Best brunch spots in London: from bottomless delights to healthy bites
This weekend, take advantage of the best brunches London has to offer. From steak and eggs to blueberry pancakes, you deserve a treat...
Whoever said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day clearly never ate brunch in London. Brunch goes where it wants, it does what it wants; it’s a maverick mealtime fully open to possibility, and you should approach it in precisely the same way. That's why we've scoured the UK's capital city to bring you the best brunch in London. Whether it's prosecco and pancakes you're after or an old-fashioned full English, our picks here will have you sorted.
And if you want to broaden your brunching horizons to teatime and beyond, take a look at our guide to the best restaurants in London.
Thomas Alexander1/45Bluebird Chelsea
Bluebird is situated on the King’s Road, one of London's most famous streets, to be found in the heart of Chelsea. A modern European restaurant and bar with outside terraces and lounge, it's inside and upstairs where Bluebird soars. Ideal for lunch, dinner or brunch, it's the latter that got us there. A Saturday morning well spent.
GQ recommends
The French toast with streaky bacon and oodles of syrup is always a good idea, while the avocado on sourdough toast makes for a healthy, but filling, alternative.
350 King's Road, SW3 5UU. bluebird-restaurant.co.uk.
2/45Little Brother Marcus
Brother Marcus may have expanded to swankier sites in Angel and Spitalfields, but it’s the OG Balham outpost we return to time and time again. Sure, you’ll find all the usual breakfast suspects here, but when was the last time a full English blew your mind? Opt instead for one of Brother Marcus’ off-the-beaten-brunch-track options, like their Bob’s Your Uncle (floury Cretan pita stuffed with crispy pork belly, fried eggs, spring onion and sriracha) or the Yummy Mummy (cajun cauliflower, beetroot hummus and charred corn atop a doorstop of toasted sourdough), all washed down with expertly made Brother Marys (go figure).
GQ recommends
If you’re one to feed your actual hangover with a sugar-induced one, then the Sugar Daddy is the way to go: fluffy French toast topped with coconut duck egg custard, bacon floss and palm sugar syrup. Stick-to-your-teeth sweet, but worth the inevitable crash to come.
9 Chestnut Grove, SW12. brothermarcus.co.uk
3/45Darby’s
A tribute to his trumpet-playing father, Darby’s is the largest (and loudest) offering from serial restaurateur Robin Gill. Every Saturday, the NYC-inspired neighbourhood haunt plays host to a live swing band to see you into the weekend, Sinatra-style – whether you need a pick-me-up from the night before or you’re ready and raring to go. Expect smash hits from the kitchen, too, including a roe-topped brioche lobster roll and the artery-busting Darby’s Breakfast, featuring an all-star line-up of their signature smoked bacon slab, fried Cacklebean egg, brown butter waffle and pork and fennel salami baked beans. Word of advice? Begin with a dozen Dooncastle oysters; no, not the most orthodox of brunch offerings, but when they’re fresh in from Ireland’s finest farms, it would be rude not to partake in a little Saturday shucking.
GQ recommends:
A lot of love goes into the running of Darby’s in-house bakery and it shows. You’ll find all the freshly baked classics here – including cinnamon buns so addictive they should come with a trigger warning – alongside more niche offerings, such as their miso coffee-glazed kouign-amann (an all-butter sugar-layered pastry that you, if you’re anything like us, will spend the rest of your life wistfully dreaming of).
3 Viaduct Gardens, SW11. 020 7537 3111. darbys-london.com
4/45The Modern Pantry
It's easy to get brunch fatigue – there's only so many avocado toasts you can eat before they all turn into the same mushy green mess – but they're rewriting the blueprint at Clerkenwell's The Modern Pantry, with a menu that's familiar but unpredictable at the same time. Take their spin on the English muffin, for instance. Yes, it's a classic dish, but paired with a culture clash of flavours, with yuzu hollandaise, hazelnut and macadamia dukkah and braised pulled lamb, it's transformed into something that's completely new and even more delicious. Fusion brunches are the future of Saturday mornings – take our word for it.
GQ recommends: There's nothing like a hefty portion of chicken and waffles to nurse your hangover and The Modern Pantry's version of the dish is no exception. The fried chicken is doused in a tangy, sweet Korean sauce and perched neatly on top of a sweetcorn, green chilli and coriander waffle, which will likely vanish within minutes of you taking your first bite.
47-48 St John's Square, London EC1. themodernpantry.co.uk
5/45Our perfect Sunday in East London looks like this: a trip to London’s most notorious flower market on Columbia Road and relaxed stroll down Brick Lane for some serious vintage finds. The best place to start this perfect day? Spitalfields Market, and more specifically, inside the elegant European brasserie called Blixen. Past the series of plush booths is the restaurant’s conservatory (AKA a heaven for botanist and brunch lovers). Take a seat around one of the garden tables, order a coffee (the fresh roast is delightful) and prepare for your Sunday to start in style.
GQ recommends: Honestly, the entire menu is a treat, but for a sweet win, opt for the pancakes – fluffed to perfection and topped with blueberries and whipped mascarpone (an ideal complement, FYI). If you favour a meat-centred dish for your first meal of the day, you’ll adore the house salt beef and potato rosti, served with poached eggs and mustard hollandaise sauce. Blixen has also mastered the hot pot, a tasty mixture of chorizo, bean, egg and coriander crème fraîche. This is a filling, flavoursome meal and we can say with certainty that after finishing you’ll be ready to settle into your afternoon with a (very) satisfied stomach.
