Thank you for thinking of this. I won’t be carrying anything more than a very small backpack, though, so the luggage isn’t a factor. But yes, time is a huge deal.
robardin, that sounds tempting. I will keep that in mind if I wind up with a little more time than I think.
Of course, depending on what happens with Brexit, if my travel involves more of a customs ordeal than I’m expecting, all of this planning could potentially be shot to hell. We shall see.
…with sticky carpets.
j
Has anyone had the pasties in Gatwick near the train ticketing kiosks? If I go back through Gatwick I am planning on trying one since I’ve never had a pasty. Unless someone could tell me a better place for them that is still convenient.
ETA: Oops it looks like the putative train ride of the OP would start at 8:30 so I don’t know if they start serving then or if it is good breakfast food.
I was going to suggest Brindisa off Borough Market who used to do a stupendous Spanish-style breakfast, but they appear to have stopped serving before 10am. Bah humbug.
Would you consider Scottish food?
Brexit has been delayed but it wouldn’t involve you anyway. If you’re taking the Eurostar, you’d still have enter Schengen and go through passport control.
I’ve eaten at Dishoom in King’s Cross and it was VERY good. In fact, I’m in London until Monday and will likely have lunch there tomorrow!
It does look good and someone who’s judgement I trust was very complementary about it, particularly the breads apparently.
One reason I suggested it was because they do breakfast. A sub-continental take on the classic English breakfast and what can be more London than that?
id try reservations at that really fancy place that have the guards outside … looks like it has a medieval times theme about it … i think you have to have a reservation through an old girl named Liz …:)
One micro side of life in the UK for a subsection of society - given how many marvellous pubs there are in that area, going to a Spoons would be borderline criminal. The food is disgusting!
I hadn’t heard of this place, thanks Ike. I will definitely be checking it out.
I’ll actually be coming to London via Ireland, so is your statement true? Also, I’m not looking to turn this political, but my read is that the UK has voted to request a delay, but that it’s still up to the EU as to whether or not said delay will be granted.
I’m a Wetherspoons fan. They’ve got some beautiful pubs, especially in the City of London. They also usually have wall decorations showing the history of the building, or the area, which I think is a nice touch. Their real highlight to me, though, is their beer selection. They go out of their way to source beer from local brewers. If I’m travelling in the regions, and I’m in a town that has a Wetherspoons when I want a beer in the afternoon, that’s likely to be my first choice because I know it will have a local offering. As for the food, if you don’t look at the prices, it ranges from mediocre to decent. But considering what you spend, it’s good value for money. (Having said that, I’m far more likely to drink at a Wetherspoons than eat there.)
I don’t think the OP is looking for a King’s Cross/St. Pancras pub, but for anyone who is, I’d recommend the Parcel Yard. It’s a Fuller’s (London brewer) pub across the street from King’s Cross, has a good selection of beer including their own brands, and Fuller’s pubs generally serve good pub meals. I believe that one serves breakfast.
One other note for the OP. Fortnum and Mason’s has a restaurant in St. Pancras station. If you run into time constraints, or just decide you’d like lighter fare, F&M’s is very English. I’m sure you could have a very nice morning tea there.
Ireland to London is no problem, it’s still part of the common travel area. If you’re taking the Eurostar from St Pancras, then you’ll be entering the Schengen zone which the UK has never been a member of. You’ll go through passport control and get a stamp as you enter Schengen.
Brexit keep gettting crazier by the moment, but since you’re a non-EU passport holder, nothing should affect you.
Wetherspoons food is often pretty poor. Disinterested and poorly trained staff will heat something in a microwave or do fried food for you. Also the range of ales is often mediocre. In central London you won’t find many British people working there. The Brexiteer owner of the chain employs mainly Continentals behind the bar. These maverick businessmen tend to dance to the sound of their own drum when it comes to politics.
There are some nice Weatherspoons that used to be old Cinemas or Banks and they are cheap, which is why they are popular. But I would not say they are a good example of British pub food or ales.
I go every week to a Weatherspoons and there is one near where I live which has an array of dissolute characters that is something like the Cantina scene in Star Wars.
The other suggestions sound fine. Dishroom is great. Upstairs at St Pancras has some Frenchified brasserie places. Borough market is foodie heaven, always worth a visit.
Gatwick to London Bridge by train is about 50 minutes. Plenty of time for a breakfast in Borough market and then the northern line to St Pancras. But…having looked at the menu at the Dishroom. Looks a splendid place for breakfast.