The story
Pollicci's Cafe on Bethnal Green Road carries a rare 4.8 rating and a century-plus legacy. Jack’s Dining Room calls it the "most famous English breakfast in London," run by "an 85-year-old grandma for 125 years." Mark Wiens echoes the sentiment, describing it as a "legendary East End cafe" serving an "incredible full English breakfast and Italian dishes" with "phenomenal hospitality." The menu straddles English and Italian traditions: alongside the fry-up, Wiens highlights lasagna, penne ragu, and pesto.
The signature Fully Loaded Breakfast is, per Jack, "delicious despite being unhealthy," with fried bread as a standout component. It’s no-fuss cafe cooking that feels both timeless and personal—a breakfast as much about atmosphere and history as the plate itself. With a grandmother at the helm and a reputation built over generations, this genuine local spot is worth the queue.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2025.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 9 dish mentions say about the food
Pollicci's Cafe earns consistent praise for its boldly seasoned black pudding, a standout dish that anchors a menu described as rustic yet refined. The overall vibe is one of unfussy warmth, where hearty flavors meet genuine hospitality.
“I need a nap after this. It's one of those things where when you put everything together in one bite, it's delicious. Healthwise I'd recommend it to no one, but enjoyment wise I'd probably recommend it.”
“This full English breakfast is gigantic. The Cumberland sausage has a really smooth texture with a skin that pops, and the bacon is thick and meaty, not streaky — the fatty bit at the end is perfectly crispy. The black pudding is creamy with a crispy bark, and the white pudding is dense and crunchy. The fried bread stays crispy even after absorbing the egg yolk, and the tomatoes are so juicy they flood your mouth with tomato juice. The mushrooms are silky and release juice when you bite them. The pesto they give you on the side is phenomenal — so much basil and garlic, it works on everything including the hash browns.”
What creators say
3 creators have covered Pollicci's Cafe. Most active: Jack's Dining Room , Mark Wiens
Shorts 1
Videos 2
- Jack's Dining RoomLoved
Trying the best English breakfast in London PT.2 📍Pellicci’s Cafe #london #food · @ 0:17
Jack loves the full English breakfast at Pellicci's, especially the berry pie with custard, and enjoys the lively banter.
Dishes mentioned
Full English Breakfast
I need a nap after this. It's one of those things where when you put everything together in one bite, it's delicious. Healthwise I'd recommend it to no one, but enjoyment wise I'd probably recommend it.
Black Pudding
Next up, the traditional blood sausage — literally blood and oats, then they fry it and cut it into a little patty. I'm a fan of the entire English breakfast, so I guess I'm a fan of this too.
Homemade Berry Pie with Custard
Wow, I don't even like pie but that's delicious. It's so soft and warm, and the custard on top is amazing.
E. Pellicci is a legendary East End cafe that has been running for 126 years, serving an incredible full English breakfast and Italian dishes with phenomenal hospitality and a lively atmosphere.
Dishes mentioned
Full English Breakfast
This full English breakfast is gigantic. The Cumberland sausage has a really smooth texture with a skin that pops, and the bacon is thick and meaty, not streaky — the fatty bit at the end is perfectly crispy. The black pudding is creamy with a crispy bark, and the white pudding is dense and crunchy. The fried bread stays crispy even after absorbing the egg yolk, and the tomatoes are so juicy they flood your mouth with tomato juice. The mushrooms are silky and release juice when you bite them. The pesto they give you on the side is phenomenal — so much basil and garlic, it works on everything including the hash browns.
Lasagna
The lasagna is so creamy and rich — it's almost custardy. The layers are completely saturated with cheese and meat, and there's just enough acidity from the tomato to contrast the richness of the cream. The edge of the cheese is amazing. It's definitely not bought in — Mama made it.
Penne Ragu
It's such a nice meaty sauce. You may not want to eat anything without it after you try it.
Pesto
This pesto is award-winning. So much basil and chunks of garlic. They should bottle this and sell it in supermarkets. It's phenomenal on everything — even on a full English breakfast.
