Regency Café

The Regency Café is a traditional London caff on Regency Street in Westminster, open since 1946 and one of the best-preserved examples of its kind. Its black-tiled Art Deco exterior and original interior tiling have made it a favourite with film and television crews, and it has appeared in films including Layer Cake, Brighton Rock, Pride and Rocketman, as well as BBC series such as Judge John Deed and London Spy. Inside, formica-topped tables sit beneath framed photographs of Tottenham Hotspur players, and orders are called out from the counter.

The menu is classic British café food at everyday prices. Breakfast is the main draw, with set breakfasts of eggs, bacon, sausage, beans or tomatoes and toast, served with tea or coffee, alongside omelettes with steak-cut chips, bacon sandwiches and fry-ups of varying sizes. Lunch brings simple hot dishes, and mugs of strong tea are the standard accompaniment. Portions are generous and service is quick, so it is a good place for a filling meal before a day of sightseeing.

The café suits budget travellers, film fans, families and anyone who wants to see a piece of everyday London that has survived largely unchanged. It is a no-frills place with a loyal local following, so expect a queue at peak breakfast times and be ready to share the space with workers, students and regulars. After the previous owners retired in 2024, the café reopened under new owners, who have kept its traditional character.

Opening hours are 07:00 to 15:30 Monday to Saturday, and the café is closed on Sundays. You order and pay at the counter, then your name or order is called when the food is ready. Arriving early or after the main breakfast rush is the best way to get a table. There are no reservations.

Regency Street is in a quiet residential part of Westminster between Victoria and Millbank. St James's Park, Pimlico and Victoria stations are each around ten to fifteen minutes' walk away. Tate Britain is a short walk south towards the river, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament are to the north-east, and Westminster Cathedral is a few streets away near Victoria.