Best Christmas brunch London: 15 festive spots to brunch with friends

In the words of legendary pop songstress Mariah Carey - 'all I want for Christmas is brunch.' Okay, fine, we might have mangled that a little bit, but if a young Mariah was living in London circa 2024, that's probably how the song would have ended up. Weekend brunch in London has become a city-wide institution. Every Saturday and Sunday, thousands of Londoners descend upon neighbourhoods from Shoreditch to Mayfair and everywhere in between to chow down on smashed avocado and stacks of buttermilk pancakes lashed with maple syrup. 

Weekend brunch is a time for celebrating - another work week is consigned to the annals of time, and lie-ins, Prosecco and the Sunday hangover await. Surely there’s no better time for celebrating than Christmas, so it makes sense that the keenest of the capital’s brunchers don’t want to break their weekend tradition during the festive season.

If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a festive brunch, our guide to the best Christmas brunch in London offers plenty of festive inspiration. Some of the restaurants featured are as sparkly as a cracker on the table just waiting to be pulled, while others have actually gone the extra mile and are hosting dedicated Christmas brunch events (we’re talking cringe worthy jumpers galore). You’ll even find a bottomless Christmas brunch or two, that are guaranteed to have you feeling merry by the end of your allotted 90 minutes.

By the way - if you’re in charge of planning the office Christmas do this year or the annual festive reunion of your friend group, planning a recovery brunch for the day after your party is also a good idea. The likes of eggs any style and superfood smoothies are sure to cure any sore heads and dodgy stomachs.

So, whether you’re sorting Christmas brunch for you and your mates, the whole office or as a festive-themed date idea, there are plenty of options to choose from, spanning a range of styles and budgets. Just remember to be on your best behaviour - we’d hate for you to end up on the naughty list.

The best Christmas brunch in London

From themed Christmas brunches to just a jolly good festive time with your pals, these are our picks of the best Christmas brunches in London.

Duck & Waffle, City of London

What: Open 24/7 and 40 floors above the city’s streets, Duck & Waffle is an ideal spot for special occasion dining, that’s still casual enough to feel natural and unpretentious. Come Christmas, pretty decorations give this place a little bit of seasonal sparkle. From October 24th, you can kick things off with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne get your hands on fancy hash browns and try the signature duck and waffle; a crispy confit duck leg with a fried egg and maple syrup.
Where: 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY
Book now: Duck & Waffle

Dalloway Terrace, Fitzrovia

What: A twinkling, foliage-filled restaurant in Fitzrovia, Dalloway Terrace is one of the most festive dining destinations London has to offer. It also offers a top-tier brunch, filled with sweet treats and savoury goodies. Dalloway Terrace is all about laidback luxury glamour, so take some time to share a cosy weekend brunch with friends. Severn & Wye smoked salmon served on homemade Guinness bread and brilliant sparkling wines? We're sold.
Where: 16-22 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NN
Book now: Dalloway Terrace

Sky Lounge at Shangri-La The Shard, London Bridge

What: Year after year the Shard pulls festive menus out of the bag, they’re always astounding, and not just because you can enjoy them all with sweeping views of the city. Sky Lounge is one of the best, with a brilliant Sunday brunch packed full of premium ingredients and served with effortless charm. Afterwards, feast on a buffet of artisanal cheese and homemade mini desserts, or dip fruit in the chocolate fountain.
Where: 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9QU
Book Now: Sky Lounge at Shangri-La The Shard

Sunday in Brooklyn, Marylebone and Notting Hill

What: Brunch at Sunday in Brooklyn is always brilliant, but it’s even better at Christmas time when the restaurant transforms into a cosy winter wonderland. Last year this involved an impressive display of baubles and greenery, and some brilliantly inventive cocktails including a ‘Dude, Where’s my Sled’ served in a Christmas bauble. The menu offers smoked salmon brioche, burgers, and omelettes among other options.
Where: 98 Westbourne Grove, W2 5RU; 10-12 James Street, W1U 1EE
Book now: Sunday in Brooklyn Nottinghill, Sunday in Brooklyn Marylebone

The Wolseley, St James's

What: The Wolseley does breakfast rather than brunch, but so what? We can't think of many better places to enjoy a late-morning Christmas breakfast (which is also known as brunch), than at a festive institution in St James'. Get stuck into quality Viennoiserie, cooked breakfasts, or just order some toast and jam and enjoy your time surrounded by the finest Christmas decorations in London. 
Where: 160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB 
Book now: The Wolseley

The Anthologist, City of London

What: This year, brunch at The Anthologist is going gospel. On selected Sundays, the talented Baby Grand collective will serenade you with Motown classics and festive tunes as you devour burrata and truffle tortellini, shakshuka flatbread and sticky toffee ginger puddings. You can also upgrade to get your hands on some brilliant classic cocktails and keep those vocal cords in working order.
Where: 58 Gresham Street, EC2V 7BB
Book now: The Anthologist

