Make the most of the season at one of Surrey’s super breakfast spots. Catherine Whyte offers her pick of the brekkie bunch...
Best Full English
Woodbridge Café, Guildford
No breakfast round-up would be complete without mention of Guildford’s Woodbridge Café. Serving the archetypal English breakfast, this unassuming café went viral thanks to its ‘Mega Breakfast Challenge’. Imagine eating a 10-egg filled omelette, four sausages, four slices of bacon, four hash browns, sauté potatoes, bubble and squeak and two slices of fried bread in under 30 minutes! When you visit you can see those who succeeded on its Wall of Fame. Mere mortals can order the Mega Breakfast for £15 and share it between four.
Best for cyclists
Snooty Fox, Shalford
Cyclists (and dog walkers) can often be seen enjoying a bite outside The Snooty Fox in Shalford. Breakfast is served from 7 am to 12 pm on weekdays and 8 am to 1.30pm at the weekends. You can either choose one of the cooked plates (with sausages from Rawlings of Cranleigh) or make up your own bespoke brekkie from options such as bubble and squeak, black pudding, halloumi and avocado. Yum! The porridge and granola are highly recommended, too.
Best for children
Heather Farm Café, Horsell
Heather Farm Café opened in January, replacing the popular Water’s Edge café. It’s a great spot for breakfast either before and after a mooch around with the wetlands with the kids. Breakfast is served until midday and includes full English (with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available) as well as other delights such as pancakes, waffles and yoghurt with granola and fruit.
Best for coffee
Pinnocks, Ripley
Latte lovers look away. You won’t find any espressos here but a wonderful selection of drip coffee instead. Choose your brew from the seven different beans of varying strengths and retire to one of the comfy sofas for your morning coffee. Pinnock’s breakfast menu runs until 11.30am, although the sausage and bacon baguettes – made with locally cured meat – are served all day.
Best for vegetarians
Bill’s, Kingston
Veggies simply can’t go wrong at Bill’s. It’s the combination of factors that do it for me: funky décor, good coffee, smiley service and plenty of choices. Unusually, non-meat eaters have three main dishes to choose from, the best of which is the Garden Plate comprising baked beans, halloumi, poached eggs, charred red peppers, smashed avocado, mushrooms, potato rosti, mixed seeds, pea shoots and sourdough toast.
Best for home-made
Two Many Cooks, Dorking and Reigate
I’m a big fan of marmalade, so I was delighted when I popped into Two Many Cooks, Dorking for some breakfast and was served some of owner Paul’s home-made, hand cut Seville orange marmalade. It was divine. You can also tuck into – and buy – some of their fabulous granola.
Best for dog walkers
Ockham Bites, Cobham
Ockham Bites – just on Old Lane off the A3 – is conveniently located for lovely walks along Ockham Common. It is also famous for its excellent bacon butties. It is also a great alternative to your generic service station if you are travelling further afield along the M25 or down to the coast. Open from 7 am.
Best for families
Chiquito, Camberley
Kids can choose three hot breakfast items from the kids’ menu completely free when an adult breakfast is purchased. For adults, expect breakfast staples with a Tex-Mex twist, such as the Mexican Benedict (white toast bloomer topped with two poached eggs, chorizo, jalapeno and sweetcorn medley, hollandaise sauce and a pinch of paprika). Wash it all down with a Brunch Margarita (smooth marmalade shaken with tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice). On second thoughts, maybe the latter is best ordered when the kids are at home.
Best for special occasions
The Ivy Cobham Brasserie
Planning a birthday breakfast? Then The Ivy Cobham Brasserie/The Ivy Castle View is a perfect choice. Not only do you get to dine in fabulous surroundings, but there’s such a great selection of dishes. Where else are going to find kippers, dairy-free coconut yoghurt and caramelised ruby grapefruit sitting alongside your full English? Then, to top it off why not add that extra special touch with one of The Ivy’s fabulous coolers or juices. Breakfast is served until 11.30 am weekdays and 11 am at weekends.
