With the launch of London Underground’s Night Tube from September there’s no reason not to party all night…
…and, if you’re feeling hungry at the end of your night out, here are a few suggestions across the capital on where to fill your belly before heading back for some much-needed sleep.
Balans Soho Society, a local stalwart, lives by the philosophy ‘too much of a good thing is a good thing’ and offers 24-hour dining in its café or restaurant, with ‘The High Society Eggs Benedict’ available alongside Balans ‘delicious’ Spritz.
Nearest tube stations: Leicester Square – Piccadilly/Northern lines, Piccadilly Circus – Piccadilly line
VQ (formerly known as Vingt-Quatre – 24 is a casual, 24-hour staple tucked-away near Tottenham Court Road, offering delicious, home-style breakfasts (no alcohol served between 2-8am). It’s the perfect pit-stop if you’re heading north or south on the Northern line.
Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court Road – Northern line
The Wolseley
Looking for a taste of luxury with your eggs? The Delaunay and The Wolseley (both opening from 7am) will not let you down. Café-restaurants renowned for their haute-levels of service set within the grand European style – order from the Viennoiserie (baked goods made from yeast-leavened dough with a rich, sweet character) at The Wolsley and expect all manner of eggs at the Delaunay.
Nearest tube stations: Covent Garden – Piccadilly line / Charing Cross – Northern and Piccadilly Circus – Piccadilly line
Heading west make sure you pop into Raouls in the heart of Notting Hill. Tuck into eggs of every dimension and aromatic coffee while you wait for Portobello Market to get going. Or, go to the far-end of the Central line to breakfast at Bill’s in Ealing Broadway, fast becoming a British institution for its rustic, countryside-inspired interiors and scrumptious farm-house fare.
Nearest tube station: Notting Hill Gate – Central line and Ealing Broadway – Central line
The Breakfast Club at Canary Wharf. Images Source: Canary Wharf
Out in east London, the Breakfast Club at Canary Wharf offers beefy breakfasts within a 1980s’ inspired setting. If you prefer your breakfast in a proper ‘greasy-spoon’ café check out E Pellicci in the heart of Shoreditch. It’s a classic of its kind – and has been in the same family since 1900 – with an art-deco interior and wood-panelled walls dating back to 1946. The food is classic British too, think chunky chips, eggs, bacon and baked beans.
Nearest tube station: Canary Wharf – Jubilee line and Bethnal Green – Central line
And over in south London, feast upon buttermilk pancakes, sweetcorn fritters and its signature ‘stack’ featuring home-made baked beans, chorizo, poached eggs, hollandaise and red pepper pesto at The Table, a hop, step and jump from Tate Modern, the South Bank and Borough Market.
Nearest tube station: Southwark – Jubilee line
Rise and Shine – early morning activities across the Night Tube map
With the Underground running 24 hours over the weekend it’s just as easy to embark on an early morning activity as much as it is to stay out all night partying! If you’re an early riser, check out these activities to really kick-start your day.
Tri-Yoga sessions will get you saluting to the sun at day-break; there’s a class to suit all levels at its Chelsea, Soho, Covent Garden and Camden centres. Or, if you prefer exercise of a different kind, and with different kit, a Cities at Dawn Photography workshop will introduce you to London at its most ethereal, whatever the weather; beginning an hour before daybreak, you will discover a different view of London as you are led around it hidden corners and secret lanes.
Nearest tube stations: Camden – Northern line / Covent Garden – Piccadilly line and Gloucester Road – Piccadilly line / Oxford Circus – Victoria line
Beat the crowds with a leisurely tour of London, on a Royal London Morning Tour; see the city wake ups from the comfort of your coach and enjoy a private guided tour of the Tower of London with a Yeoman Warder; a highlight is being one of the first groups to visit the Crown Jewels on the day of your tour.
Nearest tube station for departure: Victoria – Victoria line
To truly embrace London, a wander through its working markets at dawn is a must. Stroll through New Covent Garden Market (in south-west London), the largest fruit, vegetable and flower market in Britain, and enjoy the theatre of sellers and buyers haggle of prices – bacon butties (sandwiches) and steaming coffee will keep you awake (4am start).
Nearest tube station: Vauxhall – Victoria line
Portobello Road, Notting Hill
In west London, head to Portobello Road, home to one of the world’s best-known markets. Market stalls stretch a mile along Portobello Road and round the corner into Golborne Road, and it’s a haven for bargain hunters and lovers of fashion, books, music and antiques. Get there early (from 8am) for the best buys.
Nearest tube station: Notting Hill Gate – Central line
Before the week begins again head to east London for the most satisfying Sunday experience – Columbia Road Flower Market sees the street transformed into an oasis of colour, eccentric characters and amazing scents. An East End character in its own right the market quirky cafés and shops have sprung up along its borders making this a quintessential London destination (from 8am).
Nearest tube station: Bethnal Green – Central line
For more information on London visit www.visitbritain.com