Best breakfast and brunch spots in London

I often take my job for granted, I am lucky enough to spend a lot of my work meetings and catch ups in great cafes and restaurants.

So I thought I’d dedicate this post to my favourite places to enjoy the most important meal of the day! Some of them you’ll know but some you may not have tried – none of them break the bank and I really believe a day of sightseeing in our capital is best started with a good breakfast (and sometimes it’s the best bit!).

1. The Ivy Market Grill, Covent Garden. The Ivy of old is closed for refurbishment, but you can enjoy this in the meantime – total tile porn, central location in the heart of Covent Garden (which, by the way, is fast becoming THE coolest shopping destination), and a younger, more relaxed vibe. Brunch is served on the weekends 8am-4pm and the Eggs Benedict (£8.50) hits the spot.

Dean Street Townhouse

2. Dean Street Townhouse, Soho. Whilst working at Red, this was my go-to meeting place. Not only because of its central location but the great service, homely feel (I love all the modern Art and comfy chairs) and the fact that they serve wheat-free toast! Avocados on toast with poached egg (£7) is my order du jour, but on a hangover the ham hock hash (£8.50) will cure anything. Celeb sighting: Natalia Vodianova enjoying a coffee on the suntrap outside terrace.


3. The Modern Pantry, Clerkenwell. I love the laid-back, modern decor of this place – lots of grey and hanging lamps (the dream). Great coffee and set apart from the hustle and bustle of the city, it has huge windows which, on a sunny day, make you feel like you’re brunching in Sydney rather than the UK. Lots of Gluten-free dishes – go healthy with the Bircher muesli (£5.80). Last celeb sighting: Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher.

Granger & Co (photo credits: Mikkel Vang)

4. Granger & Co, Notting Hill. Here, you will always find a great, buzzy atmosphere. In Notting Hill, you have to have a ‘Bill’s Greens’ juice (£4.80) but then restore the balance with a fried egg and bacon brioche roll (£8). A new Granger & Co has recently opened in Clerkenwell, too, but the Notting Hill branch wins for me because I saw David Beckham there last time.

5. Duck & Waffle, Liverpool Street. What better way to start the day than overlooking the city on the 40th floor? It helps that the food is pretty good, too. To order – well, it has to be the ‘Duck and Waffle’ speciality (£17), doesn’t it? Pricey, but it won’t happen everyday…

Duck & Waffle

6. Bills, Soho. We all know and love it – and I like to keep it in here as it’s kid friendly, still great food and so affordable – plus, not just in London! My favourite is the buttermilk pancakes (£5.95).


7. Berners Tavern, Noho. Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton’s menu at Berner’s Tavern may be superb and mouth-watering, but it’s the splendid floor to ceiling picture display in this restaurant that gets me every time. The curly kale, apple, cucumber and lime juice (£5.50) is not to be missed and the poached eggs on toast go down well with a side of mushrooms.

8. Riding House Cafe, W1. I have to be honest here, it’s not the best service in London. BUT I still love it, the smoothies are delicious and the chorizo hash brown (£9.50) is worth being late for – just don’t expect the bill to come quickly.


9. Hubbard & Bell, Holborn. This restaurant is inside my new favourite recently opened hotel: The Hoxton Hotel. I haven’t actually tried the food yet, but have been told on good authority by Anna at South Molton Style (and serial bruncher) that it is the bee’s knees. And walking through the hotel lobby recently on the way to the Boticca press day, the atmosphere (and food) looked great. Also, I’m a sucker for typography and this place does it seriously well.