Everybody knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, whether you’re a black-coffee-only person, fan of the full fry up or go ga-ga for granola and fresh fruit, our top 14 breakfast spots in and around Angel Islington should have something to start your day off well
1 Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club offers American-style breakfast with the likes of bacon and banana French toast, breakfast burritos and pancakes on the menu. The 80’s decor and bright colours put a smile on your face as soon as you walk in. Be warned: on weekends the queue often wraps around the building, but it is well worth the wait.
31 Camden Passage N1 8EA; thebreakfastclubcafes.com
2 The CoffeeWorks Project
Escape from the cold by grabbing a tea or coffee at the CoffeeWorks Project. The shabby chic decor with tables from old coffee crates provides a relaxing environment, and it is a great place to read. Baristas bring you cappuccino with foam art that is almost too pretty to drink – speaking of which, The CoffeeWorks has got the art of brewing loose-leaf tea down to a science with each cup accompanied by a timer.
96-98 Islington High Street N1 8EG; coffeeworksproject.com
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3 Caravan
Caravan provides an open and airy atmosphere to chow down on breakfast on weekdays and brunch on weekends. The large windows at the front open on warm days and create a lovely indoor, outdoor dining space. The restaurant, which opened in 2010, also severs lunch and dinner.
11-13 Exmouth Market EC1R 4QD; caravanonexmouth.co.uk
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4 Boulangerie Bon Matin
Boulangerie Bon Matin is all about modern French-style cuisine. If you have a sweet tooth, this is the place to nurse it. Pastries, breads, croissants and muffins are lined up on the counter and the smell greets you when you walk in. Opt for a Danish, French toast or crepes with plenty of fillings for breakfast. If sweets are not your thing, there’s also eggs several ways and smoothies too.
178 Tollington Park N4 3AJ; boulangeriebonmatin.co.uk
5 Grain Store
Bistrot Bruno Loubet was originally on this list and then along came Grain Store Unleashed – and while we await news on where that venture will go in the future, it’s a good time to remind all and sundry that Grain Store in King’s Cross does a mighty fine brunch. We can’t get enough of the Grain Store baked beans, scrambled egg and Toulouse sausage.
Granary Square, 1-3 Stable Street N1C 4AB; grainstore.com
6 Sunday Café and Restaurant
Among the houses on Hemingford Road, Sunday is a small, charming café serving breakfast Tuesday to Friday and brunch on weekends. With a rotating menu, you’ll never get bored of the food, so make this a regular haunt. On a warm weekend morning, Sunday Cafe’s garden is a perfect place for a long languid brunch.
169 Hemingford Road N1 1DA; 020 7607 3868
7 Vagabond N7
Reclaimed wood and exposed brick give Vagabond a rustic feel and cool hipster vibe. This particular branch only opened in Islington in 2013, but there are two other Vagabonds in London (Stroud Green Road and Whitechapel High Street) – and all sure know how to brew a quality cup of coffee.
105 Holloway Road N7 8LZ; vagabond.london
8 Gail’s Artisan Bakery
Gail’s counters groan under the weight of amazingly fresh bread and cakes, but it also has an equally delicious breakfast offering. Savoury fans can’t go wrong with the classic toast with jam or bacon sandwich, while sweet tooths side step that for the pancakes or cinnamon rolls. There are 17 locations around London, so you’re never far from a branch of Gail’s.
33-35 Exmouth Market EC1R 4QL; gailsbread.co.uk
9 Euphorium Bakery
Euphorium Bakery calls itself “the best in British bakery” and it does indeed bake delicious breads and pastries. It will take a strong person to pass up the likes of chocolate eclairs and fruity cheesecakes. Savour them on the comfy sofas dotted around the bakery, and because it is open until 10pm, you can get your fix all day.
79 Upper Street N1 1RQ; euphoriumbakery.com
10 Amici Coffee Deli
Located on Highbury Corner, Amici Coffee Deli is a great place for a traditional breakfast and a cup of coffee. The Italian restaurant has a friendly staff and great service. It is also inexpensive, so it won’t break the bank.
6 Highbury Corner N5 1RD; 020 7619 9217
11 Maison d’être Café
Maison d’être Café on Canonbury Road serves up artisan and organic coffees and teas. Grab a pastry or scone with homemade jam to go with your coffee or stick around and get stuck into fresh fruit with yoghurt and granola. While there, discover the work of local artists displayed on the wall of the shop.
154 Canonbury Road N1 2UP; maisondetrecafe.co.uk
12 The Blue Legume
An alternative to classic British breakfasts, The Blue Legume serves Mediterranean-style food. The charming restaurant offers freshly squeezed juices that come in an array of combinations, and if none take your fancy, mix up your own.
177 Upper Street N1 1RG; thebluelegume.co.uk
13 Granger & Co
Recently opened in King’s Cross, this is well worth a short stroll down Pentonville Road as the breakfast menu is extensive and fabulous to boot. There’s a choice of healthy fruit options, a tantalising bakery menu, eggs with a choice of sides – but for us the pick has to come from Bill’s Classics. The scrambled eggs and sourdough toast may sound simple, but it’s to die for.
Stanley Building, 7 Pancras Square N1C 4AG; 020 3058 2567; grangerandco.com
14 Foxlow
Rejoice – Foxlow is now open in Stoke Newington! We are already big fans of their Clerkenwell outlet (and we hear on the grapevine that West London and South West London will be getting their own share of some Foxlow magic soon too), but what makes Stokey even better is their all day opening from 10am at weekends. All day breakfast burger? Go on then.
71-73 Church Street N16 0AS; 020 7481 6377; foxlow.co.uk
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