Located just a stone's throw from the lively Borough Market, The Breakfast Club beckons with its retro charm and a warm promise: no-nonsense, home-cooked food served with a side of nostalgic vibes. Born from the founders' 80s childhood dreams—and a pact that if their careers didn’t pan out, they’d open a place where “everybody knows your name”—this café blends true diner aesthetics with Yorkshire-inspired hospitality. But with its high price point, does The Breakfast Club truly deliver that "good morning" feeling it promises? Let’s dive into the experience and find out.

The Vibe: Fun, Energetic, and Retro

From the moment we stepped inside, I was struck by the vibrant energy and playful atmosphere of The Breakfast Club. The staff, with their light-hearted and slightly hipster vibe, added to the fun, while dance classics played in the background, setting an upbeat tone. The quirky design transported me to the 80s, with its warm yellow lighting, tiled flooring, and breakfast-themed artwork that perfectly captured the retro diner aesthetic.

The restaurant was buzzing with activity upon our arrival, and we were seated at the bar—a happy accident that elevated the experience. Sitting there, we had a front-row seat to the action, watching bar staff whip up coffees and brunch cocktails with flair. It also allowed us to soak in the finer details, from cheekily branded coffee beans named "Morning Glory" to admiring the delicious breakfasts being carried out to other tables. The lively vibe and thoughtful design truly made it a memorable start to the day.

The Breakfast Menu: A Range of Options for Every Taste

The menu at The Breakfast Club is impressively diverse, featuring a range of breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes tailored to suit various diets and appetites. Whether you're in the mood for eggs, pancakes, avocado toast, or a sharing platter that strikes a balance between sweet and savoury, there’s something to satisfy every craving. A standout element is their use of St Ewe eggs, sourced from an award-winning farm renowned for its rich, bright orange yolks—a mark of quality that truly elevates their dishes.

Given the long day ahead, we opted for hearty portions to sustain us. Our choices included the Caf Classic, the signature Full Monty, and from the more globally inspired Club Classics range, the Fried Chicken, Bacon, and Waffles. Each dish promised a satisfying and flavourful start to the day.

The Full Monty

This dish undoubtedly stood out as the restaurant's signature offering, with most of the male diners around me also opting for it. A proper full English breakfast, it came loaded with all the essentials: crispy hash browns and perfectly seasoned sautéed potatoes, savoury mushrooms, smoky bacon, a juicy sausage, rich black pudding, two fried St. Ewe eggs, sweet cherry tomatoes, and thick slices of toast.

The star of the plate—and perhaps its most divisive element—was the homemade baked beans. These weren’t your usual Heinz variety; instead, they had a Mediterranean twist, with a sweet and subtly spicy flavour in a darker, richer sauce that elevated the entire dish.

Overall, it was a hearty and satisfying breakfast, exactly the kind of meal to fuel me for the rest of the day. The toast was wonderfully dense and ideal for soaking up the leftover sauce, while the eggs were as rich and flavoursome as one would expect from St. Ewe’s. The fried mushrooms, infused with garlic, were a delicious addition that paired beautifully with the rest of the components. This was everything you’d want from a full English and then some.

Fried Chicken, Bacon and Waffles

Opting for a more American-style breakfast, my girlfriend’s plate featured a flattened fried chicken breast, two strips of streaky bacon, and a single fried egg, all perched atop a large waffle and drizzled with a light gravy. On paper, it sounded indulgent and hearty, but in execution, it fell a little flat.

The fried chicken was disappointingly bland, crying out for some herbs or seasoning to elevate its flavour. The light gravy, while a good idea in theory, was quickly absorbed by the thick waffle, leaving the dish feeling somewhat dry. Despite its impressive presentation, the lack of bold seasoning left the meal underwhelming, failing to live up to the promise of a true Southern-inspired breakfast.

Drinks

The drinks at The Breakfast Club were as much a part of the experience as the food itself. Naturally, we were intrigued by their in-house Morning Glory coffee blend, sourced exclusively from women-only farms in Brazil. Boasting flavour notes of milk chocolate and nuts, this blend carried an interesting backstory—the name pays homage to Oasis's What’s the Story Morning Glory?, with the album cover photographed on the same street as the café’s first location (and not the cheekier meaning you might suspect).

