If you’re looking for extra special brunch suggestions, read on! Post added to October 2020, and I’ll be striving to update it all the time! Brunch is my favourite part of the day, and I love finding new places in London to visit. Here are my top London brunch favourites so far!
Dalloway Terrace
I’ve been looking and wanting to include the extra special in this post and I definitely found it with Dalloway Terrace. You are never sure if the instagrammable prettiness of places might undercut the quality in some way, but this is absolutely not the case with Dalloway.
Why visit?: it’s sheer dreaminess and top quality food and service.
I understand they change the decor of the terrace seating periodically, and it’s January 2019 theme had a Narnia feel to it which is updated as the seasons change. Dalloway Terrace is the enchanting, dreamy place you would never think existed so close to the bustle of Oxford Street. It’s the place to meet a good friend for brunch, as I did, celebrate a special event with a loved one, have a birthday celebration with a group of your closest friends or take your parents to. It’s the place to go to for a bit of you time! I love having the balance of a beautiful environment, friendly service and great food- that is also affordable. I was stuffed with the pancakes that we both ordered! I chose mine with bacon for an additional £3.00 and I couldn’t finish it- the thick pancakes were stacked 3 high. For a foodie like me, that is saying something! It came promptly and was served beautifully.
The pot of tea was humongous and easily could have served 2, should you want just a cup or two each. I’ll return because the quality in all areas was so, so high. The terrace has heating and additional cosy blankets you can don if you still feel you need to. We weren’t hurried at all to eat up or pay, and we felt the total brunch price of £34 for the service charge, and a large quantity of very gorgeous pancakes, berry,s lemon curd and maple syrup mix (plus extra bacon for me), tea and a large bottle of still water, was well worth it for the setting, service and quality. It’s quiet and spacious in between tables; you have time to relax and you don’t feel rushed.
We booked 2 weeks in advance via bookatable and had to confirm the booking as is standard, the previous day. The hotel is also something else, and the Coral Bar well worth checking out. Adding that to the “to visit” lists…
Website for further info: https://dallowayterrace.com/
Christopher’s
Why visit? For it’s sophistication and elegance. You walk in wishing you’d donned that dress from Mad Men or put that red lipstick on.
First of all, what a building! I love the unexpected in London, and walking into number set me up for what was upstairs. I must have walked past this building 100 times- what a gem.
Tables are paired fairly close together, but we still felt we had intimacy and the overal stylish and beautiful setting and ambience kicked off this special new years catch up. We had the most wonderful waiting staff, where it truly was service with a smile and felt we were really taken care of during our visit. We also loved how the waiting staff were dressed which adds to the overall elegance.
You’d want to come here on a date, with your partner for that special occasion, with a good friend, for your birthday. The list is endless! It’s perfect for every occasion.
We chose the pancakes (my friend chose this- I had serious food envy and it tasted honestly sublime) and I had the egg and avocado on toast. My only suggestion would be a little bit more of this 🙂 We had a juice each and shared a pot of tea between us. It came to just under £30.00. We felt like we had succeeded in quite the new year treat and loved the winding and glamorous stairwell which made us pose on our way out!
Go because the food, service and surroundings are top level and you are WORTH it!
Website for further info: http://www.christophersgrill.com/
26 Grains
If you’re not wanting a restaurant setting, or to be enticed with the unhealthy options for your brunch date, then I’d totally recommend 26 Grains in the colourful Neals Yard.
Why visit? For the cute, cosy and wholesome brunch date. For the creative take on porridge for the porridge fiends among you.
Top tip: at the weekend you need to arrive early. We arrived at 11.30am and that was slightly pushing it- there is limited seating inside this cute coffee shop type setting. Come summer this won’t be a problem as there is outdoor seating, but something to think about for now!
We chose: I had the Nordic Pear, a warm porridge with pear, crumble pieces, seeds and spices. It was delicious! My friend had the banana cacao bircher and said that was gorgeous too. I’d have the Nordic Pear again in a second. It felt like a warm hug in a bowl.
We found the space element a bit tricky, but I’d definitely go back if I was planning an early morning mate date or event during the week when it’s bound to be quieter. For our 2 breakfast’ and drinks, it came to just under £20.00 which we thought was rather good for porridges with a substantial twist.
Website for further info: http://www.26grains.com/
Bourne and Hollingworth’s Garden Rooms
This is a little stunner, tucked away at the top of a hotel near Leicester Square tube. We were delighted to be sat in the leafy, airy restaurant, overlooking views including that of the London Eye.
If you want a special window table, I believe you’d need to make a special request for it.
Why visit? For it all! The service was wonderful, the place romantic (even for a friends date!) and we thoroughly enjoyed our veggie breakfast and the vegan banana, blueberry & buckwheat, dropscones with coconut yoghurt, toasted almonds (I had the later- it was super yum!)
Website for further info: https://www.bandhgardenroom.com/weekend-brunch
Scarlett Greens
Friends and I, plus baby, met here for a very lovely one Sunday morning. Upstairs is lovely and bright, and downstairs has a bit more intimacy. We loved the palm tree decor and kitsch art designs, and devoured their smashed avocado dishes.
Why visit? The staff here were really nice- it was definitely service with a smile, and it’s on a quiet but very handy street of Soho which is a perfect central meeting spot. I also thought the food was gorgeous and portion sizes were good- I didn’t leave feeling hungry which was a huge plus!
Website for further info: https://www.daisygreenfood.com/venues/scarlett-green
Duck and Waffle
Duck and Waffle deserves a particularly big shout out from me, because since lockdown ended from the first corona wave, we have been back twice in a relatively short space of time.
These days, to secure your booking (October 2020) you have to pay a £20 per head deposit, which you will easily spend, though the prices are not extortionate don’t worry.
Why visit? Duck and Waffle offers the best views (especially if you’re lucky enough to sit on the side overlooking Canary Wharf and the Gherkin!), the friendliest staff, and food at very reasonable prices. The atmosphere is always lovely and there is just something super special about it. Liverpool St is a great area for restaurants, bars, markets…you’ve got Bricklane and Spitalfields Markets just round the corner, the cool and trendy area of Shoreditch also just round the corner, bars like the Alchemist and the Victorian Bathhouse which I also mention on here…plus Liverpool Street itself is just a lovely area with some charming oldy worldy streets, as well as high rise modern ones, is a great place for a quieter Sunday stroll.
Website for further info: https://duckandwaffle.com/
So what am I missing, and where have you been of late that you totally recommend?