“All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast” (Gunther). There’s just something about starting the day off with a delicious meal that sets the tone for the rest of the day. When we’re rushing to get out the door in the morning, a quick stop at a favourite breakfast spot can make all the difference. Luckily, Liverpool offers a variety of breakfast places to choose from. And with quality ingredients and fresh flavours, it’s no wonder that a good breakfast place is a beloved destination for many.
The ancient Greeks believed that breakfast was the most important meal of the day, a sentiment we share to this day, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that the idea of a healthy breakfast as a way of improving health and productivity was popularized. Additionally, breakfast is often associated with comfort and nostalgia and it can at times even cure hangovers. It’s more than just a meal, it’s a ritual, so we’ve rounded up six breakfast spots in Liverpool for the ultimate hearty breakfast experience.
1. Café Tabac
Credit: Cafe Tabac
Part of Liverpool’s Boho scene since 1974 and inspired by countercultural bars in Europe, Café Tabac is a charming little café/cultural hub, dedicated to offering great food and showcasing the best emerging and local artists. Following in the footsteps of its first owner, Café Tabac welcomes everyone and believes that “everything can be sold with a good cuppa”.
They serve breakfast all day, seven days a week–yay–from breakfast sandwiches to bangers and mash and everything in between. Regardless of whether you eat meat or not, try their Vegan Stack for a nutritious start to the day. It’s a vegan full English made with vegan sausages, mushrooms, hash browns, grilled tomatoes, spinach and beans. Whether you skipped dinner or had a few too many the night before, Café Tabac will have you sorted.
📍 126 Bold Street, Liverpool L1 4JA
2. Dale’s Kitchen & Bar by Shino
Credit: Dale’s Kitchen & Bar by Shino
This informal and relaxed bar is a local favourite. You can build your own breakfast and choose from a range of options, but the star on their menu is the full English breakfast, deemed the “Best full English breakfast in England” by Big 7. Besides the normal hot drinks, Dale’s Kitchen & Bar offers an extensive list of iced coffee and smoothies. If you’re feeling rather hungover or are going in for a late breakfast, you can order the latter with an alcoholic twist and add a 50ml shot of rum, gin, or vodka to any of the listed smoothies. No judgement here!
📍 Unit 3 Westminster Chambers, 90 Dale Street, Liverpool L2 5TF
3. Moose Coffee
Credit: Moose Coffee
This family-owned business first opened its doors in 2006 and today, almost two decades later, you can find them at three different locations across the city. Inspired by the big New York breakfast joints, they serve American and Canadian-style breakfast, which is the definition of comfort food for many. Try their Liberty Moose, creamy scrambled eggs accompanied with cured ham and pine nuts and drizzled with pesto, or their New York Moose, glorious eggs benedict on top of crunchy bacon strips. Don’t forget to finish off your hearty brekkie with a hot Moose cup of joe or one of their chilled drinks for a fresh start to the day.
📍 Federation House, 88 Hope St, L1 9BW
📍 6 Dale St, L2 4TQ
📍 Plaza 1821, William Jessop Way, L3 1DZ
See also: 12 of the Best and Booziest Bottomless Brunches in Liverpool
4. Key Lime Coffee
Credit: Key Lime Coffee
Situated just across from Liverpool Lime Street Station, Keylime Coffee is a go-to breakfast spot for many due to its sizable portions, friendly staff and variety of different full-bodied coffees. The fragrant Kenyan Peaberry and the rich Tarrazu are two options that stand out and are served in a 250 ml French press. The coffee house serves all-day brunch and American breakfast, so you can order the typical American staples, such as fluffy pancakes, spongy waffles and sweet milkshakes. Think bold and order one of their shakes with flavours like Oreo, salted caramel, key lime pie and Snickers, for the ultimate sugary boost!
📍 178 Market Way, Liverpool L1 1NG
5. Pippin’s Corner
Credit: Pippin’s Corner
Located on Lark Lane, this charming breakfast and lunch spot gets quite busy on the weekends, so it is best to book in advance to get a table. From Boston pancakes to English, veggie and vegan breakfast, the breakfast menu at Pippin’s Corner is pretty straightforward. However, if you’re in the mood for something different, you can always order cake, toast or sandwiches. They serve breakfast till 5:30pm and there’s even a takeaway option if you prefer breakfast in bed. Whatever your heart desires that day, Pippin’s Corner has it all!
📍 64 Lark Ln, Liverpool L17 8UU
6. Rough Handmade
Credit: Rough Hand Made
If your idea of a hearty breakfast is getting a load of sweet pastries, fresh from the oven with a hot cup of fresh coffee or tea, head to the Royal Albert Dock and visit Rough Handmade. The boutique bakery offers all kinds of baked goods, including flaky croissants and mouth-watering danishes. As you walk into the bakery, you can peer behind the counter and take a look at what Carlos and his team are preparing in the kitchen, where simple ingredients are used to create delicious flavours and enticing aromas.
📍 Britannia Pavilion, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AD
7. Hardware Coffee + Kitchen
Credit: Hardware Liverpool
Hardware Liverpool is often so popular for breakfast and brunch that it has queues for a table as it is walk-ins only. And there is a good reason for it – the food is just… Sublime. From super fluffy souffle pancakes to weekly specials like the Pistachio French Toast, the breakfast and brunch menu is a well-known celebrity in itself across the city. The coffee is also just as decent, providing that much-needed boost every day from 7:30am.
📍40B Renshaw St, Liverpool L1 4EF