British food gets a bad rap. Fish and chips, scones and shepherd’s pie are the British basics, but, I swear, Britain makes the best ~basic~ dish in the world: avocado toast.
I know, I know, that sounded really annoying. But after ordering avocado toast at basically every opportunity, I’ve compared and concluded—London does it best.
Half Cup avocado toast is an exemplar of the city’s fresh and savory combo.
Personally, I think the poached egg, that is ubiquitously available in London to add to any brunch order, makes all the difference. Breaking into the chopped chive-covered egg spills the yolk onto the chunky smashed avocado and crunchy charcoal sourdough, uniting sophisticated flavors and diverse textures in each bite. All of your food groups in one delicious dish!
If you don’t like avocados (who are you?! I would love to ask you a few questions…), then don’t despair! Half Cup has a variety of other great (British) options. From a traditional English breakfast to the golden turmeric porridge, there is something for everyone. Half Cup is also very accommodating to vegan and gluten free customers, as the menu is clearly labeled and substitutions are readily available.
Aside from the extensive array of typical coffee and tea selections, the menu also offers luxurious latte flavors, like Coconut Chai & Maple, Red Velvet Chocolate and Beetroot. After noon, beer and cocktails become available to order. Cheers to that!
Like many of the best brunch spots in London, Half Cup doubles as a coffee shop. When you walk in to this Bloomsbury gem, an air of pastries and coffee welcomes you alongside the friendly staff. The pastries and espresso machines live in a small entry room for grab-and-go. To the left is a slightly larger room full of Brits eating with friends or typing away on their computers alone. (Eating alone—even without work or your phone as a disguised distraction—is way more common there. How nice!)
The simple wooden tables and chairs contrast with the vibrant wall art and colorful food. Each plate is a palette of both colors and flavors. You can see the dark bread, green avocado and rose harissa on my plate, while a bright purple edible flower topped my friend's brioche French toast.
If you are ever in London and have a taste for an American classic, the smashed avocado at Half Cup is smashing. Let me know what you think! For me, the glass (cup) is always half full at half cup!