We're giving you the chance to win back the value of your meal - every time you dine this month!

Best brunches in London: 33 cool spots to start your day

London's brunch game is stronger than a double espresso, and these super cool spots are the best in the capital.

Updated on • Written By Pete Dreyer

Best brunches in London: 33 cool spots to start your day

The best brunch in London is a pretty big deal. Once upon a time, Londoners were satisfied with three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. And then we discovered brunch. This magical melange of two of the best mealtimes of the day produces a heady blend of sweet and savoury dishes that we seem to have an insatiable appetite for.

The best brunch in London is one of those ‘how long is a piece of string’ type statements; how will we ever know what the best brunch London has to offer is without trying the thousands upon thousands of them? In a bid to pay due care and diligence to our role as London’s best restaurant reviewers, we’ve given it a pretty good try. We can’t claim to have tried every offering in the capital, but we have eaten eggs on avocado toast more times than you could shake a stick at, and have indulged in quite the quantity of pancakes, waffles and pasties in support of our mission to bring you the best brunch spots in London.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

From internationally-led places with Indian, Japanese or Mexican menus to traditional brunch menus at London institutions, we’ve eaten at hundreds of the best brunch places in London. Some areas of London are notorious for offering great brunches (see our pick of the best brunches in Covent Garden, for example), but here we've picked a spectrum of great brunch spots from all over London.

There is a recent trend to make your brunch bottomless, and while there’s a time and a place for that, we (occasionally) want our eggs served sans Champagne, all of the places below offer a decent drinks list without the booze becoming the main focus of the event. Rather civilised, we’re sure you can agree? If you're not convinced, you can find a link to our roundup of London's best bottomless brunches just above, or take a look at this comprehensive list of brunch and bottomless brunch events to book right now.

We’ve categorised our the best places for brunch in London into areas and types so that next time you find yourself wondering ‘where’s a good brunch near me’ or ‘I fancy an Indian brunch’, we’ve got you covered with our ideas below. You're most welcome.

SKIP TO THE BEST BIT

The best cheap brunch in London

We don't always have time to sit down for hours and natter over a long leisurely brunch. Sometimes you just want something speedy, and a quick bite to eat shouldn’t cost the earth should it? We’ve gathered together some cheap brunch options in London below to help you pick an affordable but delicious venue for your next brunch date. 

Dishoom, Various locations

Dishoom bacon naan

What: Dishoom's breakfast and brunch menu has become the stuff of legend in London, providing a range of cult-like Indian-inspired breakfast dishes to hungry Londoners until 11.45am each day. If you haven’t had a bacon naan before, it’s time to treat yourself. The rich, sweet chilli jam cuts through the bacon for a moreish meal you won’t forget in a hurry. Those looking for something a little more authentic shouldn’t miss the keema per eedu, which is a powerful mix of spicy chicken keema and chunks of chicken liver, served with fried eggs and buttered bread buns - delicious. The reinvented Covent Garden restaurant is our favourite but you can get brunch in any Dishoom location.
Must-try dish: Dishoom bacon naan roll
Where: 5 Stable Street, N1C 4AB; 7 Boundary Street, E2 7JE; 12 Upper St Martins Lane, WC2H 9FB; 13 Water Street, E14 5GX; 4 Derry Street, W8 5SE; 22 Kingly Street, W1B 5QB
Book now: Dishoom King’s CrossDishoom ShoreditchDishoom Covent Garden; Dishoom Canary WharfDishoom KensingtonDishoom Carnaby

Friends Of Ours At Serpentine, Kensington

plate of eggs benedict with a crab cake and sauce

What: Set within Hyde Park, Friends Of Ours is all about warm and friendly neighbourhood-style brunching. The inspiration here is international, offering a great range of affordably priced plates to see you through the day from late morning. Think bruleed banana bread ginger with spiced poached banana and chocolate creme diplomat, crab cake Benedict with crab and XO sauce cake, and Black Iberian tomatoes on toast with cashew ricotta. The team here champions independent businesses, so expect quality bread, coffee, and produce all round.
Must-try dish: Crab cake Benedict with samphire
Where: The Magazine, Serpentine North Gallery, W2 2AR
Book now: Friends Of Ours At Serpentine