65A Brushfield Street, Spitalfields, London E1 6AA. blixen.co.uk
6/45Temper, with its menu of grilled meats and a great selection of drinks, is a restaurant made for evenings. Yet its bottomless brunch, available in Covent Garden and the City on Saturday afternoons, works surprisingly well as a daytime meat bonanza. Because of the small selection, however, and the fact nearly everything you’re eating is meat, this is a brunch best enjoyed in large groups so you don’t find yourself staring down a whole plate of chicken thighs four wines later: the staff aren’t going to hold back on pouring the drinks, so you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck.
GQ recommends: Rather than picking from a vast menu of options, there’s a platter of three different meats (cheeseburger, adobo chicken and Cumberland sausage) served with kimchi slaw and fries. For drinks, you can pick between red or white wine or one of four cocktails: Cosmos, Mojitos, Margaritas or Bloody Marys. The adobo chicken is the star here: the words “perfectly seasoned” are bandied around a lot, but the salt levels here were consistently ideal. The sausage too straddles the line between comforting and complex brilliantly. As for the slaw? Who knew that it could be this interesting, a solo artist in its own right rather than a backing singer.
5 Mercer Walk, Mercers Yard, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9FA. temperrestaurant.com
FRANCIS AMIAND7/45A fun atmosphere can make all the difference when looking for a good brunch in the city and at Hackney’s latest opening, Mama London, the good vibes are always rolling. The decor is what really stands out here, from the mismatched lampshades to the cosy sofas, but that doesn’t mean that the food takes a back seat. From brunch classics such as eggs Benedict to more rogue choices such as delicious kebabs (yes, really), there’s truly something for everyone at this eccentric spot, making it perfect for a big catch-up with friends.
GQ recommends: The shakshuka followed by the chocolate brownie is your best course of action here. Start off with the (relatively) virtuous tomato and eggs combo and then end on an decadent, chocolate-y high. Is there really any better way to start your day?
437 Hackney Road, London E2 8PP. mamashelter.com
SAM A HARRIS8/45Just a stone’s throw away from Westfield, The Stratford Brasserie is the place to go if you’re in need of some respite from the bustle of shoppers. Serene, elegant and refined, you’d barely know that a mega-sized shopping centre is around the corner while dining here. Food-wise, you’ll be able to find your favourite brunch staples on the menu, from avo toast to pancakes, but why not push the boat out and try one of its more interesting dishes such as the cauliflower burger instead?
GQ recommends: Forget chicken and waffles, it’s the chicken and churros that really shine at The Stratford Brasserie. Paired with a tangy side salad with ranch dressing, it somehow manages to be both light and outrageously indulgent at the same time. Polish your meal off with the choux bun that’s filled with chocolate ice cream and then retreat back to your sofa for a food-coma kip.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 20 International Way, London E20 1FD. thestratford.com
9/45If you want to treat yourself to an especially decadent brunch, then you could do worse than to head to 34 Mayfair, where steak and bone marrow sits on the menu opposite classic brunch dishes like pancakes and shakshuka. It’s also important to note that they have five – yes, five – variations of the quintessential brunch cocktail, the Bloody Mary. If that’s not the sign of a stellar place to fuel up for the rest of your day, we don’t know what is.
GQ recommends: Put your detox to the back of your mind, because now is not the time to hold back. Start with a portion of their indulgent chicken and waffles and then end with their “34 Doughnuts”, that are served chocolate sauce, lemon meringue and raspberry sauce.
34 Grosvenor Square, S Audley St, Mayfair, London W1K 2HD; 34-restaurant.co.uk
10/45The Wolseley is a complete British institution loved by the legendary writer AA Gill (he even has a dish named after him and in his book, ‘Breakfast at The Wolseley’, the critic remarked, “Wherever, whenever breakfast comes, it is a mouthful of stoic optimism”). Once a prestigious car showroom, the all-day café-restaurant is one of the most beautiful buildings in London - with brunch being the ideal time to people watch (try and get a table up the stairs overlooking the whole room).
GQ recommends: Vegetarians should go for the omelette, a pillowy light dish which is exceptionally hearty. While the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs are famous - the salmon is buttery light and lightly smoked. Also go for the avocado, apple, banana, ginger and turmeric smoothie - which will make you feel Popeye levels of healthy.
160 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9EB. thewolseley.com
Petrina Tinslay11/45The Australian chain serves the kind of sunshine food, which makes you feel like you’ve done an hour-long, early morning yoga session, without the sweat. It’s healthy and feel-good, without that shaming quality (carbs are on the menu, thankfully). With four London branches, we tested the King’s Cross restaurant - which has a walk-in policy. The menu is very LA whole foods, avocados and eggs every which way, with options for bowls, sides and big plates. It’s a great set-up for your day ahead, without stepping foot in a yoga class.
GQ recommends: The potato and feta rosti, with jasmine tea smoked salmon and poached eggs. It’s a hearty dish; the rosti is crisp and doughy with salty feta; the tea smoked salmon is oily and meaty. Combine with the sunrise smoothie, with berries, banana, apple juice, orange juice and yoghurt - it’s pretty much all of your five-a-day.
