Tucked away down Camden Passage, this cute little spot is where Islington folk head to tuck into breakfasts, brunches and bites beyond.

The Venue
Its location off the main strip of Upper Street suits this place, helping it to feel like somewhere that only the locals might know. And despite it being one of three (soon to be four) Breakfast Clubs dotted around the capital, it still feels nicely local, thanks in no small part to some very astute personalising: what better way to get people back than to make it feel like it’s theirs? So expect walls pinned with little love letters left on tables, photographs of happy diners, messages from abroad and local cuttings that complement a whole host of other mismatched bits and bobs, helping to give this incarnation a little bit of identity and a whole load of warmth. It’s certainly not as big as, say, the one in Hoxton, but it’s got much more character.

The Atmosphere
It seems perfectly suited to Islington, with daytimes filling up with yummy mummies and their little poppets, students staring lovingly at their Macs and even the odd bohemian type peering over an espresso at some very highbrow fiction. Guardians do battle with Indies for table space, with a funky little soundtrack of music from around the world filling the convivial air. Staff are cool, relaxed and friendly, and obviously care about an ethos that admirably seems to put them at the forefront, allowing them to put their stamp on things. Which they seem to have done very nicely indeed.

The Food
The moniker’s a bit of a misnomer, as it’s not just breakfasts – you can stay here all day if you really want, tucking into brunch, lunch and even dinner. The earlier repasts are particularly good though, with an extensive selection of options plucked from around the world showing that the same enthusiasm at the front of house clearly exists in the kitchen too. The eggs royale (£7.95) is particularly good, with two lightly toasted fluffy muffins propping up good quality smoked salmon and two perfectly poached eggs with remarkably bright and suitably runny yokes. The hollandaise sauce is certainly decent enough to round off a very good version of a classic. The green eggs and ham (£7.95) are as good as they are generous, with loads of superbly scrambled eggs tossed with ham, chives and cream cheese. The accompanying potato wedges might be a bit much for some – it is breakfast after all – but others will love them.

The Full Monty fry up is huge, so if it’s all a bit too much the Breakfast Club very kindly offers a Half Monty (just tops off, perhaps?), or a Reggie the Veggie option for those that prefer to keep things distinctly meat free. Pancake options look excellent, particularly the All American (pancakes, eggs, sausage, hash browns, streaky bacon and maple syrup), but if you’re looking for something later in the day then there’s plenty to keep you happy too: think burritos, burgers, salads, jacket potatoes, hot sandwiches and the odd British classic like sausage and mash.

The Drinks
First and foremost, they do a great cup of tea – always important. There’s also a good selection of well-made coffees, with flat whites, lattes, mochas, macchiatos and the like benefitting from some decent beans. You can keep things nice and healthy with freshly squeezed juices and smoothies that are sure to cure even the heaviest hangover (well, maybe), but if you want to get back on it then you can do just that with a few decent wines, plenty of beers and a whole host of cocktails, including a corking Bloody Mary that no doubt does a roaring trade when the states slope in on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

The Last Word
A cute and welcoming little café with enough individuality to set it apart from both its peers and siblings, this is a great spot to head to if you’re lucky enough to have a lazy morning lined up anytime soon.

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