Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but brunch in London is an incredibly decadent affair not to be missed.
We've compiled a list of the best brunches in London, with traditional and modern menus perfect for a weekend brunch or a quick break during the week.
Sunday
If you are looking for a great little hangout to enjoy Sunday brunch, why not head to...Sunday!
This Islington restaurant offers an incredible brunch menu, with dishes ranging from sugary brioche french toast with salted caramel sauce, ripe avocado toast with labneh and tabbouleh, poached egg topped with harissa, or filling waffles topped with pulled pork and yuzu hollandaise.
Their brunch offering changes regularly, so keep an eye on Instagram and their website to find out what's on offer.
The Seabird
Credit: The Seabird
The Seabird is one of the trendiest spots in London, and their weekend brunch menu is the stuff legends are made of.
True to form, the dishes have a seafood focus, with crab and apple, scallop ceviche, and oysters to start and sharing-size bowls of lobster rice.
Sure, you might miss your traditional scrambled eggs, but the magnificent views over the city and the delicious Bloody Mary they serve on the side will more than make up for it.
Website: seabirdlondon.com
The Wolseley
The Wolseley's answer to brunch is technically a breakfast menu that is served until 11.30 am, but we consider it to be a contender for the best brunch in London.
Bear in mind that this is the restaurant of choice for the rich and famous, so there are strict no-photos rules, but you won't feel the urge to snap a picture when the food arrives.
You are spoilt for choice with buttery croissants, pain au chocolat, and banana bread loaded with vanilla butter and fruit compote.
You can have fried eggs, order eggs boiled and served with soldiers, or tuck into Eggs Benedict or Omelette with gruyère cheese.
There are several classic dishes, including scrambled egg and smoked salmon, fruit salad, and more hearty fare, including bubble and squeak, smashed avocado toast with streaky bacon, grilled kippers, fried haggis, and Wolseley fishcakes served with poached eggs. Book early because the space fills up quickly.
Website: thewolseley.com
The Good Egg
If you want something a little less conventional for brunch, look no further than The Good Egg in Soho.
This bakery/shop/eatery dishes up Israeli-inspired baked goods, including challah buns with Russian dressing, rich za'atar fried chicken, and pink pastrami short ribs.
Their classic brunch dishes include shakshuka, baked eggs dished up with preserved lemon yogurt and grilled pitas (with the option to add grilled halloumi or merguez sausage, or both), spicy feta hash, fried egg cornbread, granola with labneh and pink poached pear, babka french toast with halva, or exotic tahini caesar salad with chicken and bacon.
Website: thegoodegg.co
Cafe Murano
Credit: Cafe Murano
This Covent Garden institution serves incredible Italian meals, but their brunch offerings alone are worth paying a visit to the restaurant.
Think ricotta pancakes with blueberries, eggs on sourdough, pumpkin, and cheese, braised greens, Tuscan pork sausage in lentil stew, or a basket of bread and pastries. Wash it all down with fresh orange juice or a boozy Bellini or Mimosa.
Website: cafemurano.co.uk
The Skinny Kitchen
Credit: The Skinny Kitchen
The Skinny Kitchen's bottomless brunch isn't just a meal. It's an immersive dining experience with live performances, DJs, and live singers. There's nothing skinny or skimpy about the meal.
You can choose from two courses and enjoy bottomless drinks, including Prosecco, bottled Peroni, Gin Garden cocktail, Vodka Daisy cocktail, and Rum Punch. Meals tend to change, but you could find a buttermilk fried chicken bun, sourdough waffles, or cod curry on the menu at any given time.
Website: theskinnykitchen.co.uk
Riding House Cafe
The RHC does an incredible weekend brunch with all of your breakfast classics and a few unconventional items.
Think malted deep dish pancakes with toasted marshmallows, banana-infused maple syrup, sour cream, eggs royale with oak-smoked salmon, and breakfast ramen.
Whatever you choose, there are plenty of delicious and filling meals that make this one of the most popular brunch spots in the city.
Website: ridinghouse.cafe
Pavilion Cafe
If you are in the vicinity of Greenwich Park, head straight to the Pavilion Cafe at the Royal Observatory. This historic building is a cozy and welcoming spot to enjoy a traditional London brunch with freshly baked pastries and muffins, pizzas, soup, or sandwiches.
There are always cakes on display to tempt you, along with a traditional English cream tea when you need a treat. It's very kid-friendly, and not just because of the selection of Marshfield Farm ice creams on display.
They have a kid's menu, activity sheets, high chairs, and child-friendly cutlery. Pick up one of their famous bacon rolls, a Cumberland sausage bap, or vegan sausage bap to snack on while you stroll through the park.
Kudu
Kudu in Peckham is best known for its smoky South African braai menu, but their weekend brunch should put them on the map.
Their incredible sourdough waffles are served with eggs, or home-cured salmon, while more adventurous eaters have to sample the honey roast ham crumpet with black pudding, the shakshuka with burnt kale, or the caramelized banana bread tatin with Amarula fruit chantilly cream.
If you still want a taste of their grilled dishes, you can add a boerewors sausage for £4. Other dishes from their native country include fresh Umlazi oysters, spiced biltong, African carrot with ras el hanout, and peri-peri chicken. End the meal off with salted chocolate ganache and sesame ice cream.
Final Thoughts
London's culinary scene has evolved steadily over the last few years, and Brits have perfected and modernized brunch classics. Whether you want to enjoy a full English breakfast or a more modern bacon naan roll, you'll find whatever you like in London.