The Early Bird

Got the special, which was poached eggs with hollandaise sauce atop a waffle with chives and honey. Service was prompt, and the inside of the restaurant is cool, lotta 80s and 90s nostalgia. Food was really good, eggs had nice consistency and waffle balanced the savoury out with sweet.

My oldest brother recommended my parents and I to try out The Early Bird in Downtown London, so we decided to go there today and was such a great choice! I had an iced coffee with the Chicken & Waffle and it was very tasty!! The waitress was very kind. You gotta eat here!!! The vibes were neat also. I'll have to come back here someday. Loved every minute of it!

Great experience. Good atmosphere. Taste breakfast. We paid $71 for 3 adults. Strongly recommend it.

Amazing breakfast! I had the classic breakfast and my buddy got the eggs Benny. The food was all delicious but the bacon was especially a hit! Fresh bacon, cooked perfectly, with some maple flavor. I'll definitely stop back here if I'm ever in town again!

The huevos rancheros was out of this world! Delicious and relatively healthy for eating out. The service is always friendly. The atmosphere is unique due to the decorations on the tables, walls, ceiling and pretty much everywhere you look. Great music choice. Highly recommend this unique place!

Omg this is so good! I got the brisket poached eggs with gluten-free bread. Big portion and every bite was perfect. Definitely worth a two hour drive.

A very yummy breakfast spot in London!! To get some delicious food with creative changes!! Chicken and waffles was delicious and verty filling and scrumptious!! That hot honey was good and add some syrup why not!! Breakfast burritos also was great!! Recommend for you to try out and enjoy a great experience!!

If you're on the hunt for an enchanting breakfast spot, look no further—this place is a true hidden gem! As soon as you step through the doors, you’re immersed in a captivating atmosphere that feels like a beautiful escape from the everyday. The attention to detail in the décor is simply stunning, making it a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. But it doesn’t stop there! The service is outstanding; the staff genuinely goes the extra mile to make sure your dining experience is nothing short of perfect. With a fantastic array of menu options, the food is absolutely delicious, and their hot chocolate is a standout that you won’t want to miss. I wholeheartedly recommend this charming spot to family and friends—it's an experience that’s definitely worth a visit!

I was impressed with the early Bird. The food was wonderful. Service was on point and ambience was really chill.

Visited The Early Bird for Saturday brunch and the place was buzzing with energy. The vibrant decor and lively vibes set a great tone for the morning. Service was excellent--energetic, helpful, and quick. I opted for the "Eggs and Homies" with a side of sausage. The dish was exactly as expected, tasty with a notably delicious hollandaise sauce that even won over someone like me who usually isn't a fan. We also tried "The Stacker," which was hearty and allowed us to sample different meats sandwiched between pancakes. The pancakes themselves were standard but filling. Additionally, we indulged in a crazy strawberry milkshake that seemed straight out of a carnival scene--extremely sweet but a treat for anyone with a sweet tooth. Overall, The Early Bird is definitely worth a visit for brunch, offering good value. Just be ready for a potential wait if you arrive during peak times.

This is one of the cutest brunch/breakfast spots I have ever been to! The vibe is completely unmatched, from the retro vinyl chairs to the american traditional tattoo art taped all over the tables and walls - this is the spot you need to bring your girl on a breakfast date! The menu was extensive, with lots of options and the service was super nice - really accommodating and kept on checking in on us to make sure all was good, our coffees were topped and our stomachs were happy. Apparently the eggs benny here is absolutely fire and a must try. Their smoked bacon is also thick and cooked just right - as someone who doesn't even touch pork most of the time, I would say I have to agree! It was thick cut too, if that's your thanggg. I went with the avocado toast because I am a basic millennial and when it came, it was not what i expected at all! Garnished with crispy onions and green onions (which usually i am not a fan of at all), it truly elevated the flavour and taste of the entire thing. The toast did not get soggy and I absolutely loved it! Usually I am all for a basic bitch avo toast with some sesame seeds, salt and pepper but this was something I did not expect at all and I was pleasantly surprised! Overall, had a really enjoyable time here with some great company and I will 100% come back!