Nessa, Soho

egg inside english muffin and french toast with coffee

What: Taking inspiration from the artists and creatives of the Soho Bohemian movement, Nessa is one of the prettiest weekend brunch spots in London. It also happens to be one of the best value offerings, serving up a range of dishes from the iconic Nessa sausage and egg muffin and eggs royal to honeycomb granola and porridge with hibiscus plums all without breaking the bank. Just save room for the caramelised banana French toast, it’s the best thing since sliced bread.
Must-try dish: Nessa sausage and egg muffin with hot sauce and American cheese
Where: 86 Brewer Street, W1F 9UB
Book now: Nessa

Brother Marcus, Various Locations

table laid out with mediterranean brunch plates

What: We love a Middle Eastern-inspired brunch, where fluffy flatbreads, warming spices and delicious additions like feta and labneh often feature on classic brunch items. At Brother Marcus, its all-day menu features an array of rips (bread), dips and mezze dishes, as well as a brunch plates menu including sweet potato fritters with avocado, crispy kale, turmeric yoghurt and a poached egg, and smokey shakshuka with labneh and feta (see, we told you). A solid choice if you’re on the hunt for a banging brunch in London Bridge.
Must-try dish: Fried chicken rosti with kefir fried chicken, crispy potato rosti and two fried eggs drizzled with kasundi jam
Where: Borough Yards, SE1 9DG; 37-39 Camden Passage, N1 8EA; 23 Slingsby Place, WC2E 9AB; 1-3 Pelham Street, SW7 2ND; 2 Crispin Place, E1 6DW
Book now: Brother Marcus Borough Yards; Brother Marcus Angel; Brother Marcus Covent Garden; Brother Marcus Kensington; Brother Marcus Spitalfields

Riding House, Fitzrovia, Victoria and Bloomsbury

riding house brunch and full english breakfast

What: Good quality, affordable venues can be hard to find in central London, which is where the Riding House Cafe comes into its own. With smart decor and a buzzy atmosphere plus a reasonably-priced menu, it’s sure to help you kick-start your day in just the right way. You get plenty of bang for your buck with hearty brunch dishes like scrambled eggs and roasted tomatoes on sourdough or smashed avocado on toast with salsa and a toasted, spiced dukkah mix.
Must-try dish: Malted deep dish pancakes with smoked streaky bacon, blueberry compote, and maple syrup
Where: 43-51 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 7PQ; 1 Brunswick Centre, WC1N 1AF; 8 Sir Simon Milton Square, SW1E 5DJ
Book now: Riding House Fitzrovia; Riding House Bloomsbury; Rail House Victoria

Megan’s, Various locations

Megans Turkish brunch platter

What: A trusty pick that we couldn't not include, Megan’s will forever hold a place on our top London brunch list. For one, there are now more than 15 locations across London, so you’re never too far away from one of its famous Med-inspired dishes. Favourites include the Shakshoumi with halloumi and labneh, and its sharing Turkish brunch feast for two, which comes with Turkish cheese fondue, baked egg shakshouka, harissa hummus, avocado, feta, baklava and hot honey for drizzling. Epic.
Must-try dish: Megan's Turkish brunch feast
Where: Various locations
Book now: Megan’s Chiswick, Megan's Clapham, Megan's Islington, Megan's Kensington, Megan's Battersea and more

 The coolest brunches in London

It’s probably not cool to Google 'cool brunch in London', but we get it, sometimes you just want to impress with your knowledge of what’s hot right now in the capital. These trendy brunches offer up Instagrammable interiors accompanied by first-class cookery. As is de rigeur in London these days, the coolest brunch restaurants don't always take bookings, but hit the book now link to see if you can grab yourself a weekend table. 