1, Stanley Building, 7 Pancras Square, Kings Cross, London N1C 4AG. 020 3058 2567. grangerandco.com
12/45Long gone are the days when a simple stack of pancakes and a lacklustre latte would suffice: today, brunch connoisseurs are looking for something a little more break-the-mould. Enter: Kaia at The Ned, which is dishing up an all-you-can-eat Asian-Pacific brunch, paired with umami Bloody Marys. That’s right, say aloha to tropical ahi tuna poké and konnichiwa to the build-your-own bao station, where you can fill fluffy Japanese buns with karaage chicken, prawn tempura and – for the traditionalists among us – crispy bacon and eggs. The expert sushi chefs will prepare fresh sashimi, nigiri and maki as quickly as the hungry hoards can eat it (no mean feat, trust us). Whatever you do, be sure to save room for the epic dessert table, where you’ll find enough matcha cheesecakes, yuzu choux and Azuki tea rolls to satisfy the sweetest of sweet tooths.
GQ recommends: Heading down to the robata grill for smoky miso aubergine and sticky teriyaki salmon. As for the saké, well, that’s a no-brainer, isn’t it?
The Ned, 27 Poultry, London EC2R. thened.com
13/45If your lifestyle is all about eating clean or training mean (or both), The Skinny Kitchen might just be your dream healthy hangout. Conceived to cater to the health (and fitness) conscious, TSK, which originates from Ibiza, serves up guilt-free fare that is natural, free of additives and of the highest quality, with each dish’s nutritional info detailed on the menu so as to let you know exactly what you’re putting into your body (so long, blissful ignorance). But such an ethos needn’t mean a menu littered with the words “lean” or “green”: TSK’s menu is extensive, covering all diets, and includes everything from the creative (Clean And Jerk) to the comforting (peanut butter and banana pancakes) – just all with fewer nasties. A win-win much? Better still, remaining true to its “clean” concept, the all-day eatery boasts the setup to match: minimalist marble, fresh foliage and sleek furnishings deck out its tropical island-inspired indoors, while a huge heated terrace brings the Balearic vibes out front – perfect on a sunny day. Oh, and if you’re in the market for a slogan in neon lights, rest assured you’ll find that too. Not just a weekend wonder for the #fitfam, this, but also a first-rate find for the ’gram.
GQ recommends: Plump for a perfect portion of protein pancakes with eggs and bacon or, if you’re brunching post-gym and fancy major main gains, opt for The Body Builder or The Stacked Burger. Drinks-wise, call us easily tickled but the Judi Dench proves deserving of a taste on the name alone.
52 Upper Street, London N1; Skyline House, 20 Longfield Avenue, London W5. theskinnykitchen.co.uk
Jerome Galland14/45You’ll spot Shoreditch’s new buzzy Italian Gloria from a mile off. A quaint little restaurant that looks as though it’s been plucked from the Amalfi Coast and plonked smack bang in the middle of east London, a mid-morning brunch pit stop here will make you feel as though you’ve actually been to Italy for a fraction of the price of a plane ticket. The brunch menu boasts the usual suspects – from gloriously fluffy ricotta pancakes that are just begging for a feature on your Instagram stories, to breakfast staples such as egg alla fiorentina and french toast – but we recommend going slightly off-piste with your order to get the most out of Gloria. Arrive after 11.30am and you can have pasta or pizza for breakfast. If that doesn’t convince you to get down there ASAP, we don’t know what will.
GQ recommends: If you’re not in the mood for a breakfast pizza, opt for the truffle scrambled eggs and wash it all down with their “Grow a Pear” juice, which is a refreshing blend of pear, pineapple, white grapes and red apple.
54-56 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3QR. bigmammagroup.com
15/45It’s Sunday morning in Shoreditch, you’ve just picked up a bouquet of flowers on Columbia Road and you’re now heading down Brick Lane for a gander. But you stop at the top of the street, because an exotic painting of a reposed woman has caught your attention through a window. It’s Ingres’ "Grande Odalisque" and she’s fronting the Alary brothers’ latest bistro offering: Blanchette East. Two steps inside takes you away from the swarming market crowds and lands you in La Belle Époque: rustic furnishings, a marble-finished bar, heavy velvet curtains, candlelit tables and waiters that honour its sweeping sense of charm.
À la carte, Blanchette East boasts an impressive infusion of French and North African-inspired plates. For the weekend brunch, those cuisines are blended into breakfast classics. There's a wide selection of toppings to add to buttermilk pancakes or poached eggs: avocado, smoked salmon, plum compote, smashed pumpkin (which went down a treat). Oh, and a boulangerie selection is also available: no French touch is too far for Blanchette.
Striking the perfect balance between a decadent backdrop and a civilised atmosphere, Blanchette East is a much needed supplement to the frenzy of Shoreditch. You’ll depart satisfied – mostly down to the delicious brunch dishes at an affordable price, but also from the hour spent dining like an exotic expatriate.
GQ Recommends: Feeling Parisian? Opt for the classic croque monsieur. But for a North African twist, the Moroccan eggs are a winner: grounded with ratatouille, filled with a range of vegetables and a rich harissa and finished with a flair of spice.
