“So, what’re you having?” your friend turns to you and asks. The waiter is hovering over you like a fly, and you’re panicking whilst you scan the menu without actually processing any words. It’s the hardest decision you may have to make all morning. 90% of the time, you’ll probably just stutter “Eggs Benedict, please” (a totally made up statistic but go with it). You know why? Because not only are they a classic breakfast option, they’re undeniably bloody delicious. That creamy Hollandaise. Those perfectly poached eggs. They just never get old.
London loves the Eggs Benny so much that everywhere you go, people seem to want to whip up their own version. If you thought the Eggs Royale and Eggs Florentine were different, you’re so very wrong. They’re merely the beginning of this Eggs Benedict revolution, and trust us, you’ll want to know about the rest of these bad boys. Viva la Eggs Benedict!
The Classic One
Eggs Benedict – The Wolseley
You can’t go wrong with the original, especially not with one from The Wolseley. You can get it with either ham or bacon, and either a small (one) or a large (two), but the answer is obvious, really. That muffin is as soft as a pillow.
The One With Lobster
Lobster Benedict – Hawksmoor Guildhall
https://instagram.com/p/563w3kvHEn/
Lobster for breakfast? Yes yes yes you classy thing. Pair it with a morning Marmalade Cocktail and you’ve got yourself possibly one of the best mornings.
The One With Bacon, Avo & Feta
Avocado Benedict – The Riding House Cafe
Order the Avocado Benedict and say yes to that cheeky addition of bacon. If anything’s going to fuel you for the rest of the day, it’s this!
The Fancy One
Eggs Arlington – The Delaunay
https://instagram.com/p/6XB1JLwNtG/
Your poached egg, gorgeously wrapped around with smoked salmon. Swoon. This baby also famously features at The Wolseley, so you’ve got two options if you’re hit with cravings!
The One That’s A Stack
The Stack – The Table Cafe
https://instagram.com/p/2iMCJrlUHL/
Are you dreaming? It’s a tower of chorizo, ham hock baked beans, toasted bagels, two poached eggs and drenched in Hollandaise. Drooling.
The Frenchie
Œuf mollet “bénédictine” à la façon Laudrée – Laurdrée in Harrods
https://instagram.com/p/2nCfG6oTCX/
Bonjour mon petit déjeuner. Forget the macarons and spoil yourself with some French breakfast loving instead. Or maybe save the macarons later. Oui s’il vous plaîtz!
The One With Pulled Pork
Eggs Pig Out – Ben’s Canteen
https://instagram.com/p/5gre89QVpS/
Ben has outdone himself again with his pulled pork masterpiece, topped with poached eggs and BC Hollandaise. He says to top it with a dash of hot sauce and pair with a Bloody Mary for perfection.
The Mexican One
Huevos al Benny – The Breakfast Club
https://instagram.com/p/5IBdXCRIR4/
Poached eggs, chorizo, roast peppers, avocado, fresh chillies, spicy Hollandaise. Add some home-style fried potatoes and you’ve got yourself a party!
The One with Bubble & Squeak
Eggs Benedict – Ozone Coffee Roasters
https://instagram.com/p/20syOepW4G/
Not only are they sat delightfully on top of Bubble ‘N’ Squeak Cakes, but you can have them with house cured salmon, pork belly, halloumi or bacon. Holy crap.
The One with Waffles
Ox Cheek Benedict & Smoked Salmon Royale – Duck & Waffle
https://instagram.com/p/6wfG40RGgE/
Up in the sky, Head Chef Dan Doherty’s masterpieces have had a facelift – onto waffles. Genius. Whether you’re in the mood for some Ox Cheek or Smoked Salmon, they’ve got you covered. Our vote is both.
The One with Pork Belly
Belly Benedict – Hash 8
https://instagram.com/p/3vp4HOigEy/
Pork belly slice, poached eggs, English muffin, breakfast potatoes, Hollandaise, spinach, umami dust. Winner winner.
The One with Spinach AND Avocado
Avocado and Spinach Benedict – The Ivy Chelsea Garden
Not one green, but two. It’s basically a salad, more or less. Just go with it. Oh, and you’re in one of the most happening places in London.
The Mediterranean One (With Sausage)
Eggs Mediterranean – The Blue Legume
https://instagram.com/p/zZlGZZgRZL/
A toasted English muffins topped with spinach, garlic sausage, poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce. They’re also rumoured to have one of the best Hollandaise sauces in London. Oh yeah.
The One With Perfect Eggs
Eggs Benedict – Counter Cafe
If you want to sit and gaze over the water whilst eating perfectly poached eggs, this is your place. Whether it’s ham or salmon, these bad boys will satisfy all Eggs Benny cravings.
The One With Tea Smoked Salmon
Eggs Benedict – The Modern Pantry
https://instagram.com/p/5CepPAJ0L1/
Are you up for some tea smoked salmon? Or are more of a smoked streaky bacon gal or a grilled asparagus kind of guy? Whatever you pick, expect it with two poached eggs, toasted English muffin, yuzu hollandaise, hazelnut & macadamia dukkah. Om nom nom.
The Legendary One
The Ultimate Truffled Eggs Benedict – Tom’s Kitchen
Tom’s Kitchen Chelsea have been known to pop the ‘Ultimate Truffled Eggs Benedict’ on their specials board. For £18, you’ll get a muffin topped with a poached duck egg, prosciutto and hollandaise topped with gratings of truffle. Can we put in a special request? Please?
The One When You Can’t Decide
Eggs 3 Ways – The Lido Cafe
For when you can’t decide, you don’t have to. Benedict, Florentine, Royale, all waiting for you.
The Beetroot One
Goat’s Curd and Beetroot Borani Benedict – Sunday
https://instagram.com/p/5UVxccMnD-/
If you’re not into that enough, there’s even avocado and pistachio aillade up in there. Zomg.
The Mushroom One
Portabello Mushroom Benedict – Bluebird Chelsea
https://instagram.com/p/2Lrv3durqS/
Simple and perfect. Why aren’t these in more places?
The One Topped With Flowers
Eggs Benny – MUD Tooting
This baby was made for Instagram. Pork belly or cured salmon? With sourdough, burford brown egg, brown butter hollandaise. I repeat: Brown. Butter. Hollandaise.