Best brunches in London: 25 of the coolest places 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 and we've never looked back.

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.

From internationally-led places with Indian, Japanese or Mexican menus to traditional brunch menus at London institutions, we’ve eaten 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.

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 enjoy a relaxing morning where someone else will be faced with the washing up when you’re done. Sunday brunch in London can get booked up quite quickly, with it being the most popular day for this late morning ritual, so we’d recommend booking ahead if you fancy any of the places below.

Baudry Green, Covent Garden

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.
Where: 20 Endell Street, WC2H 9BD
Book now: Baudry Green

Cavita, Marylebone

What: Adriana Cavita's eponymous restaurant has been a storming success since opening in 2022, and adding a weekend brunch menu only adds to the opportunities to drink excellent spicy margaritas and mezcalitas. Don't go expecting your standard eggy brunch fare (though there is a tasty huevos and chorizo plate if you fancy) - kick things off with a ceviche tostadas, before diving into grilled camarones and carne asada tacos, all washed down with a cold glass of horchata. 
Where: 60 Wigmore Street, W1U 2RZ
Book now: Cavita

Nessa, Soho

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 don’t skip out on the chocolate orange French toast, it’s the best thing since sliced bread.
Where: 86 Brewer Street, W1F 9UB
Book now: Nessa

Milk Beach, Soho

What: Milk Beach’s soothing Sydney brunch vibes are just what we want after a long week, and though there’s no specific brunch menu, you’ve got plenty of brunch-style fare available depending when you show up. In the morning it’s avo toast, sweet potato and zucchini fritters and overnight oats, whilst the afternoon serves an exotic small plates feast.
Where: 14 Greek Street, James Court, W1D 4AL
Book now: Milk Beach Soho

Granger & Co, Various locations

What: Bill Granger is sorely missed but thankfully, we still have his wonderful restaurants to luxuriate in on the weekends. There are five 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 to help you feel perky before you’ve even got your plate in front of you. 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 Sunday brunch (and the cooking definitely makes the early finish time worthwhile).
Where: Various locations
Book now: Granger & Co King's Cross; Granger & Co Chelsea; Granger & Co Clerkenwell; Granger & Co Notting Hill; Granger & Co Marylebone

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. 

Miznon, Soho and Notting Hill

What: Cult favourite Miznon - known for outrageous stuffed pitta breads - also delivers epic brunch pittas on the weekends. Discover fluffy pitta pockets filled with the likes of za'atar omelette, sour cream, pickles and tomato salsa, or for meat fans, steak and eggs with all the trimmings. Guests can also chow down on plenty more Miznon favourites, from Mesabaha lima beans drenched in tahini and spicy green peppers, to its signature green beans in a bag. While brunch-inspired cocktails are designed to kick start your weekend with punchy creations like The Miznon Mary, made with a signature spice blend and sage vodka. Be warned - they both get very busy at weekends so book in advance to guarantee a seat, or grab a takeaway. 
Where: 8-12 Broadwick Street, W1F 8HW; 14 Elgin Crescent, W11 2HX
Book now: Miznon Soho; Miznon Notting Hill

Sunday in Brooklyn, Notting Hill

What: A little piece of New York in Notting Hill, Sunday in Brooklyn offers a buzzing neighbourhood vibe and signature American-style friendly service. If you’re headed for brunch then the famous buttermilk pancakes are a must-have - be warned, they’re huge. The restaurant is open for brunch all week but you are heading there on a Saturday and Sunday pre-booking is limited and space is saved mainly for walk-ins. Consider yourself warned. 
Where: 98 Westbourne Grove, W2 5RU
Book now: Sunday in Brooklyn

Kolamba, Soho

What: If you're bored of the same old avocado and eggs, switch things up with brunch at Sri Lankan restaurant Kolamba. This cosy, unassuming spot on Kingly Street serves up a punchy brunch menu on weekends, featuring the likes of bacon and egg hoppers, Sri Lankan spiced omelette and chicken and sambol toasties. All the mains are incredible value and if you're feeling extra peckish you still have the option to order sides if you like - think chicken curry and red lentil dhal - for around a fiver. We recommend the string hoppers, which come served with a soft-boiled egg, a mild coconut curry sauce and a spicy sambol. 
Where: 21 Kingly Street, W1B 5QA
Book now: Kolamba

Riding House, Fitzrovia, Victoria and Bloomsbury

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.
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

