Breakfast and Brunch Hotspots in Westminster

The Palace of Westminster was built in 1016 and rebuilt in 1870 | © Andrew Michael / Alamy Stock Photo

History Editor27 June 2019

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The London neighbourhood of Westminster is well known for its tourist attractions, with Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and the Houses of Parliament on its doorstep. Fortunately, the area is also brimming with breakfast and brunch spots, so jet-lagged travellers can recharge and prepare for a day full of sightseeing.

Dine on European treats in grand surroundings at The Wolseley

Cafe, Restaurant, European

The Wolseley offers a range of European dishes and is great at any time of day | © The Wolseley

Located in the heart of Piccadilly, The Wolseley is an acclaimed European café-restaurant boasting wonderful food and atmosphere. Breakfast is served in its grand dining rooms until 11.30am, starting from 7am Monday-Friday and from 8am on the weekend. The extensive menu offers a mixture of delights, including house-made viennoiserie, traditional English breakfast, fresh smoothies and a variety of café specialities. Fancy afternoon tea instead? Small cream teas, assorted finger sandwiches and champagne teas are served from 3pm in the week and from 3.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. After the finger sandwiches and petits fours, take a stroll through nearby Hyde Park, or pay a visit to St James’s Palace.

Sip an Australian flat white at Lantana Café Fitzrovia

Cafe, Australian, Asian, $$$

Avocado on Toast | Courtesy of Lantana Cafés

If Regent’s Park is on the itinerary, stop at Lantana for a little bit of Australia in the heart of London. This family-run cafe, situated just off a pedestrianised lane in trendy Fitzrovia, maintains the Aussie reputation for fresh and innovative morning bites. A favourite among Fitzrovia’s office workers for its fast weekday takeaway service through the ‘OUT’ door, Lantana also accommodates more leisurely diners through its ‘IN’ door, which is open every day. A slice of banoffee bread paired with a flat white provides the perfect energy boost for a day of exploring, while corn fritters topped with bacon can sop up the previous evening’s debauchery. Though breakfast is only served until 11.30am in the week, afternoon visitors can enjoy lunch until 3.30pm and weekend brunch is served until 4pm. All menus include delicious vegan and vegetarian options, making Lantana a great option for mixed dining groups.

A fry-up at the Regency Café is sure to keep you going

Cafe, British

The Regency Café’s menu is full of British breakfast classics | © Trevor Mogg / Alamy Stock Photo

Not far from Tate Britain – home to five centuries of British art – this no-frills café serves a fittingly traditional fry-up. Budget- and belly-friendly, the Regency Café’s breakfast deal makes it a local favourite. With “1 Egg + 2 Bacon + Sausage + (Beans OR Tomatoes) + (Bread OR Toast) + (Tea OR Coffee). No changes!” for under £10, its popularity is of little surprise. Lunch and dinner menus also offer British classics like steak pie, jacket potatoes and bread-and-butter pudding. Open from 7am Monday through Saturday, weekday diners should make note that the café closes between 2.30pm and 6pm to prepare for dinner service in the week and is not open on Sundays.

Grab a cupcake or two at Peggy Porschen

Bakery, Cafe, Tea Room, European, $$$

Peggy Porschen is renowned for its cupcakes

Some can’t function without a hearty breakfast, but others prefer lighter fare to get the day started. While this might conjure ideas of egg-white omelettes, Peggy Porschen is quite the opposite – this bakery’s offerings are as sweet as its blush-pink exterior. Known throughout London for its cupcakes, visitors can enjoy some royal indulgence with a chocolate truffle cupcake or a slice of the bakery’s Glorious Victoria before heading to Buckingham Palace. With a variety of teas, coffees and seasonal pastry offerings, a trip to Peggy Porschen is sure to please the fussiest of eaters. Open from 8am to 8pm every day, this delightful bakery is a perfect spot for anyone looking for a sugar boost.

Take your pick from Market Hall Victoria’s vast selection of traders

Market, Malaysian, British, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Fusion

Before a walk through St James’s Place, stop at Market Hall Victoria for a quick bite. While only two of the venue’s 13 traders open to serve breakfast from 7am in the week, a stop here will start the day off right. Light morning crowds ensure that coffees from Press and healthy breakfast bowls at Squirrel can be leisurely enjoyed in the market’s airy dining space. Late risers can order goods from all 13 traders from noon to 11pm. From fresh-caught fish and chips at Kerbisher & Malt to Malaysian Tamil fare at Gopal’s Corner, Market Hall Victoria is also a perfect spot to bring groups of indecisive eaters.

This article is an updated version of a story created by Jessica Buck.

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