Where is a good place to get breakfast near St. Paul's Cathedral in London?

October 20, 2009 5:47 AM

Where is a good place to get breakfast near St. Paul's Cathedral in London?

The hotel breakfast is extra and is priced nonsensically, and who knows if it's any good. Breakfast is a bit of a make-or-break thing for the day's mood while sightseeing and it's also something I like to get inside tips on, so I thought I'd ask if any locals or experienced visitors can steer me right.

I like English breakfasts/cooked breakfast with eggs, toast etc, she likes Continental breakfast, but this isn't a super-rigid thing. It doesn't have to be cheap although it definitely doesn't have to be in any way fancy, just good. Thanks!

posted by Your Time Machine Sucks to travel & transportation around London, England (9 answers total)

Ossie's will do you a good/great fry-up, but not so sure about the continental side of things. For pastries try Apostrophe directly opp St Pauls.
posted by patricio at 6:02 AM on October 20, 2009

Lots of options around Smithfields (5 mins walk north of St Pauls). Smiths of Smithfields is pretty good, and should cater well to you both, although might not be a whole lot different in price to your hotel (prob a lot nicer though). La Flaneur on Farringdon Road could be good too if you were to go continental. I'd be inclined to take a walk around Smithfields and see what takes your fancy.
posted by bifter at 6:55 AM on October 20, 2009

SoS is far better priced than I thought actually: http://www.smithsofsmithfield.co.uk/sos/index.html

Would be a good option for you I think.
posted by bifter at 6:57 AM on October 20, 2009

Actually, agreed that SoS would be a good option - I always forget how close St Paul's is to Smithfields
posted by patricio at 7:32 AM on October 20, 2009

Sorry, but Smith's is awful. Try The Cock Tavern inside the market for a fry-up and a peculiar slice of London life. There are lots of options around Smithfield / Clerkenwell. 5 minutes up St John Street from the market just over Clerkenwell Road the Modern Pantry does a good brunch.
posted by col at 7:46 AM on October 20, 2009

The Modern Pantry is great - really, REALLY great - but a fair walk from St Pauls. Getting close to a cab ride really (as there is no easy, direct tube route).
posted by bifter at 8:09 AM on October 20, 2009

Seconding Ossie's.
posted by Pallas Athena at 9:14 AM on October 20, 2009

The Modern Pantry is superb. Worth the very scenic walk one day, through immense bank buildings, down past Smithfields and the bizarre Barbican estates where you can travel miles and never touch the ground, and through historic Clerkenwell. If you decide to have a weekend brunch there, it's best to reserve.
posted by tavegyl at 9:59 AM on October 20, 2009

Thanks so far! A bunch of good suggestions.
posted by Your Time Machine Sucks at 9:59 AM on October 20, 2009