The Very Best Spots for Brunch in London
By Ellie Smith
1 month ago
Your weekend starts here
Brunch: it’s an institution. It may not be the most important meal of the day, but it’s definitely the best – if you know where to go. And what better way to catch up with friends than over some eggs and avo? Or perhaps a stack of buttermilk pancakes? Whatever your mid-morning cravings look like, London is filled with great brunch spots, from the classic Wolseley to lively parties and cute cafes. These span a multitude of cuisines, from vibrant Aussie-inspired dishes to sushi buffets and Middle Eastern fare, and are the kind of places you could while away hours on a Saturday. Read on for the ultimate guide to brunch in London (and if you want to up the ante, go bottomless here).
The Best Brunches in London 2024
Cut at 45 Park Lane, Mayfair
The new Beverly Hills Brunch at Cut 45 Park Lane is, simply put, a delight, offering a set menu encompassing a starter and main course as well as a glass of Rathfinny sparkling wine. Enjoy Mayfair views while you indulge in Los Angeles-inspired fare – the highlight of which is most definitely the Bel Air braised beef cheek, which is served on a buttermilk waffle and topped with avocado and crème fraîche. (If you’re after more classic brunch options, however, you can opt for pancakes, avocado toast or an acai bowl.) Begin with either rock oysters or a trio of bite-sized dishes including smoked salmon blinis, steak tartare and a particularly delightful sesame miso tuile filled with spicy tuna. If you’re after an elegant brunch spot (and a touch of American flair), you can’t get much better than this. By Martha Davies
Available on Saturdays from 11am-3pm. £55pp for two courses including a glass of Rathfinny. 45 Park Lane, London W1K 1PN; dorchestercollection.com
The Table Cafe, Southwark & Battersea
After 17 years in only one venue, cult Southwark brunch spot The Table has branched into Battersea with a brand-new light-filled restaurant and a menu brimming with scrumptious breakfast dishes. The classics are well-represented – with all the Benedicts sitting neatly alongside the Full English, Full Veggie and Scrambled Eggs + Smoked Salmon – and cooked to perfection. But adventurous brunch-lovers should delve into The Table’s other delicious offerings, which made a name for it in Southwark (where the brunch dedicated restaurant still operates). Think Smoked Ham Hock with Chorizo Hash, served with wilted spinach, a fried egg and hot sauce, plus a black pudding, mushrooms or halloumi if you wish. Or go big with the Breakfast Stack, a mouth-watering combo of ham hock and chorizo baked beans atop a crunchy toasted bagel, with a Cumberland sausage patty, two poached eggs, hollandaise sauce and a black pudding, with avocado or griddled halloumi.
I tucked into the delicious and wholesome-tasting Sweetcorn cake with baby spinach, smashed avocado, zingy tomato compote, an oozing poached egg and green sauce with chilli, plus an added pile of smoked salmon – refreshingly divine. But sweet-toothed diners are also well-catered for with an array of both sweet and savoury pancakes and waffles, with toppings to tempt anyone, from berries to fried chicken to coconut yoghurt (not all at the same time). Plus, any brunch naysayers in attendance can tuck into one of the special brunch burgers, ranging beef to sweet potato to chicken.
Wash it all down with a warming coffee, or kick-start your day with a fruity smoothie. Or (it’s the weekend, after all?), opt for one of the cocktails, from classics to breakfast specials. A mimosa will go down just right, thank you. By Olivia Emily
83 Southwark St, London SE1 0HX & 35-37 Battersea Rise, London SW11 1HG; thetablecafe.com
© Paul Winch-Furness
Miznon, Notting Hill
The crowd favourite Notting Hill pita stop, Miznon, has opened its doors for weekend brunching. Their all-star pitas (the falafel, or the steak and egg) are the obvious must-tries, bold and fulsome wraps that they are – so big that the Evening Standard’s Jimi Famurewa described them as ‘hulking, paper-swaddled monsters’ – but this much lauded menu is now joined by brunch dishes given a decidedly Tel Aviv twist. Think your classic omelette (but wrapped in a pita and made with Zaatar), or avo and egg (you guessed it: wrapped in another pita). Make sure to pair it with a side of very punchy hummus, and a Mimoza to wash it all down.
