From the fluffiest pancakes to the freshest of smoothies we’ve rounded up some of the best brunches in London.
Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh in Covent Garden is the re incarnation of the iconic and original outpost that dominated the Camden dining scene for those old enough to remember. Having closed its doors in 2018 it’s reimagined itself as a restaurant, lounge, bar and stunning Brunch hotspot in Covent Garden. Although it’s retained the familiar Babylonian-themed interior and pan-Asian menu, the recently opened iteration it looks and feels more modern and is definitely the spot to be seen in and and to see.
It’s not all aesthetics though, Gilgamesh is still a powerhouse when it comes to the dining experience. To truly enjoy the best they have to offer, booking a table for their popular weekend brunch menu is the way to go. It’s a wonderful blend of sharing plates for starters followed by a main course and the prettiest sharing dessert platter for the table to round of what is a truly spectacular 3 course meal.
There is the option of either the House Bunch Menu or the Premium, the main difference being that the latter comes with a premium sashimi selection. From the starters you’ll love the steaming edamame with sea salt, and the crunchy, flavoursome Chicken Kara-Age. A firm favourite is the Sweet Potato Korroke, a type of lightly fried sweet potato cake. The vegetable spring rolls won’t last for more than 5 minutes, you’ll be left yearning for more. The green leaf salad with Wafu dressing is an elevated take on a staple that adds another dimension to the meal. The mains are equally tantalising and you’ll be hard pressed to choose one, but the rib eye bulgogi with chive mash is a winner. For the fish lovers, the Salmon Teriyaki is a melt-in-the- mouth sensation. The whole affair is exquisitely executed from the warm welcome the moment you arrive to the delectable dishes that are on offer.
The best bit? Your brunch comes with free-flowing wine throughout your meal -it feels like a day party that you wont want to leave.
The Gilgamesh weekend brunch menu is available every Saturday and Sunday (12pm-3pm)
The Blues Kitchen
In a world of over-wrought, look-a-like brunches, The Blues Kitchen offers a different take from the usual brunch staples. This is Southern dining at its decadent best. It’s hard to think of a better way to while away a couple of hours than in this dim lit haunt on a Saturday afternoon thanks to its unique combination of delicious grub, top-quality cocktails and chilled-out vibes. Distinct Southern comfort oozes from every surface.
The menu shuffles and showcases the best of American southern cuisine: From the small plates, the juicy buffalo chicken wings arrive at your table not only glistening beautifully but also packing a tangy punch. The szechuan baby back ribs coated in soy glaze and chilli are lip smackingly good, and will have you gleefully licking your fingers as if nobody is watching. The crunchy blue corn tortilla with hot, cheesy spinach artichoke dip is a must-try, just be careful not to fill up on that and save space for the larger plates.
While The Blues Kitchen is known for their incredible burgers and fried chicken, we recommend venturing afield in terms of the menu and trying the blackened cajun spiced salmon with creamed corn and crispy new potatoes. If you’re craving something a little more indulgent try a stack of buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and bacon. For sweet-toothed brunchers, The corn bread with dripping honey butter is a highlight. Accessorize this with their famous lychee martini cocktails or for a bottomless option, rum punch or mimosas are also on offer. Factor in the delicious slurpy milkshakes and you’ll have won the day before it’s even the afternoon.
Don’t forget to finish off in true American style with baked white chocolate and ginger cheesecake topped with caramelized bananas, it’s a taste sensation you don’t want to miss. And if you’re even still able to move afterwards, you’ll be perfectly placed to wander around Shoreditch and walk off some of those calories. Sounds like the perfect Saturday to me!
https://theblueskitchen.com/shoreditch/
Bondi Green
Aussie chain Daisy Green has brought phenomenal Antipodean-inspired brunch all the way from Sidney to Paddington Dock and gifted us Bondi Green, one of the best places for Saturday brunch in London.
Bondi is a sprawling affair with plenty of seating, lots of natural light, instal-friendly decor and a faultless food menu proving that style and substance can happily coexist. Don’t go expecting your standard avo on toast brunch fare- kick things off with the fancy bacon roll, with poached eggs, crispy onions, back bacon, h*ly fuck hollandaise, chilli, paratha roti and avocado. The famous sweetcorn fritters with smashed avocado, poached eggs, red pepper, habanero and almond sauce, feta and corn rib are also a must-have. The decadent desserts include the award-winning banana bread sandwich, with whipped mascarpone cream, fresh berries, flaked almonds, and honey. Our favourite though has got to be the peach melba french toast with torched peach, coconut yoghurt, freeze-dried raspberries, and toasted coconut flakes for a grand finale. The portions are super generous, the service is friendly and efficient and if your brunch experience at Bondi is anything like ours, you’ll bounce out of there with a huge smile on your face. The 3-course brunch is available from 10 am- 4 pm and includes one savory dish and one sweet dish. Grab a sparking kombucha to wash it all down or make it boozy with Daisy Fizz for £49.
