scandi-style seating, polished floors, and unimpeachable coffee. When it comes to breakfast, though, Café Kitsuné may serve some of the most creative, easy-on-the-eye food in London.
The menu options are light but well considered, offering a tight range of crowd pleasers from matcha croissants, smoked salmon on shokupan milk bread, and yuzu granola bowls served in handmade ceramic dishes. The food leans minimalist and tightly precise, balancing out flavours that pack a powerful punch on small plates. The courtyard garden is particularly charming for a spot of al fresco dining at this masterclass in serving breakfast with style.
The Berkeley Café, Knightsbridge
For those seeking a show-stopping experience to start their day with, breakfast at The Berkeley’s in-house Café offers nothing short of exceptional in continental dining. Seamlessly chic, the space incorporates plush round chairs and booths and sofas that offer a mix between formal and informal seating. The rich creamy textures and soft wood tones are the perfect pairing for the expertly crafted pastries and brioche that emerge from the kitchen.
Whilst the setting is beyond splendid, the true showstopper at the Berkley Café is, of course, the food. The menu provides diners with the option of a taste of different European cuisines, from the “Viennosoire”, to the “Le Petit Déjunaer”, with À la Carte dining options that further add to the mix with dishes like Wagyu Croissant, Waffle Flower, and Chia seeds in coconut pudding.