LOVE the food here ! very generous portion sizes and great taste. i've had many items off their menu (turducken club, chicken and waffles, eggs Benny, normal waffles, etcetc) and have never been disappointed. they have all your traditional, boring, breakfast dishes, but also so many new, modern, innovative takes on some classics. the service has always been incredible and they have lovely staff. the decor is also incredibly unique and really adds to the ambiance of the whole place. the early bird is definitely one of the top restaurants in London. I just wish they took reservations !!

I'd give Early Bird a 2.5/5. I went on a Saturday around 1:45pm and waited approx. 20 mins to be seated. The restaurant is quite small but a nice atmosphere and shares a space with the Holy Diver. I ordered the Avocado Eggs Benedict, and while I like goat cheese there was way too much and overpowered the combination. There was probably a whole avocados worth on top of the bread and I LOVE avocado but this was a little too much. The home fries are cubed potatoes that weren't cut small enough, so not crispy and not seasoned at all (not even salt) making them very bland. Maybe I'll try something sweet if I ever go again, the meal wasn't satisfying sadly.

Every time I come to London I want to try this place out and I'm so happy I finally did! It really had nice vibes and aesthetics! The food was great! Very fresh and the waffles were crispy and had great flavour. I saw tables beside us order MASSSIVE pancakes so for will be trying that next time! There was a few miscommunications where our server took our drink order... a different server brought us our drinks followed by our server coming with your drinks.... Shocked to find out they were already made and dropped off. I don't like food waste so I was disappointed to see him take it back to dispose of (but it happens sometimes) my friend also was given a wrong item on his order but didn't say anything because he said either was a great choice . I ordered the hash breakfast and cinnamon waffles! With a hot coco (that has whip cream and a cherry on top) really reminded me of my childhood in the 90s! The food took about close to 20+ minutes to come out. It was fresh and hot so I didn't say anything but it wasn't busy so I'm shocked. I would still go back! I have a list of items I want to try next time! They also had anime stickers on the table! Great choice with One Piece

Early Bird used to be soooo good before the pandemic; their quality and portions have decreased substantially since them reopening. I understand their prices haven't gone up as much as other brunch places, but it still has. Their menu is also much less extensive now. The Huevos rancheros is good, not great. The hash and eggs doesn't come in a skillet anymore, and has far less veggies now. Also what happened to the complimentary fruit cups? Too bad.

Awesome food. Great selection. The staff were very friendly and helpful. I enjoyed the atmosphere and interior design. Plus they had He-Man on TV.

We are here after visiting the local Uni. Ample portions and nice idiosyncratic music play list. Recommend the eggs benny, either classic or Reuben style. Btw, for Americans, pea meal ham = "Canadian bacon."

Amazing food and service. Many unique dishes. The vegan dishes were amazing. The waiter was friendly.

Great allergy friendly brunch! We wanted to go here for brunch but when we arrived (Friday at 11:45am) it was full, so they took our number and told us it might be a 30 min wait. So we went to the farmers market and over an hour later we went back because we felt like they forgot about us and then we got a seat. When we got inside the server was apologetic about the wait and we ordered. I have a lot of allergies (gluten, onion, garlic, and dairy are the main ones though), and so I was happily surprised when they said they could make the breakfast without using the spices. Bacon seemed like it was maple glazed (so good!), the home fries were perfect (crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside), fruit wasn't old, eggs were done as requested, and it also came with buttered toast which I gave to my friend because it contains gluten. My vegetarian friend also had quite a few choices! The place has character, with vinyls and similar decor (I think I spotted a devil head somewhere lol). And regarding price, most things were around $12-18 which is average. Serving sizes are decent, I managed to finish all my food but some of my friends shared and one of them couldn't finish so she packed the rest for home. Overall, I'd definitely recommend to any of my friends, especially ones with allergies and food restrictions! The wait time is a little bit of a turn off but besides that, it was a lovely experience- I am definitely coming again!

We really enjoyed our visit here, the eggs Benedict is great , very good for a family breakfast when you have kids

Pretty good! The french toast in particular was very tasty with a nice eggy texture and a slight hint of cinnamon (actually I don't quite like cinnamon but it was subtle enough - though I would prefer it without) and a dust of icing sugar. The Egg McJustin was just okay. The eggs were cooked well but the meats were quite salty and the bacon was tough and hard to chew. The milk bun was good though!

