Five Ways to Eat Brunch in London This WeekendBy Angelica Malin
From Thai-inspired porridge to beautiful, sustainable brunch dishes by the River Thames, London’s brunch scene is forever expanding. We come up with ways to eat brunch quicker than we can Instagram it, and it can be overwhelming to keep up. But we’re here to help. We believe your time is precious. So if you’re looking for something beyond your standard Eggs Benedict, here’s 5 new ways to have brunch in London this weekend:
1. For Seasonal Brunch: Source Battersea
What: This charming neighbourhood restaurant in Battersea, just by the Thames, has a wrap-around terrace overlooking the river and great views. If it’s nice weather, bask in the sunshine whilst sipping a flat white, and if it’s not, hide inside with some of the best brunch plates we’ve ever tried.
Eat: Source is great for savoury delights – try the beef shin ragu on sourdough with fried egg and parmesan (£12) and the baked eggs (£10) with asparagus and wild garlic. If you like fried chicken, you’ll love the special fried chicken sandwich (£10) with harissa aioli here.
Why: Husband and wife team Johan and Elsa De Jager opened SOURCE in Battersea at the end of 2013. The restaurant name is largely inspired by London’s only natural spring, located directly under the restaurant allowing them to filter their own natural spring water, proceeds of which are donated to Magic Breakfast charity. The menu aims to showcase the best of British ingredients and adapts seasonally, featuring only top quality produce from handpicked suppliers.
Where: Ransomes Dock Restaurant, 35-37 Parkgate Rd, London SW11 4NP
2. For Floral Brunch: aqua shard
What: British restaurant aqua shard has been transformed into an English country garden with a striking twenty-foot floral installation of fresh flowers, foliage and greenery. A tribute to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the triple-height centrepiece in the atrium displays spectacular foliage in shades of purple and pink and will remain in place until Sunday 24th May.
Eat: Their fantastic brunch menu – try the Lobster Eggs Benedict, great vegetarian Full English and the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs with corn fritters. They’ve also got a special floral-themed menu – think jasmine tea-steamed artichoke with teal & citrus jelly and orange blossom and pink pepper pannacotta with black olive crumble – for the week.
Why: It’s so beautiful. Incorporating a suspended six-foot moss watering can, cascading flowers, the stunning display also features fragrant herbs and a classic white picket fence. Offset by the restaurant’s stunning views across London, it’s worth a visit to see the installation alone.
Where: Level 31, The Shard, 31 Saint Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY
3. For Thai Brunch: Busaba Eathai
What: Busaba Eathai has just launched a new brunch menu at their Shoreditch and Kingston Riverside sites; the new brunch menu is filled with Thai inspired versions of classic breakfast dishes – different, and totally delicious.
Eat: All the sweet stuff – coconut porridge with coconut milk, served with sliced banana, ginger-spiced pineapple and chilli or pandan pancakes, infused with pandan essence and coconut milk, topped with palm sugar caramel and yam polamai fruit salad. For a savoury kick, try the fisherman’s spiced rice, it comes with wok-fried smoked mackerel and a soft-boiled free-range egg. Nom.
Why: They’ve also got some great cocktails. Try a Busaba Bloody Mary and Khai luak. Eaten in rural Thailand, Khai luak is a soft boiled free-range egg with gentle Thai seasoning – taken as a shot – followed closely by the Busaba Bloody Mary. We think it makes for a perfect, spicy weekend reboot. If you’re feeling naughty, add on unlimited Prosecco for £25.
Where: See here
4. For Trendy Brunch: Parts & Labour
What: East London canteen, Parts and Labour, offers the perfect spot for a laidback Whitechapel brunch. Hang out in the Scandi-feel open kitchen while you sip their expertly crafted coffees and cocktails.
Why: They serve their own-blend Parts and Labour coffee, and delicious poached Clarence Court eggs. I mean you can’t go wrong with avocado, poached eggs and a bagel, can you now? The dishes are all pretty reasonable for brunch – with no mains above a tenner, you’ll leave with a full tummy and a full wallet, too.
Eat: For the sweet-toothed, try the french toast (£6.25) which comes with poached rhubarb and vanilla creme fraiche – or the healthy three-seed porridge. For something more substantial, try the courgette fritters (£6) with tomato chilli jam and poached eggs.
Where: 42 Adler Street, London E1 1EE
5. For Easy Brunch: Tredwell’s
What: Tredwell’s, situated in the buzzy Seven Dials quarter in Covent Garden, has just launched a scrumptious new breakfast menu. With a focus on British produce and great quality food, Tredwell’s is fantastic for an early morning coffee or a lazy weekend breakfast.
Eat: Start with housemade granola with coconut yogurt mousse and fresh strawberries (£6.50) and then try one of the quirky egg creations, such as prawn benedict (£9) and bacon & fried egg brioche bun (£7). You can’t leave without trying their french toast – it’s one of the nicest we’ve tried – caramelised banana eggy bread with bacon and maple syrup – sweet, savoury, totally delicious.
Why: As well as having a nice, laid-back vibe, Tredwell’s is great for allergy-sufferers – their menu has a key showing which dishes are gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free. They’ve got special gluten-free bread on request, and all the smoothies are vegan & gluten-free. If you’re feeling super healthy, you can add brown rice protein, avocado, spirulina or chia seeds to any smoothie for £1.
Where: 4a Upper St Martin’s Lane, London WC2H 9NY