Brunch has long been a staple meal and part of trendy Londoners’ weekend routines. Here’s a guide to the best brunch in London that will elevate your brunch-ing experience.
Like romcoms, sitcoms, glamping, sporks, frappuccinos and cronuts, humans find sheer pleasure in combining their favourite things.
Brunch. A simple yet sophisticated combination of breakfast and lunch.
The best thing about brunch is that there are no limitations – whether you’re craving a savoury delight like smoked salmon, cream cheese and avo on a toasted bagel or a sweet treat like French toast decorated with fresh berries and heavily coated with chocolate sauce, paired with a shot of espresso or an espresso martini – you can have it all, and not raise an eyebrow, during brunch.
While pro-brunch hubs like Melbourne and New York (as mentioned by CNN) continue to create some of the most delectable and unique hybrid meals, London has opened up quirky restaurants to satiate locals and travellers on the hunt for a mid-morning feed.
Here’s your definitive guide to the best brunch in London.
Jurema Terrace, The Mandrake
Where: Fitzrovia
Best for: Outdoor brunch
Looking to soak up the sunshine in an evergreen oasis? The five-star Mandrake Hotel has the perfect summer vibe.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, The Mandrake’s Jurema Terrace is shaded with lots of greenery, including Tasmanian Ferns, which juxtapose the bamboo chairs and umbrellas.
To enhance the tropical vibe, DJ Karen Lopez plays relaxing tunes to set the ambience and chill guests out, no matter which part of the globe they’re from.
The brunch menu is available exclusively every Sunday, from 12pm to 4pm. The sharing brunch menu consists of wholemeal sourdough doused in olive oil and salted butter as well as crab and fennel tostada, sea herbs and lime.
Most notably, the Mandrake specialises in South-American-inspired dishes, so star small dishes include sweet potato tacos or chorizo and poached egg muffin. In terms of mains, the dish to try is most definitely the buttermilk fried chicken bun with pickled jalapeno coleslaw.
To finish the dining experience off, choose from strawberries, vanilla and red pepper parfait or Guatemalan chocolate mousse.
You just might forget that you’re in London, especially with a glass of rosé in hand.
Grind
Where: London Bridge
Best for: British brunch
Grind eases guests into the day with simple yet delectable dishes to munch on. Located just above the famous Borough Market, making it a Londoner’s regular spot, Grind is ideal for a local brunch experience.
Opt for the buttermilk pancakes to satisfy your sweet tooth, or the full English breakfast – one of their most popular items on the menu.
Not only that, you can even order invisible toast for £3, which incentivises diners to donate and help refugees and displaced people from the war in Ukraine.
Transition seamlessly to sipping on seasonal cocktails like the peach and rosemary fizz, which consists of grey goose essences, in addition to the summer margarita made of el Sueno tequila, Aperol, lime and agave, to intensify the summer vibes.
Serving brunch on Saturdays from 12pm to 5pm and Sundays from 12pm to 6pm, Grind’s rustic, ‘London-esque’ interior and cool neon sign will be sure to complement brunch insta pics.
Tokii
Where: Marble Arch
Best for: Japanese-English fusion brunch
Tokii is an absolute must-visit brunch spot to satisfy Japanese cravings during brunch time.
If tourists or Londoners fancy a warm meal to counteract the infamous cold and rainy British weather, Tokii serves miso soup as an appetiser to their main brunch meal.
The ultimate superstar of the Tokii menu, however is their Akatoki breakfast which consists of a tamago omelette, miso soup, rice, steamed veggies, grilled salmon and egg tofu, hitting all the right nutrients a breakfast meal should have to energise the body throughout the day, while also providing tastebuds with the yum factor that lunch meals have.
Brunch is served in a calm setting thanks to the minimalist, wooden interior, which is inspired by classic Japanese architecture; a pleasant breather before you step out into the chaotic city.
Dirty Bones
Where: Soho
Best for: American brunch
Modelling the bar scene of NYC, Dirty Bones is all about indulgence and comfort food, so it’s perfect if you’ve woken up even hungrier (or hangrier) than usual.
Dirty Bones knows what they’re doing when it comes to dishing up smoky steak and eggs, slow-cooked short rib crumpets and brunch chicken waffles. If you’re looking to remedy this morning’s hangover, soak up that alcohol with the extra-cheesy mac and cheese and crispy fried chicken.
However, if you’re on the quest to get a little buzzed, remember that British brunch is all about booze. So no, it’s not weird to sip on a few champagne glasses in the late morning. You can pick your poison from 11am – 3:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Plus, this venue has four London locations to choose from.
Cranes Kitchen
Where: Peckham
Best for: Casual brunch
Brunch with a view? Yes please.
Crane brings the outdoors in, with large glass windows that envelope brunchers in a gorgeous garden. The art decor is modern and minimal and centres on complimenting the large communal table. It’s also got a private room for larger group bookings. However, Cranes is the ideal place to host family catch-ups or chats with close friends due to its mellow and warm vibe. Breakfast options include heritage mixed tomatoes with lemon ricotta on toasted sourdough and a gluten-free, vegan coconut and berry smoothie bowl… chef’s kiss.
