Breakfast of Champions – the UK’s Ideal Fry-Up Combinations
We can all agree that a traditional fry-up is a breakfast for champions, but when it comes to putting together the perfect plate, we've got very different opinions on what does – and doesn't! – belong.
From avocado to smoked salmon, we polled 2,000 UK adults to find out how our traditional fry-up has fared over time, and which new emerging breakfast trends are taking over the scene.
Whet your appetite? Never fear, as we’ve also discovered where in the UK you can get your hands on the best breakfast, by analysing the number of highly rated cafes, pubs and restaurants all serving breakfast with a rating of 4 stars or higher using Yell.com.
The UK’s Most Popular Fry-Up Orders Revealed
From our survey, we found that toast and sausages (whether pork or vegetarian) are the nation’s breakfast staple and had the lowest number of critics, just 11% of people would ditch these items.
Another firm favourite amongst the public is bacon, which just 15% of UK adults would choose not to include in their brekky.
For vegans and vegetarians, non-traditional favourites include soda bread (32%), chips (31%), boxty (a traditional Irish potato pancake at 28%) and pancakes (26%).
In the ‘how do you like your eggs’ debate, scrambled wins! Over a quarter (27%) would rather have their eggs scrambled than fried, while 24% would want them poached, which proved to be most popular in Wales and the South West of England.
The UK’s Least Favourite Fry-Up Staples
Love it or hate it, our research found that black pudding is the least popular item on a traditional fry-up. A whopping 46% of the nation would happily ditch this, and it was least popular in the South East and South West of England. Researchers believe black pudding originated in around 800 BC, and to this day can still be found on a full Scottish breakfast.
Other regional items struggling with popularity are Welsh breakfast go-tos, cockles and laverbread. But the appeal has not crossed the border, as 43% of the nation would avoid a serving. Not only that, but the research shows that cockles aren’t a fan-favourite amongst the Welsh themselves either, as this was the least favourite breakfast item in this region.
Despite its name, laverbread is made from an edible seaweed found around the west coast of Britain and is served in a puree-like state and is paired with the salty taste of cockles and bacon.
Top 10 Favourite Brunch Dishes in the UK
If you’re heading out for brunch and need some inspiration, then look no further. As part of our research, we asked the nation to reveal their go-to brunch dishes, and the results are in...
- Traditional fry-up – including sausages, bacon, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, fried egg and hash brown (47%)
- Eggs Benedict/Royale/Florentine – poached eggs on English muffins with either ham, smoked salmon or wilted spinach (19%)
- Classic bacon sandwich (17%)
- Vegetarian or vegan fry up (15%)
- Eggs on toast (12%)
- Sausage sandwich (12%)
- French toast (12%)
- Avocado on toast – this dish proved to be most popular with the 35-44 age group (12%)
- American pancakes – thick, fluffy and most popular with the Gen Z’ers (10%)
- Smoked salmon and eggs on toast (9%)
The UK’s Most Unusual Breakfast Choices
As part of our research, we also asked the nation about their most unusual breakfast choices, from steak to Yorkshire puddings and gravy, we’ve seen it all!
We’ve all heard of breakfast for dinner (aka brinner), but what about dinner for breakfast? Our survey revealed around one in twenty (4.7%) would love to chow down on Yorkshire puddings with their cooked breakfast. But this isn’t the only item from a classic roast dinner that the nation wants to eat morning and night; 3% of UK adults would even go as far as to pour gravy onto their brekky if they were given the choice. Yorkshire, we’re looking at you!
And the controversy doesn’t end there. In the style of dinner for breakfast, one in 10 of us would add steak to our plate and, when paired with 16% who admitted to wanting chips to be a part of their ‘ultimate breakfast order’, we think this might be an emerging trend.
Another 3% of those surveyed would be partial to adding even more unusual items to their fry-up including tomato soup, spam, tofu, carrots and even hummus!
The UK’s Alternative Cooked Breakfast
After analysing the results of the UK’s favourite breakfast choices (unusual or not), we’ve constructed an alternative cooked breakfast based on the demand for foods in different categories and the results are in...
The UK’s alternative cooked breakfast would consist of smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, pancakes, chips, bubble and squeak, ketchup and avocado. Individually, each of these items gained the highest number of votes but combining them altogether makes for an interesting breakfast plate, would you give it a try?
According to the data, the nation would be happy to widen their breakfast horizons even further and try some breakfast foods they’re normally not used to, at least once.
Of those surveyed, a ‘breakfast pizza’ was the most popular choice – almost two fifths (38%) said they would be happy to try this.
When it comes to other top choices, eggs seem to be the common denominator. In fact, following closely was Shakshuka at 24%. This dish consists of eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce and served with bread and is most commonly found in North Africa and the Middle East.
And if you live your life on the spicy side, you’re not alone, as 19% of the nation would also try huevos rancheros – fried eggs served on a corn tortilla with spicy salsa.
If international cuisine takes your fancy, this next one's for you! While a baguette with jam and butter sounds like a perfectly traditional breakfast choice, you might be surprised to hear in France, it’s considered a delicacy to dip this in tea. Not only is this a popular choice among the French, but 20% of UK adults would also give this a try.
While maple syrup and bacon has become a popular breakfast choice here in the UK, would you try maple syrup and fried eggs? Our research found that 20% of us would.
Amongst the most adventurous, other popular choices were fried pork belly, sweet potato sandwich with spicy onion relish, and spicy fish and pork with rice, taking around 15.5% of the Nation’s fancy.
The UK's Best Breakfast Locations
If all this foodie talk has got your mouth watering and you’re craving some breakfast, we’ve got you covered! We’ve discovered which UK cities have the highest percentage of highly rated (4 stars or higher) cafes, pubs and restaurants, all serving the so-called ‘most important meal of the day’.
1. Belfast (69%)
In first place is Belfast where 69% of breakfast places have been highly rated with 4 stars or more, so if you’re wanting to get your hands on some boxty you won’t have to sacrifice on quality!
2. Leeds (50%)
In second place is Leeds where 50% of cafes, pubs and restaurants have been highly rated and are perfect for you to enjoy a hearty breakfast. Our research found that in the North of England scrambled eggs, pancakes, boxty, smoked salmon, bubble and squeak and ketchup or HP Sauce were must haves on a breakfast plate, so if that takes your fancy then Leeds is a great place to explore your breakfast choices.
3. Glasgow (38%)
Representing Scotland in third place is Glasgow with 38% of highly rated spots to grab some breakfast. A traditional Scottish breakfast consists of black pudding, haggis and tattie scones, which are a flat dish made of potatoes and flour which is then fried, similar to potato pancakes.
4. Sheffield and Bristol (33%)
In joint fourth place is Sheffield and Bristol with 33% of highly rated breakfast places. And if you’re a halloumi fan, Bristol is the place for you! Our research found that in the South West of England, halloumi is a staple when it comes to breakfasts.
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About our study
- We surveyed 2,000 UK adults completed in December 2022
- Data on percentage of breakfast places rated 4 stars or more vs all ‘breakfast’ listings sourced from Yell.com, accurate as of 7/12/22
- Population figure sourced from ONS