Whether you’re partial to a full English, the ubiquitous smashed avocado on toast, saucy shakshuka, stacks of buttermilk pancakes, or a lover of simple egg and soldiers, Gloucestershire is home to plenty of eateries offering bountiful breakfasts, guaranteed to set you up for the day.
With everything from hangover cures and healthy cafes to pure and utter decadence, discover SoGlos’s top 19 breakfast spots across the county.
The Fairview Gardener
Located in Birdwood near Gloucester, The Fairview Gardener's cafe provides a charming retreat from plant shopping and features both indoor and outdoor seating, offering views over the Severn Vale to the Cotswolds.
Tuck in to everything from golden-brown waffles topped with sweets such as bacon and maple syrup and M&Ms; eggs Benedict on sourdough; as well as veggie and vegan breakfast options, all served alongside the usual selection of coffee, teas, and soft drinks. Plus, with eggs from the nearby farm, the tea room focusses on using locally-sourced ingredients.
No. 32 Broadway
A cafe with a passion for good food, good coffee and happy customers, No. 32 in Broadway offers breakfast from 8.30am until noon, in its light, stripped-back restaurant.
Menu highlights include the No.32 Full English with sizzling back bacon, pork and herb sausage and all the trimmings; The Veggie Sandwich with halloumi, mushroom and fried egg; and American buttermilk pancakes served with either streaky bacon and maple syrup or vanilla yogurt and mixed berry compote.
The Meadow Café
Served until 2pm, breakfast at The Meadow Café in Cheltenham is a delightful treat — overlooking Cox’s Meadow, this quaint little cafe provides pretty views and Instagrammable shots.
With breakfast plates such as the classic bacon or veggie sausage sarnie, granola bowl, smashed avocado bagel, and more, breakfast at the family run independent business is a great way to start the day.
Lynwood & Co
With outposts in Cirencester, Lechlade, Fairford and Burford, Lynwood & Co certainly has the first meal of the day covered.
Expect a varied menu featuring everything from scrambled eggs on toast to a butternut squash, bechamel and Gruyère turnover, along with a choice of sourdough melts and homemade granola.
The Bottle of Sauce
While burgers and pizzas are the mainstays of the menu, The Bottle of Sauce in Cheltenham also serves up mighty fine grub on its weekend brunch menu.
The menu features wood baked eggs and croque madame pizzetta, to the ultimate hangover cure — the Early Bird Brunch Bun, which features Dodo fried chicken, hot honey, fried egg, American cheese and buttermilk ranch, served in a sesame brioche bun.
Baker & Graze
Baker & Graze is an independent cafe and bakery located in The Suffolks area of Cheltenham and serves up a mean breakfast.
The team makes everything on site, from the perfectly baked sourdough to the rich buttery pastries, with the menu featuring baked eggs, smashed avocado on toast, and delicious coffees.
Morris and Brown
One for the early birds, promising some of the most spectacular views in the Cotswolds, Morris and Brown Café is the perfect pit stop after the hike up to Broadway Tower — serving breakfast until 11.30am.
The venue offers a wholesome menu of breakfasts like dippy eggs and soldiers, bacon butties and smoked salmon and scrambled eggs; perfect for refuelling after your morning walk.
Botanica Coffee Kitchen
Serving up incredible breakfasts and brunches alongside locally-sourced artisan coffee, Botanica Coffee Kitchen is based in Cheltenham and stocks a range of stunning plants to purchase, too.
Breakfast treats include the scrumptious strawberry French toast, Turkish eggs and smoked salmon tartine. The regular, veggie and vegan full English dishes are also a must-have.
Beechenhurst Café
Beechenhurst Café in the Forest of Dean serves a tasty breakfast offering daily which has been thoughtfully put together to cater for all tastes, appetites and dietary requirements.
Perfect for fuelling up before exploring the Sculpture Trail or heading through the forest, the menu features classics such as local smoked bacon or sausage baps, free-range scrambled eggs on toast, and a delicious full English breakfast — with veggie and vegan options available.
The Hive
Set in the heart of Stow-on-the-Wold, The Hive serves everything from bacon or sausage sarnies to cacklebean eggs on sourdough toast and smoked salmon with toasted pumpernickel bread.
What’s more, there's a daily selection of freshly baked pastries and morning goods to start your day off right!
He Say She Waffles
If you’re looking for something slightly alternative to start your day with then head to He Says She Waffles in Cirencester where you’ll discover more waffle combinations than you knew possible.
Those with a sweet tooth will devour the chocolate and raisin offerings, while there are also savoury options to choose from, including the cheddar cheese and chive waffle topped with scrambled eggs.
Café 53
From granola and toasted crumpets to ranchero beans and fruit pancakes, Tetbury’s Café 53 is the perfect place to start the day before hitting the shops for a spot of antique hunting or enjoying an outing at nearby attraction Westonbirt Arboretum.
And, if you visit during the summer months then make sure to dine alfresco in the cafe’s pretty garden.
Lavender Bakehouse
Championing small local producers, family-run Lavender Bakehouse & Coffee Shop has an extensive breakfast menu waiting to tempt you at the scenic eatery near Stroud.
Diners can expect to find traditional menu items including smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on sourdough toast, along with fluffy pancakes, homemade granola and filled croissants.
Hobbs House Bakery and Café
Enjoy award-winning bread and more when tucking into breakfast at Hobbs House Bakery and Café in Nailsworth, run by Tom Herbert, one half of The Fabulous Baker Brothers.
Kick-start your day choosing from Cotswold rarebit, a breakfast wild bun, chef's frittata, or delicious homemade pastries, with waffles made using a 69 year old sourdough starter also available.
Daylesford Organic
The breakfast menu at Daylesford Organic in Kingham is a veritable feast for health food lovers, with cold-press juices, live natural yogurt and rolled oat porridge among the choices.
For a more decadent start to the day opt for a variety of egg-led dishes or chestnut mushrooms on toast, with hand-roasted coffees also on offer.
Sorrel
Based in the centre of The Suffolks in Cheltenham, Sorrel serves specialty coffee and delicious seasonal food.
Choose from crispy sage and calabrian nduja fried eggs on sourdough, whipped tahini, Macneil's smoked salmon, a cheddar and Marmite knot, and more. Or for something sweeter, opt for a cinnamon bun or chocolate babka.
Blockley Cafe
Ideally located for some of the Cotswolds must-see tourist attractions, but still considered a hidden gem, Blockley Café in Moreton-in-Marsh is well worth making a detour for.
Its breakfast menu includes chorizo hash; courgette and sweetcorn fritters; eggs florentine; smoked haddock kederee beignet; and buttermilk pancakes — served from 9am to 12pm each day.
Hips Social
A family run coffee shop and eatery in Lydney, Hips Social use local, seasonal and high quality produce to forge simple but delicious breakfast offerings in the Forest of Dean.
Choose from sausage, bacon, black pudding and mushrooms baps; Dean Forest yogurt bowls; eggs, avocado and roasted mushrooms on sourdough; and gluten-free American-style pancakes stacked with tempting sweets.
Woodkraft
Breakfast fans are spoilt for choice at Woodkraft, located on Cheltenham’s Regent Street, owned by 2015's MasterChef winner, Simon Wood.
Choose from eggs Benedict, royale and florentine, a decadent full English, including a vegan option, and pancakes served with a variety of sweet toppings.
