Welcome to Billingsgate Cafe
Nestled within the iconic Billingsgate Market in London, Billingsgate Cafe is a hidden gem that elevates your seafood breakfast experience. Celebrated for its freshly prepared dishes, the cafe tantalizes patrons with delights like the scallop and bacon roll and perfectly cooked smoked salmon. Early risers cite its charm, bustling atmosphere, and quality service. As you sip on rich coffee, the aroma of the sea wafts around you, inviting you to savor every bite. With dishes that balance flavor and generous portion sizes, Billingsgate Cafe promises an unforgettable start to your day, making it a must-visit for seafood lovers.
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Billingsgate Market, Trafalgar Wy., London E14 5ST, United Kingdom Hotline: +44 20 7531 6671
Nestled within the vibrant Billingsgate Market in London, Billingsgate Cafe stands out as a beacon for seafood lovers and breakfast enthusiasts. The cafe, located at Trafalgar Wy., London E14 5ST, brilliantly captures the essence of a bustling fish market while serving as a cozy haven for those seeking a hearty morning meal.
One of the highlights here is the seafood breakfast menu, featuring delectable options such as scallops, smoked salmon, sea bass, and haddock. However, it is the Scallop Bacon Roll that has garnered rave reviews and deserves special mention. Customers rave about its garlicky, buttery scallops topped with crispy bacon, served in a fresh bun that perfectly complements the dish's umami explosion.
- John Horton rates it an incredible "11/10," emphasizing that there's no better way to start the day than with a scallop and bacon roll paired with great coffee.
- Yulin highlights the "flavorful and juicy" scallops, noting the "nicely chewy" buns and appreciating the perfectly cooked eggs served with the haddock.
- Shame A Name praises the filling scallop breakfast, finding it incredibly reasonable at just £12, including coffee, while enjoying the historic ambiance of the cafe.
Those who's visited Billingsgate Cafe often find it challenging to leave without ordering multiple dishes. Giselle Rosita recalls the unforgettable experience of shopping at the market, coupled with the seamless service and high-quality food available at the cafe. Binoj Jacob describes the market atmosphere as vibrant and theatrical, making the morning excursion an experience in itself.
Moreover, the cafe opens its doors at an early 4 a.m., allowing patrons to enjoy their meals before diving into the market's hustle. The perfectly done eggs on the haddock dish serve as an excellent contrast to the freshness of the seafood offerings. While some customers may note the occasional inconsistency in seasoning, the overall sentiment leans towards a genuinely delightful experience.
In summary, Billingsgate Cafe transcends the boundaries of a regular breakfast spot. It’s not just about the food; it’s about immersion in a lively market culture that echoes through its walls. The combination of fresh seafood, exceptional coffee, and a captivating environment makes it a must-visit destination in London. Make sure to take the plunge and try the Scallop Bacon Roll—your taste buds will thank you!
11/10… if you are getting up at 4am what better start to the day than a scallop and bacon roll! Great coffee too. See you next time!
A very good and unforgettable experience to shop at the market and take a wonderful breakfast in the cafe. Service and food quality are very good.
Such a good breakfast, scallops cooked to perfection!
Highly recommend Scallop Bacon Roll! The scallop was so flavourful and juicy, the bacon is a bit salty, the buns were nicely chewy, best breakfast bun I’ve had! I wasn’t so keen on the haddock breakfast, I was expecting fresh fish but instead the haddock was very salty and tasted like preserved fish - get the half haddock if you just wanted to try, it is quite a decent portion, and impressed by the perfectly done eggs on top of the haddock, all breakfast come with tea/coffee. We went to the cafe around 4:40am, it wasn’t busy and people started trickling in from then on and was packed when I was eating. In terms of service, we were rushed to order and didn’t have enough time to look through the menu, ended up making two separate orders.
Billingsgate Fish Market is an absolute gem for anyone who loves seafood—or just a bit of authentic London hustle and bustle. From the moment the doors swing open in the pre-dawn glow, you’re immersed in a vibrant, almost theatrical atmosphere of banter, ice crunching underfoot, and the unmistakably fresh scent of the sea. The range is extraordinary: gleaming turbot, towering stacks of crabs, boxes of shell-on prawns, even live scallops snapping in their shells. Every trader I spoke to was friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to share tips on storage, prep, and cooking. Prices are remarkably reasonable for the quality; you can walk away with restaurant-grade fish for a fraction of what you’d pay retail. A couple of practical perks seal the deal: on-site parking makes those 4 a.m. wake-ups less daunting, and the market café serves a cracking bacon or smoked-salmon sandwich to fuel the morning haul. Bring a cool box, some cash, and curiosity—you’ll leave with the freshest catch in London and a story or two to tell. Billingsgate isn’t just a market; it’s a sunrise adventure that reminds you why London’s culinary heart still beats strong by the docks.
We have read recommendations about the scallop breakfast so we had to try it. Definitely did not disappointment. It was quite filling, the garlicky buttery taste of the scallops laid on top of a shell was delicious. 12 for this to include coffee is very reasonable in my humble opinion. We also had the scallops bacon roll and for 6 with coffee is worth it. Charming cafe with historic photos on the wall. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would say the same thing ... don't miss having a relaxing breakfast here when visiting the fish market.
After doing our shopping at the market we had breakfast at the café. We had the bacon and scallops bun. It comes with tea or coffee and for 6 it's quite good value. The bun was super soft and the scallops were covered in delicious butter
Had a bacon and scallop roll, it was absolutely delicious. The bacon was crispy, the scallops flavourful and the roll was so fresh. Nice cup of coffee too!