Oh, bacon butty, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways. You’re the first thing we think about in the morning. You inspire us to get out of bed when we’re hungover. Just looking at your crispy rashers under those soft pillows of bread makes us salivate. The smell of you, the taste of you, the feel of you…it all makes us feel truly warm inside. And thirsty. Very, very thirsty…
We could go on, but you’ve probably got an idea by now of how much we love our bacon butties here at IDEAL. And we’re not the only ones; according to research, the bacon butty is officially the nation’s favourite sandwich. But we didn’t need a study to tell us that; just step outside on a Saturday or Sunday morning in a residential street and sniff the air. That’s bacon you smell.
Whether you like yours with ketchup or brown sauce, streaky or back, on white brown or brown, and all those other endlessly debated dichotomies, we’re spreading the love of this sandwich today by handpicking our favourite places in London that have elevated the humble bacon butty to dizzy new heights. Here are 5 of the best places to pig out on a bacon butty in London.
ST JOHN BREAD & WINE, SPITALFIELDS
Have you ever dreamt of waking up to the perfect bacon sandwich? Well, unless you had the foresight to make yourself one before you crashed into bed the night before, in the words of chef Fergus Henderson himself, ”you’ll find the bacon sandwich of your nocturnal fantasies” at St John Bread & Wine.
His internationally renowned bacon sandwich is a thing of simple beauty, just as it should be. The freshly baked and sliced white bread is toasted on an open grill, giving the sandwich a satisfying singe and smoky undertone. Butter is generously spread on both sides for richness. Rashers of rare breed bacon are the perfect balance of smoke and salt. The housemade ketchup has a pleasing tang to it. Summed up, this bacon sandwich is pure, unbridled joy and, to many, the world’s best.
Website: stjohngroup.uk.com
Address: 94-96 Commercial St, London E1 6LZ
DISHOOM, VARIOUS LOCATIONS
Yes, we realise this one isn’t technically a bacon butty, but it’s so iconic, so darn good, that we just couldn’t leave it off our list. We promise normal service will resume shortly…
Dishoom’s Indian inspired and now legendary bacon naan roll involves crispy bacon, chilli jam, cream cheese and herbs, all encased in a freshly baked naan that’s been brushed in melted butter, the presence of which gets this delicious dish onto our list on a technicality.
It’s developed a cult following, and we’re very much card carrying members of that swine loving sect.
The bacon is supplied by The Ginger Pig, one of London’s most revered butchers, so you just know it’s the good stuff. Once you try this one (come on, you already have, haven’t you?) you’ll be converted to believing the Dishoom Bacon Naan deserves a place on any list of London’s best bacon butties, too. Wash it down with a cup of their chai tea and you’ll be ready to take on the world.
The good news? You can enjoy one of Dishoom’s bacon naans from the comfort of your own home. The breakfast dish is available as an ‘at home’ cookery kit and contains everything you need to create two Nann Rolls for just £17. You can even upgrade the kit to include two Marmalade Mimosas, if the mood takes you. One for you, and one for your imaginary friend Paddington.
Website: dishoom.com
Address: Kensington, Shoreditch, King’s Cross, Carnaby and Covent Garden
LE SWINE, AVAILABLE FOR DELIVERY ACROSS LONDON & THE UK
We promise we won’t go rogue again. For our next truly brilliant bacon butty, we’re heading to Le Swine. Actually, Le Swine is heading to us. ‘The best bacon butty in town’ (the Evening Standard’s words) started out as a street food truck of sorts, slinging baps at food festivals and various London markets before adapting their offering in the face of the COVID pandemic. All this means is that you can now enjoy Le Swine’s critically acclaimed bacon butty anywhere in the UK, delivered directly to your door.
Their unctuous butty just oozes bacon brilliance. Made from good ol’ fashioned thick cut middle bacon, a homemade toasted milk & onion bap, bacon butter, and ‘swinez’ tomato sauce and mushroom ketchup, it’s a badass bap, make no mistake. Don’t forget to add a fried duck egg for extra elevation.
Website: leswine.co.uk
THE DUSTY KNUCKLE BAKERY, DALSTON
One of London’s most beloved bakeries. Two slices of light yet sturdy potato sourdough. Exceptional streaky from every top chef’s favourite butchers, Swaledale. Lashings of butter and your choice of sauce…
Are these the ingredients for London’s best bacon butty? The Dusty Knuckle in Dalston certainly think so, and we’re inclined to agree.
The bakery also has a programme helping to rehabilitate young offenders, training them in a new profession and helping them get back on their feet. What better reason to enjoy a bacon sarnie than supporting a noble cause? We’ll see you in Dalston.
Website: thedustyknuckle.com
Address: Abbot St, London E8 3DP
PIGGY’S CAFE, BILLINGSGATE MARKET
If you visit Billingsgate market in the early hours of the morning, you’ll see the fish traders devouring bacon butties, all with a luxurious shellfish twist.
Yep, this is surf’n’turf all repackaged in a floury bap, and Billingsgate Market’s famous scallop and bacon butty has been fueling the market traders at Billingsgate every morning since forever (well, 1982). We just love it. This salty and saline sandwich is certainly worth getting up for, even if you leave the market fishless and fancy free.
Address: Billingsgate Market, Trafalgar Way, London E14 5ST