Not sure it's worth the long wait. The food was good, but I was disappointed that the "avocado toast" was made with what seemed to be mass-produced guacamole (you know, the supermarket kind...). I had eaten here years ago and loved it, but something seemed "off" on the most recent visit. I'll try it again though I'm sure.

I loovvvveddd the aura of the environment! It's filled with people chatting, laughing, and enjoying their food along with great service. The decor brings such an artistic ambiance and commemorates so many great artists of our time. The food is delicious as well! I mean it couldn't get better than The Early Bird in London. A must go; I loved how diverse their menu is!

We discovered The Early Bird thanks to Yelp. During the visit, I was mesmerized, bewitched, spellbound, entranced, beguiled by The Early Bird. Many days passed, and the spell dissipated. I think I can write an objective review now. Decoration/Ambience - 5/5. It is in your face. It is magical. It is everywhere. Whether you are into hard rock and anti-culture or not, there is no denying that the execution of the theme is beautiful. It is the reason I was under a spell upon entrance. I highly recommend patronizing The Early Bird at least once to witness the decoration. Food plating and portion - 5/5. There is no denying that the food is designed for someone who wants his/her food to look pretty and has a big appetite. The food plating does half the job of putting the word upscale in "upscale casual". The placement of the Waffles and Chicken was intentional, careful and visually pleasing. The sprinkled dessert sugar looked like fairy dust on the waffles. The portion of one entree could feed two people. The bread was sliced so thick that I estimated there was a whole loaf of bread in the Turducken Club order. (I put a full size dinner fork next my pictures, so you can compare and see the portion) Food quality - 3/5. The Early Bird is a gourmet diner plus. The menu contained traditional diner food with gourmet twists, plus other unique dishes. Whoever designed the food and menu was a genius. The cooking of my food, however, was less than perfect at my visit. The bread in the Turducken Club was stale. The turkey was dry. The fried chicken tasted the best. Guess the chicken had the highest turnover, so it was still fresh. The waffles were partly crunchy and partly chewy. Maybe the chef had an off day that day. Taste wise, maple syrup and ketchup made the waffles and sandwich tasted outstanding. Services - 3/5. We arrived after 5pm on Thursday. The place was not busy. Food took a while, We got all the orders and drinks without mistake. The server was not particularly friendly by diner standard. Overall - 4/5. I am glad we ate here. If you are in town, come over to The Early Bird.

Very good place. Breakfast and. Food. But is. Smalll you need a reservado for big groups. Good place and food 100 recommended

Location: Ridout St N & King St Parking: paid street parking only Decor: reminded me a lot 'Día de los Muertos' feel mixed with 80's diner. They had a tiki bar in the back. Washrooms are also themed with nice wallpaper, Even their 'Careful slippery when wet' sign was shaped like a banana. Food: The chicken and waffles was decent. The eggs benedict was really good, that was my favorite. From the Yelp photos i was looking for the chicken and waffles that are stacked but when i asked they said it is only for the pancakes. Service & Cost: Service can be a bit slow. Food came out quick at least. Cost is the same as other brunch places.

My friend and I were looking for a place to go to in London ON that is good for breakfast/brunch and we yelped and found this one. Its a pretty interesting looking resturant with skulls and vintage decor. Elvis was all around the place, and records, which was pretty cool and different, defs very colourful. We didnt have reservations and had to wait like 15 minutes, it was pretty packed inside. We went today at 1130 am. Seems like a pretty popular spot, the service was very good and efficient. The menu had lots of options with eggs! Some vegan, veggie but mostly lots of meat which of course you can ask to remove if you like. I had a eggs jenny and my friend had stacked pancakes which were more than filling and enough to take home to eat after. My meal was pretty decent size, it was yummy with the avacado, while the bread was pretty basic and I didnt really touch it. It was mostly priced around 15-18$ So I guess thsts average. I would recommend this to friends or anyone looking for a brunch place.

The food was amazing and had a nice ambience. We ordered three dishes but I won't recommend ordering pancakes as they were crispy.