Brunch is served at weekends from 10:30am-3:00pm, 14 Elgin Crescent, London W11 2HX, miznonlondon.com
Abuelo, Covent Garden
Head to Abuelo for a quiet(er) pocket amid bustling Covent Garden. A brunch spot of the Australian variety, expect Latin American twists on classic fare, nodding to the founders’ backgrounds. The coffee is fantastic, and you’ll find a quintessential menu brimming with recognisible favourites – think poached eggs, banana bread, and plenty of sourdough – elevated with more unique ingredients such as mascarpone, pumpkin, goats cheese and dukkah. Sweet toothed brunchers should try the Fresh Fig & Honey Whipped Mascarpone (on sourdough, with blossom honey, salted pistachios and micro flowers), while savoury fans will love Smashing Pumpkins (roasted spiced pumpkin with a poached egg, goats cheese and roasted rosemary walnut crumble on sourdough), or the spicy goodness of Huevos Divorciados de Turco (poached eggs, labneh, chimichurri, avocado salsa and smoked paprika) with sourdough for unabashed dipping. With a focus on aesthetics, your chosen plate will thrive on camera – and on your Insta story, tried and tested – but, showcasing the best of fresh produce, it’ll taste amazing, too. By Olivia Emily
26 Southampton St, London WC2E 7RS, abuelocafe.co.uk
Bacchanalia, Mayfair
For a decadent brunch with a touch of theatre, head to the aesthetic dreamland that is Bacchanalia, the latest addition to Richard Caring’s portfolio. The Greek-inspired restaurant has just launched a Sunday brunch offering complete with music from a roaming four-piece band. Chef Athinagoras Kostakos has created a new Mediterranean menu featuring dishes like an Italian-style florentine made with grilled focaccia, wild greens, Amalfi lemon and spicy hollandaise sauce; and eggs and truffle served on a crispy potato rosti with stracciatella.
1-3 Mount St, London W1K 3NA, bacchanalia.co.uk
Mount St. Restaurant, Mayfair
Step through discreet doors into London’s best restaurants for art lovers, hidden atop The Audley. The spectacularly light-filled Mount St. Restaurant has a brand new breakfast and brunch offering. Sip mimosas, breakfast martinis or bloody mary’s under the watchful gaze of Andy Warhol and Henry Matisse’s work, and notice as the sun pours through towering windows, moving across the room as you tuck into eggs, and resting in golden pools and slices across the red chairs (art in their own right, designed by Matthew Day Jackson) and the stunning specially-commissioned mosaic ‘Broken Floor’ by Rashid Johnson. Indeed, the room is an artwork in itself: rich wooden tables are topped with Sophie Taeuber-Arp lamps, Salt & Pepper Cruets by Paul McCarthy, and the most delicate of wine glasses. Executive Chef Jamie Shears has creatively reimagined breakfast: dip asparagus soldiers into soft boiled eggs or tuck into bacon chop served with bubble & squeak and a duck egg. Or keep it simple with the classics: all the eggs (Benedict, Florentine, you name it) are well represented, alongside the likes of London Rarebit, porridge, Swiss bircher muesli, kedgeree, and the classic Full English Breakfast, all exquisitely elevated into the realm of the divine. By Olivia Emily
First Floor, 41-43 Mount St, London W1K 2RX; mountstrestaurant.com
The Riding House Café, Bloomsbury
If you’re familiar with the Fitzrovia and Victoria sister restaurants of the Riding House Café, you probably already love the chain’s expansive brunch menu. The team’s latest jaunt, a new opening in Bloomsbury, doesn’t disappoint. Moments from Russell Square, the newest space has all the get-up that made its predecessors successful: from open-kitchen so you can watch the chefs work, to its many nooks and crannies (which provide intimate seating arrangements for those all-important catch-ups with friends) – and of course the menu, a love-letter to hollandaise sauce. Upon entering, the Bloomsbury branch feels as much like a conservatory as a café, with banquette seating lounging beneath dramatic arch windows and the many, many plants. While the Riding House Café is well known already for its hollandaise eggs (the ‘Burgerdict’ is a fan favourite for brunch crowds), we recommend venturing further afield into the depths of its menu. You certainly can’t leave without trying the fluffy pancakes topped with berries, maple syrup and a clotted cream so sweet that it will make your head spin – in the best way. Accompany with a brilliant allpress coffee for a perfect start to the (mid)day.
