About Time You Tried: Brixton’s Best BreakfastsBy Patrick Mcaleenan
Brixton’s diverse community makes it a hotbed for some of the best breakfasts in the city. You can’t turn a corner without finding a little gem of a joint, bustling with happy eaters enjoying a morning feast for under a tenner. The only thing that can be a little overwhelming is the sheer amount of choice you’re faced with, so we are here to help with our choice of Brixton’s 5 best breakfasts.
1. For a Fry Up: Seven At Brixton
Order: Full Spanish breakfast
Why: The tapas-inspired menu at Seven at Brixton in Brixton Market includes a Full Spanish breakfast (chorizo, morcilla de burgos, fried eggs, pimenton beans, tomato and toast, with tea or coffee, £9.50), an El Bacon butty of Jamon serrano on English bloomer (£3.50), a Spanish bagel with chorizo, morcilla de burgos, tomato and fried egg (£5), a mushroom omelette with chestnut and shiitake mushrooms, served with ciabatta (£6.50) and even a delicious churros con chocolate (£3.50). Seven at Brixton serves breakfasts every day (open from 9am Mon-Sat and 10am Sun) and brunch until 12noon Mon-Fri and 1pm on weekends.
Where: Unit 7 Market Row, Brixton SW9 8LB
How much: £9.50
Twitter: @sevenatbrixton
Order: Morning Glory Crepe
Why: You can satisfy your crepe cravings at Senzala in Brixton Market. Open from 9am on Saturday and Sunday, its extensive list of both sweet and savoury crepes (also available gluten free and vegan) includes the Morning Glory (cheese, fresh tomatoes, crispy bacon and fried egg, £6.70), the Spaniard (cheese, egg, chorizo, red onions and spinach, £ 7.70), a Salmon Panache (smoked salmon, asparagus, egg, rocket, Crème fraîche and horseradish, £ 8.00) and the asparagus crepe (cheese, asparagus, ham, egg) for £7.20. If you still want traditional, go for their Full English (cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes, bacon and fried egg) at £7.10.
Where: Brixton Village Market SW9 8PS
How much: £6.90
Twitter: @SenzalaBrixton
3. For French Toast: Rosie’s Deli
Order: French toast with ricotta and prosciutto
Why: Rosie’s Deli is an eclectic, stylish gem of a place run by Rosie Lovell, labeled by the Observer Food Monthly as ‘a Nigella for the next generation’. Breakfasts are served all day, and include scrumptious delights such as cinnamon French toast with fig jam with prosciutto, ricotta and syrup (£6.50), ricotta on sourdough with basil oil, honey and almonds (£6), scrambled eggs on toast with chilli jam (£5) and pickled Scottish herrings on rye with dill and apple (£6). You can also pick up a copy of her book ‘Spooning with Rosie.’ Open 9.30am-5.30pm from Monday to Saturday.
Where: 14e Market Row, Brixton Market SW9 8LD;
How much: £6.50
Twitter: @RosiesDeliCafe
Order: Three cheese cornbread, shredded ham hock, chipotlé slaw with a poached duck egg.
Why: Keeping it seasonal, inventive as well as local, brunch favourite – Salon uses plenty of ingredients produced or foraged in and around Brixton. Salivate over their warm banana bread with hazelnut ganache (aka homemade Nutella) for £3.50, scrambled eggs and nduja (spicy, spreadable pork sausage from Italy) on toast for £6.50 or roast field mushrooms, pickled walnut & cow’s curd on toast (£7.50). Mouth-watering sides include poached duck egg (£1.50) and smoked pig’s cheek lardons (£2.50).
Where: 18 Market Row, Brixton SW9 8LD; 020 7501 9152;
How much: £9
Twitter: @Salon_Brixton
5. For a Vegan Breakfast: Ms. Cupcakes
Order: Savoury scones
Why: While we’re not suggesting you have a cupcake every day for breakfast, it’s fine to start the day on a sugar high once in a while. Ms. Cupcakes, London’s first vegan bakery, is the place to do that. Tucked behind the bustle of Brixton’s high street, the smiling faces and kitschy deco of the shop invites you into a world of sweet and savoury discovery. Try their savoury scones in a choice of Cheese and Onion/Margarita (tomato and cheese)/Mediterranean (peppers, olives and cheese) or Spinach (4 for £11.20). With muffins (6 for £14.50), sausage rolls (4 for £14.50) and the All Day Breakfast Sandwich also on the menu, you can just knock yourself out with a Red Velvet Cupcake (£2.60).
Where: 408 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LF
How much: 4 for £11.20
Twitter: @MsCupcakeUK