Ara, Aldgate

plate of creamy poached eggs with bread

What: Known for its earthy colour palette, warm wood accents and leafy green plants that create a calm, inviting atmosphere for an on-trend London brunch. The menu covers brioche French toast with burnt butter apricot, crème fraiche, pistachio crunch, rose petals, maple syrup alongside more traditional brunch likes like shakshuka, granola, and fried breakfasts. It’s the perfect pairing of creative cuisine and stylish ambience: a place where laid-back sophistication meets flavour-packed fun.
Must-try dish: Turkish eggs with crispy chilli peanuts, toasted sourdough, and dill
Where: 1 New Drum Street, E1 7AY
Book now: Ara

Mortimer House Kitchen, Fitzrovia

french toast block with poached eggs

What: With the freshest British and Italian produce in pride of place, brunch at Mortimer House Kitchen is set to be a Mediterranean feast. Along with brunch classics like eggs royale with smoked salmon, Mortimer House Kitchen offers up a range of inspired Italian plates. Think 'nduja bruschetta with whipped ricotta and poached eggs, Caprese muffins with avocado and creamy stracciatella, and pan dulcis with amarena cherries and Nutella ricotta. The best part? Brunch here is served throughout the day on Saturdays and Sundays.
Must-try dish: Pan dulcis with Amarena cherries and Nutella ricotta
Where: 37-41 Mortimer Street, W1T 3JH
Book now: Mortimer House

Milk, Balham

eggs on toast and coffee on a table

What: Balham’s best brunch spot for sure, Milk often has queues out the door come weekends for its indulgent pancake specials and aesthetically beautiful egg dishes. The cafe takes pride in working with a bunch of sustainable suppliers from the local area, including Natoora in Bermondsey for fruit and veg, Moxons fishmongers in Earlsfield and Assembly coffee in Brixton. Menus change often, but an example of one of its incredible pancake dishes would be its buckwheat pancakes with blood orange, passion fruit meringue pie, lemon verbena chantilly, orange shortbread crumb, limoncello syrup, blood orange gel and shortbread fingers. These guys don't mess around.
Must-try dish: Banana bread with halva butter and pumpkin seed tahini
Where: 20 Bedford Hill, SW12 9RG
Book now: Milk

Eggbreak, Notting Hill

turkish eggs with cheese toastie

What: Notting Hill brunch spot Eggbreak makes a real affair out of everyone’s favourite mid-morning meal, serving cracking egg dishes ‘all day, every day, any way.’ Pretty much every dish features eggs in some shape or form, from classics like Turkish eggs and a Mexican omelette, to an indulgent ‘Eggbreaky Melt’ featuring roasted red pepper jam, American sliced cheddar and scrambled eggs in a brioche bun. Our personal favourite has to be the creamy Turkish eggs, but the Egg, Bacon & Cheese Toastie is always a great shout - it’s a whopper of a sandwich built out of thick-cut brioche, smoked bacon, a sunny side egg, American sliced cheddar and chipotle ketchup.
Must-try dish: Turkish eggs with dill yoghurt, smoked paprika and a cheese toastie
Where: 30 Uxbridge Street, W8 7TA
Book now: Eggbreak

Akub, Notting Hill

akub brunch with pitta loaded with pomegranate

What: Modern Palestinian restaurant Akub serves a brunch menu at the weekends that's perfect for feasting with friends. Comprised of a wealth of sweet and savoury dishes, this is the sort of place where one plate is never enough. Start with the likes of zaatar bread topped with labaneh, a boiled egg and pomegranate, and slow-cooked eggs served with spiced focaccia. Next, pimp your meal with an array of smaller side dishes, from spiced fava beans to grilled nabulsi cheese, before finishing on a sweet note. The Arabic coffee brioche French toast is out of this world.
Must-try dish: Sandweeshat akub - labneh, boiled egg, pomegranate, za’atar bread
Where: 27 Uxbridge Street, W8 7TQ
Book now: Akub

Fallow, St James's

fallow ham and egg royale croissant muffin

What: We're sure that all the dishes on Fallow's brunch menu are beyond good, but the real star of the show is its signature 'royale', which you may have already seen attracting attention over on Instagram. Fillings include sausage, bacon and walnut ketchup, or salmon belly with spinach and hollandaise. What makes them extra special, though, is the 'bun', a croissant-like dough with Fallow's letters etched into the top of every single one. Oh, they are good. Make sure to order a bowl of its hash browns to enjoy alongside.
Must-try dish: Le croque royale with homemade ham, bechamel sauce, onion, and a fried egg
Where: 2 St James’s Market, SW1Y 4RP
Book now: Fallow