1 Brunswick Centre, Bloomsbury London WC1N 1AF, ridinghouse.cafe
Bourne & Hollingsworth
Two course brunch? Don’t mind if we do! Clerkenwell’s coolest clubhouse has a brand new menu – and it’s playfully delicious. But first: the interiors. It’s pared-back shabby chic, with white walls, eclectic armchairs to sink into, and house plants spilling from multitudinous pots along the ceiling, walls and floors. Nab a seat in the conservatory for the best vantage point to soak it all in (plus, feel supremely cosy when the heavens inevitably open and unleash a rhythmic pitter patter against the glass roof and French doors).
As for food, you won’t have to choose between your sweet tooth and salty hankerings here: the menu is split into savouries and sweets, and chowing down on two dishes isn’t just encouraged but the established norm. On the savoury side, classic Avocado Toast, Full English and Vegetarian Breakfasts sit alongside quirkier Huevos Benedictos, Portland Crab Pretzel Roll and Salt Beef & Stornoway Black Pudding Hash. And on the sweet, go full sugar with the Stacked Pancakes (choose between crispy bacon and maple syrup, blueberry sauce and whipped cream, or toasted hazelnuts and caramelised banana) or French Toast, or opt for the more refreshing Tropical Fruit & Chia Yoghurt Pudding, or the cheeky Affogato. Accompany it all with a delightful spritzy cocktail; nothing says summer like an Amalfi Coast Spritz. By Olivia Emily
42 Northampton Road, London EC1R 0HU, bandhbuildings.com
Peggy Jean, Richmond
Fancy brunch on a barge? The Peggy Jean has a great story – previously a neglected boat from Jesus College, Oxford, it’s now experiencing second life as a trendy brunch spot in Richmond on the river. And while the barge doesn’t move, the Aussie-inspired food may transport you to warmer climates… The peach melba coconut French toast is a must-have, so picture-perfect you’ll want to savour it, and so tasty you’ll nonetheless devour it almost immediately. The torched peach is warm on the dripping, sugary bread and brilliantly paired with coconut yoghurt plus freeze-dried raspberries, keeping it totally vegan. If you’re feeling savoury, there’s also a fantastic offering of eggy-potato dishes. The Dirty Daisy smashes tater tots together with Monterey jack cheese and chorizo, for a brunch dish with plenty of kick. Wrap up warm on chillier days, but rest assured you’ll be warmed by the pizza ovens. Enjoy watching paddle boarders float past. It’s also worth noting the Daisy Green Collection has numerous branches across London.
The Boat, Bridge Boathouses, Riverside, Richmond TW9 1TH, daisygreenfood.com
The Mandrake, Fitzrovia
Hidden behind a discreet door on Newman Street lies a surrealist wonderland: The Mandrake. The first hotel from Beirut-born Rami Fustok, The Mandrake is named after a mystical medicinal plant, a theme which stretches throughout this jungle-style retreat – epitomised in the leafy, jasmine-bedecked Jurema Terrace. Head there on a Sunday to try the hotel’s Sunday brunch, an al fresco dining experience featuring eclectic South American fare, ethnobotanical cocktails and live music. Begin with padron peppers flavoured with smoked chilli salt, plus crab and fennel tostadas with sea herbs and lime. For the main event, choose between mushroom and kale tacos, a chorizo and poached egg muffin with chimichurri hollandaise, or – our top pick – a buttermilk fried chicken bun, all served with sides of fries and salad. For dessert, think classics with a fun twist: there’s a strawberry, vanilla and red pepper parfait infused with red chilli, and a Guatemalan chocolate mousse with coconut, buckwheat and almond. Cocktails, meanwhile, celebrate the power of plants: The Blue Lotus is a mix of Grey Goose vodka, raspberry, champagne, blue lotus and passionflower, while The Yohimbe is a refreshing combination of gin, basil, watermelon, yohimbe and goji. Alternatively, a bottle of crisp rosé wouldn’t go amiss – particularly if the sun is shining.
