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Breakfast in Central London: 7 Best Cafes and Cute Bakeries

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A local’s guide to amazing Central London coffee shops and bakeries to visit for breakfast, brunch, but also for snacks during days out in London!

I recently shared with you some of my favorite breakfast spots in East London, with a few really cool hidden food gems…

And thought it was time to keep going with cute places in Central London.

For coffee, breakfast bites or brunch, these are a few cafes located in London Bridge, Covent Garden, Soho, near Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road you should have on your bucket list!

Breakfast in Central London: 7 Best Cafes and Cute Bakeries

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Along the way, I have decided to include some hidden gems you should check out while walking around the pretty streets of Central London.

Many of these cute cafes are not that famous, and others are a tad more mainstream, like the gorgeous pink cafe Elan on Wardour Street.

I will highlight for each of these coffee shops, what you should try at least once (depending on your tastes, of course!), and why I think they’re great spots to spend a moment in Central London.

Without further ado, discover the cutest places to eat breakfast and have a great coffee moment in Central!

Cute Cafes in Central London: Bread Ahead Bakery, Borough Market

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Even if there are lots of hidden gems in London Bridge and nearby Bermondsey, I have to admit that Bread Ahead Bakery is not that much of a secret food spot anymore.

Actually, whether it’s summer or autumn in London, you will probably have to queue to get a taste of the deliciously fluffy doughnuts and sinner cinnamon buns Bread Ahead Bakery offers.

There are currently two branches I have tried, that I recommend:

  • Bread Ahead in Wembley, which is also spacious enough to be a perfect study cafe
  • Bread Ahead in Borough Market, which is more of a to-go bakery, with no seats, but which offers many more flavors in terms of fillings (coconut and honeycomb are two favorites of mine)

Read: The Best Pastel de Nata in London

Best Cafes in Central London: Chinatown Bakery, Chinatown

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A favorite of mine when it comes to places to eat in Chinatown is the famous, oh so famous Chinatown Bakery – not a coffee shop per se, but this spot bakes up fresh fluffy cakes and savory puffs all day long.

In addition to the delicious taiyaki which are made right before your eyes – and a dessert you absolutely have to try in London.

There are no seats inside Chinatown Bakery, but if you visit London during the summer all the way through autumn, you will find many tables in the square.

And if you’re not looking for breakfast but more proper, savory food spots for lunch, there are a couple of places really close I keep raving about:

  • Chinese Tapas House, with their affordable meat and veggie buns
  • Beijing Dumpling, with their incredible roasted duck and pancakes dishes, and juicy, so tasty dumplings

Read: The Best Croissants in London

Cute Cafes in Central London: Caffè Napoli, Goodge Street

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We have with Caffè Napoli on Goodge Street one of the smallest coffee shops in London – and one I pop by as soon as I get the chance.

Italian cafes in London are plenty, but Caffè Napoli is one of those which are more centrally located; and for the perfect ginseng caffè, a hot beverage I’ve discovered in Rome, this is the very spot you have to know!

There are literally just two seats outside, but the properly Italian croissants (cornetti) are so delicious you won’t even care about the seats.

Plus, there are many cool things to do in Fitzrovia, Goodge Street’s area, and this includes anything from Italian restaurants to charity shops and gorgeous architecture!

A few minutes away on foot, you’ll also find one of London’s most unique shops – Timothy Oulton, a must-visit to see a replica of the Apollo capsule, towers made of books and sculptures of astronauts imprisoned in water-filled tubes!

Update: This place is now closed.

Cute Cafes in Central London: Feya Cafe

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Feya Cafe is known for being one of the most instagrammable cafes in London; complete with watercolor walls and floral decorations, it’s indeed a great place to visit for pictures.

I have personally tried the colorful lattes as well as the crodoughs (also sometimes called cronuts), and loved the pink latte with its cherry tree pattern on top.

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Feya Cafe is a very visited place in Central London when it comes to both brunch and breakfast, and if you’re the kind of the person who loves finding beautiful desserts and pastries, this will be the place for you!

Let’s not forget, while we’re at it, that Feya Cafe is located on James Street, one of the most colorful places in London – thought colorful houses were only in Notting Hill? Think again!

Read: The Best Gluten Free Bakeries in London

Best Cafes in Central London: Cutter and Squidge, Soho

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Located close to both Piccadilly Circus and Carnaby Street, Cutter & Squidge is a place I discovered a few months ago, when I was invited to try the Harry Potter afternoon tea, ‘The Potions Room.

In addition to being a great spot for afternoon tea, since Cutter & Squidge offers lots of vegan options and thus caters to many, many people, this is also one of the cutest bakeries you’ll find in Central London.

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The layer cakes, to begin with, are otherworldly – thick, flavorful cream and tasty fruit, and on top of that, Cutter & Squidge also offers delicious hot beverages and ice cream.

Read: The Best Vegan Bakeries in London

Cute Cafes in Central London: Elan Cafe, Wardour Street

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All the Elan Cafe in London boast a different vibe; at the Elan Cafe on Hans Crescent, right outside of the gorgeous Harrods department store, you will find a more floral coffee shop vibe.

However, on Wardour Street, Soho, the atmosphere is properly neon in the back room, which probably makes it one of the most special coffee shops in London overall.

Whether you come for brunch or breakfast, or even a snack in the afternoon, you will find plenty of colorful lattes and delicious cakes there, which range from brownies to Victoria sponge, cookies, and Red Velvet Cake.

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If you’re however looking for a more floral cafe, have a seat in the front room, and enjoy the pale pink flowers and walls!

PS. Careful when you order – Elan Cafe tends to offer really sweet cakes and drinks!

Read: The Best Cupcakes in London

Best Cafes in Central London: Aux Merveilleux de Fred, Leadenhall Market

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Right in the heart of the City of London, Aux Merveilleux de Fred is an incredible French pastry shop whose recipes mainly revolve around the Merveilleux, a meringue covered with cream and different toppings.

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There are a few tables right outside of the bakery slash coffee shop, which allow you to enjoy the Merveilleux, or the Cramiques (delicious, oh so delicious brioches!) with a view of Leadenhall Market.

If you’re planning on walking around the City of London afterwards, Aux Merveilleux de Fred is always a great spot to spot by first.

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Especially since you’ll need your strength to reach really cool hidden gems, like the Tivoli Corner or the St Dunstan in the East church ruins once you’re done!

Read: The Best Brunch in London Bridge

Breakfast in Central London: 7 Best Cafes and Cute Bakeries

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There you have them, all the best cafes and places to eat in Central London, from breakfast to simply coffee!

You will hopefully have found here a few new secret cafes and bakeries you didn’t know about, and one thing I can promise is they all have a different vibe, each with their delicious specialties!

Then, if you’re willing to discover more about Central London, here are a few guides I can recommend: