Breakfast near our Hotel in London - Thistle Charing Cross
 

Are there any inexpensive places to have breakfast? I have a list of places for lunch and dinner, but not breakfast - won't do the hotel as I'm sure it's pricy.

Thanks!

Monica

There are quite a few cafes around you could have some pastries/bagels. For quite and nicer place, perhaps you could try "Inn the Park" in St.James Park(5 minutes walk from Charing Cross)they open for brakfast from 8AM, very nice for a morning walk too.

Simpson's In the Strand offers traditional English breakfast, but expensive.

Several places around Leicester Square offer breakfast,but I haven't tried yet.

Actually I really enjoy breakfast at Thistle Charing Cross, the breakfast room on the first floor is light and spacious,food is quite good also.

Thanks Judy. I would imagine the food to be expensive at the hotel??

Monica ((F))

Hi Monica, we satyed there and liked it very much. Thet had a breakfast buffet and it was nice. and we did it once. We preferred going out for bagels and sometimes to the station right below us. We would do rolls and such from various places. My DH loved the French bread bkfsts snawiches at the Au Bon Pain type place nearest the entrance in the station...fabulous!!!!

What is a "DH" again?

Monica, I an afraid I don't know the cost of breakfast, as last 3-4 stays(including last month) I have booked through Londontown.com, it was included.

If you don't mind a little walk, "Pual Boulangerie" at Covent Garden has very good breakfast,they open from 7:30.

Thanks for the additional information. Are there a few eateries at the train station?

Monica ((F))

DH means dumb hunk.

A male and a DH.

Degas - All this time I thought DH meant "Darling Husband"

I don't know how edible the food is or how reasonable the prices, but I have noticed the restaurant in the Embankment Gardens advertises that it serves breakfast. The locale is certainly charming and not far from your hotel.

The restaurant in the Embankment Gardens serves a decent tea and cake at a fair price, so that would be looking at. Also the length of Villiers Street has various fast meals places, which may offer breakfast. Anything inside the station costs a lot, as the station management charge high rents. I expect to be there next week, and I shall look at the pedestrianised lane at the east end of St Martin in the Field, north of the Oscar Wsilde monument, for a cheap café. I know a good one north of the National Gallery, on the walk to Leicester Square, but that is perhaps a bit far, ten minutes from the hotel.

Welcome to London

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I too think DH means "darling ( or dear) husband!
It sound kinder anyway, doesn't it?

Thanks Ben! I look forward to your review.

Thank you everyone!

Monica ((F))

" I expect to be there next week, and I shall look at the pedestrianised lane at the east end of St Martin in the Field, north of the Oscar Wsilde monument, for a cheap café. I know a good one north of the National Gallery, on the walk to Leicester Square, but that is perhaps a bit far, ten minutes from the hotel."

Hi Ben, did you ever get the chance to check out the areas you mentioned? Any good finds?

Thanks!

Monica ((F))

Monica, are you sure breakfast isn't included ? I've stayed in Thistle hotels a lot & breakfast has always been included.

Don't know how cheap and on the fly you want to get with breakfast but I seem to recall that there is a Tesco's (gocery store) and Marks & Spencer (with food/takeout department) that are both on the fringe of Covent Garden area. Just in case you want to stock basic breakfast items in your room. As others have mentioned there are some small cafes on Villiers and in the Covent Garden area that you might want to look into.

I got my hotel via Priceline, so it's not included.

Good idea about the grocery stores. I do want to go as inexpensive as possible since London is expensive.

Thanks for your suggestions!

Happy New Year.

Monica ((F))

Monica,

You may want to try a B&B on a future visit to London. Breakfast is included, of course. Much cheaper than a hotel. The money I save by staying in a B&B in the suburbs pays for my plane ticket. Another vote for the grocery stores. Lots of ways to save money in London. I've been back one month and miss it. Can't wait to get back!

I don't think anyone else has mentioned this so I'll brave it - there is a McDonald's on the Strand. I know, I know... but it is cheap.

Sorry: I forgot, and went to Paris, which is a long way for brreakfast. I shall be in Waterloo on 5 January, so shall try to remember to go to check then. It is in my diary.

Ben Haines

<i>&quot;I don't think anyone else has mentioned this so I'll brave it - there is a McDonald's on the Strand. I know, I know... but it is cheap.&quot;</i>

LOL! Afraid you'll get sent to the Tower? :) Nothing wrong with a quick, cheap breakfast at McD's. A nice full English breakfast is fine once or twice during a visit, but everyday can be a bit much.

Maybe things have changed, but I happened to notice that the MacDonald's on the Strand was not open in the mornings. I remember remarking at the time that they must not have discovered Egg MacMuffins in the UK yet.

I'll also mention that there is a Pret and Manger practically across the street from your hotel. I happen to love the place for quick and cheap breakfast. They do a great fresh fruit and yoghurt cup, or a smoked salmon sandwich, or even fresh sushi. What great healthy breakfast ideas. Or do like I do and go for the hot croissant with bacon, cheese, and tomato -- delicious. Besides the good cappucino is only something like 1.29.

&quot;Pret and Manger &quot; I have this on my list of food places. Glad to know there is one near my hotel.

Monica ((F))

Monica, you'd have to blind and still keep your eyes closed to miss one anywhere in London. Never fear.

LOL!! Okay Patrick, thanks.

Monica ((F))

Today, Sunday the second, at two pm I surveyed coffee houses on Villiers Street, from Embankment underground station along Villiers Street to the top of the road, with the Thistle Charing Cross to my right. I read notices and asked questions, and here are the results. Please assume coffee and teabag tea at each place.

Costa, opposite the Embankment underground station north exit. Mon and Tues 030 to 1930, Weds to Fri 0700 to 2130, Sat 0930 to 2030, Sun 0830 to 2030. Real tea is in the garden caf&eacute; in the gardens fifty yards downstream of Villiers Street, but I think not at breakfast.

Starbucks, opposite the first entry to the gardens. Mon to Thurs 0730 to 2100, Fri and Sat sorry I failed to note, Sun 0830 to 2030

Snax, opposite the back of the garden stage. Standing only. 0600 to 2200. Sandwiches, biryani, hot, take away only

Wasabi Sushi Bar opposite the second entry to the gardens. Mon to Fri 1100 to 2200, Sat and Sun 1100 to 2000

Treats. Take away only. Pasties, sausage rolls, samosas sandwiches. Mon to Sat 0800 to 2200, Sun 0800 to 2000

Bagels. Mon to Fri 0700 to 2100, sat 0900 to 1800, Sun 1000 to 1700
Eat. Salad, soup, wraps. Mon to Fri 0700 to 1800

Pompidou. Hot meals at table. Open 1100 Mon to Sat, 0900 Sun
Starbucks (another one). Mon to Fri 0700 to 2000, Sat and Sun 0900 to 2000

Pret a Manger. Sandwiches. Has tables. Mon to Fri 0730 to 1900, Sat 1100 to 1800, Sun closed

Sibarey. Has tables. Wraps, sandwiches. Corner of Villiers Street and John Adam Street. Mon to Fri open 0700, Sat open 0900, Sunday open 0930.

I was getting cold, so I am afraid I did not survey north of the Oscar Wilde monument. Maybe another day ?

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Thank Ben! I really appreciate it as I'm sure other London travelers will too.

Monica ((F))