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E Pellicci (© Scott Wishart)

East
E Pellicci
Where else can you find a caff that’s charmed the likes of gangsters (the Krays), controversial artists (Gilbert and George) and all in between? There’s even an autograph book that bears the scrawls of famous punters, from Guy Ritchie to ‘that Ross guy from “Friends” ’ (in the words of son Nevio). This East End institution has been in the Pellicci family for over a century – that’s a whole lot of fry-ups. However, more often than not it’s the interior rather than the eggs that make this a must-visit café. The breakfasts consist of nondescript, if reasonably priced, standards such as nicely grilled tomatoes and crusty bread and butter. The classic egg, two rashers of bacon, two toast and cup of tea (made from loose tea leaves) will set you back £3.80. Or, if you need more than that, £4.80 gets a generous plateful of sausage, egg, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes and a fried slice. But don’t look at your food, look up and take in the symphony of East End art deco around you – this ’50s Italian café, already historical in itself, has officially gained listed building status for its impressive interior.
E Pellicci, 332 Bethnal Green Rd, E2 0AG (020 7739 4873) Bethnal Green tube/rail or 8, 253 bus. Breakfast served all day Mon-Sat 7am-5pm. Breakfast for one with service: around £7. Feature continues

The Pavilion Café
Tea merchant Rob Green and Australian chef Brett Redman’s Pavilion Café, overlooking Victoria Park lake, serves a seasonally-influenced menu using fresh produce from Borough Market. Try the all-day farmhouse breakfast, consisting of crisp black pudding and sensational sausages from The Ginger Pig, organic eggs, fat portobello mushrooms and own-made baked beans spiced with paprika, or the popular veggie breakfast with crushed avocado. Tea lovers will be delighted by the speciality infusions (such as the rare Snow Jewel white tea), while coffee connoisseurs will undoubtedly appreciate the flat whites, whipped up with Ivy House Farm milk and Monmouth Coffee Company espresso. It’s insanely, but understandably, busy at weekends.
The Pavilion Café, Victoria Park, E9 5DU(020 8908 0030) Bethnal Green tube. Breakfast served daily 9am-5pm. Breakfast for one with service: around £8.

Smiths of Smithfield, Ground Floor (Ming Tang-Evans)

Best for... bacon
Smiths of Smithfield, Ground Floor
In line with the serious attitude to meat upstairs, the bacon butty served here is, quite possibly, perfection in a bap – the meaty rashers come from Cumbria’s highly esteemed supplier Richard Woodall.
Smiths of Smithfield, 67-77 Charterhouse St, EC1M 6HJ (020 7251 7950/www.smithsofsmithfield.co.uk) Farringdon or Barbican tube/rail. Breakfast served Mon 7am-4.30pm; Tue-Fri 7am-5pm; Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 9.30am-5pm. Breakfast for one with service: around £9.

St John Bread and Wine
Here, the Old Spot bacon sandwich is not only massive, but delicious in every way. It comes with a small pot of tangy own-made tomato sauce.
St John Bread and Wine, 94-96 Commercial St, E1 6LZ (020 7251 0848/www.stjohnbreadandwine.com) Liverpool St tube/rail. Breakfast served Mon-Fri 9-11am, Sat, Sun 10-11am. Breakfast for one with service: around £9.

Best for... brekkie on-the-go
L’Epicerie@56
This deli-café offers handy grab-and-go breakfast options such as daisy-fresh pastries and Moroccan wraps. The coffee is excellent.
L’Epicerie@56, 56 Chatsworth Rd, Clapton, E5 0LS (020 7503 8172) bus 242. Breakfast served all day Mon-Fri 8.30am-7.30pm, Sat, Sun 8.30am-5.30pm. Breakfast for one: around £6.

Best for...healthy appetites
Canteen
The easy-going atmosphere here leaves you free to kick back and enjoy breakfast all day long – try the fruit compote with creamy Greek yoghurt and crunchy muesli.
Canteen, 2 Crispin Place, off Brushfield St, E1 6DW (0845 686 1122/www.canteen.co.uk) Liverpool St tube/rail. Breakfast served all day Mon-Fri 8am-11pm, Sat, Sun 9am-11pm. Breakfast for one with service: around £15.

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