Early morning London: things to do before work

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Gordon Ramsay's Plane Food, Heathrow

If you are taking an early morning flight it's definitely worth diving into Ramsay's latest endeavor. Food like caviar, croissants and charcuterie are all brought in, cleared by security and then prepared on site and dished up to peckish travellers from 5.30am.

Tip: Don't forget your passport, you can't get in without it.

gordonramsay.com/planefood

Duck & Waffle, Bishopsgate

Blast through your hangover with the ox cheek benedict or the titular duck and waffle at this 24/7 dining extravaganza on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower.

Tip: Avert your gaze from the corridors where late-night/early-morning fumbles take place between couples too inebriated to notice the walls are made of glass.

duckandwaffle.com

The Market Porter, Borough Market

This pub by Borough Market opens early (6am-8.30am) on weekdays for the market traders, so you can down a real ale or a glass of Prosecco with your fry-up (served here from 8am).

Tip: If you don't fancy a pub breakfast, you can pop to Roast round the corner (from 7am) for one of the best bacon butties on the block – which in Borough Market is certainly high praise.

markettaverns.co.uk/the_market_porter.html

The Cock, Farringdon

A proper old-school pub serving meat-heavy grub and pints from 6am, dished up to the Smithfield market traders, night-shift nurses and bleary-eyed clubbers from the local area. Great for people-watching, even better for a beverage. Order a pint of Guinness, or if you prefer a non-alcoholic option, a cup of tea is just 40p.

Tip: If you are in the area, you should also check out The Hope, which has a similar vibe.

VQ, Fulham

Once known as Vingt-Quatre and heralded as "the last chance saloon for amorous Sloanes", VQ has shortened its name and got a slick and shiny new look, but it's still doling out pancakes with icecream or bacon (or both) to late-night clubbers and early risers. And most importantly, it's retained its 24-hour alcohol licence. Unlike most cafés, you can sip on Krug (a half-bottle is £99) with breakfast at dawn, which makes everyone look appealing.

Tip: If you don't fancy the price tag of the sparkling stuff, you can also get a perfectly decent glass of sauvignon blanc for £6.50.

vq24hours.com

Morning Gloryville, Cambridge Heath

A workout session disguised as a rave (6am-10.30am), with big crowds and electronic music but nothing stronger than coffee to drink. There are 'wake-up angels' giving massages and smoothies (£3.50) to get you pumped up and ready to face the day. The ravers get really dressed up in lycra, glitter and silly wigs, so be prepared to leave your inhibitions at the door.

Tip: Bring cash for coffee, smoothies, water and the tempting hot cacao stall

morninggloryville.com

Read more about Morning Gloryville

Frame, Old Street

Classes at Frame start at 6am, so you can get a full-on pre-work workout. Try 'Vibe', a 30 minute burst of minute-long exercises done in quick succession, or 'Frame Camp', with sprinting, hill climbs and full-body conditioning.

Tip: Early mornings are the best time to work out because most of us get an adrenaline spike first thing, also it means you can feel smug all day knowing that you've been burning calories while your colleagues were snoozing.

moveyourframe.com/shoreditch/home

Read more about pre-work workouts