“Brunch without Prosecco, is just a sad, late breakfast”
Sunday brunch is by far and away my favourite meal of the week. After a busy week at work, it is the one meal I can take my time over without needing to be somewhere else. In London there are endless options, from a quick coffee with avo on toast to the full bottomless experience. It is impossible to try them all, mainly because new ones are popping up all the time, however I have ‘done the rounds’ shall we say.
Below I have provided a list of my favourite brunch spots in London, I will continue to add to this list so do keep checking back for new inspiration;
West & Central London
Tell Your Friends, Parsons Green, SW6
TYF opened last summer and is a gorgeous vegan restaurant located in one of my favourite parts of London.
Rating 8/10
Mildreds, Kings Cross, N1
Even for a non veggie, Mildreds is an excellent option. There is no need to book, service is excellent and their staff are super friendly.
They cater for both vegans and vegetarians, therefore for those of you who cannot face brunch without eggs, you will not be disappointed. The menu offers items including avocado on toast, blueberry waffles, tostadas and the big brunch which I opted for with scrambled tofu and a side of avocado – because it would be rude not to.
I have eaten here for dinner many times and I can confirm that their brunch options are equally delicious. Although the menu is not the most adventurous, the food is cooked to perfection, incredibly tasty, despite the lack of meat and well presented. If you looking for a good hearty brunch all washed down with a Bloody Mart, you cannot go wrong.
Rating – 9/10
Flesh & Buns – Seven Dials, Covent Garden, WC2
(Bottomless)
My favourite brunch in the whole of London!
There are two options, either £39 or £46 both including a cocktail on arrival, chips, dips and edamame, unlimited hot and cold dishes, signature Flesh and Buns, unlimited Prosecco, red or white wine and shared desert. Each sitting lasts for two hours.
Not only is the food incredible, the waiters are also very attentive. The risk with a bottomless brunch is that you will need to keep asking for a refill. At Flesh & Buns, you can barely finish half a glass before they are topping you up again.
You are offered a choice of cocktail upon arrival, normally between a Bellini or a Bloody Mary. The difference between the two prices is simply the menu options you have to choose from. The options for the lower price are more basic, however if you opt for the more expensive menu, you can choose between some higher end dishes including steak and soft shell crab as well as everything else. The whole table needs to order the same option, therefore it is worth discussing this before arriving to ensure everyone is in agreement.
The unlimited dishes are a mixture of sushi, sashimi & ceviche as well as hot dishes including soft shell crab & calamari. You will then have a choice of one main to accompany your buns, these options include steak, teriyaki salmon, belly pork or aubergine for the vegetarians – I had this last time I went and can confirm it is excellent.
All in all, you will be full, you will be tipsy and you will be disorientated when you leave and realise it is still daylight!
https://www.bonedaddies.com/promotion/sunday-brunch/
Rating – 10/10
Aubaine – High Street Kensington, W8
Aubaine is a beautiful French restaurant close to Kensington Gardens. They serve classic brunch options including Eggs Royale & French toast. The food is beautifully presented and delicious with generous portions. The coffee is also excellent.
The only downside is that the service can be a little slow so best to visit when you are not in a rush.
Brunch and coffee for two people will be around £35, not including tip.
http://www.aubaine.co.uk/locations/kensington/
Rating – 7/10
Lima Floral – Covent Garden, WC2
Lima Floral is a Peruvian restaurant serving small tapas style dishes that resemble art. It is the younger sibling to its Michelin starred sister in Fitzrovia and they have maintained their incredibly high standards.
Sunday brunch is £32pp with an additional £12pp for 4 glasses of prosecco.
Starters include Mixed Ceviche and Huancaina Beef to share, followed by one selection per person from the list of mains – I chose the Beef Lomo and it was delicious. The service was excellent, they were attentive but not intrusive and there was no rush to turn the table, we ended up staying for 3 hours.
http://www.limalondongroup.com/floral/about
Rating – 9/10
Barossa – Parsons Green, SW6
Barossa is an independent coffee house and Australian kitchen. They are famed for having one of the best tasting coffees in London, therefore it was only natural that I would visit for brunch.
I visited on a week day before The Polo, we booked because it would inevitably be busy and this was a good shout because the whole place was packed. We were an diverse group with various food requirements. The menu was therefore perfect, offering a classic fry up, veggie breakfasts and burger & chips which were all surprisingly good despite the wide variety. Most importantly, despite being a coffee house, they also served alcohol. I ordered a Bloody Mary which was excellent, although the wine was not so great.
I am delighted to confirm that the coffee was excellent. I ordered a Flat White and it came with foamy bear artwork that was very clever, it was almost too pretty to drink.
Brunch and coffee for two people will be around £30, not including tip.
No website.
