Dishoom Breakfast Review: Bombay Comfort Food in the Heart of London
Dishoom’s breakfast is more than just a morning meal. It’s a slice of Bombay history served with a side of spiced nostalgia. The menu brings together rich, comforting flavours from across Bombay’s Irani cafés, all served in a warm, atmospheric setting that feels both lively and inviting.
A Taste of Bombay in Covent Garden, London
Dishoom has become something of an institution in London, with each of its locations paying tribute to the Irani cafés of Bombay. These cafés were first opened by Parsi and Irani immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, offering affordable and hearty food to a rapidly modernising city.
The Covent Garden branch of Dishoom in particular is designed to echo the glamour and excitement of early Indian cinema, bringing a dash of old Bombay’s bustle to London.
By breakfast time, the place is alive. Full of chatter, clinking glasses and the clatter of plates. It’s the kind of energy that wakes you up just like a strong coffee.
Breakfast is served every day (from 8 am on weekdays and 9 am on weekends) until 11.45 am.
Booking link (walk-ins are always welcome, but you may have to queue if you don’t get there early)
Matka game is available before 6 pm on weekdays (read below)
Our bill for 4 people came to £80
What We Ordered
We visited on a Sunday morning, heading to the Covent Garden branch as a group of four. All of us were already Dishoom fans, but strangely, neither Alice nor I had ever tried their breakfast menu before. Safe to say, we’ve been missing out. Between us, we ordered a variety of dishes to get a sense of the full menu.
Keema Per Eedu
Bacon & Egg Naan Roll
This is Dishoom’s signature breakfast item. The naan is freshly baked by hand to order; soft yet charred, wrapped around smoked streaky bacon, a fried egg, and a dollop of tomato-chilli jam. Simple, messy, and seriously satisfying.
In Bombay (now Mumbai), especially among the Parsi community, eggs are common at breakfast, but bacon is not part of the heritage.
Dishoom’s roll takes the idea of a comforting English morning sandwich and gives it a Bombay-style twist by using naan instead of bread, chilli jam instead of ketchup, and optional masala beans on the side. It’s inspired by the spirit of Bombay cafés rather than replicating a specific dish you’d find there.
Keema Per Eedu
A deeply comforting Parsi dish. Spiced chicken keema (minced meat, which includes some chopped liver as well) topped with two fried eggs and served with buttered buns. It was hearty and full of flavour.
Kejriwal
Essentially, it’s Dishoom’s take on Buck Rarebit (Cheese on toast with an egg). A runny fried egg sits on top of chilli cheese toast.
Date & Banana Porridge (Bottomless)
Yes, bottomless porridge is a thing here. Creamy, lightly sweet, and indulgent enough for a weekday treat. When you finish, you can just ask for more, and they will top you up with however much you want!
Bun Maska Chai (Bottomless)
Smooth, milky spiced chai, which you can top up as much as you want (we would like to think so since it costs £5.50!). Served with a buttered dipping bun.
We also got a coffee, which wasn’t worth writing home about.
Bacon & Egg Naan Roll
Date & Banana Porridge
Vibe & Service
Dishoom Covent Garden does a great job recreating that bustling Bombay café energy. There’s chatter, clinking cups, and the gentle clatter of plates. It’s all part of the charm.
The service was friendly and attentive throughout, despite the fast-paced morning rush. The waiters kept checking in on us to make sure everything was okay and that our teas and porridges were sufficiently topped up. We never felt rushed even though we were catching up with our friends for around 2 hours.
The Matka Game: Roll a Six, Eat for Free
One of Dishoom’s quirkiest traditions is the Matka. When you walk in, ask for a Matka token, show it to the waiter when the bill arrives and roll the die. Roll a six, and your entire bill is free. Yes, seriously. We’ve never done it becuase it’s only available on weekdays before 6 pm, but it’s worth asking for!
Before you leave, they’ll offer you a Dishoom loyalty card. Keep it safe for your next visit.
Final Thoughts
Even though Dishoom is now a big name with several locations, each restaurant still manages to hold onto its own charm. The service is consistently brilliant, the food is packed with flavour and spice, and it does a great job of capturing the feel of proper Indian cooking (with some inventions of their own).
Breakfast was no exception. Everything we tried was delicious. Yes, it’s pricier than a traditional Indian breakfast, but at around £20 a head, the overall experience, atmosphere, and quality make it more than worth it.
Bun Maska Chai
Get the Dishoom Experience at Home
If you’ve fallen in love with the flavours of Dishoom, their cookbook is well worth picking up. It’s more than just recipes. It’s filled with beautiful photography, stories from Bombay’s culinary past, and plenty of tips on cooking with spices and building Indian flavours at home.
I love it not just for the dishes, but for the way it captures the spirit of travel, food and culture all in one. Perfect for anyone who enjoys cooking, exploring new cuisines, or just getting lost in a good cookbook. You can grab a copy here on Amazon (affiliate link).
More from London Restaurants
We visited Dishoom Covent Garden for breakfast and tried their signature naan roll, spicy keema, and creamy chai. Here’s our full review, including what to order and how to roll the Matka for a free meal.