Best for a Full English
The Counter Cafe
This two-floor cafe overlooking the Olympic site might seem like a schlep for brunch, but trust us: the £8 Big Breakfast – consisting of scrambled eggs, potato cakes and homemade "baked beans" – is well worth negotiating Regent's canal for. 7 Roach Rd, London E3 2PA
Best healthy option
Bill's Cafe
The original Bill's Cafe (there are currently five) is based in an old bus depot with long tables, high ceilings and a predominantly Sussex-sourced organic, health-driven menu. Try the grilled vine tomatoes on sourdough and porridge. The Depot, 100 North Rd, Brighton, BN1 1YE; 01273 692894
Best for a view
Hive Beach Cafe
Jutting out over Chesil Bank on Dorset's impressive Jurassic coastline is this rickety but chic cafe. The French toast and kippers are excellent, as is the vast seafront terrace with views all the way to West Bay. Just take care not to get sand in your food. Burton Bradstock, DT6 4RF; 01308 897 070
Best for vegetarians
St Ali
One of the many Aussie cafe/coffee roasteries to open in London. The bacon and eggs are great but not a patch on the vegetarian house speciality – corn fritters – which come huge and buttery, served with spinach, halloumi, kasundi (pickle) and eggs. 27 Clerkenwell Rd, London EC1M 5RN; 020 7253 5754
Best for coffee
Caravan
The second Antipodean roastery on the list, Caravan is famed for its Probat roaster, located in the basement, which roasts small batches of beans daily and varies its bean blends by season. Knocks out a fine flat white, too. 11-13 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QD; 020 7833 8115
Best for glamour
The Delaunay
The team behind the Wolseley opened this restaurant last year in a similar, decadent vein. Think panelling, marble floors and waiters in better suits than the clientele. The menu isn't vast (Viennoiserie or eggs) but that's not why you come here. 55 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BB; 020 7499 8558
Best for a bacon sandwich
St John, Bread & Wine
At this, the least formal of the three St John outposts, the bacon is proper thick-cut Gloucester old spot, the bread is chargrilled not toasted, and the whole thing's the size of a hardback. 94 Commercial St, London E1 6LZ; 020 3301 8069
