Sure you could be hitting up the smashed avo on sourdough for brunch. But when you could be enjoying the calorific delights of French toast, is there any real contest between the two? Here's our pick of London restaurants and cafes serving up exemplary French toast right now.
Christopher’s
Covent Garden - 18 Wellington St, London WC2E 7DD
French toast's origins may have been in ancient Rome (we're not making that up) but it was first given the title of French toast in America. So it's fitting that American restaurant Christopher's should be serving up one of the best in town. Of the two options the one you want to go for is the chocolate brioche toast which sits in a pool of chocolate sauce or your choosing, milk or dark.
Esters
Stoke Newington - 55 Kynaston Rd, London N16 0EB
Much beloved by Stokey families, this neighbourhood cafe always has a French toast offering on for brunch and it's regularly given a seasonal update. Right now it features poached quince (supplied by one of the cafe's neighbours), quinoa crispies, tonka cream and almond praline butter.
Crome
Marylebone - 36 James St, London W1U 1ES
As London's first (maybe only?) French toast cafe, you'd very much expect the signature dish to hit the mark and thankfully it does. There are seven iterations of French toast you can order, but if you're a menu ditherer just opt for the French toast flight for a taste of the five most popular orders.
Pavyllon
Mayfair - Hamilton Pl, London W1J 7DR
Currently the hot spot in Mayfair when it comes to bougie breakfasts, Pavyllon's French toast is looked after by Senior Chef de Partie Sian Almond, who’s a pretty big deal on Instagram. They call it the ultimate French toast, made with caramelized hazelnuts and an almost unseemly amount of whipped cream.
Hoko
Shoreditch - 224 Brick Ln, London E1 6SA
Homesick Hong Kong folk and curious Londoners alike tip up at this Brick Lane cafe at the weekends looking for either a hit of home or somethign a bit different to the usual brunch menu. Here at Hoko, the big question to ask yourself when you order the Hong Kong French toast is whether you're opting for golden syrup or condensed milk as a topping. There is no wrong answer.
The Good Egg
Stoke Newington & Walthamstow
Both the London branches of The Good Egg feature the babka French toast on their brunch menus. You have two options in terms of toppings, both of which are heavily figgy. The first is covered with fig and honey syrup and a fig leaf oil. The second is topped with tahini shortbread, fresh figs and labneh. Both are a valid life choice.
Hide
Piccadilly - 85 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NB
Whether you're a business breakfaster or weekend bruncher, the French toast at Hide is always a good option. It's a strong, but sweet, start to the day particularly if you nab a window table with great views over Green Park. It's topped with blueberry compote and crème crue - a raw, naturally cultured creme fraiche.
Kudu
Marylebone - 7 Moxon St, London W1U 4EP
One of the signature brunch desserts at Kudu has always been their babka pain perdu and the good news is that the dish has survived the restaurant group's move into central London. Now available as part of their weekend terrace menu, and based on chef Patrick Williams' family recipy, it's freshly made each morning with the twists of dough filled with Belgian dark chocolate before being baked in loaf tins.
Lantana
Fitzrovia, London Bridge and Shoreditch
There are two French toasts on offer at this Aussie cafe. The savoury route takes you to fried chicken karaage version, which comes drizzled with chilli maple syrup. If you're more of a sweet-toothed person, then you'll be wanting the passionfruit French toast, which has the toasted brioche piled high with passionfruit cream, berry compote and hazelnut sesame crumble.
The Ninth
Fitzrovia - 22 Charlotte St, London W1T 2NB
Chef Jun Tanaka's legendary pain perdu hasn't been off the menu since he opened his Charlotte Street restaurant. Blowtorched to give it a caramelised top, it's served with vanilla ice-cream and crumble and is, frankly, a slice of heaven.
Popina
Mayfair - 83 Duke St, London W1K 5PF
There's a French toast for everyone at Mayfair restaurant Popina, from Chocolate, pistachio and white chocolate cream or Nutella and strawberries to forest berries, sour cream and maple syrup. Order either of the last two and you can tell yourself that's one of your five a day sorted.
Shackfuyu
Soho - 14A Old Compton St, London W1D 4TJ
One of London's first breakout French toasts on Instagram, the kinako French toast at Shackfuyu with its matcha soft serve. Grace Dent called it London's "greatest new pudding" when it first debuted in 2015 and it's still just as good today.
Sunday
Islington - 169 Hemingford Rd, London N1 1DA
This Barnsbury cafe's weekend brunch has folk queuing round the block. And one of the dishes they've come for is Sunday's brioche French toast with creme fraiche, berry compote, banana and salted caramel.
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