The first cup of coffee was so delicious it disappeared quickly, and I immediately ordered a second. Great care was clearly taken in its preparation, with the milk poured so beautifully that drinking it felt almost sacrilegious. The balance of flavours and expert craftsmanship made this coffee a highlight of the visit.

We also tried their orange juice, which was predictably sweet and refreshing. Made by Press—a premium juice brand I’ve encountered in bars before—it delivered a consistently solid experience, though the price tag felt steep for what it was.

For those seeking a boozy brunch, The Breakfast Club doesn’t disappoint. They specialise in Bloody Marys and offer fun twists on brunch classics like Mimosas. Among their standout offerings were a coffee bean-infused gin used in their Breakfast Negroni and a Pornstar Mimosa, a cheeky take on the popular Pornstar Martini. These inventive drink options reflect their playful spirit and commitment to blending classic ideas with modern creativity.

Price Point: A Hearty Breakfast, But at a Hearty Price

The entire bill came to a staggering £50 for two people—a hefty price for breakfast, especially considering the traditionally working-class roots of many of the dishes. The Full Monty breakfast alone cost £18, while my two coffees amounted to £8, and my girlfriend’s orange juice was priced at £4, with the option for a large glass at an astonishing £6.50—just £2 shy of a glass of prosecco!

This steep price point feels at odds with The Breakfast Club’s messaging and ethos. Their website proudly states they aim to avoid being seen as a fancy, hipster establishment or a full-fledged restaurant, instead presenting themselves as a humble café selling comfort food that’s accessible to all. Yet, spending £50 for a breakfast outing is far from comforting unless you are receiving something truly unique. For comparison, my local greasy spoon offers a large full English breakfast—complete with a free cup of coffee—for just £11. Similarly, my girlfriend’s neighbourhood café serves a similar deal for a mere £9. However, this unfortunately is the culture of the Borough Market area and it is impossible to find anything of real quality under £10.

While The Breakfast Club certainly delivers on quality—featuring, for instance, some of the best baked beans I’ve ever tasted—my girlfriend found her meal underwhelming, describing it as lacking flavour. It feels a bit disingenuous for them to market themselves as a down-to-earth café while charging premium prices. Further research revealed that many of their locations are situated in high-end areas like Canary Wharf and Spitalfields, which perhaps explains the pricing, but contradicts their self-proclaimed ethos of inclusivity and approachability.

A Breakfast to Remember—If You’re Willing to Pay

The Breakfast Club offers a delightful trip down memory lane, evoking a sense of nostalgia with its retro-inspired design, upbeat atmosphere, and attentive service. It captures the charm of classic UK café culture while serving hearty, home-cooked dishes that stand out. The Full Monty is undoubtedly the star of the menu—its homemade baked beans are irresistible—and the coffee, brewed with their Morning Glory blend, is top-notch. With a wide variety of options catering to different tastes and appetites, there’s something for everyone. For a true diner-like experience, I highly recommend sitting at the bar; it adds a unique energy to your visit, reminiscent of scenes from classic movies.

That said, the price point cannot be overlooked. At £50 for two people, this is not your typical casual breakfast spot. While the location, branding, and food quality justify some of the premium pricing, it’s a significant expense for breakfast. For most, it’s better suited for a special occasion or when you’re willing to splurge on the experience.

One last tip, visiting during peak times, like weekends, can be hectic. Borough Market and its surrounding areas are bustling with activity, making it nearly impossible to find a table without a reservation. If you’re planning to visit with a group larger than two, booking in advance is a must.

What do you think - would you visit The Breakfast Club? 

Would you pay £50 for breakfast at The Breakfast Club? Is the experience worth the price tag, or would you prefer a more traditional café? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Practical Information

• Address: 11 Southwark St, London SE1 1RQ

• Price Range: £15-£25

• Insider Tip 1: Sit at the bar for the best seat in the house

• Insider Tip 2: Book in advance for groups of three or more