Rating – 8/10
The Providores – Marylebone High Street, W1
Both times I have eaten here, I ate in The Tapa Room on the ground floor. I accidentally stumbled across it on a Sunday afternoon and was immediately drawn to a delicious looking bowl of goodness that almost everyone surrounding me was eating.
I had not booked, however there is a long high table with stools in the middle of the room and I did not have to wait long for a couple of spaces to come available. I asked the waitress what everyone was eating and she pointed to Turkish Eggs on the menu and explained it is their most popular dish. Turkish Eggs is like nothing else I have ever eaten, it is a runny poached egg in Greek yogurt with oil and spices and served with granary bread for dipping. It is simply heavenly!
The rest of the menu is a mix of fusion foods including miso baked aubergine, grilled chorizo or sweetcorn fritters. I have to be honest, the eggs are so good, I ate them on both visits.
Brunch and coffee with a Bloody Mary for two people will be around £50, not including tip.
http://www.theprovidores.co.uk/
Rating 9/10
Pix Pintxos – Notting Hill, W11
(Bottomless)
Pix offer Infinity Sundays for £33pp with unlimited tapas and Cava for a 90 minute session.
90 minutes may seem like a quick turnaround, however the tapas is readily available, you just go to the counter and help yourself. The kitchen are continuously replenishing the dishes, therefore it is essential you visit a few times to make sure you have tried everything on offer. The tapas is typically Spanish with chorizo, olives, croquettes and Spanish omelette all on the menu.
Our waitress was fabulous and regularly replenished our Cava without us having to ask. At the end of our 90 minutes, they gave us one last bottle of Cava and did not rush us off of the table. We stayed another couple of hours to enjoy cocktails which were also very enjoyable.
http://www.pix-bar.com/nottinghill.html
Rating – 7/10
Bumpkin – Chelsea, SW3
This little gem is set just off of the Kings Road, next to Chelsea Farmer’s Market. From the front, it looks like a quaint country pub, however to the rear is a fabulous secret garden which is almost always flooded with glorious sunlight.
Bumpkin is a Great British Brasserie serving locally sourced food. I opted for fish with salad and a side of avocado to accompany my Prosecco. The food was beautifully presented, fresh and tasted delicious.
The only downside with this place is the service is beyond slow. On my most recent visit, we waited half an hour for the first drink. I would highly recommend it on a sunny day, just make sure you have some time to spare.
Brunch and a glass of Prosecco for two people will be around £40, not including tip.
Rating – 6/10
Daisy Green – Seymour Street, W1
A little oasis set among the chaos of West London’s busiest shopping district. Daisy Green is an Australian cafe & restaurant serving fresh, healthy, high quality food and coffee.
You enter from the street, via the little garden with desk chairs and into a cute cafe with deli serving smoothies, fresh cakes and protein balls. They do not take brunch reservations at the weekend, therefore we turned up and hoped for the best. Luckily we only had to wait 10 minutes before being escorted downstairs to their enchanting secret garden. The atmosphere is relaxed and cozy, with vibrant decor everywhere you look.
The menu is overwhelming with so many delicious options, I had no idea where to start. The waitress was very helpful and recommended the Fancy Bacon Roll with a side of avo. When it came out, it took my breath away – how can a bacon roll be so pretty? I can guarantee you will never have tasted a bacon roll this delicious and despite now being vegan, I would highly recommend this to any meat eater.
Lastly, the Australians are famed for their coffee and they did not disappoint on this front either. Not only did my Flat White arrive beautifully presented, it was also smooth and strong.
Hands down, this is one of the best brunch spots in London!
Brunch and coffee for two people will be around £40, not including tip.
http://www.daisygreenfood.com/menus
Rating 9/10
202 London – Notting Hill, W11
Is it a clothes boutique? Is it a restaurant? The answer is both, which only adds to the quirkiness. 202 London is a high fashion store, also specialising in brunch and also my heaven!
Every time I have visited, this place is packed and the queue is out of the door. I assure you though, it is worth the wait. They offer all of the staples you would expect on a brunch menu, however they do it to an exceptional standard. I have tried a few of the dishes including French toast, healthy cooked breakfast & the sweet potato & chorizo hash. It would be impossible to pick a favourite, however I would highly recommend ordering a portion of the buttermilk pancakes to share with friends because they are excellent.
There is a enjoyable buzz to the restaurant area, the staff are helpful and friendly and service is quick.
Brunch and coffee for two people will be around £40, not including tip.
Rating 8/10
Comptoir Libanais – South Kensington, SW7
Not officially brunch, however it is still a great spot for a Sunday afternoon. Located at the south end of Exhibition Road, on a sunny day, take a table outside and enjoy the hustle and bustle of this busy area, surrounded by some of London’s most imposing architecture.