The Laundry, Brixton

What: If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of busy Brixton, you don't have to veer far from the centre to find a little slice of calm amongst the madness. All-day bistro The Laundry is a three-minute walk from the station and serves up a cracking brunch every day of the week. There are plenty of inexpensive options on the menu, including a heavenly slice of toasted banana bread with honeycomb butter, and an acai smoothie bowl with house-made granola and toasted coconut. Our favourite though, has got to be the courgette and cheddar cornbread, with black bean and tomato salsa, green goddess dressing and pickled jalapeños. Even better, the portions are super generous so you really do feel like you're getting plenty of bang for your buck.  
Where: 374 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8PL
Book now: The Laundry

Dishoom, Covent Garden

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.
Where: 12 Upper St Martins Lane, WC2H 9FB
Book now: Dishoom Covent Garden

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 so that you know you’re not sacrificing substance for style. As is de rigeur in London these days, the coolest restaurants don't always take bookings, but hit the book now link to see if you can grab yourself a weekend table. 

Mortimer House Kitchen, Fitzrovia

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.
Where: 37-41 Mortimer Street, W1T 3JH
Book now: Mortimer House

Ottolenghi, Various London locations

What: Ottolenghi's gorgeous delis might be famed for their vibrant salads, but head over before 12pm (or 1pm on Sundays) and you'll find a seriously delicious breakfast menu featuring freshly baked pastries, brunch classics with a twist and an array of coffees, soft drinks and juices. Think oozy scrambled eggs with focaccia and smoked salmon, shakshuka with labneh and scrambled rose harissa tofu with sweet potato crisps. We recommend you browse the bakery counter on your way out and order a pastry to go - the cinnamon brioche pretzel is a must. 
Where: Various London locations
Book now: Ottolenghi Chelsea, Ottolenghi Islington, Ottolenghi Marylebone, Ottolenghi Spitalfields and more

Sune, Hackney

What: An exciting new opening at the bottom of Broadway Market, Sune also offers one of the best brunches in the area (no mean feat given the many excellent brunch spots in Hackney). Don’t expect your standard eggs though - Sune’s brunch menu includes scallop ceviche, crispy potato cakes with Guindilla chilli and a smoked eel Caesar salad.
Where: 129A Pritchard's Road, E2 9AP
Book now: Sune

Akub, Notting Hill

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. 
Where: 27 Uxbridge Street, W8 7TQ
Book now: Akub

Esters N16, Stoke Newington

What: Stokey locals are very lucky to have this lovely throwback cafe on their doorstep, and Esters sports a much more retro-cool than the rest in this list - we love the condensation on the windows, the busy chatter, the smell of coffee as you walk in. The menu is cracking as well - Esters does a mean fried eggs and grilled courgettes on toast, and the breakfast sandwich is exceptionally good. Frankly, everything on the menu is excellent, but be prepared for queues on a Saturday as Esters doesn't take bookings and it's a very popular brunch spot.
Where: 55 Kynaston Road, N16 0EB
Read more: Esters N16

Fallow, St James's

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. There are four options available (three savoury, one sweet) with fillings such as sausage bacon, kombu kethcup, egg and sriracha, or salmon belly with spinach, lemon mayo and a fried egg. 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. 
Where: 2 St James’s Market, SW1Y 4RP
Book now: Fallow

The best luxury brunch in London

Looking to celebrate a special occasion or spoil someone? London isn't short of restaurants where staff will bend over backwards to accomodate your every whim. Our pick of London’s most luxurious brunches are sure to impress with their silver service and beautiful menus that showcase incredible produce. Most important of all, all of the places below serve up delicious food, but with all the bells and whistles you want for an extra treat. 

The MAINE, Mayfair

What: Located inside a historical grade II-listed townhouse overlooking Hanover Square, The MAINE is a New England inspired brasserie featuring 350 covers across five rooms over three floors. Phew. It's the sort of place where anyone who's anyone wants to be seen - particularly on Saturdays when it serves its extravagant three-course brunch. We recommend starting with crispy fish tacos with pico de gallo, or a half a dozen oysters if you prefer something lighter, followed by sea bream drowned in caper butter. Even the sides are worth a mention - we're talking truffle mac 'n' cheese and garlic mash. To finish, choose from the 'dessert of the day', which for us was brownie with vanilla ice cream. Brunch is served in its stunning drawing room downstairs beneath a glittering crystal chandelier, while live entertainment in the form of dancing and burlesque keeps things interesting. Want to make it boozy? You can, with an open bar or premium bar for an extra fee.  
Where: 6 Medici Courtyard, W1S 1JY
Book now: The MAINE

