Top 5: Ways to Eat Brunch in London This WeekendBy Alicia Grimshaw
‘Brunch is always a good idea’ – said everyone.
We’ve found the best places to brunch in London this weekend. Knives, forks and mimosas at the ready:
1. For a Meaty Brunch: Chicken Shop
What: From the esteemed Soho House Group, Chicken Shop delivers on flavour – from crinkle cut and onion fries, to free-range marinated rotisserie chicken, sweet apple pie and brownies, is there nothing they can’t do? Come here for a blow out brunch. Sod the new year diet.
Eat: Go all out and get the whole chicken rotisserie – it’s marinated in a special blend of spices, served with a little hot and smokey sauce on the side, for the perfect balance of smokey and sweet and it’s totally delicious. Their chocolate brownie is pretty iconic – gooey, warm in the middle, absolutely perfectly decadent, it’s the perfect way to round off a meal from Chicken Shop. If you want to taste their classic pudding, their deep-filled apple pie is always a winner.
Where: Locations here
2. For a Classic Brunch: The Table
What: The Table Cafe is an gem of a place in Southwark. On weekdays they bash out incredible British dishes using the finest seasonal produce around, and come the weekends they’re a popular spot for their waffles, pancakes and coffee. If you’re wanting to brunch at The Table this weekend, book ahead.
Eat: The Table’s brunch menu is epic, and we don’t use that word lightly. The full English Borough is a brunch dish fit for a king, containing all the usual fry up items including their homemade slow-cooked Borough baked beans which are pretty special. If you’re a gluten-free queen, their gluten-free pumpkin and pecan pancakes are little circles of heaven. And, if you’re after something different their all-day breakfast of crispy bacon, creamy scrambled egg and sausage is served on a thick, fluffy pancake. Go on, it’s the weekend.
Where: 83 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0HX
3. For a Middle Eastern Brunch: The Good Egg
What: The Good Egg in Stoke Newington has a daily menu and changes from season to season. The brunch at The Good Egg is all about sharing – you can choose from dishes for the table, which everyone can get stuck into, as well as your own personal brunch plate.
Eat: Their weekend brunch takes some beating, with the menu offering a whole host of delicious dishes. For sharing, their freshly baked cornbread is served with salted honey butter and yemenite green cilli zhoung – at £3, it’s not only a bargain, it’s delicious. The menu is an array of Middle Eastern inspired mains, we’re talking about shakshuka, Iraqi aubergine pita -a Tel Aviv style pita stuffed with egg, fried aubergine, zhoug, amba, tahini and house pickles. Ooft. If you really want to help with your hangover, opt for the pickleback, a shot of wild bourbon followed by a chaser of dill pickle brine. We’re speechless.
Where: 93 Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 0AS
4. For a Mediterranean Brunch: Franze and Evans
What: Franze and Evans is all about great food and a relaxed, friendly place to eat it. There’s no off the wall flavour combinations and it’s not fussy. Brunch doesn’t have to when it tastes this good – just, simple honest ingredients to create the creamiest scrambled eggs we’ve ever had.
Eat: Their brunch menu takes influence from Mediterranean cuisine. For your egg fix, opt for the Tuscan egg omelette on sourdough toast filled with basil pesto, cotto ham and sun blush tomato, or the equally dreamy poached Tuscan eggs with portobello mushroom, spinach and Hollandaise. Their breakfast special of Heuvos Rachneros – crispy tortilla topped with kidney beans, chorizo, fried eggs, salsa, avocado and soured cream is a great shout. They’re known in the neighbourhood for their famous homemade cakes – take one away and eat it later with a cuppa – perfection.
Photo Credit: Daniel Ciufo & Kerry Pringle
5. For a Sunday Brunch: OXBO Bankside
What: Nestled in the heart of London’s Bankside, OXBO Bankside serves innovative British cuisine with a global twist using supplies from specialist producers and local traders at Borough Market. They have a new brunch offering on Sunday and it’s out of this world.
Eat: A bottomless Sunday roast. Yes, you heard right – as much meat, veg and Yorkshire puddings you can physically handle. Ever dreamed of having three Yorkshire puddings on your roast? You dreams have been answered at OXBO Bankside. If you’re not keen on the roast option, try the Smoked duck breast and lychee salsa or Newhaven and South coast fish casserole. The dessert menu offers a selection of tarts, trifles and pies, including all-time favourite English sherry trifle and a board of fine British cheese and homemade chutneys.
Where: Hilton London Bankside, 2-8 Great Suffolk St, London SE1 0UG