The 19 Best Brunch Spots in London: A Local's Guide

Now that I’ve sampled a fair few brunch spots in London during my three years living here, I thought I’d put together a little list of my favourites.

I don’t know about you, but when I go to Google in search of ‘the best brunches in London’ I’m met with the same list of chains and incredibly expensive restaurants that just aren’t my kind of thing.

When it comes to finding the best London brunch spots, I always tend to go on recommendations from friends and co-workers.

So I thought I’d put together this little list to help point you in the right direction, if like myself, you’re on the search for the perfect poached eggs on avocado toast in London.

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Table of Contents

The Best Brunch Spots in London

Below is my full guide to the best London brunch spots, all tried and tested by yours truly. I’ve also divided this list of the best brunch spots in London by area, so you can tailor it to your London itinerary.

Best Brunch Spots in London: North London

1. Sunday in Brooklyn, Notting Hill

If you want to try the best pancake of your life, then you’ll need to try Sunday in Brooklyn in Notting Hill.

I’ve been to the original in Williamsburg, Brooklyn so was very excited when another location arrived in London.

Their shakshuka is great, but make sure to order the pancake for dessert – it’s basically cake.

Plus, breakfast in Notting Hill is a perfect way to start a weekend and follow it up with a walk around the Notting Hill Market.

RELATED blog post to read: The 8 Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in New York City

2. Granger & Co, Notting Hill

Sticking to Notting Hill, if the queue is too long for Sunday in Brooklyn, try Granger & Co just down the street.

It’s also quite the celebrity hot spot, so keep your eyes peeled for some British celebs while dining on your weekend brunch in London.

3. Tab x Tab, Notting Hill

Tab x Tab is a bit of a viral hit for brunch in North London as they purée their avocado, as you can see in the photo below.

It’s definitely not my favourite way to have avocado, but if you’re looking for Instagram-worthy brunch spots in London, then Tab x Tab is a great place to try.

Best Brunch Spots in London: Central London

4. Where the Pancakes Are, London Bridge

Sunday in Brooklyn might hold the spot for the best pancake in London, but if you’re looking for a menu full of pancakes from savoury to sweet and everything in between, then Where the Pancakes Are in Flat Iron Square is a must.

They pair just about everything with pancakes, but I prefer sweetness with mine, so I tried the poached pear pancakes and they were divine!

It’s always a busy spot, so try to get down early to secure a good table. Plus, afterwards you can head to Borough Market for a walk around the stalls, or a walk along the Thames.

5. Brasserie of Light (Selfridges), Oxford Street

Brasserie of Light in Selfridges was always a go-to for work breakfast meetings in London.

It was my favourite mid-week brunch spot in London, full of natural light and great for people watching too as it was always either other business meetings or shoppers that had spent a lot of money in the department store.

For a classy, picture-perfect breakfast with great service, Brasserie of Light is the one.

6. Maison Francois, Green Park

Another great breakfast meeting spot in London, Maison Francois is aesthetically-pleasing decor wise with a great vibe to have important conversations about business.

Location-wise, you’re in the heart of Mayfair so it’s also another great place to people watch to see who else is having breakfast here at 10am on a Tuesday.

Plus, their avocado toast reminded me so much of my favourite breakfast in Liverpool with the huge roasted tomatoes.

RELATED blog post to read: 10 of the Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots In Liverpool

7. The Nomad Hotel, Covent Garden

The Nomad Hotel in Covent Garden was yet another favourite for breakfast meetings in London because just look at the interior!

This would top my list of most beautiful brunch spots in London, for sure and it’s high on my list of the hotels I want to stay at in London.

Their breakfast menu isn’t too extensive, but the food is always incredible and with a setting like this, you couldn’t ask for much more.

8. Drury 188-189, Covent Garden

Drury 188-189 is definitely my kind of café. I won’t lie, I actually did find this one on TripAdvisor.

My mum and I had tickets to the matinee showing of Dreamgirls at The Savoy theatre, so wanted to find somewhere close for brunch beforehand.

This café is really small, but cosy with books stacked up all around for customers to grab and read. The atmosphere was really laid back, a kind of small independent in the heart of central London.

I ordered my usual poached eggs, avocado on toast and smoked salmon. It was the beginning of January when we visited and I think I had about three mochas to warm me up.