20-21 Newman St, London W1T 1PG, themandrake.com
The Buttery, Belgravia
Here’s a secret: hidden at the back of Belgravia’s Lime Tree Hotel you’ll find one of the city’s best al fresco brunch spots. The idyllic hidden garden is part of The Buttery, the hotel’s café opened post-pandemic, where in-the-know diners and hotel guests alike head for a laid-back, leisurely brunch. The menu features a mixture of classic and edgier dishes: you’ve got your Eggs Benedict, avocado on toast and pancake stacks, but also homemade crab cakes, and spiced acorn squash with couscous. For sweet-toothed brunchers, the Nutella French toast is a highlight: soft brioche dipped in sweet batter and toasted with Nutella sauce. Feeling savoury? The Allotment Breakfast is a vegetarian twist on the classic full English featuring grilled halloumi, grilled Portobello mushrooms, St. Ewe eggs and some particularly tasty roasted potatoes. If the weather’s not on side, the indoor area is equally charming, with rustic interiors bringing a countryside feel.
135, 137 Ebury St, London SW1W 9QU, limetreehotel.co.uk
Ottolenghi, Spitalfields
Hidden away on a quiet Georgian passageway is the institution that is Ottolenghi. Inside, you’ll be met with low-lit spotlights, touches of soft red velvet, with a low-key atmosphere of clientele. Now onto the food: obviously Ottolenghi is thrown about so much these days, but trust us, the brunch lives up to the hype. Go for either the shakshuka or salmon and eggs on focaccia, and accessorize with a flat white and their zinger drink (it’s a lime, gingery hand-cut ice corker). You’d be hard-pressed to find a better brunch spot in the city.
50 Artillery Ln, London E1 7LJ, ottolenghi.co.uk
Aqua Kyoto, Oxford Circus
If you’re one of the rare people who doesn’t actually like traditional brunch food – pancakes and eggs aren’t for everyone! – then Aqua Kyoto’s free-flow brunch might be the one for you. This contemporary, high-end Japanese restaurant in the heart of the West End always has delicious food and drink offerings, and its brunch menu is no different. The three-course extravaganza is served in the moodily-lit dining room, where a glitzy marble sushi counter sees the chefs hard at work. They do the hard part: a selection of starters and deserts are pre-curated. You just choose your preferred main: Ginger Miso Sea Bass, Tofu Kara Age, or Robata Grilled Beef Sirloin. The Aqua Kyoto waitstaff are attentive, almost redefining ‘free flow’ with drinks consistently and generously topped up. But the starters are the real star of the show: seemingly never-ending, they arrive one by one, ranging from classic Rock Shrimp Tempura to supremely tasty Chicken Kara Age to the stunning Signature Sushi Platter. Top it off with a cocktail on the lovely Fuyu rooftop terrace. By Olivia Emily
5th Floor 240 Regent Street, (Entrance 30 Argyll St) W1F 7EB, London W1B 3BR, aquakyoto.co.uk
Dipna Anand at Somerset House, the Strand
Thought brunch was just eggs, eggs and more eggs? Not at Somerset House. Yes, you’ll find eggs on the menu at Dipna Anand’s brunch menu, but forget poached or fried, it’s masala scrambled and served inside a crushed paratha as part of this traditional Punjabi and South Indian selection. Other favourites include the vada pav (a Bombay street food favourite of potato vada inside a soft bun) or the smashed avocado and paneer salad served on a naan (the paneer scramble is the only way we’d like to start a Sunday from now on). Aside from the delectable food selection, the restaurant’s appeal lies in the location – the South Wing of Somerset House with cosy booths and tables overlooking the river. Finish with a warming masala chai or hot chocolate for the ultimate comfort meal.
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA, dipnasomersethouse.co.uk
Ella’s Place, Parson’s Green
Seemingly a just florist shop from the outside, Ella’s Place is a bit of a best-kept secret for Parson’s Green locals. Walk through past all the bouquets and you’ll find the most beautifully biophilic space for brunch. Be warned though: you’ll eventually spend every weekend here sipping on green smoothies and the signature Ella’s Brunch (that includes a delightful mango twist).
