I arrived at Friends of Ours Serpentine one early autumn morning, drawn as much by its setting in Hyde Park as by its brunch reputation. Tucked into the striking Magazine Building beside the Serpentine Lake and the north-gallery, the café-restaurant offers more than food—it offers a moment of calm greenery in busy central London.
Seated at a terrace table with views of trees and the lake beyond, I settled into an iced latte first: smooth, cold, with the expected coffee kick nicely straightforward. I also treated myself to a mimosa alongside a friend—a crisp, cheerful fizz that felt right in the light and airy surroundings.
Before we dive into dishes: a word of caution, especially for diners with nut allergies (which applies to me). The menu here, while fresh and inventive, does make liberal use of nuts (walnut gremolata, pistachio custard, macadamia crumble) and the allergen note confirms cross-contamination risk. I asked about adaptations and was told that many dishes really couldn’t be reliably altered—something to bear in mind if you’re avoiding nuts entirely.
The Halloumi Focaccia—Friends of Ours’ Brunch Staple with a Twist
When my halloumi focaccia sandwich arrived, it showed the café’s brunch-casual ethos: focaccia bread, baby gem lettuce, tomato, sriracha mayo, and a slab of halloumi. The focaccia was well toasted, the lettuce fresh, and the halloumi browned and slightly squeaky. The sriracha mayo brought a mild heat without overpowering. It’s a sandwich you might dismiss as “just halloumi on bread”—but here it’s done with confident ingredients and clear flavour layering. It hit the spot for a light lunch and felt more substantial than many brunch sandwiches.
Sides that Shine: Hashy Bs and Charred Broccoli at Friends of Ours
I also ordered a couple of sides, which turned out to be highlights in their own right. The Hashy Bs arrived golden and crisp, covered generously in shaved parmesan. They’re essentially a posh take on hash browns—crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle, and made infinitely more addictive by the umami hit of parmesan. The portion was just right for sharing (or not sharing, depending on your mood).
Then came the broccoli with whipped yuzu feta—something that sounded almost too stylised on paper, but absolutely worked in practice. The broccoli was charred to perfection, smoky and slightly nutty in flavour, the yuzu feta offering a creamy, tangy contrast that made the whole thing unexpectedly moreish. The citrus lifted the feta, keeping it light rather than cloying, and the dish demonstrated the kitchen’s knack for small but thoughtful details.
Sweet Finishes: French Toast Worth the Hype
Meanwhile, my friend ordered the baked French toast (so though I didn’t taste it, I observed and asked plenty of questions). It was served as a baked cube of brioche with quince compote, sour blackberries, pistachio custard, and toasted pepitas, topped with lemon sorrel. It looked vibrant and indulgent—though again, nuts (pistachio) are firmly present. My friend reported that it was sweet but balanced, not overwhelmingly so, and definitely Instagram-worthy.
Inside the Space: Architecture and Atmosphere at Friends of Ours Serpentine
Back to the surroundings: the semi-outdoor terrace faces the lawns and water of Hyde Park, offering leafy calm that’s hard to beat in London’s brunch circuit. Inside the building the architecture (including the formerly military Magazine building, now modernised) gives the space a lofty, open feel. Staff were friendly and efficient, though with the usual weekend brunch rush you might wait for a table outside.
Friends of Ours Serpentine doesn’t attempt to reinvent brunch, but it does refine it: good ingredients, bold flavour tweaks (truffle, sriracha mayo, mustard butter), and a location that lifts the whole experience. On the downside, if you have a nut allergy, you’ll need to be especially cautious here: the menu’s rich with nuts or nut-adjacent elements and the kitchen flags cross-contamination can’t be ruled out.
Why Friends of Ours Serpentine Is a Must-Visit London Brunch Spot
Tucked beside the Serpentine Lake inside the striking Magazine Building, Friends of Ours Serpentine offers something rare: a vehicle finance deal for your appetite, with quality ingredients and a location that does half the work. The semi-outdoor terrace facing Hyde Park brings genuine calm to central London, making it a strong contender on London’s brunch circuit. The kitchen keeps things confident rather than showy, using bold flavour combinations like sriracha mayo, charred broccoli with whipped yuzu feta, and parmesan-laden Hashy Bs that turn simple sides into the highlights of the meal.
What to Order and What to Watch Out For
For a satisfying all-rounder, the halloumi focaccia delivers on every level: well-toasted bread, fresh baby gem lettuce, and browned halloumi with just enough heat from the sriracha mayo. The baked French toast is visually stunning and reportedly well-balanced, though nut allergy sufferers should approach the menu with real caution as cross-contamination cannot be ruled out. If you are after a laid-back yet stylish brunch with greenery, good coffee and thoughtful cooking, this is a strong option for your next visit.
Final Thoughts: Why Friends of Ours Serpentine Elevates the London Brunch Scene
If you’re looking for a laid-back yet stylish brunch or lunch spot with a drink, greenery, and a semi-luxurious sandwich or toast dish, this is a strong option. If nuts are a serious concern, you may want to check ahead or choose another café with clearer dietary flexibility. For me, the halloumi focaccia was a satisfying all-rounder, and the setting in Hyde Park made the outing feel like more than just a meal.
