The best French toast in London

Chic rustic eatery The Buttery is based in upmarket Belgravia. This cute spot has a homey look and serves a relaxed menu of breakfast and brunch recipes, as well as dishes like salads and burgers later on in the day. Start the morning with granola, eggs Benedict, a fry-up, or indulgent Nutella French toast with mascarpone, fruit, nuts, and Oreo crumbs.

Michelin-starred restaurant Hide encompasses three spaces into one dramatic venue. Visit for an intimate drink, relaxed all day dining, or light dishes with great views of Green Park. Breakfast is served every day with fresh choices like baked pineapple wrapped in a croissant and soaked in caramel. Try the made-to-order French toast with blueberry compote and cream.

Shoreditch café Franze & Evans is famed for breakfast but also offers hot lunches and salads, quiches, and sandwiches from the counter. It's a contemporary space with a bustling atmosphere. Amongst the sweet and savoury breakfast options you'll find French toast with banana, blueberries, and maple syrup, but you can also add bacon for sweet-meets-salty flavours.

Classic brasserie Balans has spread from Soho to all over the city. These bohemian spots have a lively and cheeky character and serve food all day long. You can munch on brunch dishes at any time of day, as well as dinner specials. French toast comes in the form of eggy brioche served with caramelised banana, pecans, and warm maple butter.

Neighbourhood eatery Esters brings some gourmet flair to typical breakfast dishes. The interior is clean and simple so the cooking really shines. Dishes change regularly but expect your French toast to be loaded with tasty ingredients like blood orange, bergamot oil, macadamia panela cream, and polenta crumb for an elevated breakfast plate.

Hackney café Hash E8 knows a thing or two about brunch. Run by a husband-and-wife team, this humble neighbourhood eatery attracts some big crowds with unrestrained and indulgent cooking. There's something to suit every preference. If you're a French toast eater, go for the classic recipe with maple syrup or a French toast sandwich filled with bacon and peanut butter.

The globally inspired bistro NAC is located in Mayfair. Contemporary food is served in a relaxed space with pastel-coloured walls and banquettes. It's a popular choice for brunch, which is served every weekend. Take your pick from dishes like ricotta pancakes, shakshuka, and speculoos French toast topped off with raspberries and clotted cream.

Don't miss Eggbreak in Notting Hill. This neighbourhood eatery has a varied menu to suit all types of diners, with international dishes served in a comfortable modern space. There are sweet and savoury options on the menu, including French toast. Choose a savoury one with hot honey, poached eggs, and Middle Eastern seasonings or the sweet one with Nutella and mascarpone. 

Japanese izakaya Shackfuyu comes from the team behind Bone Daddies. This buzzy place began as a pop-up before going permanent in Soho. A variety of Japanese-inspired small and large plates are served in this modern spot but dessert is not to be missed. This place is famed for its Kinako French toast with a towering swirl of soft serve ice cream.

Neighbourhood eatery Sawyer & Gray is a top spot for coffee and dining in Islington. This local space creates a sociable environment where you can bring your dog but not your laptop. Breakfast is served on weekdays with an indulgent brunch at weekends. Brioche French toast is on the menu with a choice of two different toppings.

Get your French toast in Covent Garden at Ladurée. Best known for delicate macarons, the brand operates a sunny café serving brunch dishes, soup, sandwiches, and elegant cakes and sweets. There's plenty of terrace seating too. Try the French toast served with maple syrup or topped with ice cream, salted caramel, and pieces of caramel macaron.

You'll find several branches of Lantana around the city. These relaxed and tasteful venues bring a bit of Australian café culture to Londoners. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a weekend brunch are all served in these easy-going eateries. Globally-inspired dishes are on the menu, and for breakfast and brunch you can try French toast with lemon and raspberry.

Ultra-modern café Crome is decked out in lilac, neon, and metallics, and specialises in serving one thing - French toast. Get your thick and fluffy French toast here loaded with sweet or savoury toppings from banoffee to pepperoni pizza. Pair yours with speciality tea or coffee, lemonade, or a fruity mocktail. This place is vibrant and buzzy.

Located in Kensington, Ffiona's is an inclusive and homey restaurant that serves dinner, weekend brunch, and Sunday lunch. The brunch menu includes eclectic dishes like fry-ups, pesto eggs Benedict, organic porridge, and French toast served with your choice of ingredients from toffee sauce and seasonal fruits to eggs and bacon.

Victoria's Timmy Green is an airy space for relaxed all-day dining complete with a breezy outdoor terrace for al fresco meals. Aussie-style brunch is a big deal here, with a menu of health-conscious global dishes. A distinctive and vegan-friendly peach melba coconut French toast is on the menu, piled up with torched peach, coconut yoghurt, freeze-dried raspberries, and toasted coconut flakes.

