London’s Popular Brunch Spots

Nopi

No matter which part of the world you’re in, having brunch is always a decadent affair. The simple joy of being able to wake up late and fill your stomach with delectable food is an essential part of any lazy weekend. Especially in a place like London, where the weather is often gloomy, there’s no better place to take refuge from the rain, cold, and wind than a warm restaurant serving a good weekend brunch.

Luckily, for those of us residing in the city, the list of places to have brunch in London is extensive. With the company of a few fellow brunch enthusiasts, I have recently set out on a mission to try as many of these popular brunch spots in London. Here are the ones I have visited so far:

Do leave a comment and let us know your favourite brunch places in London.


NOPI


Owned by the same company that opened the famous Ottolenghi cafés in London, NOPI is a contemporary all-day dining restaurant serving Middle-eastern and Asian fusion dishes. While lunch or dinner here can be slightly pricey, I am glad to say that the breakfast/brunch is very affordable, with most dishes under £10.

I enjoyed the Shakshuka (£11), consisting of braised Italian eggs, piquante tomato sauce, and smoked labneh. In a way, it reminded me of Wild Honey’s Tunisian breakfast in Singapore, and we all know how good that is. Be sure not to waste a drop of the tomato sauce by dipping the perfectly toasted focaccia into it! For those who looking for something sweeter, the French Toast (£8.50) is served with star anise sugar, berry compote, and perhaps the most stellar orange yoghurt you’ll ever taste.

21-22 Warwick Street
London W1B 5NE, United Kingdom
Tel: 020 7494 9584

Lantana


Lantana


Situated near Goodge Street, this Australian brunch place is popular and often talked about. After eating here twice, I’d say it does indeed live up to the hype. I would recommend coming earlier as they do not take reservations, and the queue can be very long nearing midday on weekends.

My personal favourite here is the Toasted Banana Bread (£6), served with spice mascarpone and passion fruit. I know people will protest, “Anyone can bake banana bread!” But believe me, this is one you do not want to miss. A must-try savoury dish is the Corn Fritters with Streaky Bacon (£10.50).

Combined with roasted tomatoes and salsa, this dish will fill you up all the way to lunch! Lantana also offers muffins, cakes, and other pastries for take-away. I’ve heard the Crack Cake is very good, but have yet to try it. Definitely will come back for it.

13 Charlotte Street
London W1T 1SN, United Kingdom
Tel: 020 7637 3347


The Riding House Café


I visited this place on a cold and wet Sunday morning, and it was packed! Fortunately the service was good; even without a reservation, I was able to get a table for three within 15 minutes. There are two sections under their breakfast menu, the fruits and the savoury section. I would have loved to try something from the fruits section, but opted to have the Eggs Hussard (£9.50) instead. With tomato, ham, and spinach, I like to think of it as the perfect cross between an Eggs Benedict and Eggs Florentine, both of which are also on the menu. The one thing on the menu that truly impressed was undoubtedly the smoothies (£4.50 to £5.50). Served in cute recycled glass bottles, these smoothies come in four different flavours and are very delightful. You have been warned though, they can be very filling!

43-51 Great Titchfield Street London
W1W 7PQ, United Kingdom
Tel: 020 7927 0840

Bills


Bill’s


Located conveniently in Covent Garden next to Jamie’s Italian, this place serves classic brunch dishes such as Eggs Benedict, Eggs Royale, and Eggs Florentine. However, one dish I’d definitely recommend is the Bill’s Vegetarian Breakfast. Wow, if all vegetarian meals were like this, I definitely wouldn’t mind becoming a vegetarian! Be prepared to be filled with poached eggs, hearty tomatoes, and baked beans. Definitely opt to add on the bubble and squeak, a traditional English dish made with fried potato and vegetables.

The French toast is another excellent option. Unlike some other restaurants where the French toast can be overly filling, I found this rendition of the right sweetness. Plus, the fresh strawberries and bananas make you feel slightly less guilty about indulging!

St Martin’s Courtyard
3 Slingsby Pl, City of Westminster
Tel: 020 7240 8183


About the writer:
Amanda is a Singaporean with a passion for good food, fashion, and travelling. She is currently attending boarding school in the United Kingdom, and looks forward to many such new experiences after she begins university next year. Follow her adventure on instagram.