11 of the Best Breakfasts & Brunches in Blackheath

Lead image: The Ivy Cafe, Blackheath 

1 The Ivy Cafe, Blackheath Village The Ivy Cafe in Blackheath has proved very popular since opening in early 2018, and with good reason – the place is gorgeous, the food is good and the prices are very reasonable. Breakfast is served from 8am-11.30am Mon-Fri, 8am-11am on Saturdays and 9am-11am on Sundays and Bank Holidays. The Ivy Full English is highly recommended, as are the toasted crumpets with Marmite, mustard and parsley butter. You can also enjoy the likes of hot buttermilk pancakes, crushed avocado on gluten-free toast, and even kippers with parsley butter. It’s by far the best selection in the village, although service can be somewhat chaotic at times.43-45 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath SE3 0TJ; theivycafeblackheath.com

2 Handmade Food, Blackheath Village The cafe at Handmade Food serves breakfast until midday during the week and an extended brunch menu available until 3pm at the weekends. The place is small but perfectly formed, with a few seats downstairs and more upstairs with simple decor, hanging plants and period charm. All produce is free range, seasonal and mainly from small growers and producers in the UK. Pop in and try super fresh scrambled eggs on sourdough toast with avocado and bacon – those creamy scrambled eggs are some of the best we’ve ever had, and the cappuccino with oat milk is a smasher too. Open from 9am daily except Monday, when it’s closed.40 Tranquil Vale, Blackheath SE3 0BD; handmadefood.com

3 Gail’s Artisan Bakery, Blackheath Village Gail’s is dedicated to the simple pleasure of really great bread, and they even serve a Baker’s Breakfast. Open from 7am weekday mornings and 7.30am on weekends, this is one for the early birds (late risers note the breakfast menu is available till 3pm – after all, it is the most important meal of the day!). In the morning, alongside a slew of breads and pastries, there are treats like brioche French toast with fruit compote and créme fraîche or maple bacon, vegan overnight oats and sauteed mushrooms with goat’s curd, baby spinach and a fried egg on sourdough.3 Blackheath Village SE3 9LA; gailsbread.co.uk

4 Côte, Blackheath Village Entering Côte is like entering a Parisian brasserie without having to leave Blackheath. They have a large and luxurious breakfast menu, all with a French twist. Serving Crêpe Complete with eggs, bacon and Gruyere cheese, Eggs Benedict/Florentine/Royale and even a Cooked Breakfast set Menu with any cooked breakfast plus fresh orange juice and a coffee or tea. Lighter choices include French toast, granola and a bacon baguette. Gluten free options are available. Open from 8am weekdays and 9am weekends with breakfast served Mon-Fri till 12pm and weekends till 1pm.15-16 Royal Parade, Blackheath Village SE3 0TL; cote-restaurants.co.uk

5 Hare & Billet, Blackheath Village The Hare & Billet serves breakfast on Saturdays from 10am till 1pm. This warm and welcoming pub – the most ‘grown up’ in the village, I always thought, is modern and comfortable, serving comfort breakfasts such as the Full English (veggie option available), crushed avocado and poached eggs on toasted sourdough, Severn Wye smoked salmon with scrambled egg, and Eggs Benedict. Perched just one the edge of Blackheath Common, this one’s perfect for dog walkers. and yes, dogs are welcome inside!1A Hare & Billet Road, Blackheath SE3 0QJ; hareandbillet.com

6 Montpeliers, Blackheath Village Montpeliers is a long-standing Blackheath secret. Known for its friendly service and generous portion sizes, the snug, intimate venue Montpeliers serves a great fry-up and scambled eggs on toast, alongside breakfast paninis and wonderful homemade cakes and coffees. Outside things are a little more roomy, with terrace seating for plenty and a lovely view of the Blackheath on nice days. The breakfasts, sandwiches and baked potatoes are all chalked up on the board behind the counter, so do go in and have a look.35 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath Village SE3 0TJ; 020 8852 5258

7 Café Rouge, Blackheath Village Café Rouge has upped its breakfast game of late, offering the likes of The Rouge Breakfast, with free range eggs, Cumberland sausage, sweet-cured bacon, beans, mushroom, tomato and sourdough toast, alongside pancakes topped with bacon and maple syrup, smashed avo toast and Croque Monsier/Madame. Lighter options include a fruit salad or granola, and there’s even a kids’ breakfast menu. Plus, Café Rouge is pretty flexible on the vegan/gluten-free/dairy-free front, which is great for those with allergies. Open from 9am daily with breakfast served till 12pm.16-18A Montpelier Vale, Blackheath Village SE3 0TA; caferouge.com

8 Giraffe, Blackheath Village Giraffe, a quirky, casual local chain, is a great morning spot with an expansive and fresh menu. It’s a great spot for families, but perhaps not so great for grown ups with hangovers, as the little treasures can get rather loud! The breakfast menu is a lot of fun though, with options such as Huevos Rancheros (soft tortilla with chorizo, black beans, Monterey Jack cheese, avocado, salsa and fried eggs), Ranch Steak & Eggs, pancake stacks and even a Morning Po Boy (Cumberland sausage with muddled egg, baby spinach and red chillies in a soft baked roll). Open weekdays from 8am and weekends from 9am.58-62 Tranquil Vale, Blackheath Village SE3 0BN; giraffe.net

9 Madeleine’s, Blackheath Village Madeleine’s serves sweet and savoury crepes and waffles, so if you want to indulge your sweet tooth first thing, so be it! Choose your base – sweet waffle, sweet crepe or a savoury version of either – and top it with the likes of ice cream, banana, Nutella, strawberries… the possibilities are endless. I highly recommend the Madeleine savoury crepe, topped with mushroom, onion jam, spinach and sour creme and chive – it definitely falls into that ‘weird but good’ category. Open from 7.30am Mon-Fri and 9am on the weekend.  1 Tranquil Vale, Blackheath SE3 0BU; madeleinescreperie.com

10 Boulangerie Jade, Blackheath Village & Standard Boulangerie Jade is known for friendliness and fresh food. Offering up French-style pastries from croissants to pain au chocolat, fruit Danishes, baked breads and more, this one’s more of a ‘coffee-and-a-pastry’ pit stop, but it’s a good one. what’s more, Boulangerie Jade has quite the little empire in Blackheath, with branches on Tranquil Vale, Lee Road (near the station) and Blackheath Standard, so you’ll always be near one!boulangeriejade.com

11 Blackheath Tea Hut, on the Heath Because it is the stuff of legend, it does great bacon baps, there are cool motorbikes there, Dominic Cooper is rumoured to be a fan and there’s even a movie about it… You’ll find this little tea hut parked on the edge of Blackheath just off Goffers Road.Goffers Road, Blackheath SE3 0UA