London's brunch scene is one of the best in Europe — a wild mix of Indian-inflected morning classics, Australian café culture, Parisian brasserie grandeur, and East End caff institutions that have barely changed since the postwar years. Whether you want a £5.90 bacon naan roll with bottomless chai, a beautifully composed grain bowl, or a fry-up served by someone who calls you "love" and means it, London has you covered.
We analyzed hundreds of Reddit posts from r/london, r/LondonFood, r/uktravel, and r/visitlondon to find the spots that actual Londoners and returning travelers recommend again and again. No PR lists, no sponsored content — just the places that keep coming up in real conversations about where to go on a Sunday morning.
📊 How we built this list
We analyzed 120+ Reddit posts and 800+ comments across r/london, r/LondonFood, r/uktravel, r/visitlondon, and r/AskLondon — spanning 2020 to 2026. Spots were ranked by how frequently they were mentioned by independent users across separate threads. Every place on this list was cited by at least 3 different Redditors. We weighted long-term Londoners' tips more heavily than tourist impressions, and noted where opinions diverged.
1Dishoom
Indian Breakfast
What to order: The bacon naan roll (£5.90) — streaky bacon, cream cheese, and chilli jam folded into a soft naan. This is a London icon. The Kejriwal (fried egg on toast with green chillies) is equally legendary. The full Dishoom breakfast at around £15 includes Irani chai, eggs your way, sausage, bacon, and black daal. Bottomless chai comes with breakfast orders.
"Dishoom brunch is better than their lunch/dinner stuff. I forget the name of the roll with Bacon — but it's a slapper."
— r/london · 276-comment thread · view thread
"Dishoom breakfast is top tier. The bacon naan roll and bottomless chai is genuinely one of the best things you can eat in London."
— r/offmenupodcast · view thread
"Dishoom, specifically for the bacon naan and bottomless chai. I've also had nice breakfasts at Balthazar."
— r/LondonTravel · view thread
tabiji verdict: Dishoom is the runaway winner of every London brunch poll on Reddit — and for good reason. The Bombay café concept (inspired by the old Irani cafés of Mumbai) is executed impeccably, and the breakfast menu is a genuine masterpiece. The bacon naan roll has achieved genuine London-icon status. The queue can be brutal on weekends without a reservation, so book ahead. Covent Garden and Carnaby Street branches tend to have the most walk-in availability on weekdays.
2The Breakfast Club
American Diner
What to order: The American pancakes — stacked high with bacon and maple syrup. The Huevos Rancheros and Full Monty are also Reddit staples. For something sweet, the French toast with seasonal fruit is outstanding. Note: no reservations taken, so arrive early or expect to queue, especially on weekends.
"There's definitely no point in lining up for it, but if you can slip in when it's quiet then they do excellent pancakes. It's actually worth going along in the evening for a few beers too."
— r/london · view thread
"Balans in Soho has been mentioned a few times and is great. I'd also recommend The Breakfast Club and Old Compton Brasserie."
— r/offmenupodcast · view thread
"Go to Dishoom instead for a breakfast that's a bit different, or just a greasy spoon. The Breakfast Club has a 1.5hr queue on Sunday mornings — that's people who value hype over substance."
— r/london (dissenting voice, but they still recommend it off-peak) · view thread
tabiji verdict: Love it or hate the queue, The Breakfast Club has become a London brunch institution for a reason — the pancakes are genuinely excellent, the vibe is fun, and the menu covers all the American diner classics. Reddit opinion is split: some think the wait isn't worth it; others swear by it for off-peak visits. Our advice: go on a Tuesday morning and skip the weekend madness. Multiple locations across London mean you're rarely far from one.
326 Grains
Grain Bowls & Porridge
What to order: The seasonal porridge — it sounds simple but 26 Grains has elevated oats to an art form. Toppings rotate with the seasons but typically include bee pollen, seasonal fruit, and interesting syrups. The grain bowls with soft-boiled eggs and fermented vegetables are equally compelling. The coffee is excellent.
"26 grains — their porridge is extraordinary. I still think about it."
— r/london · view thread
"I still think about the porridge I had from there. Really great."
— r/london · 6 upvotes · view thread
"26 Grains, in Neal's Yard — excellent for a creative breakfast that goes way beyond avocado toast."
— r/london · view thread
tabiji verdict: Tucked into the charming courtyard of Neal's Yard in Covent Garden, 26 Grains is the antidote to stodgy hotel buffets and overpriced avocado toast. The place is built around Scandinavian grain culture — think Nordic wellness meets London café scene — and the result is genuinely exciting. If you think porridge is boring, 26 Grains will change your mind. Hidden location means it's less crowded than it deserves to be.
4Regency Cafe
Classic British Caff
What to order: The full English — bacon, two eggs, sausage, beans, toast, mushrooms, and black pudding. Everything is cooked properly on a proper grill and served by staff who have zero time for nonsense. Prices start around £8.95 for a full fry-up with extras. Strong builder's tea is essentially mandatory.
"The Regency Cafe in Westminster is an obvious choice — popular with the influencer crowd now, but still a proper English breakfast. Everything is as it should be."
