Search for the best breakfast heads down to sunny Loomies

Sampling the sizzling delights of this café in glorious biking country

This week we head to Hampshire and follow the tantalising aroma of sizzling sausage across the South Downs to one of the region’s most popular biker haunts, Loomies Moto Cafe. Our route in is from the east via the graceful curves of the A272, but as Loomies lies at a crossroads with the A32 there are good options to be found in every direction - not to mention some cracking back roads if you’re looking to get off the beaten track.

The site’s past life as a Little Chef is apparent from the architecture, but this thriving

independent is a long way from a soulless chain. The sun is shining as we pull in and the parking lot is bustling with every kind of bike, from L-plated 125s to top-of-the-range sportsbikes, and even a V8-powered nitrous-fed custom chopper.

Inside we stash our helmets in the convenient cubby holes (taking note of the visor cleaning station for later) and order our usual test tab at the counter. There we meet customers Russell Barnes and Wayne Prangnell.

“The bacon butty is really nice,” says Russ, “very tasty and cooked just right.” Wayne tried the sausage bap and was also impressed: “It’s a good sausage,” says Wayne, “crispy on the outside and soft in the middle – the bap is nice too.” We dive in on a ‘Track Hero’ breakfast (the medium option), which features double sausage, egg and bacon. It’s a hearty meal and more than enough to fuel us up, but there’s no need to dash off as Loomies provides sofas and a relaxed chill out area. With a cosy wood burner in the corner, it’s also a great place to warm up in winter.