Avocado toast is the most iconic brunch dish that has taken East London by storm. With its creamy avocado, crunchy toast, and endless topping possibilities, it’s no wonder that avocado toast has become a staple on menus across the city.
But with so many options to choose from, where can you find the best avocado toast in East London? In this blog post, we’ll take you on a culinary journey through the top spots serving up this beloved dish. From trendy cafes to cosy brunch spots, we’ll uncover the hidden gems and local favourites.
Pavilion
Pavilion is our top favourite. It started as a beloved bakery nestled within the heart of East London’s Victoria Park, renowned for its artisanal bread and delectable avocado toast. They now have a shop next to Brick Lane and one in Broadway Market, covering East London’s most iconic areas. Although these two do not serve food and work as a bakery only for now.
Made with thick slices of freshly baked sourdough bread, creamy smashed avocado, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, Pavilion Bread’s avocado toast is a simple yet satisfying treat. Topped with a sprinkle of sea salt and a squeeze of lemon juice, it strikes the perfect balance of flavours and textures, making it the ideal choice for breakfast, lunch, or a midday snack.
Another great dish is the Dal. It’s delicious.
Friends of Ours
Friends of Ours is a Shoreditch-based brunchery offering a classic avocado toast topped with perfectly poached eggs, cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of chili flakes on sourdough bread. It’s a delicious and hearty option that’s perfect for brunch.
Besides that, their menu includes cabbage toast, bacon focaccia, Çilbir and other classics like french toast.
Pophams
Pophams is probably the newest and yet most successful on the list. It’s an artisanal bakery and restaurant based in Islington, London Fields and Victoria Park. They use traditional techniques and the best seasonal ingredients to create delicious, hand-crafted viennoiserie pastries and fresh pasta.
The coffee is developed and roasted with the guidance of Ozone. Their pastries are quite generous both in terms of size and taste.
However; they don’t offer avocado toast at the moment. They do have breakfast and lunch, and pasta in the evenings.
Mae + Harvey
Mae + Harvey is one of our favourites for sure. This small shop on Roman Road has been gaining popularity since the pandemic and is now super busy on weekends.
It’s a very small shop but cute and with a super warm atmosphere. Running by its owners, it offers around 8 dishes that rotate quite often.
At the moment they serve scrambled or fried eggs on toast with chives only on weekdays but that can change. We recommend trying the chicken sarni (probably their oldest signature dish), the scone with smoked salmon and the porridge (the best in the area for sure).
Café East
Café East is a super popular and busy coffee shop on Roman Road. It’s not very spacious and is normally crowded, so expect to queue outside for some time. It is also cash only so be prepared.
They offer traditional breakfast and brunch and also some main like burgers. All dishes come with an “almost artistic” twist. Besides toast and English breakfast, they are known for their colourful and fruity Pancakes and waffle breakfast.
E5 Bakehouse
E5 Bakehouse is another bakery founded in the heart of East London. With shops in Hackney and Poplar, they offer a commitment to sustainability and quality and prides itself on sourcing organic, locally grown grains and milling them in-house to create their signature bread, pastries, and cakes. From sourdough loaves to indulgent croissants, each product is crafted with care and precision, resulting in a range of baked goods that are as delicious as they are wholesome.
Beyond its delectable offerings, e5 Bakehouse serves as a vibrant hub for the community, hosting workshops, events, and gatherings that celebrate the art of baking and the joy of communal dining.
Ozone Coffee Roasters
Ozone Coffee Roasters offers a simple yet delicious avocado toast made with smashed avocado, cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of dukkah on sourdough bread.
It is an artisan roastery coffee shop with a dedication to sustainability that extends beyond its food menu to its coffee offerings. They offer a great variety of coffee beans with compostable packaging, they really have delicious blends worth trying.
If you are there, you cannot avoid trying their onsite bakery for breakfast, cakes, eggs and lunchtime snacks. The menu includes 3 different “on toast”, chilli eggs with labneh and Benedicts; but also Bavette steak and fresh pasta.
The Common E2
The Common E2 is a tiny coffee shop located in Old Bethnal Green Rd it is a favourite of many locals around the Cambridge Heath area. It boasts a dynamic and stylish atmosphere with brick walls, modern furniture, and plenty of natural light. The retail section showcases a thoughtfully curated selection of products, while the gallery space provides a platform for artistic expression.
Their signature dish is without a doubt the Avocado on Sourdough Bread with Asian Miso Slaw and Toasted Sesame Seeds. Other great options on the menu are the Sauté mushrooms on sourdough and The Canrobert.
Well Street Kitchen
Well Street Kitchen is a snug and independent brunchery serving coffees, classic and creative breakfasts and light lunches. It is known for its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, making it a favourite spot among locals.
Its menu comprises the usual suspects like avocado toast, granola bowl, eggs and beans in various ways, but also some heavier stuff like smoked beef brisket and BBQ pulled pork. With its warm ambience, delicious food, and friendly service, Well Street Kitchen is a go-to destination for a delicious meal or a leisurely coffee break in the heart of Hackney.
Attendant Coffee Roasters
Attendant is another coffee roastery selling “small batch hand-roasted speciality coffee” and serving breakfast and brunch.
Their menu typically features a range of freshly made sandwiches, salads, pastries, and baked goods, all crafted with quality ingredients and attention to detail. Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast sandwich to start your day, a light salad for lunch, or a sweet treat to accompany your coffee, it has you covered. Their menu also covers some classics like sourdough waffles, Shahuska and salmon beigel.
[Bonus] The Good Egg
The Good Egg is now a classic in East London. Located in Stoke Newington (with branches now in Camden and Margate), it is a casual breakfast-til-late neighbourhood spot serving New York and Middle Eastern-influenced dishes.
They do not have anything as simple as eggs on toast at the moment, but their menu is extremely rich in Middle Eastern flavours that we couldn’t leave off the list. Expect to try one of the best Shakshuka. Their menu also includes Lamb Shawarma and a Levantine Brunch.