The chicken and waffles was drenched in grease and it was not good service, I wouldn't recommend this spot

Went for bacon and eggs wait was way too long after been seated mentioned this to the waiter His reply. Everything is made from scratch As I said I ordered bacon and eggshell

I have had excellent meals at The Early Bird in the past. However, the Feb 2021 experience was really disappointing. I understand how hard things are for restaurants during the pandemic and sympathize but at the same time, taste and quality still matters. Unfortunately we didn't get either with our eggs Benedict or chicken and waffles. The waffle was very greasy. I suspect it was not fresh and therefore deep fried. The egg was also fried instead of poached - a definite shock. And the hollandaise was cold. Completely cold. We also felt terrible for the overworked waitress. She was excellent and did great but needed some help. Sadly will think twice before going back.

Walking into Early Bird, you feel transported to a different time. Rock and roll posters line the walls and the place is decorated colourfully. Even the dining tables have decorated cards under the glass covering. I tried the Eggs Jenny, their Eggs Benedict vegetarian option, which consists of fried tofu, tomatoes, avocado and of course a poached egg covered in hollandaise sauce. It also came with a bit of goat cheese that added an extra zang to the dish. It was definitely an interesting combination adding fried tofu to an eggs benedict, but somehow it worked. On the side, there was hash potatoes, which in addition to the 2 portions of Eggs Jenny that you get, made one a very full diner. Always a good place to eat here, with many brunch options.

Since I started living in London I have mostly cooked my own food or ordered in. I have maybe gone out to restaurants a handful of times and of those times, I've been to the Early Bird twice. The first time I went with my sister. We shared the Fat Elvis and the Ham & Swiss Eggs Benedict. Both items were great - unique and flavorful and crazy decadent. I have a sweet tooth so I LOVED the Fat Elvis but the Benedict held it's own given it was on a sweet bun instead of the typical English muffin. I enjoyed it so much the first time I took my friend and her mom here when they came to visit. I got the Egg McJustin and this is the only item I have tried that I didn't love. I don't recall why that is so since it was a couple months back but I do recall it being a bit awkward to eat and I think something about the patty that just wasnt to my tastes. It was okay but didnt stand up to their other offerings that I had tried. My friend got the Popper Grilled Cheese and gave me a bite and that was really good. Awesome flavor with that unexpect pop of sweetness from the sweet pepper jelly against the more spiced/ savory elements like the jalapenos and corn chips. Her mom got the French Toast which I didnt try but it looked so good. Brunch is a huge thing in Toronto and both my sister and I said we could see the Early Bird holding their own there. Between the fun and kitschy atmosphere, the friendly staff, and the unique and exceptionally delicious food, the Early Bird is a must when you're in London.

THEIR EGGS BENEDICT IS A WORK OF ART. Slicing through the egg makes the yolk run down everything but it's not runny at all. All the flavors come together, balanced well by the sweet bun and the sweet and salty potatoes. It's delicious. Also, the place is beautiful!!! And servers are really attentive and friendly.

Went in on a busy Sunday at around 1230pm. It was a full house! Which means it's probably really good since so many of the locals come here to have Sunday brunch. We ordered the smoked meat poutine and when served, it was a pulled pork poutine. We asked to get the smoked meat poutine and the waiter told us that it was a smoked meat already and he wasn't going to change it. That's alright, pulled pork was good anyway - I just didn't like how he didn't even bother to try to check for us. Then we ordered the chicken and waffles - these are huge FYI. So if you think you can eat them on your own, unless you can eat a whole elephant, share. Just a tip from me :) Fried waffles and fried chicken with heavy gravy and syrup, who doesn't love that? It tasted so good;! I also got the white summer sangria - fancy that! Then we also ordered the pancake stacker (half- 2 pancakes only) . These pancakes are so fluffy but they are also massive!!!!!!! Absolutely delightful! I would definitely come back and try another thing on their menu. They told me everyone comes for the turducken sandwich which I see is also massive. This is may-fit eats out---- cheers!

Super good food and even better vibes! I love this restaurant that only problem is that their prices are a bit outrageous. They even charge additional just for jam for your toast.

Good breakfast place overall. Ambiance was eclectic with old speakers and Mexican diá de los muerto paintings. I ordered the GrEgg Benedict, which was an ambrosial mix of potatoes, eggs and brisket. Service was good. Plain poutine was unimpressive, but lots of other dishes to try. Good variety of options.

