There are so many fabulous places to eat brunch in London that it's amazing any of us have breakfast at home on the weekend. Wherever you live, we can suggest a good brunch venue near you, but here are our restaurant experts' current favourites around the capital.
The Cut at 45 Park Lane
45 Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1K 1PN
Wolfgang Puck brings a New York-style brunch to London with his first European venture, which opened in September 2011. The art nouveau red and coffee-hued leather armchairs and sofas of the foyer continue into a long, narrow, 72-cover dining room whose high ceilings are punctuated with futuristic chandeliers that reflect in the shiny floor and mirror-like tables. Multi-coloured Damien Hirst prints line the wood-panelled walls on one side.
‘Sit facing the floor-to-ceiling windows for close-up views of Hyde Park across the road,’ says VIP restaurant specialist Kimberley Hessey. ‘Then order the speciality – two fried organic eggs with creamy parmesan polenta, sage butter, maple-glazed pork belly and toasted brioche. The thick, velvety polenta bed is offset by the saltiness of the tenderly cooked pork and tanginess of the parmesan flakes. It’s hearty, flavourful and good value.’
Dean Street Townhouse
69-71 Dean Street, London W1D 3SE
This all-day dining room is known for its social atmosphere, unpretentious British cooking and relaxed glamour. Dominated by a large New York-style bar, red leather banquettes and art by the likes of Tracey Emin, there’s colour to match the ambience. ‘It’s fun, quirky yet traditional, loud and fast-paced – a good choice for catching up with friends,’ comments Hernan.
Manx kippers, beetroot hash with fried duck egg, and a full English are on the breakfast menu. At weekends, brunch is available until 5pm, adding dishes such as game and pork terrine, and Atlantic prawn and crab with lemon and fennel. ‘The twice-baked haddock soufflé is satisfyingly rich. Try it to share, or have it to yourself and order a lighter main course.’
Hawksmoor Guildhall
10/12 Basinghall Street, London EC2V 5BQ
This vast, new, wood-panelled branch of Hawksmoor is the first with a breakfast menu (although its sister site in Spitalfields serves weekend brunch).
As well as classics including a spinach-packed eggs Florentine, think devilled kidneys on toast, boiled eggs with anchovy soldiers, and steak with hash browns and eggs. Its signature breakfast for two is a variant of the full English, with the addition of short-rib bubble and squeak, grilled bone marrow and HP gravy – a delicious homemade ketchup.
‘It screams indulgence, arriving in an oven pan dominated by a big smoked bacon chop,’ says Hernan. ‘For something lighter, the homemade doughnuts and pastries – with plum marmalade and custard – are also excellent.’
The Wolseley
160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB
Famous for its all-day afternoon tea, The Wolseley on Piccadilly is equally adept at brunch throughout the week. Members like the high-ceilinged art deco hall and the lively atmosphere – always busy with chat, but never hectic or deafening – a good feature for those who have their brunch with a hangover, or are celebrating a birthday. The breakfast menu is served until 11.30am and covers the continental and traditional English bases: poached eggs, toast and marmalade, kippers, haggis, bacon rolls and crumpets. It's simple but brilliantly done, and although it can get very busy, around a third of the tables are reserved for walk-in customers. Ask us to book ahead.
Cecconi's
5a Burlington Gardens, London W1S 3EP
Owned by the Soho House Group, Cecconi's is both trendy and relaxed, and has outdoor seating which invites a prolonged perusal of the Sunday papers outside during the summer. It's effortlessly glam, as you would expect from Soho House, and it's a popular place for brunch before hitting the shops on Bond Street on a Saturday. Cecconi's is a classic Italian restaurant which does breakfast till midday (with a hotel-type option of £18 for a set menu of fruit, cereals and cooked breakfast), and brunch from midday till five: a mix of squid, club sandwiches, scrambled egg, aubergine parmigiana and granola. Its Bellinis, available after 12pm, come highly recommended by members.
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