George’s Cafe & Restaurant Brockley

Opening its doors at 6:30am on weekdays, this family-run Italian café on Brockley Road offers one of the earliest starts in the neighbourhood, with breakfast, omelettes and toasted panini for the morning crowd. From there the menu ranges from homemade lasagna and pasta to ribeye steak and Greek salad, with desserts running from cannoli to cakes. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables, and with a 4.7 rating across 340 reviews, it's clear the regulars approve.