Serving predominantly Lebanese food, the options range from Lamb & Halloumi Burgers to a traditional meze. Service is excellent and the food arrives quite quickly. When you’re done, why not pop into one of the many museums nearby?
Meze with a Rose & Mint tea for two people will be around £30, not including tip.
http://www.comptoirlibanais.com/locations/south-kensington/
Rating – 8/10
Balans Soho Society – Kensington, W8
I visit Balans most regularly because it is only a 10 minute walk from my house – ideal for a hungover Sunday when you cannot face the tube.
Balans is located halfway up High Street Ken and has been recently refurbished. I will always try to take a table towards the back of the restaurant because they have a large glass roof that almost feels like sitting outdoors. The menu is predominantly eggs with a variety of options including The High Society Eggs Benedict that comes with lobster and avocado – two of my favourite things. Service is swift and friendly and although the food is not Michelin worthy, it is filling with generous portions.
Brunch and coffee with a Bloody Mary for two people will be around £50, not including tip.
https://www.balans.co.uk/restaurant/kensington-london/
Rating – 8/10
South London
Milkwood – Herne Hill, SE24
I have only visited Milkwood once, following a fun run in Brockwell Park. It is a neighbourhood eaterie and bar with a 20 seat boutique cinema downstairs. The main bar decor is in a rustic style with wood panels, 70’s themed furniture and exposed pipework to the ceiling. Its an eclectic mix, but it works.
The menu is exactly what you would expect without any unusual surprises. I chose avo on granary toast with smoked salmon, the presentation was quite ordinary but delicious all the same. One of my friends ordered the fish finger sandwich which was also yummy and the coffee was great. Unfortunately service was very slow. They were busy, however we waited 40 minutes for a coffee and over an hour for our food. The staff were friendly and apologetic though and I would go back.
Brunch with coffee for two people will be around £35, not including tip.
http://www.milkwoodhernehill.co.uk/
Rating: 6/10
Konnigans – Wandsworth, SW18
Konnigans is located a few minutes from Wandsworth Town train station. I visited on a sunny day and sat next to the bi-folding windows at the front which opened straight out onto the street, it was heavenly.
The food is a fusion between British, South East Asian & Mediterranean. In my opinion, this is simply too many flavours to get right with a menu ranging from Huevos Rancheros, to Asian Bowl to Chicken Schnitzel to a British Country Breakfast. It is one of the strangest collections I have seen on one menu, however the setting made it worthwhile.
The staff were friendly, although a little inattentive and it took a while to get served initially. We waited a while for the food, but when it did come, I was suitably impressed. I had chosen a safe option of avo with poached eggs on toast, the portion was very generous and it tasted great. I also ordered a Bloody Mary which was exceptional, even if it did take half an hour to arrive.
Brunch and coffee with a Bloody Mary for two people will be around £45, not including tip.
http://www.konnigansrestaurant.co.uk/bar/cold-drinks
Rating: 5/10
East London
Blixen – Spitalfields, E1
Set within a converted bank, Blixen is a beautiful glass building set in the heart of Spitalfields market. It is best to book because it can get very busy, particularly at the weekends. Ask for the garden area, this is the most elegant part of the restaurant.
The menu is an eclectic mix of brunch staples with modern twists including avo & poached eggs on toast with house hot-smoked trout. I ordered the baked eggs, boston beans, lardons, confit duck and aioli – it is worth a visit, just to try this. It came out in a mini cast iron pot with a side of bread for dipping. All washed down with a strong coffee, it was simply exquisite.
Brunch and coffee for two people will be around £40, not including tip.
Rating: 9/10
Bourne & Hollingsworth Buldings – Clerkenwell, EC1
(Bottomless)
When you arrive in Clerkenwell on a Sunday, you’d be forgiven for assuming it is a peaceful village with pretty buildings and cobbled streets. It is a far cry from the chaos that plays out Monday – Friday making Sundays a wonderful time to explore.
Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings is an all day Brasserie & Bar located just off Exmouth Market. You step inside to a bright and airy bar area with the restaurant to the rear and laid out like a rabbit warren. There are plants and windows everywhere giving a wonderful indoor garden feel, even on a rainy day.
The brunch menu is varied with a wide range of patisserie, eggs in multiple forms and a full English available. I opted for the French toast with bacon and maple syrup – it was utter filth in the best possible way! The Bottomless option is a choice of Bellinis or a Bloody Mary, both options are quite sweet and juicy, therefore I found it quite difficult to drink more than a few glasses before reverting to a simple glass of Prosecco.
Brunch and coffee for two people will be around £35 with an additional £18pp for bottomless Bloody Marys or Bellinis.
http://bandhbuildings.com/brunch/
Rating: 7/10
That is all for now folks but please do check back every now and again for updates on new treasures I have found.