Sam’s Kitchen, Various London Locations

Eggs benedict and a fry-up

What: Sam’s Kitchen has become a core part of London's brunch scene since it opened in 2024, a concept forged by restaurateur Sam Harrison, who has a knack for opening beloved neighbourhood eateries. You’ll find it packed to the rafters with families and friends come the weekend, tucking into freshly squeezed juices, signature brunch dishes, and perhaps one of its famous ‘Bloody Marias’.
Must-try dish: Grilled halloumi and chilli jam brioche
Where: 1 Crisp Walk, W6 9DN; 3 Kingham Avenue, TW8 8GP
Book now: Sam's Riverside; Sam's Waterside Brentford

The best Sunday brunch in London

Sunday is the day of rest so who are we to challenge that? Take your resting seriously by plumping for one of the Sunday brunches London offers up, and let someone else deal with the washing up when you’re done. Sunday brunch in London can get booked up quite quickly, so we’d recommend booking ahead if you fancy any of the places below.

SUSHISAMBA, Covent Garden

Sushi and sashimi

What: Looking to liven up your Sunday? Iconic fusion restaurant SUSHISAMBA has launched SAMBA BRUNCH, an immersive, food-fuelled event on the last Sunday of every month featuring samba dancers, DJs, entertainment and tons of energy. Guests are greeted with a punchy cocktail – from Margaritas to Caipirinhas - and treated to a four-course menu of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian-inspired plates, from spicy tuna sushi rolls to sweetcorn pancakes with braised beef and honey. The experience costs £65 per person and include a welcome cocktail, small plates for the table, a main, sushi and sashimi, plus a selection of desserts. Think Japanese apple crumble and chocolate banana cake.
Must-try dish: Rock shrimp burger with salada de repolho and spicy mayo
Where: Opera Terrace, The Piazza, WC2E 8RF
Book now: SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden

Sunday in Brooklyn, Notting Hill and Marylebone

Fluffy pancakes and shakshuka

What: A little piece of New York in Notting Hill - and more recently, Marylebone, Sunday in Brooklyn offers a buzzing neighbourhood vibe and signature American-style friendly service. If you’re headed for brunch, then its famous buttermilk pancakes are a must-order, although be warned, they’re huge. The restaurant is open for brunch all week, but with a name like Sunday in Brooklyn, it makes sense to plod on over for a slap-up brunch to round off the weekend.
Must-try dish: Hazelnut maple praline pancakes with brown butter (get a double stack to share)
Where: 98 Westbourne Grove, W2 5RU; 10-12 James Street, W1U 1EE
Book now: Sunday in Brooklyn Notting Hill; Sunday in Brooklyn Marylebone

Roe, Canary Wharf

roe croissant royale

What: This is not a drill - Canary Wharf really is becoming one of London's most exciting food neighbourhoods, and Roe is very much leading the charge in that regard. Like sibling site Fallow, Roe is an impressive all-rounder, doing a magnificent job of breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. For brunch, the location is particularly lovely - the sun beams through those massive windows over the course of the day, and you can expect smart, delicious cooking that includes those signature croissant royales, scrambled eggs with Fallow's homemade sriracha, and a killer caramelised banana bread with Chantilly cream and walnuts.
Must-try dish: Royale with cheese, sausage patty, bacon, walnut ketchup, and a fried egg
Where: 5 Park Drive, Wood Wharf, E14 9GG
Book now: Roe

Agrodolce, Fitzrovia

carbonara topped with bacon and parmesan and beef tartare with cheese sauce

What: Agrodolce brings a slice of la dolce vita to Sunday brunch with generous line-up of Italian classics. Take your pick of any starter on the menu (beef tartare with truffle cheese sauce, anyone?) before diving into your choice of pasta or pinsa - the cacio e pepe sounds good to us. There's no slowing after mains, with unlimited tiramisu served straight from the tray, and if you really want to feel like you're holidaying on the Italian shores, be sure to add a couple of Proseccos to your order. 
Must-try dish: Mozzarella and truffle Roman pinsa
Where: 67 Charlotte Street, W1T 4PH
Book now: Agrodolce

abc kitchens at The Emory, Belgravia

brunch eggs at abc kitchen

What: This lavish Knightsbridge restaurant is attached to The Emory, where rooms start at over £1000 a night, so you can expect a certain level of luxury. We love the wide range of options at abc kitchens - the menu dives between a host of light, fresh options like tartares, salads and bright, crispy dover sole tacos, right into comfort food like the hot sauce-flecked arroz con pollo. Brunch classics are beautifully executed too, from masterful eggs benedict to a syrup-soaked French toast. Whatever you do, save room for the chilli cheese egg dosa - it’s the best thing on the menu.
Must-try dish: Dosa with egg, sambal, Cheddar, dill and mint
Where: Old Barrack Yard, SW1X 7NP
Book now: abc kitchens at The Emory