Between the atmosphere and the portions came great taste. Ordered Fat Elvis and pulled pork eggs benny with side of bacon, not all for me. Fat Elvis was great but made me want to order French toast next time. Not that I minded the bacon, peanut butter and fried bananas but the French toast was the best ever! All of the food is great. All of the service is amazing. All of the atmosphere is wonderful. I can't say anything bad about this place!!!!

Amazing place. Completely unexpected for us. We were just looking for a nice brunch place. Walked in to a very friendly waiter. He recommended the special which my wife took. I went for the pancakes. He said I should not go for the 4 but just the 2 and he was right. 2 was way more than enough. The pancakes had a hint of cinnamon which made my day. The special eggs Benedict were amazing. We immediately bought some gift card for this place to give to some friends for xmas. It was that good. Great place for breakfast or lunch. Lots of variety on the menu. Perhaps a tad more hipster than normal but most of London is like that now.

Came here on a Saturday afternoon for brunch (around 12:30) to visit a friend. The line was a bit long (probably 20 minutes) but it moved fairly quickly. Service was good, however, the food took a very long time to come (30-45 minutes). As for the food, I ordered the ham and swiss eggs benedict and my friend ordered the french toast (which was a very very large portion). The eggs benedict was tasty, however, it was too heavy for my liking and I was unable to finish the meal. Overall, the place was decent and prices were okay. The atmosphere was very neat (a very hipster vibe) so that was a plus side.

Phenomenal philly cheesesteak burger & superb tomato soup. We also tried the chicken burger, great pickles! We got a French toast to go... couldn't resist!! I really enjoyed the space, it's funky and you never run out of things to look at. Each room is unique. Thanks for a great time! I'd come here all the time if I were a local.

Absolutely love this place! I know the Wolfe brothers recently sold it, to the head cook, so I am assuming (and praying) it's still incredible! Great options, high quality, large portions and cool spot.

Finally gave this place a try since I was craving chicken and waffles and it really hit the spot! Not comparable to School restaurant in Toronto however as the waffles could have been fluffier. Presentation could also be improved because hiding the chicken under all the waffles and onions made it all soggy. I was impressed with how moist the chicken was the portions were generous. My friend ordered the grilled cheese popper which tasted amazing and only cost her $8 compared to my $18 meal. The menu seems to cover a good variety of options and although the place was bustling on a Saturday afternoon we were sat immediately. I would like to come back to try other items but it will be hard not to order the chicken and waffles! Drinks were expensive to me, I couldn't get myself to pay $7 for a 2oz mimosa or $13 for a fancy drink from the tiki bar. A cup of coffee was $2.75 and it took awhile for the waitress to notice we needed a refill.

The Early Bird is an all-around great brunch option in London! For starters, the funky, retro-style decor gives all you millennials out there a very aesthetically pleasing, insta-worthy meal. Moreover, the food itself comes with great presentation and sizeable portions (definitely be ready to ask for a to-go box). My personal favourites are the Turducken Club with a side of Lattice Chips, The Pancake Stacker, and the Toad in a Hole! I haven't had a chance to try anything from their taco menu yet (since Rock au Taco recently opened next door - they allow you to order off of both menus) but I've heard great things about it too. The only caveat here is that the savoury dishes tend to be on the salty side but other than that, be ready for a solid brunch experience!

Sister and I took our mom here for Mother's Day around noon. It took about 10-15 minutes to get a table, which was less than expected. Cool. Still not cool is the service. Not friendly, zero personality and slow. I think he spoke, but I can't really be sure. Maybe ensure your servers aren't hungover on a special day like Mother's Day? I will drop a good vibe on the lady server who brought out our food, she was a happy gem. The coffee was shite. Some dark roast that couldn't be saved by lots of cream and sugar. I ordered Toad in the Hole which, as most of their food is, was delightful and delicious. Hash = cut potatoes? Okay then. Mom liked her McJustin, although the smoked bacon on the sandwich just gets pulled out with the first bite. Sister got Bird Breakfast without toast for gf and I was given a piece of bacon to try. That is a good bacon. I like the food, I really do. I am just dissatisfied with the service. I shake my tiny Yelp fist.