Sleek eatery Drunch has a number of locations serving brunch and dinner. Food here is halal and served in a vibrant space, with outdoor seating on offer too. The brunch menu includes favourites like pancakes, shakshuka, or French toast. French toast fans can choose from a variety of toppings here, including sweet and savoury takes on a brunch favourite.

Go to Langan's Brasserie for elegant Anglo-French recipes prepared with sustainable ingredients. The tasteful dining room has a classic feel and food is served all day. Visit for breakfast and choose between healthy and more indulgent options from porridge to fry-ups. The French toast comes with caramelised bananas, berries, and maple syrup.

Head to The Black Penny for breakfast and brunch in a laid-back space. Each location has distinctive style and an easygoing atmosphere. Dishes range from granola or Bircher muesli to signature hashes, vegan breakfasts, and French toast with whipped lemon ricotta, blueberry compote, and almonds. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available.

Food is served all day at The Table. This modern British restaurant focuses on brunch in particular, dishing up food in a bright and airy space with its own terrace. French toast fans are in luck – you can try yours with a big choice of toppings from fried chicken to bananas and bacon or strawberries and white chocolate. 

Award-winning café Popina is based in Mayfair and specialises in breakfast and brunch. Food is served in a crisp contemporary setting. Sample sweet or savoury brunch dishes here including several different types of brioche French toast. Go for a topping with bananas and peanut butter, Nutella and marshmallows, goat's cheese and bacon, or forest berries.

Having been established in Piccadilly since 2003, The Wolseley has built a reputation as a classic London dining destination. This European-style grand café serves food all day in a traditional setting. British and European recipes are served here for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea. Breakfast includes pancakes or French toast with a choice of toppings. A second branch opened in The City in 2023.

Grab a sought-after breakfast at buzzy North London eatery Dobar. It often attracts a crowd. It's a compact and sociable setting for generous portions and brekkie and brunch favourites. Among the options are a distinctive French toast topped with all the fixings of a fry-up.

Soho's Café Boheme is a bustling spot for French all-day dining. Food is served in a relaxed atmosphere and there's live jazz music every afternoon. Breakfast is available each day with brunch served at weekends. Try light options like pastries or granola or try something more indulgent like French toast with berries and Chantilly cream.

Dine on French food in a vibrant and calming setting at Chez Antoinette. This place has the feel of a real Parisian bistro. Food is served all day here, beginning with sweet and savoury breakfasts. Try an omelette, a fresh waffle, or French toast with a classic topping of forest fruits, crème fraîche, and maple syrup.

Franks Canteen appears to be just a humble neighbourhood eatery at first. You'll soon discover this buzzy contemporary space is dishing up fine food that's getting some serious attention. Innovative global dishes are served all day, and the menu is constantly changing. One favourite is croissant French toast finished off with mascarpone, maple syrup, and cinnamon sugar.

Sunday in Barnsbury is full of charm, with mismatched furniture and indoor and outdoor seating. This independent local spot is deliberately low-key but still attracts a crowd. The all-day menu includes plenty of brunch choices from crab on toast or baked eggs to brioche French toast with banana and salted caramel or granola with fruit and Greek yoghurt.

Trendy eatery Palaette's cute and colourful look has made it a hit on Instagram. This family-run café focuses on brunch with a Mediterranean influence and is a child-friendly venue. The brunch menu features well-presented dishes like pancakes and chicken and waffles. A few types of French toast are available to try here loaded up with indulgent toppings. 

Aubaine has a number of locations in the capital, fusing creative French cooking with contemporary style. Food is served in a chic rustic dining space with patterned floors and colourful foliage. Modern French dishes are served all day including breakfast, brunch, and set menus. Start your day with the French toast served with berries, Greek yoghurt, and maple syrup.

Chocolate fiends in London get their French toast from Christopher's. This glamorous eatery specialises in indulgent American cooking. A concise brunch menu is served on weekdays with more choices at the weekend. Choose the gooey chocolate French toast – either milk or dark – if you're a chocoholic, or opt for caramelised peaches, vanilla mascarpone, and maple syrup.

Beam is a contemporary coffee shop with several locations. A wide range of breakfast, brunch, and Mediterranean-inspired meals are on offer at these bright and spacious venues, including dishes for kids. Artisan French toast is served with banana, berry compote, and salted caramel, plus there are other choices like wraps, fried breakfasts, and salmon with scrambled eggs.

The original's Asian cousin, Hong-Kong-style French toast is typically made with fluffy, thick-cut bread, peanut butter, and condensed milk. The version at this compact Los-Angeles-inspired haven of vegan Sichuan cuisine in Hackney stands out due to liberal use of butter. The bombastic dessert is just the thing to provide some cooldown relief after all the spiciness on the menu.