Full Breakfast in Britain and Ireland

The Big Breakfast

A ‘Full’ breakfast is eaten throughout the whole of the British Isles and Ireland. The names changes depending on where it is served, England Scotland, Ireland or Wales and in Northern Ireland is called an Ulster Fry.

The origins of the breakfast are unclear and believed to originate in the rural England as a sustaining
meal to carry workers through a long morning.

The full breakfast is traditionally served at breakfast time, but it is also popular at other times, usually replacing lunch. Rarely is it now served every day of the week, reserved instead for the weekend or on vacation in hotels and Bed and Breakfasts, where no stay would be complete without one.

What is Served at a Full Breakfast?

Breakfast may begin with orange juice, cereals, stewed or fresh fruits but the heart of the Full breakfast is bacon and eggs. They are variously accompanied by sausages, grilled tomato, mushrooms, tea, toast and marmalade.

Each country though, also has its own accompaniments.

• A Full English Breakfast may have Black Pudding, Baked Beans and Fried Bread.
• A Full Scottish, Potato Scones (Tattie Scones), Haggis and Oatcakes.
• A Full Irish – White Pudding and Soda Bread.
• A Full Welsh – Laverbread.
• An Ulster Fry is not dissimilar to a Full English but may also have soda bread and is served again, throughout the day.

Other Popular Dishes for a Traditional Breakfast
As if all that food isn't enough other dishes which may be found at a full breakfast are Porridge, Deviled Kidneys, Kedgeree, and Kippers.

Other names for Breakfast
Though a ‘Full Breakfast’ is universally known and understood other terms used include - A Fry Up, A Full Monty, and in Ireland it is sometimes known as a Chub.