COYA, Mayfair

What: COYA's Clasico Brunch is something of an immersive experience with its rainforest canopy-style restaurant, resident musicians and decadent multi-course menu. Boasting a sleek and stylish backdrop, befitting of its Mayfair location, COYA is not afraid to stand out, from its azure and mustard velvet seating, racks of vintage bottles and plant-studded walls. Each Saturday, the site invites diners to tuck into Peruvian inspired dishes of kingfish ceviche, seabass empanadas and sticky chicken and garlic anticuchos skewers, all washed down with half a bottle of Champagne per person. Round off the meal with a delicious dessert platter featuring sugar dusted churros with chocolate sauce, fruity sorbets and petit fours, all balanced on a gigantic plate of popcorn. Get the girls together and get the fizz flowing with this five-hour fiesta brunch - not for the faint hearted. 
Where: 118 Piccadilly, W1J 7NW
Book now: COYA Mayfair

Hakkasan Hanway Place, Fitzrovia

What: What better place to for a bit of weekend brunching than London's most iconic Chinese restaurant? Offering a monthly 'Lost in Shanghai' brunch, Hakkasan's Hanway Place location is perfect for those looking to indulge. Dark and moody lighting, combined with DJs, roaming dancers and an unforgettable atmosphere, is just half the appeal, with lavish tasting menus of Chinese fare. Brunch starts with cocktails, served alongside a crispy duck salad and a selection of steamed and fried dim sum. Save room, as there's plenty more to come, with your choice of mains which includes dishes of black pepper rib eye beef and peppercorn soy chicken. Desserts end your afternoon with a bang, a selection of chef's choice signature desserts arrive on a bed of dried ice, smoking at the table for that classic Hakkasan touch. A bottle of Rock Angel Caves d'Esclans, and an Espresso Martini to finish, will keep you in high spirits throughout. 
Where: 8 Hanway Place, W1T 1HD
Book now: Hakkasan Hanway Place

HIDE, Mayfair

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.
Where: 85 Piccadilly, W1J 7NB
Book now: HIDE

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 for just a few days 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.

Duck & Waffle, Liverpool Street

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-round 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.
Where: 10 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY
Book now: Duck & Waffle

Decimo, King's Cross

What: Decimo is the place to be for sharing tacos galore with 12th floor views. Half a grilled chicken with tortillas, salsa, salad, limes and more will easily feed three, and you can always supplement with excellent fish tacos and a classic Decimo tortilla. Decimo Bar makes a mean spicy Marg as well.
Where: The Standard, 10 Argyle Street, WC1H 8EG
Book now: Decimo

Peggy Jean, Richmond

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. For something sweet for afters, the Golden Gaytime Pancakes are an indulgent finale, complete with warm chocolate ganache, malt crumble, whipped mascarpone and salted caramel. You're going to love it (and so will your Instagram feed). 
Where: Bridge Boathouses, TW9 1TH
Book now: Peggy Jean

The best brunch in London Bridge

We often get asked about the best brunch in London Bridge, and it’s not hard to see why when you consider everything else going on in the area. It’s the perfect spot to explore pre- or post-brunch if you’re a foodie and want to discover the joys of Borough Market, or the views from The Shard, for instance. The below are our favourite brunch restaurants in London Bridge to catch a bite to eat late morning.

Caravan, London Bridge

What: This Kiwi all-day diner was always going to do a good brunch, and the London Bridge branch is no exception. Choose from a selection of small plates: vanilla pancakes with vanilla cream cheese, poached strawberries, ginger and fried jalapeno cornbread, with avocado, curd cheese, fried egg, mojo verde, soy pumpkin seeds, and chilli, for example. Or, order some of the excellent sides from sausages and chorizo to avocado and mushrooms which allow you to make your perfect brunch plate on a DIY basis. Having its own roasters means that Caravan does a mean coffee too, so make sure to include a cuppa while you’re enjoying brunch.
Where: 30 Great Guildford Street, SE1 0HS
Book now: Caravan

If brunch is a bit too early on a weekend for you, perhaps you should check out our round up of the best roast dinners in London. Or, just head straight to our list of the 100 best restaurants in London and start making your way through the capital's very best restaurants.