204 Brick Lane, London E1. 020 7729 7939. blanchettebricklane.co.uk
16/45If you haven’t discovered the Bankside Hilton yet, don’t let the old-school reputation of the hotel chain put you off. This is an ultra-modern five-star industrial-style space that feels like a luxury New York loft apartment, only instead of a supper club you have the OXBO Bankside restaurant and its unmissable weekend brunch. With a four-course menu that changes weekly, live music and bottomless prosecco, it features a mix of help-yourself buffet, staff service and open kitchen, meaning food comes when you want and when it has been freshly cooked. Choose from the breakfast classics (eggs Benedict, waffles and pancakes), international options (sushi, charcuterie and cheese), main course meals (meat, fish, vegetarian options), and a groaning desert station.
GQ recommends: If you are going to brunch, go big. The beef sirloin, served with potato hash and truffle jus is rich, decadent and delicious.
2-8 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1. Tel: 020-7593 3900. oxbobankside.co.uk
17/45There’s a mews in Queen Park that, like something out of a sketch show, seems to only be brunch places and yoga studios. Among them is Milk Beach, a crisp white space on a beautiful cobblestone street that screams avocado on toast.
The menu hits all the traditional brunch beats, but everything is just a little bit more major than you’d normally expect. The hollandaise is exceptional and some pickled veg helps cut through it deliciously. Its poke bowls are delicious and its banana bread – when was the last time anyone screamed with delight for banana bread? – was so good everyone at our table ordered seconds.
If that’s not enough, the Milk Beach team are coffee nerds who know how to crank out a perfect cup. They have control over every stage of the coffee, from the green stuff they’re sourcing through to the roasting and brewing setup. The cofounders are coffee mad, and it shows even if you know nothing about coffee. Every brew is sensational and really who wants anything less when they’re hungover?
GQ recommends: That banana bread and your coffee of choice. We tried both the Americanos and the flat whites and they’re both exceptional.
19 Lonsdale Road, London NW6. 020 8144 8277. milkbeach.com
18/45Situated on Commercial Street and offering a brunch menu Tuesday through Sunday between 11.30am and 2.30pm, it’s one of the best the East End has to offer. For £25 its brunch becomes bottomless and includes unlimited prosecco and mimosas and a selection of cocktails. But be warned: the venue’s name is as much a warning as it is a punchy marketing tool. If you’re team Herb And Lemon, consider staying away from the advanced end of the menu. The Michelada cocktail tastes like jalapeño-infused lava. To soak up the spice, opt for the crab slider or St Louis pork ribs, which are slow-cooked in a one-tonne rotisserie to maximise flavour. The veggies aren’t forgotten about either. The buttermilk pancakes are strong contenders to be the best in London. Hell, they even give the Americans a run for their money.
In short, if you think you can handle the spice or just enjoy a good cry, give this Spitalfields gem a chance. You won’t regret it.
GQ recommends: The truffle egg toast paired with a Lavender & Mint Julep.
46-48 Commercial Street, London E1. hotboxlondon.co.uk
19/45Isabel has quickly become a Mayfair staple. Known for its old-school glamour, the restaurant feels private and removed from the central London bustle. Their new all-day brunch menu, which is available on the weekend, is a healthy take on classic dishes. There’s the restaurant’s signature freshly-baked arepas, a savoury pancake-style dish made from a special cornflour, which is baked or grilled to minimise fat. Alongside the traditional staples, pancakes, to eggs (any style) and fresh cold-pressed juices.
GQ recommends: Get the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs with a potato rosti on the side, the elegantly presented portions are completely decadent. This is your new spot for weekend brunch, to get away from it all, in a beautiful setting.
Isabel, 26 Albemarle St, Mayfair, London W1S 4HY. isabelw1.london
20/45For too long, Ealing residents have been gazing wistfully across at West London’s neighbouring leafy enclaves at a plethora of brilliant restaurants while relying on a meagre handful of good independent places amidst Côte, Carluccio's and run-of-the-mill coffee shops. Soane’s Kitchen then, must surely be considered a gift from the heavens, as this chic restaurant and café from London’s go-to catering company, The Social Pantry, opened in Walpole Park in summer 2018. Nestled inside the walled garden at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery within the park, this bright, airy hotspot (which boasts enviable interiors to boot) is the perfect place for brunch.
On the menu you’ll find all the usual brunch fare (think a Ginger Pig fry up or eggs Benedict, only here this decadent dish is taken up a notch and stuffed inside a croissant) as well as slightly more unusual signatures such the summer peas on toast with feta and poached egg. Proof of Soane’s Kitchen determination to bring something suitably on-trend to Ealing is the bottomless offering. Upgrade for free-flowing prosecco for £30. Take a walk around the charming park then settle in for a well-deserved refuel.
GQ recommends: Sometimes it’s the simple things, well-executed, that are true testament to a kitchen’s prowess. A case in point is the fish finger sandwich with pea purée and tartar Sauce. Crisp, homemade goujons marry with a deliciously sharp tartare sauce and fistfuls of rocket. We opted for the griddled sourdough, but the bread choice is yours.
Pitzhanger Manor, Walpole Park W5 5EQ. 020 8579 2685. soaneskitchen.co.uk
21/45Come for the view, stay for the food. Situated on the 31st floor of the UK’s tallest building, Aqua Shard delivers from the moment you’re seated with a near-panoramic perspective around London Bridge and the Thames. Especially if you’re brunching as a couple, which allows you to grab one of the smaller tables for two right by a window.
