Prices are approximate and vary by restaurant. Last updated September 2026.
There is something uniquely comforting about a McDonald’s breakfast. Whether it is the smell of a hash brown on a grey morning commute or the ritual of a Sausage & Egg McMuffin before a long shift, the breakfast menu has earned its place as a British institution. But the rules around when you can get it are stricter than most people realise — miss the cut-off by five minutes and you are staring at a Big Mac instead of the McMuffin you actually wanted.
This guide covers everything you need to know as an independent overview: what is served, when it is served, roughly how much it costs, and how to make the most of the morning menu.
When Is Breakfast Served?
McDonald’s UK serves breakfast from around 5:00am until 11:00am every single day. That 11am cut-off is firm — it applies on weekdays, weekends, and bank holidays alike. If you arrive at 11:05am hoping for a Breakfast Wrap, you will be out of luck; the kitchens switch to the main menu (burgers, chicken, wraps of the day) after 11am.
A few things worth knowing about the start times:
- 24-hour restaurants begin serving breakfast at 5:00am. There is typically a short pause overnight when neither breakfast nor the main menu is served, as the kitchen changes over.
- Other restaurants start breakfast when they open, which is usually between 6:00am and 7:00am depending on the location.
- Delivery orders for breakfast generally run from about 5:00am to 10:45am, because delivery platforms cut off slightly earlier than the in-store deadline.
- Bank holidays follow the same 11am rule. Many people assume breakfast runs later on holidays or weekends, but it does not — 11am is 11am, every day of the year.
Our advice: if you are making a special trip, aim to arrive by 10:30am at the latest. That gives the kitchen time to serve you even during a busy morning rush.
The Full Breakfast Menu Explained
The UK breakfast menu is built around a handful of core formats: McMuffins, wraps, rolls, flatbreads, bagels, and a few sweet or lighter options. Here is what you can expect to find.
McMuffins
The McMuffin is the undisputed star of the morning. A toasted English muffin filled with your choice of fillings:
- Egg & Cheese McMuffin — the simplest and lightest option, with a folded egg and a slice of cheese. Around £2.60.
- Bacon & Egg McMuffin — crispy bacon rashers with egg and cheese. Around £3.20.
- Sausage & Egg McMuffin — a seasoned sausage patty with egg and cheese. Around £3.20.
- Double Sausage & Egg McMuffin — two sausage patties for a heartier appetite. Around £3.90–£4.50.
- Double Bacon & Egg McMuffin — double bacon for the dedicated carnivore, in a similar price band.
You can also get McMuffins as part of a meal, which adds a hash brown and a hot drink. Meal pricing is higher, of course, but it is usually better value than buying the items separately.
The Breakfast Wrap
The Breakfast Wrap is the heavyweight of the morning menu. It combines a pork sausage patty, scrambled egg, bacon, a potato rosti, and cheese, all folded into a soft tortilla wrap. At around £4.49 and roughly 660 kcal, it is substantially bigger and more calorific than a McMuffin. It is the pick for days when you need serious fuel — and it is notably more filling than any single McMuffin.
Breakfast Rolls, Flatbreads, and Bagels
- Breakfast Roll — sausage, egg, bacon, and cheese in a soft roll. A solid middle ground between a McMuffin and a wrap.
- Cheesy Bacon Flatbread — a warm flatbread with bacon and cheese, for those who prefer something a little different.
- Bagels — toasted bagels with fillings such as Philadelphia cream cheese, or bacon and egg combinations depending on current availability.
Sweet Options
- Pancakes with syrup — three fluffy pancakes served with a pot of syrup. A firm favourite with children and anyone with a sweet tooth in the morning.
- Porridge — made with semi-skimmed milk, around £1, and one of the lightest choices on the breakfast menu.
Hash Browns
No McDonald’s breakfast is complete without hash browns. These crispy golden potato bites cost under £1 each and are available individually or as part of a meal. They are one of the best-value items on the entire menu, full stop. Honest warning: they are dangerously easy to keep ordering.
Breakfast Prices at a Glance
Prices are approximate and vary by restaurant. Last updated September 2026.
| Item | Approximate price |
|---|---|
| Hash brown | Under £1 |
| Porridge | Around £1 |
| Egg & Cheese McMuffin | Around £2.60 |
| Bacon & Egg / Sausage & Egg McMuffin | Around £3.20 |
| Double McMuffins | Around £3.90–£4.50 |
| Breakfast Wrap | Around £4.49 |
Breakfast meals (McMuffin + hash brown + hot drink) cost more than the sandwich alone but generally work out cheaper than buying each item separately. Delivery prices via Uber Eats, Just Eat, or Deliveroo are typically higher than in-store prices, and delivery platforms may also add service and delivery fees.
Nutrition: How Heavy Is Breakfast?
Breakfast items vary widely in calories. As a rough guide:
- Egg & Cheese McMuffin: around 295 kcal — one of the lightest hot breakfast options.
- Sausage & Egg McMuffin: around 423 kcal.
- Double McMuffins: higher still, given the extra meat.
- Breakfast Wrap: around 660 kcal — a serious meal in itself.
- Porridge: one of the lowest-calorie choices, particularly if ordered without syrup.
Adults are generally advised to consume around 2,000 kcal per day, so a Double Sausage & Egg McMuffin meal with a hash brown can account for a sizeable share of that. These figures are indicative, not exact — always check the official nutrition information published by McDonald’s UK if calories matter to you.
Tips for Getting the Best Breakfast Experience
- Go early for the freshest food. The first hour of breakfast service tends to be when items are cooked to order most consistently.
- Use the app. The MyMcDonald’s app often has breakfast-specific offers, and ordering ahead means your food is ready when you arrive.
- Customise your order. Do not want cheese? Prefer your McMuffin without egg? Ask — the kitchen can usually accommodate simple changes.
- Watch the 11am cliff edge. If you order through the app at 10:55am for collection, be prompt. Kitchens switch over quickly.
- Bank holidays and weekends follow the same 11am finish, so plan accordingly if you are treating the family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does McDonald’s breakfast start in the UK?
Breakfast starts at around 5:00am in 24-hour restaurants. Other branches begin breakfast service when they open, usually between 6:00am and 7:00am.
What time does McDonald’s breakfast end in the UK?
Breakfast ends at 11:00am sharp every day, including weekends and bank holidays. The main menu starts after 11am.
Can I get lunch items during breakfast hours?
No. Burgers, chicken nuggets, and other main-menu items are not available until breakfast service ends at 11am. The kitchens run one menu at a time.
What is the cheapest McDonald’s breakfast?
Hash browns at under £1 and porridge at around £1 are the cheapest items. The Egg & Cheese McMuffin at around £2.60 is the cheapest McMuffin.
Does McDonald’s serve breakfast all day?
No. Breakfast is served until 11am only. After that, the menu switches to the regular daytime range.
Is McDonald’s breakfast available on delivery?
Yes, via Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo in many areas. Breakfast delivery typically runs from about 5:00am to 10:45am, slightly earlier than the in-store cut-off. Delivery menu prices are usually higher than in-store prices.
Conclusion
The McDonald’s UK breakfast is a well-oiled morning machine: a focused menu, consistent quality, and a hard 11am deadline that rewards the organised. Whether you are a loyal Sausage & Egg McMuffin devotee or a Breakfast Wrap maximalist, the key facts are simple — it starts at 5am (or opening time), it ends at 11am sharp, and the hash browns are always worth it. Set your alarm accordingly.