Where to Catch a Pre-Olympic Breakfast in East London

1. Counter Café

7 Roach Road, Fish Island, London E3 2PA (map)
Price: Full English, £10

There’s a little bridge leading from the Olympic Park to Fish Island. Here, you’ll find Forman’s Smokehouse for a posh dinner and The Fringe for posh drinks, but the place you’re looking for is Counter Café at Stour Space for breakfast. Their homemade baked beans, ketchup, and potato cakes are amazing, as is the vegetarian breakfast. They serve brunch until late in the afternoon, a convenient option for jetlagged Olympic spectators before heading off to the games.

2. Bistrotheque

23-27 Wadeson Street, London, E2 9DR (map)
Price: £15 per head

Breakfasting at Bistrotheque means having the chance to sample their top-class menu at a fraction of the price of dinner. Their menu includes items like deep-fried duck egg, parmesan polenta with mushrooms, and smoked duck. Come here for a special brunch with a glass of champagne. Saturday is always busy with locals, so making a reservation is a good idea.

3. Creperie du Monde

51 Chatsworth Road London, E5 0LH (map)
Price: Under £8

Sunday is market day on Chatsworth Road in Homerton, and the station is just 2 stops away from the Olympic Park by overground. The Creperie serve huge portions of crepes and pancakes. Our Brunch Favourite crepe is my top pick — scrambled eggs and smoked salmon with asparagus and hollandaise. Their coffee also comes from local East London roasters Climpson & Sons. There’s always a selection of daily papers, a few outdoor seats, and a cosy basement for nippy English summers.

4. Pavilion Café

Victoria Park, Crown Gate West E9 7DE (map)
Price: Under £10

The Pavilion overlooks the lake in Victoria Park, which is the base for Olympic cycling events, and will also have screens for local residents hosted by BT. Staff have been handpicked as the best baristas in East London, and their coffee comes from local roaster Square Mile. For something different and delicious, go for the Klippers, served with a poached egg and potato cakes.

5. Caravan

11-13 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QD (map)
Price: £9 or less

Caravan serve breakfast until 4pm. The menu is extensive, with a lot of international influence. The chefs here like to mix unusual flavours — the rabbit with black pudding and pickled nectarine is terrific. Order a few small plates to share, a really strong coffee, and finish with blueberry friands.