When you can bring yourself to stop Instagraming the scenery, you’ll find a set brunch menu that blends perennial breakfast favourites with more extravagant fare. Whether you’re sticking with a full English or delving into the lobster thermidor, the dishes here are hearty, flavoursome and impeccably presented by the Aqua Shard’s attentive waiting staff. There’s a luxury to eating here that makes it a brunch spot for occasions worth celebrating.
And if you're lacking for inspiration? You can always clink a glass in honour of the extraordinary skyline.
GQ recommends: Full English breakfast – Whether you’re a meat-eater or veggie, this is a classic done properly. Right down to the homemade baked beans.
The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY. Via aquashard.co.uk
22/45With a premium spot on the banks of the Thames, Sea Containers at Sea Containers London boasts unrivalled views of St Paul’s and Blackfriars Bridge. Dine al fresco during the milder months or opt for a plush booth with space for eight. The menu has strong Stateside influences; think BBQ pulled pork atop a toasted English muffin or bacon and cheese hash with fried eggs and crispy potatoes. The decadent sides are also worth delving into; try the Sea Containers Fries with lobster oil or the parmesan mac and cheese – after all, there’s no hangover carbs and cheese can’t fix. Feeling saintly? There’s a range of cold pressed juices from PRESS, helping you shake off last night’s indulgences. Feeling sinful? Of course you are; sip on bottomless Grey Goose Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas or push the boat out with unlimited Laurent-Perrier la Cuvée for ninety minutes. We’ll cheers to that.
GQ recommends: The Egg Sammy – fried egg, crispy bacon, Jack cheese and avocado in a soft brioche bun. Need we say more?
Sea Containers London, 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD. seacontainerslondon.com
www.instagram.com/thegoodegg_/23/45The Good Egg’s first opening in Stoke Newington had queues around the corner for its shakshuka. Thankfully, it's come a lot more central for its latest opening in Kingly Court. The Soho spot – with fewer queues – is the place at which to brunch this summer. Offering an all-day brunch menu, the neighbourhood restaurant will satisfy your granola, French toast or bagel cravings whether you’re on or off the clock.
Founded by three friends in 2013, the eatery’s menu is inspired by Tel Aviv’s street-food stalls, with influences from New York and Montreal’s Jewish delis and bakeries woven into the menu and decor (you’ll immediately clock the baked cheesecake and Stateside-inspired bar stools).
As Israeli brunch is the king of meals over summer, opt for something light, seasonally appropriate and aesthetically pleasing, such as the sabih – a traditional Jewish sandwich filled with aubergine, tomato, cucumber, sumac and tahini, which is as refreshing as it is Instagram-worthy. Plus, with al fresco dining an option, you just need a parasol and a shakshuka and you’re practically in Tel Aviv.
GQ recommends: Shakshuka – a vegetarian baked egg dish accompanied by tomatoes, peppers and herbs, which is served in a frying pan. To really tingle your taste buds, add a side of halloumi.
Kingly Court, Kingly Street, London W1B. thegoodegg.co.uk
24/45At the top of Pop Brixton, on a sunny roof terrace with a couple of tiny tables and staff so merry they look like they've won the lottery, sits Smoke & Salt – its kitchen housed in an old shipping container, serving British small plates with a twist. Its new brunch menu is short and sweet, with influences from North Africa (try the shakshuka on a bed of beans, served with buttered, ever-so-charred sourdough) and Jamaica (the plantain cake with whipped cream is as moist and dense as you dreamed) alongside specialty drinks including iced coffee with condensed milk and a splash of dark rum (you won't stop at one).
GQ recommends: Beautifully cooked steak bavette and eggs with crispy new potatoes soaked in creamy sriracha cheese sauce. Order sides of shredded lamb merguez and bacon and mix it all together for an indulgent, sloppy meat-fest.
Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, London SW9. smokeandsalt.com
25/45Entering through the flower shop of dreams, you soon find the Ace Hotel’s Hoi Polloi. Not your average East London brunch spot, the decadently minimal art-deco room is filled with the sounds of Britney Spears and Lady Gaga from the resident String Quartet. You can tuck into a range of brunch classics, from eggs florentine to syrup-soaked French Toast with banana, candied pecans and maple syrup. Expect to receive impeccable service, see copious amounts of hipsters from every depth of East London and bask in the aura of your pop music dreams.
GQ recommends: The Bloody Mary is a must if you’re feeling a little worse for wear as you tackle with the woes of the night before.
100 Shoreditch High St, London E1; hoi-polloi.co.uk/
26/45Coya’s Brunch is not like any other brunch you have experienced. The food, of course, is excellent; with sharp and fresh ceviche, moreish crispy corn and Chilean sea bass risotto our particular highlights, all washed down with endless rounds of perfectly made Pisco sours. But that’s not the reason to go. The real reason to have brunch at Coya Mayfair is to keep the party you started on Friday night going until Saturday afternoon. While the upstairs members area might be more suited to the less frenetic (it has a lighter and breezier vibe thanks to the huge double height Georgian windows, courtyard at the back and fewer, more lounge-like seats), the darker, more moody basement seating for non-members offers a unique experience.
When we visited, a saxophonist wearing reflective sunglasses was jumping between tables, playing an amplified sax decorated with bright neon Christmas lights. And yes, he does stand on chairs and tables. Brunch at Coya asks you to keep up, pick up a drink and join the party. The only question is whether you’re up for it.