Their love and care for all things green move beyond the surrounding environment. Crane implements zero waste elements wherever they can and also source their produce locally. It’s trendy and sustainable at the same time, so you can’t go wrong dining here.
Mr Bao
Where: Peckham
Best for: Group brunch
If you love brunch and if you love bao… why not have both? Blimey. Mr Bao is a Taiwanese eatery that specialises in steamed buns, showing diners that an egg and bacon roll isn’t the only way to do brunch.
Mr Bao offers their guests a cosy yet lively corner to share plates with their beloved company.
Saturday and Sunday brunch is usually a busy time for them, but that’s because most people know they’re good at what they do.
The imaginative brunch menu serves flavoursome treats like smacked cucumber, ginger and garlic edamame and pork and chicken bao buns, but the must-try, crowd-favourite is the shiitake mushroom bao. The meals aren’t the only things worth ordering, the condiments are just as dangerously moreish too – including the Miso, wasabi and ponzu mayo.
In terms of money – well, it is much less than London’s typical £60 brunch. The bottomless cocktails are priced £18 per person, and their dishes range from £2.50 to £5.50. This means that it’s the best option to host a group of brunchers if you want to pay less but not compromise any taste buds.
Laurels On The Roof
Where: Shoreditch
Best for: Rooftop brunch
Get a taste of retro LA in the 1970s and Hollywood Hills at Laurel’s On The Roof at Mondrian Shoreditch. This off-the-ground resto is incredibly lush and simultaneously laidback, with outstanding views of a sparkling pool, skyscrapers, and of course, London town – which is perfect for travellers who want to reminisce on the city before they leave. Despite being in the city, guests won’t be rattled by loud chatters and sudden car horns, as the restaurant is designed for seclusion.
The decor features large window frames, relaxed pastel-shaded seating, low-hanging rattan chandeliers, traces of greenery and a neon ‘Laurel’s’ sign which unquestionably add to the ‘beach club atmosphere.
Start with nibbles like half a dozen jersey oysters, snapper crudo and jackfruit quesadillas which are generously sized with fresh salsa. Advance to the mains on a high note by asking for the roasted aubergine (aubergine… oh how English) in conjunction with the linguini and clams – it’ll be an unforgettable experience. Trust.
Don’t just drop by unannounced; you must book in advance, and it’s totally worth it.
Isabel
Where: Mayfair
Best for: Opulent brunch
You can find the glitziest and most glamorous brunch in West London, at Isabel. The restaurant is set in the city’s most prestigious and affluent location, so guests will instantly feel rather posh.
The interior is truly enchanting and playful – framed with palm tree-lined walls and a black and gold interior, inspired by Beaux-Arts architecture. This makes Isabel Mayfair the quintessential place to dress up with the girls or take your significant other on an elevated brunch date.
When perusing the exclusive Sunday brunch menu, brunchers will find a selection of the Mediterranean and Argentinian-inspired dishes bursting with clean and fresh flavours. Dishes to try include the trout pastrami bagel and the chicken and celeriac terrine.
To establish the ambience, Isabel hosts ‘The Legends’, a band that plays live Latin rhythms while brunchers sip on a fresh juice or Bloody Mary. Dining out is not just about the food; it’s also about the experience.
Just be careful; brunching at Isabel Mayfair will make you want to brunch this extravagantly every day.
The Good Egg
Where: Soho
Best for: A light feed
Feeling snacky? Pick on share plates at The Good Egg. The menu is a nod to the unique and spice-filled flavours of the Middle East.
The layout of the cafe is super modern, inviting and cheery, which is most evidently been enhanced by the pale pink walls and blue tables and chairs.
Secure yourself a spot in the brightly lit open kitchen to watch the expert chefs at work. In combination with this, the display of baked goods and coffee fills the air with an aroma that will make visitors salivate without fail.
Highlights of the brunch menu include the pickled cucumbers, cauliflower and aubergine and the crispy halloumi paired with thyme honey, amongst other innovative dishes. To hit the sweet spot, the brownie ice cream sandwich is the way to go.
The Good Egg doesn’t do bookings, so all you’ve got to do is walk in.
Cafe Murano
Where: Covent Garden
Best for: Italian brunch
Make your weekends that bit better at Cafe Murano, Covent Garden – the latest neighbourhood Italian restaurant established by Angela Hartnett as an offshoot of her Michelin star Murano restaurant, which is located at the bottom of Bermondsey Street.
The space is large and can house 110 diners. Nonetheless, clever and deliberate design choices mean that the tables feel cosy and intimate. There is a wall of windows that ensure diners can soak up natural light and naturegaze, but it also feels homey thanks to the raw concrete and timber panelling. Guests can also choose to sit outside on the terrace under an umbrella to really amplify the Italian experience.
Brunch is served between 9am and 3pm and the menu features simple, easy yet appealing treats such as the mouth-watering chard and ricotta puff pastry roll, and mozzarella with green beans, peach and walnut. Of course, if you’re feeling a little lazier than usual and looking for an urgent pick-me-up, you can also order a pot of coffee or a pot of tea.
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