Breakfast in London: An Arbitrary Guide

The Vegan Gazette
Apr 28
5 min read

Updated: 7 days ago

I have never been a breakfast person. For me, it’s just filter coffee or Americano. If I want to get fancy, an oat latte or a cortado. Mornings, in my view, are meant for one of three things: radio and writing sessions, walking with podcast musings, or a promenade through a new neighborhood, whether in your hometown or abroad.

But after carefully listening to some friends for whom breakfast is the main meal of the day, creating a roadmap became a necessity. So here it is, my arbitrary guide to London vegan places.

The criteria are as follows:

Venues that open early and almost every day of the week, not just for brunch.
No franchises or chains, one spot only.
A local atmosphere where you can share a table or conversations with fellow denizens, work, read, or write because mornings are when the mind works its wonders.

The Fields Beneath, Kentish Town

Just outside the Mildway Line Station, you’ll find a gem. The reason I mention The Fields Beneath first is because everything here is vegan. Originally opened in 2012, the café underwent a transformation in 2017 when the owner and creator, Gavin Fernback, decided to remove all dairy and animal products from the menu after becoming vegan himself. Although it’s far from where I live, I’m what they call a “visiting regular” when I crave their tofu scramble bagel with fermented chili ketchup and/or croissant sandwiches. But the loveliest part of The Fields Beneath is its habitués. Every time I’ve been there, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing a table with them.

Open weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Coffee, a tofu scramble bagel with fermented chili ketchup, and morning company at The Fields Beneath, Kentish Town. — *Coffee, a tofu scramble bagel with fermented chili ketchup, and morning company at The Fields Beneath.*

WAVE, Hackney

WAVE, short for We Are Vegan Everything, is one of the pioneers of the London vegan scene, particularly for breakfast. Here you’ll find gluten-free mushroom rolls and the Sunny Side with scrambled tofu, sautéed kale, and cashew hollandaise. It is also the place to bring non-vegan friends because they want to try the Shakshuka and then come back for more. I must say, I miss their carrot lox bagel, wish it were still on the menu.

Open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Shakshuka at WAVE, Hackney — *The Shakshuka at WAVE*

Broca, Brockley

I often visit Brockley on Saturdays for the market, but sometimes I find myself wandering the area early in the day. I start with coffee from Browns of Brockley, then take a walk toward Telegraph Hill. If it’s sunny, I sit on a bench for some quiet reflection before heading to Broca. The cakes and pastries here are delicious, as are the quiches of the day and the homemade seasonal sandwiches. This is also a great spot for brunch in SE. My favorite is the V’Chorizo: sausages, potatoes, onions, and red peppers, all smothered and baked in a cheesy cashew sauce, served with local bread and seasonal slaw.

Open daily 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Uchi Bake, Clapton

Not particularly the most vegan-friendly café, but I love Uchi Bake’s atmosphere. During the day, smooth jazz music plays in the background: Clifford Brown, Edu Lobo, Freddie Hubbard. While sitting at the counter, watching people, time, and life pass by, one can find themselves feeling serene. It's ideal if you have a sweet tooth in the morning, but I’m hoping that if enough people ask, they’ll add vegan buns and sandos to the menu. Have a bite of the mochi matcha cookie and soothe yourself in.

Open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Tuesdays.

*From Uchi Bake, with serenity, Clapton*

Café Petiole, Somerset House

It was a Sunday, and I was looking for a bite that wasn’t a vegan English breakfast nor a cosy Sunday roast. That’s how I discovered Café Petiole. From the same team that created Tendril Kitchen, Café Petiole is born as a mostly vegan café, where all pastries, including tiramisu, cheesecake, lemon poppyseed cake, and morello cherry cake are vegan, and the quiche is made from tofu. They have daily salads, and the best part is you can wander around Somerset House and some of the latest exhibitions.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed Monday.

In the front, tofu and sweet potato quiche; at the back, the mushroom bun at Café Petiole, Somerset House. — *In the front, tofu and sweet potato quiche; at the back, the mushroom bun.*

Bean’s Café, Hackney Downs

Bean’s Café is one of the newest additions, but in this eco-conscious, plant-based wonder, you can enjoy a grilled breakfast toastie with scrambled tofu and smoky celeriac, or the Irish one with Guinness-flavored cheese sauce and caramel pear French toast. Also, on Sundays, they have a roast where tofu is the pièce de résistance of the plate, surrounded by veggies.

Open daily 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Always Bagel, Forever

Some think it’s a phase, this shall pass but I believe bagel is always a good idea. After careful consideration I have three favourite spots in town.

Rye Lane Bagels, Peckham

Best when you're super hungry or recovering from a hangover. It’s right around my house, but that’s not the only reason they made it to the list. They offer a couple of vegan options, all satisfying and delicious.

Papo’s Bagels, Shacklewell Lane

When you want something plain yet scrumptious, Papo’s Bagels at Shacklewell Lane is simplicity at its finest. A sesame or everything bagel with vegan smear. You can add some capers or tomatoes if you please.

Paulie’s Bagels, Well Street

My first encounter was at Netil Market, but when I visited the Well Street branch, I discovered they have a vegan item specific to this location. "The Vegan," as they call it, is flavoured with jackfruit, a rare find on menus these days.

Breakfast at home?

For the days you feel like going nowhere, staying in either by yourself or with beloved ones, I always have I Am Nut Ok in the fridge. Crafted in Hackney by Angelina and Nivi, an American and Italian couple who are also the founders of Third Culture Deli in Broadway Market, this is my go-to artisanal cheese. I don’t want to play favorites, but the mature cheddar like C’e Diary, the Italian herb G.O.A.T, and the smoky charcoal Miner Threat would make even your non-vegan friends ask, “Are you sure this is vegan?” I call them transformative powers, turning cheesecholics into vegans.

Got your weekend covered

Obviously, there are some well-known vegan spots like Mildreds, which now has six locations including Victoria, Soho, Dalston, Camden, Covent Garden, and Kings Cross and Mallow in Borough Market and Canary Wharf. They are featured on Google when you search for Vegan + Brunch + London. But as promised, I wanted to tell you about a more intimate, neighborhood spot at Cambridge Heath called Love Shack. To quote them directly: “We set out to build a space like no other. A place where like-minded vegans and more importantly, non-vegans, could come and enjoy incredible food cooked and prepared by passionate chefs, baristas, and mixologists, and where you could come to a talk on mushroom cultivation one day and a rave the next.” I believe they’ve achieved it! Go over the weekend for a mushroom, spinach & feta omelet or a Whole Lotta Love. They’re also knowledgeable about mushroom drinks, so if you're interested in the subject, ask about it. They grow their own Lion’s Mane. There’s so much to learn about the vast world of fungi.

*The Asparagus Plate from Bistroteque’s spring menu and the renowned Bloody Mary.*

For a date and brunch

This is a proper date-style place, with Bloody Marys coming one after another, white-clothed tables, and artist crowds at the next tables. Their vegan options have evolved over time, currently featuring three plates for brunch: Urfa Chili Roast Beetroot, Celeriac Schnitzel, and Farinata Squash. It's Bistroteque I’m talking about.