Got the "half stack" which is two pancakes with bacon, peameal bacon, an egg, and home fries. THIS THING WAS STACKED TO THE SKY. I had switch out the regular bacon for more peameal and i'm glad i did because the peameal was DELICIOUS! The pancakes weren't as fluffy as I would've preferred them to be. But for $13.50 or something, it was more than enough food for brunch. My friend got the classic breakfast and he loved it too. Would come back here!

I came for brunch on a Sunday to try the famous chicken and waffles. We only had two people, but still had to wait around 15 minutes for a table. The dish is huge, and we both had plenty of leftovers. I was a bit underwhelmed by the waffles, which I felt could have been softer. However, chicken and waffles do create a pleasant harmony of flavours. I don't know if it lived up to the hype, but I would recommend everyone to try it at least once. Service was great despite how busy it was, and it was overall a positive experience.

My favourite brunch place in London! I would almost come here just for the decor and the music. I've tried their Monte Cristo and their Eggs Benedict special (two different times), and every time my taste buds and stomach are more than completely satisfied. I appreciate the little side of fruit to take the edge off the heaviness of the meal. It would be even better if there was a tiny salad on the side. The last time I came here on the weekend, we had to wait over 30 minutes for our food, and it was difficult to get coffee, let alone a coffee refill because they were so busy or understaffed. We didn't even get cutlery with our food. Hopefully, that was a one off experience.

The bomb! Great staff and great food! I walked down to a few other brunch places in London and they all seemed foreign and they all gave that look as if I don't belong there! The Early Bird made me feel at home! I felt like I got the friendly Silicon Valley treatment! Eggs Jenny is yummy!!

Hands down one of my favourite restaurants in London! The service and food is fantastic!

Although it's slightly above average prices in London, this is definitely one of my favourite brunch places in the city. The Early Bird always puts a fun twist on classics. The only downside is that the food can be a little greasy - a lot of the sides/parts are often deep-fried. However, it is a great place to eat with friends, since they're able to accommodate for large groups as well.

When I'm paying $50 for brunch for two (no cocktails included) in London, Ontario, my expectations are set pretty high. Alas, The Early Bird is all sizzle and not much steak. London's latest hipster haven is conveniently located near plenty of public (not free) parking downtown, and basically it's a slightly larger, edgier version of Prince Albert's Diner at 565 Richmond, albeit updated with an ironic Tiki bar. The coffee is so terrible that they should be paying customers to drink it. And then there's the petty substitution policy, which focuses more on removing ingredients vs actually substituting anything else. Most of the popular menu items are cheap ingredients and greasy/fried, so expect to pay a premium for any non-processed food that bypassed the deep fryer. Service level is hipster (i.e. minimal), and it's clear they can't wait to turn over your table to keep the crowd moving. We waited a long time for our food, and it looks like their portion sizes have gone down over the last year (the chef salad now features just half an avocado, unlike the photo from 2017). The decor is cute, but for these prices, I'd rather eat elsewhere.

Delicious flavour, cozy space, in downtown London. Our food was good, the place definitely has a funky yet fun vibe and it would be a place I'd recommend to others. :)

First time here and it was great breakfast food. Portions were big and the quality was pretty good. They aren't that great for gluten free options, as it is a smaller place, so due to some restrictions with the party I came with it wasn't as good for them. I'd definitely come back again but beware of allergies and limitations with food.

Really enjoyed the poutine with duck gravy and the turducken sammy, which is massive.

Saw this little gem on dinners drive ins and dives. Stopped in was was enjoyable. Downtown parking a little pricey. But the portions are huge and delicious. Had the turduckin club. Large assortment from our group of 8 and everyone was pleased.

One of those gems you want to take your friends and family to. Upon entering at The Early Bird you get a sense that a lot of thought and effort went into building a unique and captivating atmosphere. From the retro art decor on the tables to the hanging orbs on the ceiling, there is just something special about it. More importantly though, the food is superb and they offer all day breakfast - not just till 3 but till 9 or later. Today, I visited to cure an eggs benny craving and I was happy that they offer tofu substitutes as meatless options. I've heard the turdunken sandwich alone is worth the visit! Overall, an excellent experience and I highly recommend it if you're seeking something new and fun!