Slink into your Sunday best for these linger-worthy London brunchsters…
While an overload of foodie fads can have us rolling our eyes (think: foam, no res, drinks in jam jars), one that’s almost certainly here to stay is the beloved brunch ritual. Because what could be better than a meal that advocates boozing before midday?
Clubby Classic
Grandiose, wood-panelled, Euro-style salon The Delaunay has day-long dining, but we most love the divine brekkie and brunch combos, from homemade viennoiseries to impeccably executed Eggs Benny to old-school go-to Kedgeree. Just perfect for a lazy morning with the papers.
The Delaunay, 55 Aldwych, WC2, London. +44 20 7499 8558, thedelaunay.com
Ruby Murray
Fantastic, fiery mod-meets-trad fare like black daal, mattar paneer and slow-cooked lamb hit the pass thick n’ fast at Dishoom, a fun, oft-rammed trio of diners modelled on the charm of Bombay’s old-fash caffs. The original is in Covent Garden, but we prefer the lofty, character-packed Shoreditch outpost for its vibey conservatory, witty signage, sepia portraits, ceiling fans and mismatched furny.
Dishoom, 7 Boundary St, E2, London. +44 20 7420 9324, dishoom.com
Scene Queen
But a skip from the shopportunity of Chiltern Street, elegant Marylebone (by-way-of-NZ) eatery The Providores and her klatchtastic, ambient, woody little sis Tapa Room heave with the health-conscious style set on weekends. Make ours the salt beef with sauerkraut, new potato hash brown and dreamy-creamy hollandaise. Tapa that.
The Providores, 109 Marylebone High St, W1 , London. +44 20 7935 6175, theprovidores.co.uk
View-tiful
Vertiginous, open kitchen Duck & Waffle offers unfettered knicker-melting panoramas across London and curated meat-centric comfort eats in the Heron Tower. Open 24hrs, 7 days a week, from brunching to late-night munching, with exactly what it says on the tin playing a starring role. Cocktails are decidedly blah, but your attention will be firmly on the outlook – a rarity in this low-rise city.
Duck and Waffle, 40/F Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, EC2, London. +44 203 640 7310, duckandwaffle.com
Exotic Treat
Need a shot of quinoa to kick start your day? Saucy little sis to the Fitzrovia original and Europe’s first Michy Peruvian Lima, Covent Garden-based Lima Floral has you covered with Andean set breks of bee pollen quinoa porridge, suckling pig brioche buns, and Amazonian chocolate mousse; or settle in for their ‘long lunch’, a parade of kicky small plates like sea bream ceviche, chilli-dip dumplings and hake sudado. Follow with sips at their specialist Pisco bar. You know you Juana…
Lima Floral 14 Garrick St, WC2, London. +44 20 7240 5778, limalondongroup.com
Wild Card
London’s beards have found a new outlet for their appreciative grunting. Hip, dim-lit HotBox carves up house-smoked ‘craft meats’ nightly, and their weekend brunch is no exception with piled-high burgers, chimichurri smothered short rib tacos, smoked mac n’ cheese and buttermilk pancakes, plus free-flow bubbles and Bloody Mmms to boot. Generous portions, so don’t expect wriggle room for pud.
Hot Box, 46-48 Commercial St, E1, London. +44 20 7247 1817, hotboxlondon.com