GQ recommends: Atún Chifa, yellowfin tuna with a shrimp cracker, and plenty of Pisco sours.
27/45A subterranean izakaya in Soho, Shackfuyu is a pop-up gone permanent from the team behind rock'n'roll ramen resto Bone Daddies.
Best for East- meets-(wild)-west, brunch at Shackfuyu has just been extended from Sunday to Monday (well, why not?). The menu is £35 and includes two small plates and one large dish alongside all-you- can-drink prosecco and pineapple sake - until 10pm. Pro tip: don't be the guy taking selfies with his food.
GQ recommends: Don't miss the stonebass with guajillo chilli ponzu.
14a Old Compton Street W1. bonedaddies.com
28/45The grey environs of Moorgate don't exactly scream "weekend", but Bad Egg's boozy brunch has fast become a favourite with a surprisingly cool clientele. It's best for "frunch": a new, bottomless brunch every Friday. For £35, patrons can explore a menu of modern American classics alongside endless bubbles and bloodies - all soundtracked by old-school hip-hop. A day off well spent.
GQ recommends: The pulled pork and kimchi hash and a Mimosa - the Mimosas are prosecco with just a splash of OJ - just the way we like 'em.
City Point, 1 Ropemaker Street EC2. badegg.london
29/45Farmacy is everything you’d imagine a trendy, plant-based, Notting Hill restaurant to be, just without too much of the smug-factor. Come the weekend, the LA-style, all-day dining room buzzes with a delicious good-time vibe despite the virtuous menu. Groups of well-dressed young professionals catch up over buckwheat pancakes and Forager’s Martinis (gin, blackberry, cranberry and lemon juice) while couples sip superfood smoothies. Filled with foliage, fairy lights and wooden furnishings, the space feels bright, airy and very zen. This is the place post-workout brunch dreams are made of. That, and enviable Instagram posts.
Start with a “Farmaceutical Syringe Shot” (GQ loves the “Fire Starter”: a blend of ginger, turmeric, cayenne and lemon with immunity boosting, anti-inflammatory properties) before moving on to the starters. Order the nachos to share. We know it sounds crazy, but the vegan sour cream tastes brilliant. Next up might be the farmacy burger or eggs florentine. Eggs make a welcome appearance on the otherwise vegan menu, which is free from dairy, additives, sugar and chemicals. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting for a boozy brunch, check out the impressive, extensive biodynamic wine list, which includes minimum interference champagnes.
GQ recommends: The full english, complete with house made baked beans, mashed avocado and a decadent, crisp round of bubble and squeak.
Farmacy 74 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH. farmacylondon.com
30/45Best for revelry, Roman style, the DDH, as it's known, is housed in a handsome Islington townhouse with three floors of fun dedicated to debauchery. There's a bar at ground level for drinks and dancing; two private rooms on the first floor for dinner away from prying eyes; and a late-night cocktail den up top.
Inspired by ancient feasting, "Bacchanalian brunch" (£60) takes place on the first Sunday of every month. Guests are seated together on long, candlelit banqueting tables and served four wine-paired courses which are bookended by welcome and farewell cocktails.
GQ recommends: Exec chef Joe Hill (ex-Gordon Ramsay and Soho House) offers up a different menu each time. Past Sundays have taken cues from the Nordics and the Philippines. To drink, ask for the Coffee Negroni, a caffeine-fuelled twist on the Italian aperitif.
181 Upper Street N1. thedeaddollshouse.co.uk
31/45Located at the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe, Swan is a riverside retreat fitting for any brunch connoisseur. The restaurant’s Executive Chef, Allan Pickett (formerly chef patron of critically acclaimed Piquet), serves polished British classics with a French twist – think Lake District bacon served in fluffy, buttery brioche buns. There are highlights scattered across the menu; from the homemade spicy beans (served al-dente, a welcome change), to a square of black pudding that will rank as the most delicious breakfast component we’ve tasted in a long while.
GQ recommends: For the more health-conscious patrons, order the Homemade Swan muesli made with ancient grains and seeds, served with lashings of Bermondsey honey and coconut yoghurt. Looking for the ultimate hangover cure? Head straight to the ubiquitous Bloody Mary. Ours came pronto, and extra boozy – there’s two things we could get used to…
Swan, Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1. swanlondon.co.uk
32/45Hallelujah, a brunch menu sans avocado. You'll find no basic bitches at Sager + Wilde – the hip East-End watering hole minutes from Bethnal Green station – only twenty-something, music-loving fashionistas with pierced noses and Fedoras. Also, sun-worshippers, since the generous outside seating gets rammed on sunny Saturdays. Anyway, back to brunch. The menu could well be a lunch menu, with dishes including spaghetti carbonara, smoked dexter beef shoulder and a London raclette grilled cheese sandwich, which is small, but deliciously oily and oozing with fat. For something a little more traditional, which doesn't obstruct the prospect of lunch a few hours later, the pancakes with bacon and maple syrup or vanilla ice-cream were like a heavenly stack of dense clouds. For drinks, forget coffee, and go straight to the cocktails. The apple, avocado and chamomile tastes like a smoothie with just a splash of the good stuff, and the marmalade cocktail would go down a treat with a couple of slices of toast and marmalade, which, incidentally, are on the menu.