Milk Beach, Soho

modern restaurant and brunch dishes with steak and prawns

What: Milk Beach channels soothing Sydney vibes, where you'll find a killer brunch menu served throughout the week. Savoury fans should order the chilli scramble with stracciatella, which is as beautiful to look at as it is to eat, while those with a sweet tooth will fall head over heels for its homemade banana bread with espresso cream. If you're looking for somewhere near central, Milk Beach serves breakfast through to midday on Saturday.
Must-try dish: Chilli scramble with stracciatella, sourdough, and citrus herbs
Where: 14 Greek Street, W1D 4AL
Book now: Milk Beach Soho

Granger & Co, Various locations

Famous ricotta hotcakes

What: Bill Granger is sorely missed, but thankfully, we still have his wonderful restaurants to luxuriate in on the weekends. There are four locations spread across London, but the King’s Cross branch is our favourite, with plenty of space for widely-separated tables and lots of natural light. There’s a walk-ins only policy so be prepared to get in early or queue, but any time spent waiting will be well rewarded with plates of sunny sweetcorn fritters or ricotta hotcakes with banana and honeycomb butter. While the brunch offering here is strictly a breakfast menu, it's served until 12pm, so we think it still qualifies as a decent early brunch.
Must-try dish: Ricotta hotcakes, with fresh banana and honeycomb butter
Where: 7 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG; 237 Pavilion Road, SW1X 0BP; 175 Westbourne Grove, W11 2SB; 105 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4RS
Book now: Granger & Co King's Cross; Granger & Co ChelseaGranger & Co Notting Hill; Granger & Co Marylebone

The best brunch in central London

Meeting for brunch in central London is often the most convenient option for everyone, but with so much choice in the centre of town, how does one decide where to go? We’ve sought out the best brunch spots in Soho, Covent Garden, Mayfair and Piccadilly to save you some time.

Honey & Co, Bloomsbury

restaurant with neutral interiors and middle eastern brunch

What: Sometimes you crave the simple stuff in the morning - we love an avo on toast as much as the next person - but Honey & Co is there for when you fancy something a little more adventurous. Specialising in Middle Eastern cuisine, this all-day dining spot serves breakfast and brunch until midday. Things kick off with a selection of mezze for the table - think creamy hummus, labneh with za'atar, fig loaf, and tomato salad. Not keen on sharing? No problem - try the shakshuka with challah, or a bureka with spinach and feta. Wash it down with tea, coffee or bubbles!
Must-try dish: Green shakshuka
Where: 54 Lamb’s Conduit Street, WC1N 3LW
Book now: Honey & Co

Boxcar Bread & Wine, Marylebone

Brunch dishes and pastries on a table

What: The Boxcar group’s collection of neighbourhood eateries now includes this most recent addition, Bread & Wine, nestled between Marble Arch and Paddington, where you can enjoy freshly baked pastries from the counter, hand-roasted coffee, and all-day brunch plates. We’re talking croissant benedicts, pastrami and gouda toasties, and scrambled eggs pimped with pecorino and wild mushrooms on toast. Its huge glass frontage and natural wooden interiors offer a relaxing backdrop for catch-ups and solo brunch dates, and during the summer months, you’ll find a few tables and chairs out front, where you can watch the world go by in the sunshine.
Must-try dish: Croissant benedict
Where: 30 Kendal Street, W2 2AW
Book now: Boxcar Bread & Wine

