I recently enjoyed a chic brunch at Café François in Borough Yards, London SE1. Drawn by its inviting exterior and the connection to Maison François in Mayfair, I was intrigued to see if it could live up to the promise. As a vegetarian who typically avoids French cuisine due to its meat-heavy reputation, I opted for the breakfast and brunch menu. If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Borough Yards or a place for breakfast, brunch, or lunch near London Bridge station or Borough Market, Café François is a top choice.
“Whether you’re in the mood for a simple croissant, a lavish plate of pain perdu, a brioche breakfast bun, or eggs benedict, this brunch spot offers a welcoming range of dishes that make it a worthy destination in Borough Yards,” Homegirl London.
Café François Brunch Menu
Café François’ brunch menu is a delightful blend of classic French fare and modern brunch staples, thoughtfully curated to suit various tastes. When you step inside at 9 am, you’re welcomed with multiple options that balance light, healthy choices with more indulgent dishes, reflecting the café’s French roots.
No French brunch would be complete without freshly baked goods, and Café François excels with tempting pastries. Choose from buttery croissants to classic pain au chocolat, pain de campagne, and the delightful pain suisse.
The menu features a selection of breakfast sandwiches and plates for a more substantial start to your day. The vegetarian brioche breakfast bap, loaded with rösti, avocado, and roasted tomato, was hearty and hit the spot. My only criticism was that the brioche bun had sunken and wasn’t bouncy, but it was delicious. If you’re in the mood for something spicier, the breakfast burrito with merguez sausage, egg, and harissa offers a bold twist. Having recently visited Chicago, we’d eaten our fair share of burritos!
Among the breakfast plates, the avocado tartine stood out. It’s a beautifully presented dish with creamy avocado on freshly baked sourdough, garnished with herbs and a hint of citrus that brings the flavours to life. While not groundbreaking, it was done well. For egg lovers, there are choices like scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, rösti, pickled cucumber , and dill, eggs benedict,or simple scrambled eggs on toast.
From 11 am, Café François expands its offerings with flatbreads and sandwiches, adding a traditional French flair to the brunch experience. The Croque Monsieur is a comforting classic, while the lamb merguez flatbread has a hint of Middle Eastern influence.
To round out the brunch experience, the café offers a selection of salads and potato dishes. Options like the Caesar salad and tomato salad with fennel are perfect for a lighter bite. I had intended to order the fries but forgot, so I ended up sharing the pain perdu with vanilla crème fraîche and hazelnut praline instead. It was small but rich in taste, a delightful end to our meal. For those seeking a lighter start to the day, the grains, fruits, and sweets section offers refreshing options.
Watch My Café François Video
Helpful Information About Café François
Visit the Café François website for more information. The restaurant is on a former Paul Smith site across from Borough Market. Its address is 14-16 Stoney Street, London SE1 9AD. London Bridge and Borough are the closest stations.
The interiors are contemporary, with a light industrial touch. Upon entering, you’ll find the deli section to your right and the open kitchen to your left, leading to the main dining area. There are plenty of seats outside on a pedestrianised concourse, a delightful place to sit on a sunny day.
The service was friendly and professional. However, I had to laugh when I realised the staff uniforms resembled my utilitarian jacket; I quickly took it off to avoid confusion! It’s a dog-friendly spot, so we brought our little JackTzu along.
Overall, we had a wonderful brunch experience, and I look forward to returning to try the deli section, which serves pastries, cakes, sandwiches and more.
If you want to explore the area, you may find these articles of interest:
Ten Reasons To Visit Borough Yards London SE1
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. I only write about eateries where I had a good experience. I think you should do further research as standards fluctuate, as do opinions. Please check if the establishment is still in business and the opening times before you go. If you discover this restaurant has closed, contact me to remove it from my blog.