It was an eerily quiet Saturday in central London that day and I keep meaning to go back to 188-189 Drury Lane but I tend to avoid central London most weekends as the number of tourists can get a bit much.

Definitely somewhere to sit all day with your laptop and get work done.

9. Cafe Boheme, Soho

After seeing Café Boheme’s Instagram feed, I just had to have their eggs and avocado.

My friend and I dined on the streets of Soho for breakfast (a much quieter part, just how I like it) and we were able to sit and watch the world go by.

One thing about Soho is that you’ll very likely bump into the odd celebrity or two. The only times I’ve seen celebrities out and about in London are in Soho and at The Bluebird in Chelsea.

While I was sat eating my eggs and avocado, Noel Fielding walked right past my table!

I would definitely return here and sit outside to see if I could spot any more celebrities strolling through Soho. And I’d also return for the avocado and eggs of course too.

Best Brunch Spots in London: East London

10. Caravan, Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf wouldn’t be the best location for independent brunch spots in London, but you’ve got to make do with what’s on offer at times.

Since Canary Wharf is a short walk away from our apartment in London, we’ve visited a few times and haven’t had a disappointing meal yet.

I actually took my parents here when they were visiting London and they really enjoyed it. It’s definitely a family favourite on the weekends, so expect a lot of kids running around.

11. The Breakfast Club, Canary Wharf

The Breakfast Club is a great spot for breakfast, obviously given its name, it would have to be.

I’ve tried the Clapham, Angel and Canary Wharf locations but would say the Canary Wharf branch is best if you don’t want to wait around for an hour but still want the great food The Breakfast Club offers.

I’ve tried many dishes at The Breakfast Club, but their shakshuka I tried most recently was my favourite as it even came with a side of avocado on toast.

Plus their hash browns are incredible and a must order!

12. The Barre (English National Ballet), Canning Town

The Barre was actually our local breakfast spot, right where we lived on London City Island.

Yes, I lived on an island in London if you can believe. And if you can’t, I have a YouTube video that takes you on a tour of the island itself.

Located on London City Island is the English National Ballet centre, and luckily for me it has a great cafe on the ground floor with the best mocha in London and an extensive breakfast menu.

We’d eat brunch here quite a lot and I never had one bad meal. My only issue was that the bread was never really toasted, but otherwise I couldn’t fault it for breakfast in East London.

Best Brunch Spots in London: South West London

13. HOB, Balham

If you’re looking for a London brunch spot that has more of a ‘local’ feel compared to a popular tourist spot, then HOB in Balham is one to try.

HOB actually stands for ‘Heart of Balham’ and that’s exactly what it is. You’ll find South West London locals cradling hangovers on a Sunday morning, ordering anything greasy from the menu.

I loved their eggs Benedict that actually came on toast along with some asparagus which was an added bonus.

It’s a no-thrills kind of cafe, the ones that are pretty hard to find but feel so authentically London.

14. Brickwood, Balham

If you’re searching for the best brunch spots in South West London, Brickwood in Balham is one that’s hard to miss.

Just a short walk from Balham Underground Station, it’s located on a street that’s become something of a brunch hotspot, with popular cafés like Milk and Brother Marcus nearby and queues often forming outside all three at weekends.

I visited on a Sunday morning and immediately understood the hype. The café has a relaxed Australian-inspired feel, excellent coffee and the kind of stylish interior that looks right at home on Instagram.

As someone who often discovers brunch spots through food photos before anything else, Brickwood certainly passed the test.

On my visit, I ordered my usual poached eggs and avocado on toast, but this version came topped with spicy chorizo. It was a nice twist on a classic brunch dish and paired perfectly with my obligatory mocha.

The menu is full of creative brunch options, making it easy to see why Brickwood has become one of the most popular brunch spots in Balham.

For anyone looking for the best brunch in Balham or a reliable breakfast spot in South West London, Brickwood is well worth adding to your list.

15. Willows, Clapham

If you’re looking for a Copenhagen-style breakfast in London, then Willows is where you need to go.

I had seen this on TikTok and had to try it as we’d recently visited Copenhagen ourselves and loved the grazing-style boards they do for breakfast.

I will say for the most part it felt like a deconstructed breakfast that I then had to put together myself, but I loved the different options and sides you could order to make each breakfast unique.

