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Nothing beats a full English Breakfast after a late night out. Fried eggs, sausages, bacon, hash browns and baked beans – what better way to start off 2024?
Here are some of the best places in the county to get a classic fry-up which, crucially, are open on New Year’s Day.
Milton Cafe, Milton High Street in Sittingbourne
A local favourite in Sittingbourne that prides itself on proper traditional fry-ups is Milton Cafe.
In reviews of the greasy spoon, diners point to great-tasting food and excellent service. One 5-star comment said: “Just visited here and had the best-cooked breakfast we have ever eaten.”
Milton Cafe manager Louie Karakurt added: “We always use the highest quality ingredients, even if we have to pay extra from our suppliers. We cook with a passion.”
The Old Weavers House, St Peter’s Street, Canterbury
If you’re starting the new year in Canterbury, why not try a restaurant that’s been serving food for more than 500 years?
The Old Weaver House in St Peter’s Street offers Cumberland sausage, bacon, fried eggs, baked beans, mushrooms, half a grilled tomato, hash brown and toast for £10.95. The medieval eatery will be open on January 1 from 11am.
Sopranos, Dorset Street, Sevenoaks
Sopranos in Sevenoaks enjoys a four-and-a-half star rating on Tripadvisor, alongside a 'Travellers' Choice award 2023’.
Specialising in simple and sumptuous Italian cuisine, the Dorset Street cafe also supplies rustic and hearty full English breakfasts.
In a recent five-star review, one diner wrote: “We love this delightful little cafe. Warm and friendly atmosphere. Very welcoming and efficient staff - nice menu, reasonable prices."
In a review titled 'Love it here,' another wrote: "This place is brilliant. The menu seems to have the perfect mix of breakfast (until midday) and lunch/brunch foods, and everything is delicious."
The Dalby Cafe, Dalby Road, Margate
For those in need of an extra large fry-up, the Mega Breakfast at The Dalby Cafe in Margate is sure to keep you satisfied well into 2024.
The gargantuan dish consists of four eggs, four bacon rashes, four sausages, chips, hash browns, onion rings, bubble, beans, mushrooms, two slices of toast and tea.
The Libertines frontman Pete Doherty completed the restaurant’s mega breakfast challenge in 2018, scoffing the lot in under 20 minutes.
A recent five-star Tripadvisor review said: “The OG of Margate cafe's and still the best. Not an avocado on sourdough in sight – just top-drawer fry-ups.”
Djangos Cafe Bar, Rendezvous Street, Folkestone
Djangos Cafe Bar in Folkestone has been serving up British-Mediterranean fusion cuisine for 24 years, and reviews say it also does the best breakfast in town.
The Full English at Djangos comes beautifully presented with potato waffles and freshly-made bubble.
The bistro’s manager Terry Sale describes the dish as a “masterpiece”.
He said: “It’s a ‘WOW’ dish, whenever someone orders it who hasn’t had it before they always go: ‘Wow!’
“All of our ingredients are locally sourced, and for the price that you pay you get a decent amount of food, with a drink included.”
Cafe De Rumpy, Hawley Road, Dartford
Cafe de Rumpy in Dartford specialises in breakfast and brunch and is open for business on New Year’s Day.
The cafe’s director, Muhsin Kacuk, told KentOnline everything on the menu is made fresh to order.
“Our Full English breakfast is traditional – we’ve been serving it for 10 years,” he said.
“People should come to our cafe for New Year's Day because our breakfast is definitely the best in town.”
In a recent five-star review, a customer picked up on the cafe’s great customer service.
“Love this place. Good food at a great price. Staff know our order so ask if we want the usual. Kids go up and pay our bill and receive a sweety as a treat from the staff. We always feel welcome.”
Kings Diner, Parrock Street, Gravesham
If your 2024 gets underway in Gravesham, why not start the year with a breakfast for royalty? Kings Diner has been a local favourite for its fry-up breakfast for 11 years.
Manager Ibrahim Yalmaz says the restaurant’s success is high-quality ingredients. .
“We only use free-range eggs and the best bacon and sausages in town,” said Mr Yalmaz
“People in Gravesham should come and start their new year with us with a good breakfast, good atmosphere and then the rest of their year will carry on nice and tasty.”
New Jimmy’s Cafe, Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge
New Jimmy’s Cafe in Tonbridge describes itself as traditional cafe serving tasty and affordable food. One of the cafe’s owners, Caner Dahriytli, said the reason the cafe is the best in town is because they stock A1 bacon and prepare everything ready to order.
A recent reviewer of New Jimmy’s wrote: “What can we say about Jimmy's cafe? Been coming here for years. Always first choice for a banging fry-up.”
The Quills, High Street, Rochester
Reading reviews for The Quills in Rochester, it’s little surprise its won a number of awards.
Open on January 1, the High Street eatery serves up not only a hearty Full English spread, but also a good vegan fry-up.
Manager Paska Landrinu told KentOnline: “What makes our breakfast so good is that everything is so fresh - the sausage and bacon we get from local butchers.
“And when you walk in you will see how excellent our service is.”
A recent 5-star review of the restaurant put it simply: "Lovely place to eat, fair enough prices, lovely and friendly atmosphere and staff, great tasting food.”
Eggs Eleven, The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells
Eggs Eleven is rated five stars on Google and Facebook and is open on New Year's Day.
Locals and visitors praise the Tunbridge Wells restaurant for its great-tasting food, nice ambience and thoughtful service.
A recent breakfast diner wrote of the eatery: “Everything on the plate was cooked to perfection and you can really taste the loving care and pride in the dishes they serve.
“Great atmosphere, big, big portions, excellent value for money, coffee was top draw too.”
Asked to sum up what makes Eggs Eleven so special, the chef told KentOnline: “Good simple food, made with love and care and supporting the local community.”
Moonlight Cafe, Bank Street, Maidstone
One of the top-rated cafes in Maidstone, Moonlight Cafe will be serving up not only great food on New Year’s Day but also great value for money.
The restaurant boasts great customer reviews, including one recent five-star rating which remarked: “Best all-day breakfast in Maidstone! Great service, very friendly and pleasant staff. Give it a try, you won't regret it.
Manager Kanwal Naeem bragged how customers who order the full English fry-up can’t resist but polish off every last bite. “We’ve been here for 15 years, and we always strive to give customers respect and good service,” said Ms Naeem.
“The price of the Full English is very competitive at £8.50 with complimentary tea and everyone who orders it always returns a very clean plate.”
Wellingtons Coffeehouse and Bar, High Street, Dover
Wellingtons has only been open since 2022 but it has already made a name for itself for its top-notch fry-ups.
Manager Sharon Cullen says what makes a Wellingtons breakfast so good is the customer service and quality ingredients.
“We have the best staff,” said Ms Cullen.
“They all love their jobs and work so hard to make sure every customer has a great experience.
“We use free range eggs, local butcher meats and everything is made with care – we take great pride in what we do.”
A recent five-star review of the Dover restaurant said: “I love this place. It's cosy and comfortable, the staff are friendly and always make you feel welcome. Today I had the Wellington breakfast and I can honestly say it's the best fry-up I have had in ages.”
The Gorge, High Street, Ashford
With great reviews on google, Facebook and Trip Advisor, The Gorge on Ashford High Street is a top choice for a New Year’s fry-up.
One reviewer said breakfast at the cafe is exactly as it should be, praising the “hearty food” and “cheerful” service.
The Gorge’s owner Fitih Karaoglan says: “It’s great value for money, great quality food and we serve it up fast.
“People like our friendly service and that our prices are not too high. It’s a good place for normal people and we have a lot of options on our menu."