Why Brunch is Big in London

Walk down any street late in the morning on one of my London food tours, and you’ll see hordes of people sitting outside of cafes getting stuck into hefty brunch dishes. This is a particular weekend ritual that many Londoners enjoy across the city’s districts, whether you’re in Shoreditch or Soho. The menus vary greatly based on the establishment, offering a range of options that include British breakfasts, bottomless drinks, and signature plates at Aussie-style cafés.

A quintessential brunch in London is all about good vibes, strong coffee, and comforting plates of British food. No matter if you’re in a group, dining by yourself, or with your other half, this is where you’ll find the best brunch in London.

Top Brunch Spots in Central London

Scarlett Green

Scarlett_Green_London

Photo credit: Scarlett Green

Scarlett Green in Soho is one of London’s cafes with a contemporary atmosphere that I frequent whenever I’m craving brunch. They’re especially famed for their bottomless brunch with alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. However, I’m more drawn to their signature places like the spicy shakshouka with oozing, creamy eggs.

Scarlett Green (£20 -£30) – London W1F 8GB – Open every Monday from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, Tuesday from 8:00 am to 10:30 pm, Wednesday to Thursday from 8:00 am to 12:00 am, and every Sunday from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm

The Table Cafe

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Photo credit: The Table Cafe

For something more low-key, be sure to check out the Table Cafe in Southwark. It’s more of an independent casual eatery with modern touches, but the vibe is unmatched here around brunch time. They don’t offer a bottomless brunch option, but rather an off-peak brunch experience that includes two plates and a drink.

If you end up ordering just one plate, consider the ‘protein power’ option, which combines smoked salmon, earthy spinach, eggs cooked to your liking, nutty avocado, and crisp sourdough to finish it all off.

The Table Cafe (£10–£20) – London SE1 0HX – Open every Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Duck & Waffle

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Photo credit: Duck & Waffle

Brunch with a view in London, anyone? Duck & Waffle is an elegant restaurant in the Financial District. Although they only serve weekend brunch in London, it’s well worth making a reservation for the views over the city skyline alone.

The food is absolutely phenomenal, though, but there’s no bottomless option. Still, the Duck & Waffle eggs are divine. The way the rich duck pairs nicely with the sugary maple syrup and buttery eggs is a treat for all foodies.

Duck & Waffle (£10–£20) – London EC2N 4AY – Open every day from 12:00 am to 12:00 am

Sociale – Breakfast & Brunch

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Photo credit: Sociale – Breakfast & Brunch

Sociale – Breakfast & Brunch in Westbourne Grove is a stylish diner that I visited only recently. You won’t find bottomless brunch here, but rather a curated selection of typical brunch specialties, with the breakfast bun being my favorite. Salty bacon paired with succulent sausage, sweet ketchup, and rich brioche bread is something I’m always down for.

Sociale – Breakfast & Brunch (£10–£20) – London W2 5SD – Open every Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm

Bottomless Brunches Worth Booking

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Photo credit: The Little Blue Door

If you’re after some bottomless brunch in London, you’ve a wealth of options to choose from, but these select few are the ones that are worth booking.

The Little Blue Door in Fulham is a trendy spot that serves as both a cocktail bar and a brunch joint. They’ve got awesome brunch deals, with 90 minutes of bottomless brews, prosecco, and a few other drinks, plus tons of tasty food options. Their sugary pancakes with crunchy fried chicken always go down a treat.

Over in Shoreditch, Ballie Ballerson is another fun location that does some of the best brunch in London. They even have a ball pit and have hosted Taylor Swift–themed brunches in the past, with all-inclusive drinks like prosecco, cocktails, beers, and grub like cheesy pizzas.

Blame Gloria in Covent Garden goes all out with themed brunches, including an Abba option. You can dance to all your favorite Abba hits while sipping 90 minutes of Sex on the Beach, Hugo Spritz, and plenty more, paired with dishes like buttermilk chicken burgers.

Hidden Gems & Local Neighbourhood Favourites

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Photo credit: El Ganso Cafe

Certain brunch restaurants in London have a big reputation, but what about the hidden gems and local neighborhood favorites that aren’t as widely known?

I’m talking about establishments like El Ganso Cafe, a gorgeous tapas-style place that puts a Spanish twist on brunch with delicious recipes using fresh ingredients, such as the cinnamon-glazed churros.

If you’re a vegetarian, be sure to check out Parissi, a quaint kitchen in Brixton that serves up both meat and meatless fare. Ask for the babaganous breakfast with smoked aubergines, juicy tomatoes, and nutty tahini sauce, a vegan brunch in London that you’ll love.

What to Order at a London Brunch

Everyone has their own tastes when it comes to brunch, but there are some signature dishes you’ll come across on almost every menu.

Of course, a full English is a regular feature, loaded with oozing eggs, smoky bacon, creamy beans, juicy sausage, and a crunchy slice of toast. If you have more of a sweet tooth, a hefty serving of buttery pancakes or eggy French toast.

Avocado toast is also a popular choice among many Londoners, with various add-on options, such as smoked salmon or delicate poached eggs smothered in a rich hollandaise sauce.

A refreshing drink tops off every brunch meal, with bitter espresso martinis, refreshing Aperol Spritz, and velvety flat whites being some of the main choices.

When & Where Londoners Brunch

There’s a distinct brunch schedule that Londoners follow. Typically, brunch starts around 10:00 am and goes on until around 3:00 pm, particularly on weekends when most people are off work. While every establishment has its own policy, it’s advisable to make a reservation to avoid disappointment. 

Saturdays tend to have a buzz about them at London’s brunch spots, as nobody is working the following morning, while Sundays are much more laid-back with equally delicious grub.

Final Thoughts: A Lazy Meal Done Right

While brunching in London offers some excellent grub, it’s the atmosphere of the experience that draws many Londoners in. Everyone will find something they like, from quaint cafes with tasty coffee and pancakes in London to vibrant locations where booze is included, and the ambiance is electric with stellar food.

So, what do you say? Come and try something new by tasting some of the best brunch in London. Secure your reservations and take your camera with you to capture some memories.

Sources: 

Eating Europe. (2025, October 8). London Food Tours. Retrieved from https://gesundheitbesser.today/london/%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

Dunn, K. (2025, October 8). Where to eat London’s best traditional foods. Eating Europe. Retrieved from https://gesundheitbesser.today/blog/london-foods-traditional/%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

Daisy Green Food. (2025, October 8). Daisy Green Food. Retrieved from https://www.daisygreenfood.com/

The Table Café. (2025, October 8). The Table Café. Retrieved from https://thetablecafe.com/

Duck & Waffle. (2025, October 8). Duck & Waffle London. Retrieved from https://duckandwaffle.com/london/

Sociale Café. (2025, October 8). Sociale Café. Retrieved from https://socialecafe.co.uk/

The Little Blue Door. (2025, October 8). The Little Blue Door. Retrieved from https://www.thelittlebluedoor.co.uk/home

Ballie Ballerson. (2025, October 8). Ballie Ballerson. Retrieved from https://ballieballerson.com/

Blame Gloria. (2025, October 8). Blame Gloria – Covent Garden. Retrieved from https://www.blamegloria.co.uk/bars/covent-garden

Elan Café. (2025, October 8). Elan Café. Retrieved from https://elgansocafe.co.uk/

Parrillan. (2025, October 8). Parrillan. Retrieved from https://www.parissi.co.uk/