Arch, 250 Paradise Row, London E2 via sagerandwilde.com
33/45Not only does Aquavit serve up a faultless New Nordic dining menu, but it also offers one of the finest breakfasts we've tried in the capital because sitting here over a stacked plate of Swedish goodness is the closest you'll ever get to an ideal start to the day. The ambience is cool and calm, while the typically friendly Scandi staff will put any early morning stress at ease. Moreover, the interior is worth the visit alone - from the gold, sparkling bar to the kite-height ceiling, everything here is rich and decadent.
GQ recommends: If you want a wholesome, hearty breakfast then opt for the raggmunk (Swedish potato pancakes), bacon & lingonberry. This dish is not only easy on the eye, but will certainly perk up any non-morning person. We'd also suggest you order the moreish blueberry smoothie to help wash it all down.
Aquavit, St James's Market 1 Carlton Street, London SW1Y 4QQ via Aquavit
David Loftus34/45This suave Covent Garden joint glistens with art deco décor and offers an abundance of classic brunch favourites. It's New York-style menu does the original Manhattan-based Balthazar justice with fluffy syrup-topped pancakes, hazelnut waffles and numerous variations of eggs (these include scrambled with Cornish crab, poached with smoked haddock, or even soft boiled with Parmesan soldiers). All the bread and pastries come from the Balthazar boulangerie next door (a basket selection comes with warm chocolate spread). A stylish space that's well suited to solo seating or a day date.
GQ recommends: Eggs florentine. A classic, with gorgeous hollandaise sauce.
**Balthazar ** 4-6 Russell Street, London WC2B 5HZ. Via Balthazar
35/45Bottomless brunch is the boozy trend taking off across London, and The Jam Tree Clapham knows just how to do it. In their large outdoor beer/brunch garden, corks are whizzing left, right and centre, bottles popping and fizzing. Just how we like it. Come midday, most of the garden (made up of young groups, all lively and loud) is onto their second or even third bottle. Again, just how we like it. The atmosphere couldn't be merrier.
And is that surprising? Bottomless brunch. BOTTOMLESS. Ergo: enough prosecco to fill a bath with. For just under twenty pounds, you get a two hour window in which you can enjoy as much prosecco as you can stomach, and some pretty good food too. Obviously you could play it safe with the poached eggs and smashed avo on sourdough (which, incidentally, is excellent, and comes with enough avocado to feed the whole restaurant), or you could try Shakshouka – a dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers, and onions. After you're stuffed as a pepper and leaking prosecco from your eyeballs, walk it off around clapham common. Just don't fall in the pond, for god's sake.
**GQ recommends: ** Shakshouka – a dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers, and onions.
13-19 Old Town, London SW4; thejamtree.com
36/45There's something incredibly special about 34 Mayfair. Whether its the retro, 1920s American vibe, the downright delicious food, or the exquisite service, we're not quite sure what it is (maybe all three?). Regardless, it's a London institute for good reason - and better still for foodies, this must-visit eatery has just introduced a number of new dishes to its brunch menu. Mixing both fine-dining (asparagus with scorched salmon and soft-boiled quail's egg) together with American breakfast staple pieces (pancakes with cured bacon), the gastronomic offerings here are exquisite and will not disappoint. And if there's still room to fit in a sweet dish after a hearty brunch main, then make sure you go for the rhubarb and custard fool - perhaps the finest sweet dish we've tried and tested in years.
GQ recommends: the salmon to start followed by the lobster thermidore
34 Grosvenor Square Mayfair, London, Greater, Mayfair, W1K 2HD, 020 3350 3434. 34-restaurant.co.uk
37/45This modern Italian brasserie, a stone's throw away from the hustle of Marble Arch, is a snug and chic escape from London's busiest areas. Everything is white, white, white and squeaky clean. The breakfast menu is short and simple, meaning you don't need to agonize on the what if's. (Those of you who want more choice should head over on the weekend for bottomless brunch instead.) Make sure you order a couple of their Blood Orange bellinis – coffee is so overrated.
**GQ recommends: ** Poached eggs with smoked salmon and a side of avocado.
Bernardis, 62 Seymour Street, London W1H, 020 3826 7940 via Bernardis
Nikolas Koenig38/45Located in Ian Schrager's grand London Edition Hotel (off Oxford Street), Jason Atherton's upmarket Modern British restaurant and GQ Food & Drink award winner is all high ceilings and fine art: the perfect place to relax and read the paper, or host a breakfast meeting. While the menu is vast and varied, make the most of the restaurant's selection of very British dishes; including Lincolnshire poacher, smoked ham omelette and grilled kippers on a watercress and parsley salad. The full English with Stornoway black pudding is also fantastic.
GQ recommends: Severn and Wye cured smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. The portions are very generous, but if you're hungry order with a side of toasted English crumpets.
Berners Tavern 10 Berners St, London W1T 3LF. Via Berners Tavern
39/45Nestled in a really rather pleasant part of Chelsea is Blakes Hotel, one of London’s very first boutique luxury hotels. Blakes' relaunched restaurant is a glamorous setting to start the day, its decor inspired by Grand Tour-era travelling glamour, accompanied by a menu peppered with adequate exoticism. Classics are on offer, and well done - a sprinkle of lime juice and some chilli cress makes for a sprightly avocado and eggs on sourdough - but where Blakes shines is its “healthy” menu, a glowing cacophony of goodness.
