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East London
Serving English and Sri Lankan breakfasts in Victoria Park since 2004 is Pavilion Bakery, and if you’ve never had string hoppers for breakfast, you would do very well to try them. With locations in Leytonstone, Broadway Market and Columbia Road too – the pastries from Pavilion are second-to-none. Breads are also terrific, and go through long fermentation (up to 48 hours) to create complex flavours which make for a killer sandwich. Get a ringside view of all the birds on the lake while you eat, too.
Dudley’s offer classic brunch fare done supremely well in their lovely Wood Street location. Their ‘dogfather’ brunch roll filled with sausage patty, bacon, egg, spring onions and their own dogfather spicy sauce is a winner, but so to are the trout and poached eggs on sourdough with hollandaise or the classic and very well executed three cheese toastie. The interiors are panelled and easy on the eye too.
E Pellicci is always worth the trip to Bethnal Green Road whether you’re based in East London or not. This ‘Britalian’ caff that’s been going since 1900 would be worth a visit just for the pleasure of listening to owners Nev and Anna’s banter, or taking in the gorgeous art deco stained glass and Kat Slater wall art. But the food is also exceptional which makes it a triple-threat of a brunch location. If you’re lucky, you might be eating at the same time as another customer who is celebrating a birthday, in which case hold onto your seat for the most heartwarming birthday singalong you’ve ever experienced. The cannelloni with chips or Pellicci Penne with bolognese sauce and a side of schnitzel are our top picks, because where else can you eat pasta for breakfast?
Planning a day treasure hunting in Spitalfields market? Fuel up with Club Mexicana’s Bangin’ Brunch, an entirely vegan affair with big Mexican flavours. There’s everything you’d expect from a brunch menu just without the meat, from fry ups and fritters to ‘beef brisket’ tacos and ‘chick’n’ waffles. For us it was the chilaquiles (or breakfast nachos) that stood out the most. Piled high with a rainbow of toppings, including salsa roja, salsa verde, queso fresco, avocado, sour cream and roasted pulled jackfruit, you’ll be wowed at how fresh and exciting vegan food can be. Service is exceptional, there’s enough margs and mocktails to shake a stick at and, with a glittering disco ball the size of a small planet hanging over the entrance, you know you’re in for a good time.
South London
Juliet’s in Tooting is owned by Aussies and does a great job of making you feel like you’ve left the scuzzy streets of South London for a fleeting moment and dived head first into the scent of gum trees and the sound of cicadas. The Vadouvan eggs with yogurt, chilli, carrot, samphire and dill are to-die-for. But the coffee hollandaise (pictured), and omelettes and corn fritters are not going to let you down either. Don’t leave this place to SW locals only: it might be a couple of bus trips or a trundle on the Northern Line away, but boy is it worth the visit. Plus once you’ve made the journey you can go and stock up on vegetables like dudhi and fenugreek in Tooting’s many South Asian grocers. So it’s worth the trip!
This Brockley sun spot is known for its brilliant toasties, top class coffee and stellar brunch menu, featuring big breakfasts of hash browns, Turkish sausages and halloumi, or perfectly poached eggs sitting on top of golden corn fritters. The breakfast roll of sausage patty, egg, cheddar, brown sauce and hot sauce in a brioche roll is a bestseller for good reason. Conveniently located very close to the station, Good as Gold see actual queues on weekends so arrive early or be prepared to wait on Saturdays.
Peckham’s Kudu offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11-2:30pm, which are the kind of lazy hours that we appreciate. Waffles adorned with their fried chicken, fried egg, kimchi and maple syrup are on the menu, or perhaps their shaksuhka with parmesan crisps and baked kale (pictured), is more up your street? The sweet-toothed will be very happy with caramelised banana bread tatin, amarula chantilly, and the bleary-eyed might appreciate the JUGS of bloody mary on offer.
Whatever you do, don’t sit down before you order! It’s not how things are done here. There’s always a queue at this handsome greasy spoon in Pimlico because the food is exceptional, and the vibe brings a slice of kitchen sink charm with the hazy comfort of yesteryear. The sausages are always brown, the tomatoes well-grilled, and the only tricky decision you’ll have to make is whether to have white sliced or brown. A bottle of orange juice comes recommended.
North London
Since 2013, Ester’s café has been pumping out Stoke Newington’s best brunches for hungry locals, using amazing seasonal veg from Flourish Produce and Shrub Provisions. You are guaranteed a line out the door on Saturday mornings, as the Hackney regulars queue up for special plates of roasted pork collar with fried fava bean panisse, almond salsa macha, camone tomatoes, and a fried egg, or a slice of french toast with blood orange compote.