305 New Kings Rd, London SW6 4RF, facebook.com
West 4th, Parsons Green
Recovering from the night before? Head to Parsons Green’s fairly new Canadian restaurant and bar West 4th, which features its own DIY Bloody Mary Bar – a drink renowned for its hangover-curing qualities. The Vancouver-inspired eatery serves brunch in the mornings before evolving into a chic charcuterie and wine bar. The kitchen is headed up by chef Joseph Berney, who, aged just 22, has already worked at a number of top restaurants including Scott’s and Clipstone. Breakfast dishes include unique takes on the traditional Canadian dish of Poutine, stacks of pancakes and waffles, plus healthier options like acai bowls and Eggs Benedict.
175 New Kings Rd, London SW6 4SW, west4thlondon.co.uk
Bibo, Shoreditch
Brunch with a side of Latin music? Don’t mind if we do. Tucked away in a sophisticated basement below the chic Mondrian Hotel, Bibo is an understated spot with a weekend brunch menu brimming with Spanish specialities, from padron peppers to patatas bravas, grilled avocado to tuna brioche, croquetas con jamon ibérico to chorizo brioche, and the gambas fritas with moreish spicy mayo. There’s a slice of classical brunch offerings – Eggs Royale and Benedict – for safety seekers, but you should really indulge in the Spanish and opt for a show stopping paella (choose between eggs and cecina, lobster, chicken, ibérico ribs, and a veggie option), perfectly soundtracked by @bonita_bonita_fm playing salsa, latin, jazz and psychedelia. Wash it all down with a glass of sangria (or one of the many other tempting cocktails), and don’t miss the desserts. Unleash your inner child with the nostalgic rice pudding, finished with a smashable caramelised top. By Olivia Emily
45 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3PT, sbe.com
Image (c) Steven Joyce
Crazy Pizza, Knightsbridge
For those wanting an early energy boost before they hit the shops, brunch at Crazy Pizza might just be the best option. Located next door to Harrods, the restaurant is offering early shoppers a chance to unwind and energise with its brunch menu. Tuck into an array of new breakfast options, from mascarpone-laden French Toast with cinnamon, blueberries and maple syrup, to smoked salmon draped Eggs Royale. Or if you’re craving something a little more indulgent, try a stack of American pancakes with berries, caramelised banana, sour cream and maple syrup. And because Crazy Pizza is determined to live up to its name, the restaurant has also added a selection of its signature pizza dishes to the menu, such as the Continental and the Salmone pizza. Feeling thirsty? Wash it all down with one of Crazy Pizza’s breakfast cocktails, which include Mimosas, Bramble Spirtzes and Crazy Maries.
32-34 Hans Cres, London SW1X 0LZ, crazypizza.com
COYA Mayfair
If you’re after a classy party brunch, head to the glitzy COYA Mayfair for its Soul Grandioso event: a champagne-fuelled affair complete with music, dancing and three courses of Peruvian-inspired food. Held in the restaurant’s vibrant Latin American bar, the brunch kicks off with a selection of nibbles such as corn tortillas and guacamole and salmon tacos, alongside Dom Pérignon champagne – enjoyed to the soundtrack of live singing from host Susan. Next up: a decadent ice platter filled with dishes from the counter – think sea bass ceviche, yellowfin tuna, miso cucumber and crispy corn – followed by your choice of mains, with options including corn-fed baby chicken, sirloin steak and Peruvian potatoes with truffle. It’s all rather civilised at first – but before you know it, the curtains are closed, the music’s kicked up a notch and guests join Susan on the dancefloor. From 3pm, brunch-goers are invited to head downstairs for cocktails and dancing in the Pisco Bar.
118 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NW, coyarestaurant.com
Sumosan Twiga, Knightsbridge
Overflowing, Jay Gatsby-style with champagne, sushi and sumptuous Italian dishes: Sumosan Twiga’s Uptown Christmas brunch is an excellent excuse to ditch the home office for the streets of Knightsbridge. Like its sister restaurant in Monte Carlo, this energetic Sloane Street outpost offers a menu of exceptional Japanese food and traditional Italian cuisine with decadent, perfectly-balanced dishes like miso-marinate black cod and grilled chicken with teriyaki and togarashi spices served at (Covid guideline-friendly) spaced tables. Don’t forget to finish off in true festive style with a Flor de Jamaica cocktail of Bombay Sapphire, Jamaican Flower, Allspice berry, ginger and orange oils.
