Step into this vintage Art Deco café where locals gather for hearty English breakfasts and comforting Italian classics, all served with warm hospitality.
"A daytime Italian cafe in Bethnal Green that’s been open since 1900, E. Pellicci runs on strong cuppas, winking innuendos, and various formats of fried bread. It’s a high-energy caff where you can indulge in the biggest (and possibly best) fry-up of your life at circa 8am or a truly monstrous pool of lasagne come afternoon. It’s big portions with a side of personality, and one of our favourite spots for a good old-fashioned escalope sandwich." - jake missing, daisy meager, sinead cranna, rianne shlebak
"An Italian-British Bethnal Green caff masquerading as a Cockney Carry On film set, E. Pellicci was the Kray twins’ local hangout way back. These days it’s as much of an essential London experience as the changing of the guard. Nev—one-man charisma whirlwind and part of the family who have owned E. Pellicci for a century—dances around cousin Tony, delivering great ‘Have The Lot’ breakfasts and matchmaking strangers, while plates fly out from the kitchen with shouts from matriarch Maria. The pasta won't blow you away, but picking apart these dishes feels like missing the point." - jake missing, heidi lauth beasley, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, daisy meager
"An Italian-British caff masquerading as a Cockney Carry On film set, E. Pellicci is most famous for being the Kray twins’ local hangout. These days though, the split between tourists taking selfies with the art deco signage and loyal regulars is pretty even—because everyone appreciates textbook fry-ups. This Bethnal Green spot remains as much of an essential London experience as the changing of the guard. But maybe better, because E. Pellicci has Nev. photo credit: Koray Firat Nev—one-man charisma hurricane, your new best friend, and part of the family who have owned E. Pellicci for a century—dances around his cousin Tony, gently ribbing a group who were defeated by the ‘Have The Lot’ breakfast, dropping off overflowing plates of spaghetti bolognese, and introducing perfect strangers to each other as if he’s the host of Take Me Out. No likey? Then Nev will matchmake you with one of the many regulars nursing mugs of builders tea and sporting cheeky grins instead. photo credit: E. Pellicci photo credit: Koray Firat photo credit: Koray Firat The dishes flying out from the kitchen hatch into the worn but warm, wood-panelled room, along with shouts from matriarch Maria, have always been a rotation of comfort foods. They won’t be the best plates of pasta you’ve ever eaten—though the breakfasts are solid—but to pick apart these lovingly prepared dishes, served with a side of banter and maybe a slice of complimentary cake, feels like missing the point. Food Rundown photo credit: Koray Firat Have The Lot (Meat) If you like your fry-up on the generous side, with crisp bacon, blistered sausages, and beans that require a hash brown dam, you’ll love this. Plus, Anna—Nev’s sibling—checking in multiple times to see if you like the food feels hearty, wholesome, and correct. video credit: Emily Hai Ham & Cheese Roll A crusty roll, thickly sliced mature cheddar cheese, and salty ham are all tasty things. It’s not anything special, but it does the trick on days when you need a basic, serviceable sandwich in a hurry. photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch Lasagne This generous portion of lasagne is creamy and comforting, but it could be so much better. We’d like less béchamel, more ragu, and some salt. Breakfast is definitely the thing to get at E. Pellicci." - Sinéad Cranna
"E Pellici are back open for collection. You can pre-order things like lasagne trays, canneloni, and chicken, bacon, and mushroom pies. They’re also selling pantry essentials like flour, olive oil, and more. Call them on 07496 535974 or 020 77394873 to order." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak
"You might think there’s nothing unique about a little London caff that serves a full English. You could think that, but friends, you would be wrong when it comes to E Pellicci. It’s a proper east London cafe that’s been open since 1900, and is owned by an Italian family who are basically Bethnal Green’s answer to The Osbournes. As well as serving their full English breakfasts on a bed of fried bread, they also serve things like a nap-inducing lasagna, sandwiches, and bread pudding with, old faithful, Bird’s custard. After Buckingham Palace and Chariots Sauna, this place has been home to some of London’s most fly-on-the-wall moments, as everyone famous with a Cockney accent has eaten here, including the Kray twins. " - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing
