Brunch is far more than just a meal in London, it’s a weekend way of life.
From lavish spreads and traditional avocado toast to feasts inspired by far-flung destinations and dishes with a side of DJs, here’s where to find London’s best brunches this spring
1 Try XR’s Moët & Chandon bottomless DJ brunch
Bubbly lovers, glasses this way please. Pay a visit to Marylebone’s XR to try its brand-new Moët & Chandon Champagne bottomless DJ brunch – featuring 150 free-flowing minutes of luxe fizz.
Available every Saturday and Sunday, this brunch is just the tipsy ticket you need to get your weekend started in style.
For the ultimate indulgent experience, you’ll be treated to 150 minutes of free-flowing Moët & Chandon for £50 per person (as well as unlimited Asahi and select cocktails, hic) alongside your choice of seasonal, organic food.
Modern European in style, expect classic weekend favourites such as stacked fluffy pancakes with maple syrup and apple and cinnamon compote (£11); the XR full English with home-made hash browns, sausage, bacon, eggs, mushrooms and beans (£12.50); or, for a touch of decadence, black truffle scrambled eggs served on homemade bread (£20).
For those who prefer to share, there’s the option of a one kilo salt crusted sea bass drizzled with olive oil and lemon (£70); or the hefty kilo tomahawk steak roasted in butter (£96), both served with your choice of two sides.
If you prefer beer to bubbles, unlimited Asahi will keep your thirst quenched or, if cocktails are more to your taste, then free-flowing Mimosas and Mojitos are available.
When: Available from 14 March onwards.
Where: XR, 13 – 14 Thayer St, Marylebone, London W1U 3JR
How: Visit xierlondon.com to find out more. Valid on reservations only. To book email reservations@xierlondon.com.
2 Sink your teeth into something stylish at Cha Cha x Sister Jane
Sister Jane is launching its first concept space, a building perched amongst the thriving neighbourhood of Golborne Road in Notting Hill. Not only for the fashion crowd, there’s also plenty for a foodie to enjoy at this chic new space.
The exciting multi-use space brings together the brand’s new headquarters, its retail store and the restaurant collaboration Cha Cha x Sister Jane – opening in a 3,000 sq ft space at 36 Golborne Road, W10 on March 27th.
Serving plates of chic cuisine from 11am until midnight, visitors can also sample Cha Cha’s bold Mediterranean cuisine with a Latin twist during weekend party brunches. Take a pew at the ground floor hexagonal bar for a full view of the restaurant and get ready to both unwind and eat up.
Order the “Cha Cha Margarita” a classic revisited with a ginger twist, to feel as if you’re an extra in a vintage Hollywood movie.
The Mediterranean meets Latin menu developed by Head Chef Kai Rykowski (ex-Chiltern Firehouse) is an eclectic mix of dishes – with the likes of French toast topped with vanilla custard and rhubarb pistachio to whet your appetite, as well as savoury sharing plates of sea bass ceviche, tempura squid with wasabi mayo and freshly-grilled octopus.
When: Opening March 27 2020
Where: 36 Golborne Road, W10
3 Try gospel-inspired action at Red Rooster
Soul food for the 21st century – at Red Rooster at The Curtain, brunch comes with a side of gospel-inspired attitude. Swedish-Ethiopian chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson is serving up a sweet soul vibe with his innovative dishes, colourful décor and uplifting live music.
On the menu, devour Harlem-inspired fried chicken, sweet potato steaks, a beefy Lenox burger and the classic staple, avocado toast await to be tried.
The true highlight is the live show from the House Gospel Choir, where the singers’ vocal talent blend with excellent track choices for a dose of entertainment that’ll leave you shouting Hallelujah.
Where: Red Rooster, The Curtain, 45 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3PT.
When: Sunday house gospel live music services are performed at 12.15pm, 2pm and 3.30pm.
How: +44 203 146 4545 or visit redroosterldn.com to make a booking.
4 Enjoy gorgeous views at Blueprint Cafe
If Great British food gets you going, then book a table at Blueprint Cafe. Boasting what is arguably one of the best views of Tower Bridge, the new Sunday brunch menu at Blueprint Café is a feast for the eyes, too.
You can opt for two or three courses featuring brunch staples like Avocado on toast as well as sweet and savoury French toasts – the savoury comes with brioche, gruyere, ham and poached eggs, while the sweet option is soaked in fig leaf scented custard and topped with crushed pear.
When: Available 12pm-3pm every Sunday.
Wallet: £20 for 2 courses or £25 for 3 courses.
Where: Blueprint Cafe, Shad Thames
How: Visit blueprintcafe.co.uk to make a booking.
5 Go for Greek at Meraki
Go for Greek gold at Meraki, the restaurant with a Sunday brunch designed for sharing feasts.
As well as Greek incarnations of classic brunch dishes, like Rosti (served with crunchy potatoes, sunny side up eggs and black truffle) and Sautéed mushrooms (jumbled with petimezi, grilled cheese and sage), Sundays see the arrival of dishes designed for 2-3 people to share.
Grab some friends and load up on Spatchcock chicken or devour a Celebration leg of lamb for a Sunday brunch the Greek way.
Wallet: Sharing dishes from £36.
When: Available Sundays.
