We've all been there. Bleary-eyed, head pounding and mouth as dry as a camel's you-know-what. As a chef, it may be that the last thing you want to do when you're hungover is cook, so if you're lucky enough to have a day off, why not head to one of these for the best breakfast to sort you out?
'Duck Hash':
crispy confit duck with sweet potato, baby spinach, spring onion, chilli, coriander and a poached egg by The Black Penny, London
The Black Penny is a stone's throw away from Drury Lane. With 19th-century-inspired interiors across two floors, it's inspired by the very first English coffee houses and has quite a bit of character. These were known as 'Penny Universities', where serious debate was encouraged. Whilst they do have a Seminar Pit downstairs, The Black Penny recognises that debates sometimes simply aren't necessary when you just want to enjoy your lunch. A delicious, inventive brunch menu is available from 9am to 3pm, including this 'Duck Hash', which is gluten free, and has just the right amout of spice to hit that sweet spot!
Shakshuka
eggs, onion, peppers, tomatoes, herbs & spices, bread for dunkin'
The Pig and Pastry, York
The Pig and Pastry is a family-run café in York, serving quality breakfasts using many locally-sourced ingredients. In 2015 they launched a cookbook to raise money for children's cancer charity, Candlelighters. The cookbook sold out in just eight weeks, but due to popular demand, The Pig and Pastry have brought it back! This dish is taken from the cookbook, and chef Steve Holding assures us it's a winner for the hungover souls out there. A recipe from a Moroccan colleague of his (which came with no quantities!), Steve really has put his stamp on this hearty, warming breakfast.
eggy banana bread with caramelised banana, maple cream and toasted pecans
by Tom Cenci, executive chef at Duck and Waffle, London
Tom Cenci is the executive chef at Duck and Waffle, an all-day dining restaurant on the 40th floor of 110 Bishopsgate in London. Working alongside fellow breakfast-hero and chef Dan Doherty, the pair serve their quirky take on British cuisine that has even gained a following over in Hong Kong! This eggy banana bread recipe from Tom is guaranteed to sort your hangover out, particularly if you have a sweet tooth...
Huevos Rancheros slow cooked pinto beans, corn tortilla, red and green salsa, fried eggs Bakers and Co, Bristol
A Mexican 'breakfast of champions', Huevos Rancheros is a flavour-filled, recovery-fuelling dish from Bristol favourites Bakers and Co. A gluten-free version of this breakfast with non-gluten tortilla is also available. With a menu inspired by their travels to the buzzing San-Francisco foodie scene, Bakers and Co offer tasty, hot brunches from just £3.95! They were also recently named in The Guardian's '50 best breakfasts in the UK'.
Mezze Breakfast includes: Aegean olives, grilled halloumi, house chilli eggs and much more! Firedog, London
Firedog is a cool and vibrant Aegean Restaurant in Fitzrovia. Combining Turkish and Greek cuisines in a relaxed environment, the chefs are serving up massive sharing platters, perfect for you and a few friends! Their Mezze Breakfast (served until 4pm) is a force to be reckoned with. For just £18 a head you can tuck in to...
Selection of Firedog jams, compound butter
Lemon curd, clotted cream, organic honeycomb
Tomatoes, purple basil, olive oil
Cucumber, lemon zest, poppy seeds
Unsalted young cheese, sour cherry compote
Freshly made Lor with walnuts, thyme, olive oil
Wood roasted tahini with caroub molasses
Candied pumpkins with hung yoghurt
Aegean olives
Sundried tomato and pepper paste
Grilled halloumi, feta Sujuk, charred spring onions
House chilli eggs
All served with grilled sourdough and flatbread
Poached free-range eggs on toast, hollandaise sauce and pan-fried spinach Mustard, London
Who doesn't love a runny poached egg? A take on the classic breakfast favourite eggs florentine, this dish from Mustard is sure to stop your tummy rumbling. Mustard are a quirky British brasserie located in the busy Shepherd's Bush area of London. Their brunch menu is served from 10am-5pm on weekends, so it doesn't matter if you stay in bed for a few hours first!
American Style Pancakes
with maple syrup butter and strawberries
Urban Pantry, London
Urban Pantry is an Aussie and Kiwi inspired café in Chiswick. They're renowned for awesome breakfasts and brunch food and as you can see from these mouth-watering American style pancakes from just £5.50, it's no wonder why! You can even add bacon to these for a really naughty treat. Urban Pantry pride themselves on using natural and organic ingredients where possible, and they won TimeOut's 'Best Cafe in Chiswick' Award and came runners up in the 2016 Observer Food Monthly Awards.
Have we missed somewhere? Think your breakfast beats these? Comment below or upload your recipe to your profile and we'll share our favourites on social media!
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