Timmy Green (near the Royal Mews and Buckingham Palace): I chose this restaurant due to its proximity to the Royal Mews, our first tour destination that day. The clientele seemed to be a mix of businesspeople and upscale tourists. As we are neither, I did feel a little out of place. I had the house maple granola with berries and coconut yogurt. Portion sizes were decent though the prices seemed above average. While neither the decor nor food were exceptional, it was a perfectly acceptable place to eat. I wouldn’t go out of my way for it, but if you’re headed to the Buckingham Palace area as your first stop of the morning, it’s a solid choice.
CA Japanese Pancakes (near the northeast corner of Victoria Station): I chose this restaurant due to its proximity to our Belgravia hotel and, not going to lie, due to its Instagram reputation. Their specialty is Japanese souffle pancakes, presented as a fluffy, jiggly stack that makes you want to shake your plate a little. Based on the online reviews, many people seem not to understand that “souffle” means “egg”. This is not a traditional American-style pancake. It definitely tastes of egg, with the abundant toppings carrying the dish. I thoroughly enjoyed my apple-cinnamon pancakes. I would go out of my way to eat here again, despite the overwhelmingly pink decor, to try some of their other menu options. However, this does seem very much like a niche restaurant. If you are not a fan of the Japanese concept of kawaii, you may not enjoy eating here, as cuteness reigns supreme.
Chestnut Bakery (near Victoria Station): I chose this cafe because of its proximity to our hotel or, more properly, I chose a hotel with lots of breakfast options nearby. The bakery was inviting, with cases of pastries facing the front door, and the white and light wood decor gave the place a light, airy feel. The atmosphere was relaxed, and the staff welcoming and helpful. The baked goods were outstanding and the espresso drinks well-made. I had the pain au chocolate, which shattered upon tearing into it, as any proper laminated dough should. My partner had the maple-bacon monkey bread, which he savored. This restaurant is an excellent choice for a pastry-and-espresso breakfast. Though I wouldn’t go far out of my way for it, I would happily eat here again.
Ole & Steen (near Victoria Station): This was another bakery near our hotel that I was eager to try specifically because I enjoy the Swedish tradition of fika. While not as memorable as Chestnut Bakery, we did wind up eating here more because of one thing: cardamom buns, my favorite pastry. While their cardamom buns were not nearly as good as the ones I had in Sweden (or, honestly, as the ones I make at home), they were satisfying enough. Ole & Steen offers a large variety of baked goods, making it a solid choice for a coffee-and-pastry breakfast. As far as chain cafes go, I’d rank it average. The pastries are tasty enough, the atmosphere is pleasantly minimalist, the staff are friendly and quick, and the restrooms are exceptionally clean.
The Buttery (near Victoria Station): A more upscale and expensive option compared to our other breakfast choices, we only ate here once even though it was the most convenient option, on the ground floor of our hotel. Most days we just wanted a quick bite to start our day and so opted for a local bakery instead of a meal with table service. The restaurant was small and cozy, with tasteful, rustic decor (think herringbone wood floors, plenty of paintings on the walls, and small plants on the tables). I had the Two Hen’s Eggs breakfast: scrambled eggs on sourdough, elevated with leek oil and watercress. My partner opted for the more decadent Buttery Breakfast. Overall, the food was delicious and prepared well, with enough inventiveness to keep it from being boring. I would go out of my way to eat here again if I were in the mood for a leisurely, high-end breakfast.