Where: 80-82 Great Titchfield St, Fitzrovia, London W1W 7QT
5 Indulge with Asian-inspired tipples at Vintry & Mercer
Opt for something Asian-infused with a boozy brunch at Vintry & Mercer in Mansion House. With an unlimited supply of Frizzante on tap, Asian Bloody Marys & Spritzes, prepare to leave both satisfied and mildly intoxicated.
Grab your best friends and head to City to indulge in their steamed breakfast bao buns and Wagyu beef & Tonkatsu sauce sandwiches, or Royal Benedict or Florentine. For something sweeter, try a plate of green tea ricotta pancakes with mixed berries and clotted cream.
Wallet: Bottomless option is priced at just £15 for 1.5 hours; food is available a la carte.
Where: 19-20 Garlick Hill, London EC4V 2AU
How: Visit vintryandmercer.com to find out more and make a booking.
6 Surround yourself with cherry blossoms at May Fair Bar
May Fair Bar has partnered with the House of Suntory’s Roku Gin to celebrate the arrival of Japan’s iconic cherry blossom season, and centuries-old practise of Hanami; the traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers.
Adorned with blooming, blush-hued cherry blossom, or Sakura, the bar has been transformed into a tranquil escape that incorporates every sense, for an exclusive 6-month residency. Guests can enjoy bespoke cocktails, a selection of exquisite contemporary pan-Asian small plates and a programme of resident DJs.
On weekends, pitstop here for cocktail-fuelled brunches. Tasty options include decadent Toasted Lobster Bagel with George’s Bank Pot-caught Lobster & Pesto Cream Cheese Bagel (£18) or Bao Buns filled with Wagyu Beef Fillet with Crispy Melting Gorgonzola Cheese & Chilli Habenero Sauce (£36), Japanese Fried Buttermilk Chicken with Garlic & Chilli Sauce (£10) or Goma-glazed Aubergine (£10).
Also available will be a selection of salads such as Marinated Crispy Duck with Grapefruit, Pine Nuts, Shallots & Plum Dressing (£14) alongside desserts including Baked White Cheesecake with Blueberry Sorbet (£8).
When: Monday – Saturday, 11am – 4pm.
How: Phone +44 (0)20 7915 3894, visit themayfairhotel.co.uk or email reservations@mayfairkitchen.co.uk to find out more and make a booking.
Where: Stratton St, Mayfair, London W1J 8LT
7 Lick up flavours of the South of France at Les Platanes
Les Platanes, the contemporary ‘bistrot de Luxe’ in Mayfair, has launched a brunch menu inspired by Provencal cuisine.
Enjoy culinary delights of the South of France, with a section dedicated to eggs, a much-loved brunch staple, with dishes including a Soufflé des Alpages, a rich Gruyere souffle served with a Beaufort gratin and Oeuf Poché (poached eggs with rainbow trout and Sauce Paloise).
Those partial to truffle can opt for the Brouillade (soft scrambled eggs covered with Perigord Truffle). Starters include Paté de Foie de Canard Tiède (duck liver pate with comte ‘popovers’) and Calamar Grillé (grilled squid, piment, lemon, rocket pesto).
For mains, a selection of classic French dishes are on offer, including a classic Croque Monsieur or Pan Bagnat de Thon Frais, Thierry Laborde’s take on a ‘Niçoise’ sandwich.
Other more decadent options include Daurade (whole sea bream served with onion compote, basil and organic black olives); and Linguine Maison (freshly made linguine, Pouttargue, lemon and olive oil.
Desserts, a speciality of Les Platanes, will include Crêpes Suzettes, set alight at the table with Grand Marnier, perfect for a little brunch-time theatre. Other desserts include Baba au Rhum, Tarte au Chocolat and Gauffre: waffles with red berry compote.
When: Saturday and Sunday
Wallet: two courses for £32 and 3 courses for £37
How: To book, please email reservations@lesplatanes.co.uk or call 020 7629 5613.
8 Get a taste of COYA’s signature spread
An immersive brunch experience filled with bottomless drinks, canapés, a delicious plethora of COYA’s signature dishes, DJs and entertainment, COYA is a must-book for any brunch fan.
The drinks offering includes bottomless Pisco Sours, Bloody Marys, Tommy Margaritas, Mojitos, London Mules, wines, beers, house spirits and Perrier-Jouët champagne.
On the menu, edible temptation includes the likes of Pollo a la Parilla (corn fed baby chicken, aji panca, coriander) as well as Lomo de Res (spicy beef, crispy shallots, aji rocoto, star anise) and Filete de Dorada (sea bream, pink fir potatoes, fennel salad) to name a few – followed by a hefty dessert platter.
Where: COYA 118 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 7NW
How: Email reservations@coyarestaurant.com to find out more and make a booking.
Wallet: £150 per person.
9 Make it Middle Eastern at The Good Egg
For Middle Eastern mouthfuls, The Good Egg is perfect for brunch with a far-flung twist. Pay a visit to the Stoke Newington institution or pull up a pew in the Kingly Court venue for hearty fare – think Eastern European still-warm brioche-like-bread and fluffy pitta stuffed with tahini.
The Lox and Cream Cheese bagel is another hit – as is the house labneh with preserved lemon and pumpkin seeds. Spacious and bright, brunch here comes with a deliciously colourful edge.
How: Visit thegoodegg.co to find out more and make a reservation.
