45 Jermyn St., St James’s

If your early morning appointments take you in the direction of St James’s, seek out 45 Jermyn St. The restaurant is buzzing before 8am and still full at 11am on account of the stylish surroundings and handy location. The breakfast menu strikes the right note with a choice of traditional and contemporary breakfast dishes: think Orkney kipper with lemon; crumpets with marmite and fried duck eggs; or buckwheat pancakes, caramelised pineapple and coconut yoghurt. Stay focused with a superfood juice, or go for a drop of Dutch courage with one of the five different Bloody Marys on offer.

Breakfast served 7am-11am, Mon-Fri

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Berners Tavern, Fitzrovia

You’ll find Jason Atherton’s Fitzrovia establishment in the swish locale of The London Edition hotel – a louche place to take a client or business partner if ever there was one. The breakfast menu is all about classic British dishes done right, using ingredients sourced from within these isles. Star attraction is the Berners Tavern Full English, which comes with all the trimmings including oak-smoked Scottish salmon and scrambled eggs.

Breakfast served 7-10.30am, Mon-Fri

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Duck & Waffle, Liverpool Street

Way up on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, Duck & Waffle has the skyline views and tempting menus to help you make a great first impression. The signature dish is, well, you guessed it: duck and waffle, with crispy leg confit, fried duck egg and mustard maple syrup. The breakfast menu also features smoked salmon royale and a selection of intriguing waffles, plus contemporary takes on breakfast classics, like duck egg en cocotte and Colombian eggs. With panoramic views of the surrounding City, St Paul’s and The Thames, it’ll be a breakfast meeting to remember (hopefully for the right reasons).

Breakfast served 6am-11:30am, Mon-Sun

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THE Hawksmoor, City

If a cracking full English is your preferred way to start a working day, this Guildhall restaurant is hard to beat. Meat is firmly on the menu and the cooked breakfast for two is as protein-heavy as they come. Think smoked bacon chops, sausages, black pudding, bubble and squeak, grilled bone marrow, baked beans, fried eggs, grilled mushrooms, roast tomatoes, HP gravy and unlimited rounds of toast. Don’t miss the luxe touches – the bubble and squeak is enriched with beef short rib, the baked beans with pig’s trotter.
 

Breakfast served 7-10am, Mon-Fri

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Cecconis, Mayfair

A buzzy atmosphere and chic décor make Cecconi’s a popular place for all-day business entertaining. For breakfast it offers simple but delicious Anglo-Italian fare at prices that are competitive – for its Mayfair postcode. The clientele spans sharp-suited City and hedge-fund types to well-heeled locals and the international beau monde. Those in the know like a window seat. The complimentary juice on arrival is a nice touch.

Breakfast served 7am-12pm, Mon-Fri

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Dean Street Townhouse, Soho

Dim lighting and low leather armchairs set the members-club atmosphere at Dean Street Townhouse. The menu plays it simple with comfort options like the classic English fry-up, Manx kippers, kedgeree and a ham hock hash with fried duck egg. Everything comes in under the £10 mark, making this not only a hearty breakfast destination but a great value choice.

Breakfast served 7am-11:45am, Mon-Fri

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Chiltern Firehouse, Marylebone

Nuno Mendes specialises in haute cuisine and that’s exactly what his breakfast at Chiltern Firehouse delivers. Hero dishes include: poached eggs with spiced avocado on toast; black truffle scrambled eggs; and lobster and crab omelette. Originally a fire station in the 19th century, the building has huge charm that extends throughout the brasserie-style restaurant. Service from accomplished waiters chosen for their personality is seriously slick.
 
Breakfast served 7am-10:30am, Mon-Fri

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The Wolseley, Piccadilly

Amid pressed papers and silver teapots, the Wolseley’s breakfast and brunch menu ranges from a sausage sandwich up to fried haggis with whisky. Its Scottish smoked salmon is first-rate; its eggs are bright and buttery. You could have half a grapefruit here and still leave feeling it is London’s ultimate breakfast spot. Book well in advance because it’s always packed.

Breakfast served 7am-11:30am, Mon-Fri

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Balthazar, Covent Garden

Balthazar London mimics the New York original perfectly, with its red-leather booths, giant antique mirrored walls and mosaic floors. Service is excellent and breakfasts are as hearty as you’d expect from this American take on a French brasserie. Menus span brioche French toast with smoked bacon to apple cinnamon pancakes with maple syrup.

Breakfast served 7am-11:30am, Mon-Thu (7am-12pm on Friday)

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The Delaunay, holborn

Inspired by the grand cafe's of Mittel- Europe, The Delaunay is an all day cafe and restaurant from Corbin & King, the team behind The Wolseley. It's the kind of restaurant you want to be in when you just want to feel good, which makes it an ideal business breakfast setting. Sit in the elegant dining room where wooden panelling, brass fittings and green leather banquettes ooze class or hit the cafe if you're meeting is a quick one.  The waiting staff are friendly and attentive. The prices aren't astronomical and it offers very up-market comfort food perfect for fuelling a morning's meeting. 

Breakfast served 7am-11.30am, Mon-Fri

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