Richoux, Fitzrovia

egg dishes and elegant bistro-style interiors

What: Primely placed just off Regent Street, Richoux has been a staple of the city since 1909, offering traditional, all-day dining and Parisian-bistro vibes. Not only does Richoux serve up a stellar brunch menu, but it comes as an indulgent four-course set menu - ensuring a real feast next time you visit. Start with the likes of pastry puff gougeres and warm goat’s cheese salads, before moving on to classic French fare such as steak frites and cod a la Provencale. The best part? Brunch at Richoux comes with unlimited truffle croque monsieur, oozing with black truffle bechamel and comte cheese.
Must-try dish: Truffle croque monsieur
Where: 14-15 Langham Place, W1B 2QS
Book now: Richoux

MiMi Mei Fair, Mayfair

Dim-sum dynasty brunch at MiMi Mei Fair

What: Bringing old-world Chinese glamour to your next mid-morning meal, MiMi Mei Fair’s dim-sum dynasty brunch is definitely one to have on your radar. Part of Samyukta Nair's ever-evolving collection of international restaurants, MiMi Mei Fair is all about regional Chinese flavours. Brunch menus begin with appetisers such as char siu BBQ pork bao and octopus siu mei, with the option to add on half a roasted Peking duck, before choosing your mains - think black bean chicken, caramelised crispy beef or mala spicy tofu. A variety of drinks packages are also available, so you can add wine, fizz or cocktails to your brunch if you’re looking to turn your meal into a celebration.
Musty-try dish: Half apple wood-fired roasted Peking duck with homemade pancakes and hoisin sauce
Where: 55 Curzon Street, W1J 8PG
Book now: MiMi Mei Fair

The Buttery, Belgravia

The secret garden and avocado and poached eggs

What: One of London’s best hidden gems, The Buttery is a beautiful, secluded cafe and secret garden nestled in Lime Tree Hotel in Belgravia. Brunch is served from 12-3pm every day (or there’s a delicious-sounding breakfast menu if you prefer your brunch a little earlier), which spans indulgent classics and sweet treats. Think avocado Benedict with fries, and Nutella French toast! Snag a spot in the country-style walled garden during the summer, complete with garden benches, a fire pit, deck chairs and a shed!
Must-try dish: Avocado Benedict
Where: 135/137 Ebury Street, SW1W 9QU
Book now: The Buttery

Baudry Green, Covent Garden

croissant and coffee in a cafe

What: We’re huge fans of Baudry Greene, which conjures all manner of wonderful Franco-European classics across breakfast and brunch. Whether you’re in the market for a hefty continental breakfast plate, a lovely croissant au beurre or a simple half grapefruit, you’ll find all that and more here. Come lunchtime, the kitchen shifts gears into homemade sandwiches, Croque Monsieur and generous slices of Quiche Lorraine. Delightful stuff.
Must-try dish: Honey-roasted apricots, toasted almonds and chia seeds
Where: 20 Endell Street, WC2H 9BD
Book now: Baudry Green

The Black Penny, Covent Garden

Full english

What: Modelled on 17th-century ‘Penny Universities’, where people would pay a penny to engage in intellectual debates over a cup of coffee, this popular cafe has become a social space to enjoy gourmet brunch dishes and great coffee. Cosy interiors at its Covent Garden site feature bare brick walls, distressed wooden floorboards and a large counter displaying tempting pastries and bakes. The Black Penny is known for its epic hashes – think crispy duck with sweet potato, chilli, coriander and a poached egg - but nourishing oat bowls, breakfast buns, bubble ‘n’ squeak, brioche French toast and other delicious dishes deserve a look in, too. Strong coffee, brunch cocktails and fresh juices will keep you hydrated (sort of).
Must-try dish: Crispy duck hash with sweet potato, baby spinach, spring onion, chilli, coriander, and a poached egg
Where: 34 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5AA
Book now: The Black Penny

Balans, Soho

circular fried toast and hollandaise with lobster

What: Balans Soho might be known for its late-night antics, but for those who prefer to party a little earlier in the day, this restaurant and its sister sites across London also do a fine trade in brunch. We’re talking fried chicken pancakes with kimchi salad, oat fried chicken and spicy Korean honey, and brioche French toast with caramelised apples, oat granola and agave syrup. Well-worn tables and floors are a nostalgic reminder of the legendary parties that have been held here since it opened in 1993, and guests are always welcomed like an old friend.
Must-try dish: High society eggs Benedict with 1/2 lobster, avocado & crispy bacon on an English muffin
Where: 60-62 Old Compton Street, W1D 4UG; 187 Kensington High Street, W8 6SH
Book now: Balans Soho No.60; Balans Kensington