RELATED blog post to read: 18 Best Things to Do in Copenhagen, Denmark

16. Megan’s, Clapham Old Town

If you’re looking for one of the best brunch spots in South West London, Megan’s in Clapham Old Town is perfect for a crisp Autumn or Spring morning.

Having lived in London for over three years, I visited plenty of brunch spots across the city, but Megan’s was somewhere I found myself returning to time and time again thanks to its consistently good food and cosy atmosphere.

Located in the heart of Clapham Old Town, the restaurant is known for its beautiful interiors, complete with fairy lights, plants and a relaxed Mediterranean feel. On sunny days, the outdoor seating area is one of the nicest places to enjoy brunch in Clapham.

The menu features everything from classic brunch dishes to the Middle Eastern-inspired plates Megan’s has become famous for. I usually ordered the smashed avocado on toast with smoked salmon and poached eggs, alongside a mocha, and it never disappointed.

If you’re searching for the best brunch in London or a great brunch spot in Clapham, this is one I’d happily recommend.

17. Balan’s Soho Society, Clapham

Clapham has always been one of my favourite areas of London. Between the lively atmosphere, great pubs, independent coffee shops and seemingly endless number of Irish expats, it’s somewhere I found myself returning to regularly during my time living in the city.

It’s also home to some fantastic brunch spots, including Balan’s Soho Society.

I first visited Balan’s with my parents when they were over visiting for my birthday, after it had been recommended by a colleague. Even though we opted for coffee rather than the popular Bloody Marys and mimosas that seemed to be appearing on every other table, it was clear from the moment we arrived that this was a popular brunch spot in Clapham.

The menu is packed with brunch favourites, and I went for my usual combination of avocado, poached eggs, smoked salmon and toast. Simple, but done well.

The restaurant itself has a cosy, stylish feel with plenty of indoor seating, making it a great option regardless of London’s unpredictable weather.

If you’re searching for the best brunch in Clapham or looking for reliable brunch spots in South West London, Balan’s Soho Society is well worth adding to your list.

The food is consistently good, the atmosphere is welcoming, and its popularity with locals speaks for itself.

18. Bill‘s, Wimbledon

I had to include Bill’s on this list because I’ve (unashamedly) been about ten times.

And ordered the same thing every time. Yes you guessed it. I really like how Bill’s do their avocado as they add pumpkin seeds and lime juice which I’ve learnt turns a good smashed avocado into a great smashed avocado.

Plus another perk of Bill’s is that I’m usually with my mum and dad before they fly back home and that means my debit card stays firmly in my purse. That and we always like to order pancakes for dessert.

The one thing that would make my staple breakfast choice even better at Bill’s is if they served it on Sourdough bread instead of wholemeal. But we all want what we can’t have and I guess this is the price I have to pay by going to a chain.

Best Brunch Spots in London: West London

19. The Bluebird, Chelsea

I’ve been to The Bluebird on three occasions. Once with girls from work where we had a set brunch menu in the restaurant, another with my mother when I wanted her to experience Chelsea (also a set menu in the restaurant) and the third time was with my friend from home where we ate in the Bluebird Café.

I would definitely recommend the café part of The Bluebird for brunch. Although the avocado and eggs on toast wasn’t the best I’ve ever had, my friend ordered the full English that looked a lot better than my breakfast. If I go back, the eggs and avocado on toast wouldn’t be something I’d order.

The Bluebird is more of a place to be seen at rather than dine at. It’s usually a place the Made in Chelsea stars like to hang out, although you’ll usually find them in the smoking area outside.

On my first visit to The Bluebird, Alex from the second series of Love Island was sat outside. On my second visit, YouTubers Casper Lee and Joe Suggs walked past into the café for lunch.

If you want to spot some celebrity Chelsea residents, The Bluebird is the best place to go.

The Best Brunch Spots in London

And there you have it, my pretty extensive list of the best brunch spots in London.

Over the three or more years that I lived in London, I tried a lot of London brunch spots and the best of the best have made it to this list.

Are there any breakfast spots in London that I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments if there are any more that you recommend!

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You can see some of my London life over on YouTube where my vlogs feature breakfast and brunch spots on this list:

By Orlagh Shanks

Orlagh Shanks is the Editor of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and moved to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.

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The Best Brunch Spots in London