Norman’s
Normans is a café in North London that people on the internet go nuts about, because the owners know how to take a very good Instagram picture of their breakfasts. But the real reason you should visit is not an aesthetic one: it’s that the food is delicious and the service is friendly. Norman’s takes everything that’s great about the British greasy spoon and makes it even better with the addition of high quality meat. Two breakfasts with coffees for £15 is a bargain and we salute the café making that happen in 2023. A special mention goes to the muffins with sausage, Red Leicester, homemade HP and hash browns – the stuff that dreams are made of.
Granger & Co
A series of fun and friendly cafés founded by Bill Granger (Aussie food writer and critic, famous for his ricotta hotcakes), Granger & Co offers an informal communal dining set-up and seasonally-inspired breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. You’ve got plenty of light choices for breakfast, including almond, buckwheat and pumpkin seed granola or toasted coconut bread and butter. There’s no other option at lunchtime: order the grilled cheese and kimchi sandwich and allow your mind to naturally be blown. This is a great spot before taking a train journey out of Kings Cross or St Pancras. Make note: no bookings.
Double Standard at The Standard
If swish, boozy brunches are more your thing, may we introduce you to Double Standard’s bloody mary brunch? Inside King Cross’s the Standard hotel is a breakfast that puts the classic hair-of-the-dog cocktail front and centre with their DIY version which asks you to choose from not one but four garnishes for your drink. Prawns (seriously!), stilton, boquerones or pickles are available (to name just a few on the tickbox menu). The food is richly satisfying, with the fried chicken and waffles and steak and eggs being highlights. Décor is easy on the eye, all burgundy sofas and plaid curtains, a little bit Mad Men a whole lot of chic. Get your Sunday best on and book a table.
You can’t say fairer than breakfast on an actual canal path. Lori de Mori and Laura Jackson’s waterside restaurant offers simple, comforting food cooked fresh to order in a busy and bustling kitchen. The fried sage eggs are a must-try, but any of the seasonal veg dishes won’t let you down: Lori and Laura know that letting their ingredients sing is where it’s at. Heirloom toms on toast, or asparagus served with ajo blanco will surprise and delight. When the sun is beating down on their spring green tables, and you have a coffee in hand, there’s simply nowhere better to be on a London morning. (Just avoid the very busy weekend, and note that there are no toilets on site).
Central London
After 10 years of delivering top-notch brunch to Londoners, Riding House Café is still going strong – now with three outposts dotted across the city. There’s something for everyone: with traditional brunch dishes (eggs benny, for example) as well as much more substantial fodder in the form of skewered meats and truffle mac ‘n’ cheese.
This is one of your best options in London if you’ve got pancakes on the mind. Choose from over two dozen pancake options: from sweet (hello pear caramel) to savoury (pulled beef on a pancake?!) and even Dutch Babies. Chefs cater for all food intolerances within their batters and even have non-pancake options for those not in the mood for a super stack. There are three locations in London; our favourite being London Bridge as it’s perfect for post Borough Market mooching.
Do you get excited over porridge? Trust us when we tell you, you won’t find a better place for oats in all of London. The cosy location, nestled in the heart of Covent Garden’s Neals Yard, is our favourite part, with tables spilling out onto the courtyard in the warmer months. The dishes – such as banana, tahini, honey, cinnamon, sesame seeds & cacao nibs on 5 grain porridge – are wholesome and tasty, and perfect fodder ahead of a day of exploring.
This GEM of a restaurant serves up epic Peruvian brunch dishes in the coolest of surroundings. Famous for their mouthwatering waffles (often spotted on the ‘Gram), Pachamama delivers sweet and savoury waffles as well as ceviche, Peruvian fried chicken and confit duck on rice. We could sit inside and soak up the weekend brunch atmosphere all day long, whilst sipping on a pisco sour or two, of course. Bottomless brunch is offered at weekends too.
Whether it’s a special occasion or you’re feeling boujee, COYA Mayfair’s Soul Grandioso brunch is a full blown party on and off the plate. It’s no ordinary boozy brunch: expect luxurious platters of Peruvian favourites, art-filled walls, upbeat music, dancing and glamour, all washed down with champagne. There’s sharing plates to start, a stunning ceviche platter strikingly served over ice and your choice of main – the Bife Angosto Picante was our highlight. When you think it can’t get any better, finish with an elaborate platter of desserts and fresh fruit. Portions are generous and, with performers circling the spotlit tables, you’ll soon forget that you’re in London. Although the price is on the higher end, it’s one for groups looking to celebrate in style. Check the menu before visiting however, as those on special diets are not as sufficiently catered for.