Dean Street Townhouse, Soho

What: One of the comfiest dining rooms in the capital, Dean Street Townhouse is a perennially popular Soho restaurant. Brunch here is served on Saturday and Sunday, with choices ranging from classic options (think eggs Benedict and full English) right through to more substantial dishes, such as haddock and chips with mushy peas and tartare sauce or ribeye steaks accompanied by thick-cut chips and lashings of béarnaise sauce. The cosy soft furnishings make it feel festive, as does the green and red colour scheme. 
Where: 69-71 Dean Street, W1D 3SE
Book now: Dean Street Townhouse

Korean Dinner Party, Soho

What: Inspired by LA’s Koreatown, Korean Dinner Party brings kitsch cocktails, sake, Korean hip-hop and some east-meets-west fusion cooking to Soho. It's serving up two cracking menus this year, either Chimaek for £32 per person or Seoulful for £42 per person, which include a wealth of fun Korean party food and booze. The Seoulful for example, includes a soju fizz cocktail and a three-course menu featuring fried chicken, kimchi pancakes and Bo Ssam lamb shoulder.
Where: Kingly Court, W1B 5PW
Book now: Korean Dinner Party

34 Mayfair, Mayfair 

What: The Christmas decorations at 34 Mayfair are a treat to behold every year, with previous installations seeing the hotel covered in over 14,000 baubles. It adds a touch of festive flare to the weekend brunch offering here each year, which features dishes like eggs benedict with ham and truffle hollandaise, lobster and shrimp rolls with chipotle and lime mayo, and a toasted waffle sandwich with caramelised bananas and peanut butter.
Where: 34 Grosvenor Square, W1K 2HD 
Book now: 34 Mayfair

Dishoom, King's Cross

What: London’s foremost Indian chain has a smattering of sites across the capital, but the King's Cross location has the cosiest feel. The breakfast/brunch menu here is full of the kind of ‘dirty good’ dishes that you find yourself craving after one too many drinks the night before, including the now legendary bacon-stuffed naan finished off with cream cheese and chilli tomato jam, and a rather festive chai egg nog.
Where: 5 Stable Street, N1C 4AB
Book now: Dishoom King's Cross

The best Christmas bottomless brunch in London

Christmas is the season to party with your pals, and what better way than to get boozing? Most festive bottomless brunches offer free-flowing fizz or cocktails for at least an hour, along with some tasty food into the bargain.  

Royal Lancaster London, Bayswater

What: Fancy going bottomless on Christmas day? Royal Lancaster London’s Park Restaurant is offering a festive brunch with a glass of Taittinger Champagne on arrival, topped off with free-flowing wine and live music from a soulful jazz trio. This one’s scheduled for the day itself, with bookings available on 25 December between 1pm and 3.30pm. Indulge in a hot breakfast buffet, followed by sushi, seafood and salad, as well as plenty of traditional festive fare.
Where: Lancaster Terrace, W2 2TY
Book now: Park Restaurant at Royal Lancaster London

London Bridge Rooftop, London Bridge

What: An outdoor bar might not be your first thought, but with excellent views and live music each weekend, London Bridge Rooftop’s winter bottomless brunch could be the perfect spot for your festive celebrations. You’ve got your classic bottomless brunch tipples including prosecco and mimosas, but this menu also offers all you can drink winter punch and mulled wine. The best part – you don’t need to worry about braving the elements as the rooftop is fully covered and heated. So you’ll be perfectly toasty as you tuck into the famous Winter Brunch Puds - a huge Yorkshire pudding stuffed full of turkey, roast potatoes, veg and gravy. 
Where: Colechurch House, SE1 2SX
Book now: London Bridge Rooftop

Lucky Voice, Liverpool Street

What: If you’re looking for a little more fun at a festive brunch, it doesn’t get much better than this. Lucky Voice offers a Christmas brunch with karaoke so you can belt out the Michael Buble tunes and sit back and laugh as your friends screech along to Mariah Carey. From 23 November you can get your hands on a private two hours, along with two hours of bottomless sparkling wine and delicious pizzas.
Where: 1 The Avenue, Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YP
Book now: Lucky Voice Liverpool Street

Daisy Green, Marylebone

What: This intimate café is one of the smallest from the Daisy Green Collection, who have lovely Aussie all-day diners all over London these days. It's famous for its beautiful brunch dishes. Last year, festive brunch menus included the likes of honey glazed figs with winter spices, burrata, toasted almonds and Riesling reduction, or butternut squash and sage gnocchi with sage burnt butter, pecorino romano and crispy roasted pumpkin seeds. It also included a class of fizz on arrival!
Where: 20 Seymour Street, W1H 7HX 
Book now: Daisy Green

Crust Bros, Waterloo

What: Pizza counts as brunch right? After introducing a new Christmas menu last year, Crust Bros switched up the festive brunching game with the Double Carbs at Xmas, topped with Italian sausage, shaved provolone and purple potato creme, and the Hot Cheeseboard pizza, laden with parmesan, gorgonzola, pear, walnut and scotch bonnet chilli. With Christmas tunes playing and everyone dressed up to win prizes for the best festive fit, it's great fun.  
Where: 113 Waterloo Road, SE1 8UL
Book now: Crust Bros

If you’re the kind of person who thinks brunch without booze is just a sad, late breakfast, check out our pick of London’s best bottomless brunches.