A brunch well spent brings a week of content

After what we can all probably agree has been a pretty miserable excuse for spring, the bright mornings and balmy evenings more often associated with the Côte d’Azur are finally sweeping across London. Desperately clinging onto the weekend with an espresso-martini-filled late Sunday brunch, or kicking off festivities with a Saturday morning bottomless? Drowning yourself in yoghurt and granola for a post-yoga treat (for the more health-conscious among us)? There really is a brunch for every occasion.

Contrary to popular belief that brunch originated across the pond, it was actually the Brits that kicked off the trend in the late 19th century, only to be emulated by the US in the 1930s. To celebrate this sublime ingenuity, we’ve compiled the ultimate list of our favourite spots for brunch in the British capital…

THE MODERN PANTRY

This beautiful, informal space, created by the renowned Anna Hansen in 2005 is dedicated to bringing her philosophy to life everyday: the desire to please and excite the palate by fusing everyday cooking with modern ingredients. The extensive menu features a unique style of cooking as well as a small bar serving an eclectic selection of wines & unusual cocktails to accompany their food, which can also be enjoyed from the spacious outdoor terrace on sunny St. John’s Square.

Whether you’re looking for the long-established and failsafe bacon and eggs combo or something a little more adventurous such as Anna’s Kashmiri Masasla marinated pulled pork, The Modern Pantry has something for everyone. Better yet and as the name suggests, if you fall in love with any ingredient in particular, from gooseberry and vanilla jam to clementine, black cardamom and saffron marmalade you’re able to order it from their online store to take it home with you!

danddlondon.com

BRONTE

If you’re after contemporary elegance for your weekend brunch setting, look no further than the opulent Bronte, situated on the cosmopolitan Strand in the centre of the city. Venture into a summertime paradise with an entrance, dripping in pink with blossom trees. The most recent venture of a father/son duo, the passionate team at Bronte ensure all their guests have a memorable experience.

The team brings together an international mix of chefs, mixologists, sommeliers, front of house and administrators who have all worked at leading venues around the world. Bronte pride themselves on their long, lazy and luscious brunch, served every Saturday from 10 – 4. Here, you can indulge to your heart’s content by getting a taste of everything from the A La Carte brunch menu or bring family, friends and try the New Sharing menu.

bronte.co.uk

BEN’S CANTEEN

Whatever your diner personality and taste, great food and great service are two things that should never be compromised. At Ben’s, you will receive both, unequivocally. His aim was to create an alternative to the pub. Ben’s Canteen was thus created as the relaxed neighbourhood hangout that does dinner, cracking cocktails and exciting wines and then come the weekend, an indulgent brunch with banging Bloody Marys.

With two restaurants, in Battersea and Earlsfield, Ben’s mantra is built on 3 principles essential for the ultimate weekend brunch: indulge, hang out and have fun. Now there’s a list of three we can get behind!

benscanteen.com

RESTAURANT OURS

Perhaps a chilled, typical brunch doesn’t float your boat come the weekend. You like to be presented with variety, no matter what meal it is and with options ranging from Homemade Truffle Ravioli to Alaskan King Crab, Restaurants Ours has got your back.

Located in glamorous South Ken, you’d hope for nothing short of decadence and there is no denying that the architectural beauty of this space, which is intelligently lit and incredibly detailed, delivers on every level. From the second you enter, carefully selected trees and flowers adorn the restaurant, giving it an “at one with nature” vibe and making it an easy on the eyes spot for the morning after the night before and of course #instafriendly.

restaurant-ours.com

BREWED AND PRESSED

Whether you’re a clean-living guru or simply want to act the part for a couple of hours, Brewed and Pressed is all about the Art of Nourishment. On a mission to inspire and educate a healthier lifestyle by providing nutritious and tasty food made for everyone, this reasonably priced breakfast menu features dishes that are just too aesthetic to prepare at home. From the Matcha Chia Protein Bowl to the Shasouka, at B&P, customers are encouraged to eat better and feel better from the inside out.

Raw organic juices, protein shakes and alkaline water are all part and parcel of the brainchild of two dentists and friends who share the belief that healthy doesn’t mean boring and taste should never be compromised.

brewedandpressed.co.uk

DAISY GREEN – TIMMY GREEN

The Daisy Green restaurants bring Oz to London. So if the summertime offering from the dear United Kingdom isn’t quite enough for you, escape down under! Daisy Green have multiple venues and this branch, based in Victoria transitions cooly from a buzzing evening bar to a tranquil oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the city life. Alongside the quintessential Brunch choices, of which the healthy options are plentiful, they offer 2 hours of unlimited Prosecco and Mimosas alongside 2 courses from their snap worthy menu, all for £39.50p/person. Do it for the ‘Gram (and that Bondi ready bikini bod)!

https://www.daisygreenfood.com/

ANNIE’S

Tucked away in a quiet backwater nestled close to the Thames, this petite and cosy restaurant has a warm atmosphere. Its award-winning brunch offers classic and mouth-watering options such as The Full English, Mashed Avo with Poached Egg and American Buttermilk Pancakes. According to its diners, Annie’s strong local reputation is well deserved and promises Eggs Benedict “big enough to keep an England rugby player happy” and anything good enough for Jonny Wilkinson is good enough for us!

anniesrestaurant.co.uk

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