Those jaw-dropping views. That iconic duck waffle. There’s only one place in the whole of London where you can feast on a crispy duck leg confit and fried duck egg waffle, 24 hours a day, with incredible 360 degree views. The prices are high but the experience is extraordinary and perfect for a special treat. Bookings are absolutely essential and best done so a fair bit in advance. Those with a fear of heights should think twice.
After a real grand experience? The Wolseley, which proudly sits on Mayfair’s Piccadilly, offers one of the finest breakfasts in town. Expect silver service as you choose from freshly baked viennoiserie, squeezed juices and all the breakfast classics. Push the boat out and order the Full English. It’ll cost you a pretty penny but it’s one of the best in the game.
Don’t overlook this dinnertime favourite haunt for your next brunch! Their all-day breakfast, featuring the iconic bacon naan and masala chai is a much calmer affair than that of the evening rush, and arguably a better way to enjoy the Dishoom experience (plus, unlike dinner, you can book!). For fans of a Full English breakfast, it would be a sin to overlook the Big Bombay sharing plate which comes piled high with akuri, char-striped smoky bacon, pork sausages, masala beans, mushrooms, tomatoes and buttered buns. For lighter options, try the aforementioned bacon naan or the heaven-sent date and banana porridge.
We hate the term “Insta-worthy”. However… B&H offers one of the most photogenic settings for a weekend brunch in the city. Dine on sky-high pancake stacks whilst throwing back a mimosa or two (bottomless available) in this gorgeous greenhouse oasis. There’s a private dining room too, which seats up to 16, should you be looking for a more private option for a special occasion.
Another great brunch option that’s sometimes overlooked in place of dinner or cocktails is Caravan, sprawled out across several locations in the city. Whether you’re looking for a light bite in the form of fresh fruit or golden spiced yogurt, or something on the heavier side such as chorizo and potato hash, brunch is served all day. Their passionfruit bellinis go down quite the treat too.
If any nation knows how to brunch, it’s Australia. This light and bright chain of Aussie cafés across the city offer tasty brunch dishes with great juices and cocktails to boot. At weekends, you can choose to add bottomless mimosas and prosecco alongside any brunch item, should you be so inclined. We like the fact that dishes are substantial: choose from a nicely-spiced nasi goreng or giant bubble and squeak eggs benedict to make sure you don’t leave hungry.
West London
Urban Pantry in Chiswick is definitely worth the trek to west London. While the always-on menu offers the brunch classics we all know and love – avo toast, corn fritters and baked eggs (or try all three in their brunch feasting board for two) – it’s the seasonal specials that change every fortnight that really set Urby P (as it’s known locally) apart. Head to the gorgeous grid of the cafe’s Instagram to find out which specials are on when you visit. From baklava french toast to slow cooked beef benedict, it’s always a delightful surprise to see what the team has come up with. It’s dog friendly but cannot be booked, so get there early!
The clue’s in the name, really – this cute cafe and espresso bar in Fulham is a real local hero when you’re starving on a Sunday morning. Soak up the sun in the dog-friendly garden or people watch from the cosy window seats, all while sipping on their first-class house blend of Soul Man coffee with notes of caramel, chocolate and peach (available to purchase to take home with you, too!). For eating, the options are endless and generously portioned. We love the Gloucestershire Old Spot sausage sarnie and the courgette fritters with halloumi, both of which will keep you full long past lunch time. Those with dietary restrictions are well catered for here.
Although getting a seat at this popular Fulham cafe is a bit of a task (evident by the queue spilling into the road each weekend), the exceptionally smiley service you receive once you finally get inside makes it all worthwhile. The menu is trendy and varied: think charcoal smoothies, truffle scrambled eggs and caramelised bananas on toast – everything you need for an Insta-worthy brunch that genuinely tastes as good as it looks. Vegans, vegetarians and gluten free diners are spoiled for choice here, too. Bring your bestie and your dog and enjoy a tasty brunch in a relaxed setting.
Located in a bit of a no-man’s-land between Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush, Burnt cafe is a hidden gem that’s well worth discovering. The menu is exciting and innovative, taking brunch classics and giving them a twist. This season’s offering includes salt beef and sauerkraut croque madame, miso squash omelette and seasonally-appropriate rhubarb buttermilk pancakes. There’s also pastries from the Dusty Knuckle, homemade cakes and a stunning array of baked treats on the counter to pair with your coffee. The menu changes regularly to suit the season and focuses on the best locally sourced seasonal produce; no wonder it’s so hard to decide what to eat.
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