165 Sloane St, London SW1X 9QB, sumosantwigalondon.com
Trade, Spitalfields and Islington
While Trade may boast some of the best sandwiches in London, we can’t stop thinking about its impressive brunch menu. Fondly called the ‘brunch beacon’, Trade’s all-day breakfast and brunch menu is served everyday until 4pm and features classics like smashed avocado, egg on toast, and pancakes. Not adventurous enough? Try the Char Siu Pork Belly, Cornbread and Pickles or the Miso Aubergine, Avocado and Dukkah for a taste sensation that blends East and West. After you’ve had your fill, wash it all down with a cup of coffee or dive into the tea selection Trade has on offer (White pear and ginger? Yum!). Brunch here is a taste sensation you won’t want to miss.
47 Commercial St, London E1 6BD (Spitalfields) and 330 Essex Rd, London N1 3PB (Islington), trade-made.co.uk
Rondo at The Hoxton, Holborn
Rondo, The Hoxton’s lively restaurant serving up seasonal British fare, has upped its game by taking its bold ethos to brunch enthusiasts. Set in a cosy spot at the back of this West End hotel, the restaurant is a relaxed, yet luxurious nook with industrial accents. Once seated, treat yourself to a pear bellini or smoky Bloody Mary (if a little hair of the dog is needed) to accompany a new brunch menu so indulgent you won’t be able to touch a morsel for the rest of the day. Choose between dishes like Rockefeller oysters with ‘Nduja, smoked eel kedgeree and crispy polenta with mushroom ragu. The ultimate decadence is croissant French toast oozing caramelised bananas and rum and raisin. Still got room for something sweet? There’s even a dessert menu to finish off, with gooey chocolate cake and raspberry sorbet and cherry and almond tart. The perfect start to a lazy Sunday wandering around Covent Garden.
199-206 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BD, thehoxton.com
Madera at Treehouse London, Marylebone
A sky-high Mexican restaurant found within the Treehouse London hotel, Madera is always buzzing – but the stylish eatery is a particularly good spot for weekend brunches. Think fajita bowls with guacamole and charro beans, chicken tacos and chimichurri-marinated steak, alongside more classic brunch dishes like avocado on toast and eggs royale. Finish on a sweet note with churros and chocolate sauce, dulce de leche or Oaxacan chocolate cake – all to be enjoyed alongside sweeping views of the capital.
14-15 Langham Pl, London W1B 2QS, treehousehotels.com
Sartoria, Mayfair
Start your Saturday morning sipping on a glass (or bottle) of the Delevingne sisters’ Della Vite prosecco paired with delicious and authentic Italian food at the iconic Sartoria restaurant, just off the corner of Saville Row, Mayfair. Indulge in the best dishes that Italy has to offer with the Portofino Brunch menu, whether you are celebrating with loved ones or simply looking for a lavish weekend treat. Tuck into the many innovative Italian twists on brunch classics with the exquisite eggs purgatorio, served with tomato sauce, nduja and roast peppers, or the comforting Italian Job, an Italian take on the classic full English breakfast. Washed down with a refreshing and light glass of fizz, it is the ultimate luxury Italian brunch experience.
20 Savile Row, London W1S 3PR, sartoriarestaurant.co.uk
No. Fifty Cheyne, Chelsea
On a rainy day, there are few places more inviting than No. Fifty Cheyne. Everything about this neighbourhood gem is idyllic, from its riverside, Old Chelsea location to its bright blue flower-festooned exterior to its cocktail bar snug. It’s an undoubtedly smart spot – think marble tables and drop-down chandeliers – yet endlessly cosy at the same time, with chandelier-lit lighting casting a golden glow across the dining room. The restaurant’s new all-day brunch menu makes the situation even dreamier, which comes courtesy of Head Chef Ian Smith and his team. Whether you’re after dishes that lean more towards breakfast or lunch, all brunch needs are met here. Think classic dishes with a luxurious twist: buttermilk pancakes come with whipped strawberry cream and homemade syrup, while the organic scrambled eggs are spruced up with Australian black truffle. For those feeling extra indulgent, the crispy chicken and buttermilk waffle dish is the stuff of dreams. Alternatively, veer into lunch territory with the seafood linguini or order from the extensive grill menu, cooked on an open grill sitting in the middle of the room. Defy the rule that says brunch should only be one course by finishing with a dark chocolate fondant, served with honeycomb and malt ice cream.