Decimo
The Standard Hotel at Kings X is home to Decimo where the Saturday brunch is a huge draw. Up high on the top floor, overlooking the grandeur of the St Pancras building, Decimo boasts some of the best dining views in London and is the spot to see and be seen in. The team at Decimo know their way around a menu too, serving the most flavoursome weekend brunch in London. The food is a fusion of Mexican and Latin mouth-watering delights that offer a distinctive and unique take on brunch. From fish tacos to the decadently rich dish of huevos a la flamenca- baked eggs cooked in a tomato sauce to the creamy shrimp tortilla the menu is pure brunching perfection. A manchego quesadilla sounds simple enough but at Decimo it’s elevated to something more sophisticated. All this can be washed down with a refreshing cocktail if a boozy brunch is on the cards. We recommend the fino highball which is a thrilling mixture of Pisco, Fino sherry, lemon, thyme, chilli lime and tonic For the sweet-toothed, dessert doesn’t disappoint -go for Tres Leche, an ultra-light sponge cake soaked in a sweet milk mixture.
Brunch is available every Saturday between 12- 2.30 pm.
Apothecary East
The clever people at Apothecary East have brought a phenomenal Japanese Izakaya-inspired brunch all the way from Tokyo, to Shoreditch. Izakaya is an informal eating and drinking place where diners relax and unwind over drinks and small plates of freshly prepared food. Whilst the plates may be small, the flavors are big and the cocktails are killer when it comes to the weekend brunch menu at this Tokyo-inspired gem.
Settle into one of the secluded alcoves or one of the many cozy banquettes and eat your way through a mouthwatering 5 part menu sectioned into distinct categories for easy navigation: gyoza, grilled veg options, hirata buns, fried food and pudding are all on offer. A bowl of edamame and a welcome glass of crispy prosecco gets things going and before you know it you’re tucking into a steady stream of mouthwatering dishes. The steaming chicken gyoza is a cracking dish while grilled cauliflower with black sesame is a revelation in how when executed right even the most boring of vegetables can be zhuzhed up. The smoky tenderstem broccoli is also very good. The infamous hirata buns also jostle for ‘star of the show’ accolade, in particular the standout Japanese fried chicken one that comes coated in sriracha mayonnaise with kimchi and pickles. The miso glazed aubergine is a stunning combo of crispy skin and soft centre with just the right amount of coating.
It goes without saying, that this wouldn’t be a true Japanese experience without sushi, and it’s definitely the main event here featuring all the familiar favorites including a vegan option Yasai lucky roll with cucumber, avo, mange tout, chives and teriyaki. For fish lovers the Chirashi lucky roll is sure to impress. If you still have room for dessert, try the house ice cream that comes in exotic flavours like black sesame. For less adventurous palettes, the passion fruit sorbet is a great way to round off the feast. Brunch at Apothecary East is £35pp with the option of a £25pp upgrade for for free flowing cocktails.
Yopo at The Mandrake
If you’re beginning to get bored of your standard avo on toast brunch fare, then get yourself down to Yopo in Fitzrovia.
Yopo, (named after a hallucinogenic drug) is the flagship restaurant of the Mandrake Hotel, the five-star luxury boutique hotel in Fitzrovia famous for its urban oasis jungle-inspired decor. The psychedelic art and the 10-foot-tall ostrich, complete with snake neck and duck beak, that takes pride of place in the dining room certainly lends a “trippy” feel to the experience. For a decadent Sunday experience, it’s hard to top the jungle-style terrace complete with ethnobotanical cocktails and a live DJ.
Then there’s the food. The Shamanic Brunch is a South American-inspired fare that can be enjoyed across 3 courses including shared starters. Your culinary journey begins with the spelt and wholemeal sourdough, butter & olive oil, which is freshly baked and served warm. Sizzling padron peppers swiftly follow together along with crunchy corn chips that are served with tomato chipotle-topped guacamole. The crab and apple tostada complete a stunning trio of starters.
The main course part of the menu shows off some the best of Yopo. The Chorizo & Poached Egg Muffin with Chimichurri Hollandaise is an absolute show-stopper. The Butter Milk Fried Chicken Bun with Guacatillo Slaw, Jalapeño & Smoked Cheddar isn’t quite as exciting but will please less adventurous palettes. Uniquely, this brunch offers unlimited sides with the choice of house fries with chipotle aioli or grilled broccoli & courgettes with salsa verde. From the sweet section of the menu, the silky smooth Island Chocolate Mousse with toasted Coconut, Passionfruit & Buckwheat perfectly sounds things off. The drinks are equally impressive, with a cocktail menu that is completely bespoke to The Mandrake. We recommend the best-selling Mangosteen, an elevated take on a margarita that has a splash of mango with chilli and salt on the rim, and can be dialed up or down according to your personal taste.
The Shamanic brunch is £65pp with the option to upgrade to £100 for the bottomless option with cocktails or £110 for free-flowing rose.
