London's best greasy spoons

No-frills cafes serving no-nonsense grub
10 September 2013

According to the free review website Yelp, The Regency Café in Westminster is one of the best rated restaurants in London. But it's not a starched tablecloth kind of place where lunch costs the earth, it's a cabbies' favourite – a greasy spoon-style stop-off manned by owner Marco Schiavetta and his three cooks where you can fill up for £5.50. We've uncovered four more for you to find.

Regency Cafe, Westminster

Really hearty food, quick and jolly service. Americans love its English charm. Closed on Sundays, though. so don't go the morning after a big Saturday night.

17-19 Regency Street, SW1P 4BY

Andrew's, Bloomsbury

By day you can come here for a great jacket potato with beans and cheese; by night it is home to the fiendishly popular BurgerMonday evenings hosted every month or so by Daniel Young from the food blog Young And Foodish.

160 Grays Inn Road, WC1X 8ED

Workers Cafe, Islington

No-nonsense fry-ups with particularly good mushrooms. In an area that is changing fast with high end restaurants and foodies moving in, this socialist cafe is a happy comfort.

172 Upper Street, N1 1RG

Corner Cafe, Bethnal Green

Fall out of bed on a Saturday morning and you’d be sensible to end up here with a coffee and a plate of bacon, beans, fried bread and eggs. Cheap and reliable.

140 Roman Rd, E2 0RY

E.Pellicci, Bethnal Green

A tiny but loud, bustling art deco café run by chirpy Italians. Come here for tea served in big mugs and a pie. Just what you want in a greasy spoon.

332 Bethnal Green Road, E2 0AG

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