GQ recommends: Chai seeds and coconut cream pudding, banana, mango, cashew nuts and dehydrated fruit. A feel good, not-too-sweet offering, showcasing Blakes’ focus on fresh, organic ingredients - the coconut pudding is made that morning, with milk straight from the cracked coconut. Not to miss is the fire-cracking ginger, manuka honey and cayenne pepper shot - if that won’t wake you up we don’t know what will.
Blakes London 33 Roland Gardens, London, SW7 3PF. Via blakeshotels.com
40/45This classy eatery in the heart of the City is perfectly located for business breakfasts – but then again, if you’re up for a bit of fun at the weekend, you can upgrade your breakfast to a three course Bottomless Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Indulge in all you can drink Prosecco, Mimosas or Bloody Marys over a starter (breakfast classics with a twist), main (lunch favourites) and dessert – if you’re still hungry by then, the sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch and a cornflake milk ice cream is a seriously tasty sweet finish, served with a healthy dollop of joyful nostalgia.
GQ Recommends: The soft shell crab 'benedict' – a classic egg and muffin arrangement, accompanied by whole crab claw fried in a light tempura-style batter, and a spicy jalapeño hollandaise.
The Botanist Broadgate Circle, Unit 5, Broadgate Circle, EC2M 2QS. Via broadgate.thebotanistlondon.com
41/45Legendary in recent years for it’s A-list clientele and the vague impossibility of getting a table if your surname isn’t Beckham or Delevingne, the Chiltern Firehouse is a little more accessible these days. If you want a table within relatively short notice, brunch is your best bet, and boy is it a stunning option. The lobster and crab omelette is as delicately luxurious as the surroundings – an elegantly converted Victorian fire station in Marylebone. You may think you’ve seen enough avocado on toast to last you a lifetime, but Nuno Mendes’ spiced twist is melt-in-the-mouth incredible. The smoked mackerel with kimchi may sound like an intense start to the day but it is as picante, zingy and moreish as it is exotic.
GQ recommends: The french toast. Served alongside both maple syrup and maple butter, with a texture so supple, so lusciously fluffy it probably shouldn’t be allowed.
Chiltern Firehouse, 1 Chiltern St, London, W1U 7PA. Via Chiltern Firehouse
42/45This Wolfgang Puck restaurant is located in the exclusive hotel, 45 Park Lane, where the renowned Los Angeles chef has selected a range of dishes with American, European and Asian influences. Meaty morsels include salt beef hash cakes (with poached eggs, crispy leeks and bérnaise sauce) and the maple glazed pork belly (with fried eggs, Parmesan polenta and brioche). Wash this down with a Bloody Mary made at your table. For a healthier brunch, order some of the best home made seven-grain granola you can get in the capital (pair this with a sweet and sparkling Asian Morning cocktail).
GQ recommends: Pancakes with bacon. Who can deny this light, fluffy, sweet and savoury treat?
The Cut at 45 Park Lane 45 Park Lane, London W1K 1PN. Via Dorchester Collection
43/45Dishoom harks back to the old Irani cafes of Bombay using the highest quality ingredients. The Indian breakfasts offer delicious alternatives to traditional British fare, from bacon naan rolls to The Big Bombay fry-up. The breakfast lassi is practically a meal in itself, while the Chocolate Chai tastes like Christmas. Great food and beautiful interior make Dishoom a wonderful Indian restaurant to start the day with.
GQ recommends: Keema Per Eedu: A Parsi power breakfast. Spicy chicken keema studded with chicken liver, topped with two runny-yolked fried eggs and sali crisp-chips.
Served with pau (a type of steamed bun). Puts fuel in your belly.
Dishoom: 12 Upper St. Martin's Lane, WC2H 9FB. (Also cafes in King's Cross and Shoreditch.) Via: Dishoom
44/45Teetering on the 40th floor of London's 230-metre-high Heron Tower, the views alone are worth getting up for (it's open 24/7). But the breakfasts are pretty spectacular too. As the name suggests, the signature dish is duck and waffle - a twist on American staple chicken and waffle and perfectly weighty if you've had a long night. Watch out for the specials, though - it has many strings to its bow, and specials vibing on the sweet-and-savoury waffle theme. Just make sure you book well in advance.
GQ recommends: The duck and waffle. There aren't any surprises when your food turns up - two brilliantly fluffy waffles, a generous slab of crisp-skinned duck confit, a fried duck egg and a jug of spiced maple syrup. Restorative and delicious.
Duck and Waffle Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY. Via Duck and Waffle
45/45The Galley’s impressive decor makes you feel like you are in a plush New York diner, with dimmed hanging lamps and a bar overlooking the kitchen making for a highly intimate experience. Head chef Marcel Grzyb has created a delicious brunch menu with unique spins on classic dishes, which takes influences from Europe, Asia, North Africa and South America and blends them into one creative collection. Duck benedict, red mullet and soft shell crab brioche are not what you see on most brunch menus. The restaurant perfects the middle ground between casual and formal, allowing for a wholly comfortable time.
GQ recommends: Baked free-range eggs, North African Merguez sausages, rich tomato sauce, toasted pistachios – an excellent North African spicy dish that was perfect when complemented by a Grey Goose Blackberry Mary.
105-106 Upper Street, London N1. galleylondon.co.uk