HIDE, Mayfair

circular croissant and array of brunch dishes

What: Weekend brunch at HIDE is a sophisticated affair. Caviar, oysters, immaculate Viennoiseries and a healthy helping of suitably luxe brunch dishes are all on the menu - eggs florentine, croque monsieur or madame with fresh truffle, all the eggs you could ever want and a serious full English to rival any in London. There are some healthy fruit, seed and grain-based options too, and a mammoth tea selection, as well as house-made chai-infused hot chocolate for the colder mornings.
Must-try dish: Buckwheat waffle pancake with smoked salmon, cream cheese and soft herbs
Where: 85 Piccadilly, W1J 7NB
Book now: HIDE

Aram, Strand

view from aram

What: Imad Alarnab's Syrian baking, salads and homely hot brunches are a perfect fit for Somerset House, where two sunlit dining rooms overlook the River Terrace, providing a serene and stylish setting for breakfast and lunch. The menu evolves with the seasons, always rooted in Imad’s personal memories of home-cooked meals in Syria, and on his subsequent travels. Guests can enjoy comforting dishes inspired by Syrian culinary traditions, including Maarouk donuts filled with cheese, pistachio, or chocolate, alongside colourful salads, house-baked breads, dips, wraps and za'atar croissants.
Must-try dish: Za'atar croissant
Where: Somerset House, WC2R 1LA
Book now: Aram

The best brunch with a view in London

Roof terraces and restaurants with a view are something London does very well, if you know where to look. If you’re visiting London and want to soak up the sights while you enjoy your first (or second, no judgement here) meal of the day, a brunch with a view is perfect. From the tip top of some of London’s most famous landmarks to roof terraces where you can enjoy al fresco eating, scroll down our favourite brunches with a view in London.

Rucola, Covent Garden

full cooked breakfast and avocado toast

What: Set atop The Conduit, just off Covent Garden, Rucola blends the New York rooftop aesthetic with effortless London charm and great views from a glorious sky-high garden. The menu here champions sustainable sourcing with a weekend brunch menu that stretches from classics like shakshuka and poached eggs with hollandaise to signature Italian-influenced Rucola classics like sharing plates of zripiene and half chicken ‘Salmoriglio’ with blood orange and wild garlic pesto. With pizzas, salads, and smaller bites too, everyone will be well taken care of.
Must-try dish: Shakshuka with spinach, peppers, kale, red chilli and feta
Where: 6 Langley Street, WC2H 9JA
Book now: Rucola at The Conduit

Duck & Waffle, Liverpool Street

eggs dishes

What: From the minute you’re whisked up to the 40th floor of Heron Tower in its glass lift, you know you’re going to experience something pretty special. The bright, light space of Duck & Waffle seems like it was made for mornings, with all-around views of the city from floor-to-ceiling windows offering up stunning sunrise scenes. Favourites from the brunch menu include a full English, the waffles with confit duck legs (naturally), and a rich lobster roll.
Must-try dish: The Duck & Waffle with crispy leg confit, fried duck egg, and mustard maple syrup
Where: 10 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY
Book now: Duck & Waffle

Peggy Jean, Richmond

A restaurant on top of a boat, with pink parasols

What: This waterside iteration of the ever-growing Daisy Green Collection can be found on a beautiful barge on the banks of the Thames. With guests able to enjoy unparalleled views of the river while they dine, as well as Richmond's beautiful buildings and scenery, this is certainly one of the best places to enjoy brunch with a view in south west London. Famous for its epic Aussie brunches, every plate on the menu is bold and beautiful. We tried the Fancy Bacon Roll, which features a crisp paratha roti with poached eggs, crispy onions, bacon, hollandaise and chilli. You're going to love it (and so will your Instagram feed).
Must-try dish: Fancy bacon roll, poached eggs, crispy onions, back bacon, holy f*ck hollandaise, chilli, paratha roti
Where: Bridge Boathouses, TW9 1TH
Book now: 
Peggy Jean

Don't want to hang around until 11am to eat your first meal? Check out our guide to the best breakfast spots in London for those who need food the minute their alarm goes off.