Food & Drink: The Breakfast Club, Box Park, Croydon

BY PALOMA LACY

Breakfast has become an all-day affair throughout London but nowhere more so than at The Breakfast Club at Boxpark, where the first meal of the day is the main event.

And it’s not just the great British fry up that’s on offer but a veritable smorgasbord of dishes from across the globe.

One of the few Boxpark restaurants with air conditioning, I was relieved to take refuge in the shipping container on a record-breaking summer’s day.

Given that my visit fell at 3pm, I decided to give avocado on toast, with chillies, basil, lemon and pumpkins seeds a whirl (£7.00). I added a poached egg for an extra £1 and smoked salmon (£4.00).

Served on pumpernickel bread, it had a positively Scandinavian feel to it. I quite enjoyed it but felt it a little heavy on the lemon.

A firm nod to the British flag has been given in the shape of Cabbies Breakfast – egg, bacon, sausage, beans and of course, chips (£7.50). Bit stodgy for me but popular with many, I know.

There is a whole range of slightly lighter looking sandwiches, like bacon, egg and cheese, with rocket and virgin Mary ketchup (£5.50).

The menu then hacks its way across North America, with an entire pancake and waffles section, including the greedy All American, combining bacon, sausage and maple syrup (£11.75), before slipping down into Mexico with the breakfast burrito.

For those really not in the mood for brekkie, there are a good number of burgers available, Philly cheese burger, Mr Big buttermilk fried chicken, and halloumi and butternut squash.

There are certainly some weird and wonderful flavour combinations on the menu but none so left field as Disco Fries, topped with pulled pork, bacon, avocado, beer cheese, fried eggs, chimichurri and spring onions (£9.00).

A bit too much going on, on one plate for my personal taste but a crowd pleaser, I was assured.

Paloma was a guest of The Breakfast Club. Unit 48-52 Boxpark Croydon, 99 George Street, Croydon CR0 1LD.