50 Cheyne Walk, London SW3 5LR, fiftycheyne.com
Beam, Notting Hill
With three locations, one in Crouch End, one in Highbury and the newest location in Notting Hill (across the road from the popular Farmacy), expect queues down the street at weekends for the popular brunch offering, which perfectly balances the requisite green smoothie and beetroot smoothie options with the, let’s be honest, necessary Saturday and Sunday indulgences, from French toast and Turkish eggs to Kahvalti, a Middle Eastern breakfast sharing spread. Halloumi portions are generous (the halloumi, aubergine and sticky walnut salad is delicious), the doughnuts are irresistible and the people watching is enormously fun.
103 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill W2 4UW, cafebeam.co.uk
Milk, Balham
Balham has become something of a brunch mecca in recent years, with hip Hildreth Street spot Milk taking centre stage. Set up by Aussie duo Julian Porter and Lauren Johns, Milk first opened back in 2012 as M1LK, but in 2015 it underwent a refurbishment, re-opening without the numeral as Milk. First thing’s first: you will have to queue on weekends, as the Balham brunchers are out in force – but hold out, because the food really is top-notch. Hungover? Go for their sweetcorn fritters, served with smashed avo, halloumi and smoked bacon; or the Kurdish baked eggs with chorizo, spinach and labneh. If you’re after something quirky, the fillet’o’fish sandwich is a popular choice, made with red snapper, baked eggs and nut milk. Decor is light, bright and simple, with outdoor tables set on cobbled Hildreth Street, ideal for the summer months. Great coffee, delicious food, friendly staff – what more could you want?
18-20 Bedford Hill, London SW12 9RG, milklondonshop.uk
Rail House Café
Round the corner from Victoria station you’ll find Rail House Café, nestled within the buzzing Sir Simon Milton Square. The offspring of Fitzrovia’s Riding House Café, this trendy spot is a large and airy space with industrial chic interiors, partly inspired by the concept of a bustling metropolitan station. Brunch options accommodate both health-conscious diners and those after something more indulgent: there’s house muesli and granola, but there’s also buttermilk pancakes with triple-smoked streaky bacon and maple syrup. The full veggie breakfast is particularly good: grilled halloumi, smoked piquillo peppers, fried potato, eggs, mushrooms and slow-roasted tomatoes. With a range of seating options available – including an al fresco bar, ground-floor restaurant, upstairs bar and private dining room – Rail House Café is a perfect for group dining.
8 Sir Simon Milton Sq, London SW1E 5DJ, railhouse.cafe
Farm Girl, various locations
While everyone else is busy queuing outside the original Farm Girl in Notting Hill, head to one of their other venues. The uber-popular café now has locations around the capital in locations including Belgravia and Soho. You will have seen the Super Lattes all over your Instagram feed, and we can confirm they are just as delicious as they look – the Rose Latte is a classic, while the Butterfly Matcha and Liquid Gold (made with turmeric, cinnamon, astragalus, honey and coconut milk) are definitely worth a try if you like your drinks to be of the ultra-nourishing kind. Their avocado toast is undoubtedly one of the best in town, and their salad and Acai bowls are a great hangover cure that’ll leave you feeling fresh. The ‘build your own bowl’ option will ensure everyone’s kept happy.
