Terry’s Cafe, Great Suffolk Street, is the place to go if you want a proper breakfast or comfort food for lunch. Established in 1982, Terry has been feeding locals in London SE1 for nearly 40 years. Terry’s son Austin has taken over the reins to continue the traditions with his own improvements. We’ve eaten at Terry’s Cafe a few times since we moved to the area and are big fans. So, if you are looking for the best breakfast in Southwark, fry ups in SE1 or comfort food in London, you’ll love Terry’s.
“Terry’s is a friendly old school cafe with a focus on good quality local ingredients. Fill up on home-cooked fry ups for breakfast or comfort food for lunch. It’s where you can eat a fry up without feeling any shame,” Homegirl London.
Terry’s Cafe Breakfast and Lunch Menu
Terry’s is only open for breakfast and lunch. We’ve eaten breakfast there on several occasions, so I’ll start with the fried breakfasts. One time I took my mum who is a Londoner, so she loved it. Mum had The Blowout; eggs, bacon, Cumberland sausage, bubble or chips and beans or tomatoes. There are other versions of the meaty fry up, including The Works, which is the big breakfast with black pudding. If you want to pile on extras, there is a long list, including fried bread, chunky chips and hash browns.
The Blowout Breakfast
I choose the Veggie Fry Up, which I have had a few times. The veggie sausage was perfect. It also includes eggs, bubble or chips, beans or tomatoes. Add a side of bloomer bread and real butter if you are feeling hungry. The vegan option is minus the egg.
Vegetarian Breakfast
If you prefer something on toast, try Fancy Eggs, free-range fried eggs on melted cheddar. Or perhaps the Vegetarian Chilli Beans on Toast with grated cheddar, avocado, and fresh coriander may tempt you. Fish fans may want the Smoked Salmon on toast with scrambled egg, parsley garnish and a wedge of lemon.
Fancy Eggs
A Continental Breakfast is available with toast, Tiptree jam, St John’s pastry or doughnut with Monmouth coffee or fruit juice. Those on a healthy tip can ask for the Scottish porridge with fresh fruit, honey and pumpkin seeds or granola with fruit and Greek yoghurt. But if you are going to Terry’s, I think you should get a fry up!
Fish Finger Sandwich
The lunch menu features classic dishes like Bangers and Mash, Fish and Chips, Gammon Steak, Ham or Steak with Eggs and Chips, Toad in the Hole and other comfort food. Unfortunately, last week the Fish and Chips weren’t available due to coming out of Covid restrictions. However, Homeboy did get a first-class Fish Finger Sarnie instead with homemade fish fingers.
Terry’s Cafe Interiors
I didn’t go inside the Cafe this time due to Covid. However, I have been inside in the past, and it’s adorable. You’ll love the gingham plastic tablecloths, black and white photographs of the area and displays of crockery. It has a charming and cosy feel with a war-time vibe. If you have guests visiting London from another country, you must take them to Terry’s. If it’s a sunny day, you can sit outside at one of the tables and watch the world go by.
Terry’s Cafe Information
Cafe Exterior
To find out more, visit Terry’s Cafe Website. The address is 156-158 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 1PE. The nearest stations are Borough, London Bridge, Southwark, Elephant and Castle or Waterloo. Usual opening times are 8 am until 2 pm and closed Monday and Tuesday. However, please check the opening days and times on the website. If you want to explore the area further, read my Tacking Down Charles Dickens Southwark Walk and Ten Unusual Thing To Do In Bankside London.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. I only write about restaurants where I had a good experience, but please make sure you undertake further research as restaurant standards fluctuate, as do opinions. Also, please check if the restaurant is still in business and the opening times before you go. Finally, if you discover that this restaurant has closed, contact me to remove it from my blog.