Various locations, thefarmgirl.co.uk
34 Mayfair
Situated just a few metres from the old American embassy, this brunch spot exudes Upper East Side style and you’d be forgiven for mistaking another patron for Jay Gatsby himself. The Art Deco burnt-ochre booths and lighting are dispersed with pops of colour from bright, flowery Liberty London print cushions and matching menus (the pattern was developed exclusively for the restaurant). And then the food. You won’t find smashed avo on toast here, but instead enjoy buttermilk fried chicken waffles, shrimps and lobster rolls, and huevos rancheros with spiced black beans. For those after more traditional brunch offerings, there’s pancakes, baked egg shakshuka, and Argyll smoked salmon served with scrambled eggs. Wash it all down with a delicious green juice, or for something slightly more indulgent, a bloody Mary. What’s are you waiting for, old sport?
34 Grosvenor Square, S Audley St, London W1K 2HD, 34-restaurant.co.uk
The Wolseley, Mayfair
Classic and timeless. You can’t help but feel that you’re a ‘someone’ from the moment you step inside. The menu is extensive and caters to all tastes; the devilled lambs kidneys, haggis and grilled kippers are big-hitters, but for those who aren’t big morning eaters there’s granola, fruit and bread to graze on. If AA Gill wrote a whole book about it, then it’s got to be good.
160 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9EB, thewolseley.com
Brother Marcus, various locations
Brother Marcus is the brainchild of three school friends, who decided to quit their day jobs and set up their own café from scratch in Balham. When we say from scratch we really mean it – the trio did everything themselves, from painting the walls to building the seats for the back garden. Although that venue has closed now, there are four other branches in London, located in Spitalfields, Borough Yards, South Kensington and Angel. The sweet potato, courgette and feta fritters topped with a poached egg are a popular option, as well as the Pork Pita: pork belly, fried egg, cucumber, spring onion, sriracha & tomato relish in a Cretan pitta.
Various locations, brothermarcus.co.uk
Pachamama Marylebone
Despite its location in the basement of one of the buildings on Thayer Street, Peruvian restaurant Pachamama is bright and airy, with an art deco air about it. Their brunch waffles, which come with either a quinoa or sweet potato base, taste just as good as they look. Choose between a mixture of sweet and savoury toppings, from Peruvian fried chicken to peanut butter with grilled plantain and cacao nibs. Or if it’s not too early in the morning, try one of their ceviche dishes like the sea bass with tiger’s milk and sweet potato crisps. Can’t decide? Go for the brunch tasting menu, which includes a number of dishes designed to be shared by two people. There’s another outpost in Shoreditch, too.
18 Thayer St, London W1U 3JY, pachamamalondon.com
Galvin at Windows, Mayfair
Situated on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane, Galvin at Windows boasts some of the city’s best views – but it’s less flashy than many of London’s sky-high restaurants. There’s a feel of old-school, understated elegance, with 30s-inspired décor and impeccable service. Ex-Ritz chef Marc Hardiman heads up the kitchen these days, and the food is excellent. Brunch is a lavish affair, with the option to have a full on three-course meal. If you’re in the mood to indulge American-style, go for the brioche French toast with cured rib eye bacon, Cacklebean eggs and maple syrup, or the perfectly crispy buttermilk chicken, which comes with a particularly tasty tarragon aioli. Alternatively, keep it light and healthy with the Arnold Bennett omelette, or the creamy burrata with heirloom tomatoes. Whatever you do save some space for the hazelnut praline choux bun, whipped with a chocolate ganache. Who says you can’t have a brunch pudding?
22 Park Ln, London W1K 1BE, galvinatwindows.com
A.O.K. Kitchen, Marylebone
With its opulent interiors and trendy sugar-free menu, A.O.K. Kitchen fits right in amid ever-chic Marylebone. The setting is built for Instagram: think mother of pearl floors, plush velvet seating, flower ceiling and silk wallpaper – but it’s not all about appearance, and thankfully the food is really good too. Open all day, the space comprises of a restaurant, bakery and bar, with a menu inspired by the sun-soaked shores of California. Everything is free from refined sugar, but this certainly doesn’t mean all boring salads – they describe their food as ‘comfort food with a healthy approach.’ Brunch offerings include pancakes with maple syrup and berries, sweet potato and feta frittatas and breakfast tacos, alongside baked treats like savoury muffins and gluten-free pastries.
52-55 Dorset St, London W1U 7NH, aokkitchen.co.uk