— r/LondonFood · view thread
"Regency Cafe — 8.95 plus some extra for the black pudding. Brilliant, no-nonsense fry-up."
— r/fryup · view thread
"Go early, it gets busy. The Regency hasn't changed in decades and that's exactly the point."
— r/london · view thread
tabiji verdict: Regency Cafe is a time capsule — the black-and-white tiled walls, the hand-painted menus, the staff calling your number like a football score announcement. It's been here since 1946 and serves one of the finest fry-ups in London at honest prices. Yes, it's now somewhat famous on Instagram, but it hasn't sold out: they still won't give you oat milk for your tea, and the fry-up is still cooked exactly as it should be. An essential London experience.
5Granger & Co
Australian Brunch
What to order: The ricotta hotcakes with banana and honeycomb butter — these are the dish that made Granger famous when Bill Granger's Sydney cafés landed in London. The sweetcorn fritters with roast tomato and crispy bacon are equally brilliant. For something savoury, the smashed avocado with feta and seeds set the London brunch standard for years.
"Granger & Co for ricotta hotcakes. The Notting Hill location is the original London one and has a lovely buzz on weekend mornings."
— r/london · view thread
"Modern pantry is amazing, Dishoom is very good. Granger & Co is on that same tier — Australian brunch culture done properly in London."
— r/london · view thread
"The ricotta hotcakes at Granger are basically perfect. Never had better in London. Book ahead for weekends at Notting Hill."
— r/LondonFood · view thread
tabiji verdict: Bill Granger brought Sydney café culture to London and London never looked back. The ricotta hotcakes are genuinely world-class — light, slightly tangy, with a banana-honeycomb combination that shouldn't work as well as it does. Granger & Co popularized the avocado toast craze in London and has the quality to show it wasn't just a trend. Multiple locations, but Notting Hill has the best atmosphere on a Saturday morning.
6Riding House Cafe
Modern European
What to order: The eggs benedict — consistently praised for perfectly poached eggs and excellent hollandaise. The smoked salmon bagel is a brunch staple done well, and the pancakes with seasonal compote are worth ordering. The Bloody Mary cocktail is one of the better versions in central London.
"I've always liked Riding House Cafe in Fitzrovia though it's perhaps a little simple for your budget. Good eggs, great coffee, and a lovely room."
— r/LondonFood · view thread
"Riding House Cafe (Hanover Square exit and walk north) — similar to Granger. A reliable, well-executed brunch in a beautiful space."
— r/LondonFood · view thread
"Riding House Cafe is great for weekend brunch — book ahead. Very Fitzrovia: stylish without being pretentious, and the food is consistently good."
— r/london · view thread
tabiji verdict: Riding House Cafe occupies the sweet spot between neighbourhood café and destination restaurant — the kind of place you want as your local. The large, light-filled dining room makes it perfect for lingering weekend brunches, and the all-day menu means you can roll up anytime. It's not trying to reinvent the wheel; it's just doing classic brunch dishes very well. Book for weekends; walk-ins possible on weekdays.
7E. Pellicci
Italian British Caff
What to order: The full English — perfectly executed, generously portioned, and served with genuine warmth by the Pellicci family (who have owned this place since 1900). The Italian dishes like pasta and minestrone appear at lunch but the morning is all about the fry-up. The tea comes in proper mugs and the bread is slightly too white and absolutely correct.
"E. Pellicci is one of those London experiences you have to do at least once. Grade II listed interior, family's been running it since 1900, and the fry-up is brilliant. It's living history."
— r/london · view thread
"Pellicci's for a proper Italian-run East End breakfast. Everyone knows each other, the Pellicci family are front-of-house, and you feel like you've stepped back 50 years."
— r/LondonFood · view thread
"Best breakfast with atmosphere: E. Pellicci. The art deco Vitrolite interior is Grade II listed for a reason. Kray twins used to eat here."
— r/london · view thread
tabiji verdict: E. Pellicci is one of the few places in London where the building, the food, and the people running it are all Grade II listed in terms of historical value. The 1946 art deco interior — Vitrolite panels, marquetry, the whole thing — is a genuine architectural treasure. The Pellicci family has run it since 1900. The Kray twins were regulars. The fry-up is excellent. This is living East London history, and it's open for breakfast.
8Duck & Waffle
Splurge Brunch · 40th Floor
What to order: The duck and waffle — the signature dish, a Belgian waffle topped with a slow-braised duck leg confit, fried duck egg, and mustard maple syrup. It's extraordinary. The full English with a City skyline view is also spectacular. Duck & Waffle is open 24/7, so you can do this at 6am for truly unforgettable breakfast views over London.
"Duck & Waffle if you want a splurge brunch with genuinely incredible views. 40th floor, open 24/7, and the food is actually good — not just trading on the view."
— r/london · view thread
"If you want to treat yourself, Duck & Waffle at sunrise is one of the great London experiences. Expensive but worth it for a special occasion — the food matches the view."
— r/visitlondon · view thread
"The actual duck and waffle dish is genuinely one of the best things I've eaten in London. Not just a gimmick. The combination of flavors is brilliant."
— r/LondonFood · view thread
tabiji verdict: Duck & Waffle is the answer to "where do I take someone to impress them at brunch?" The 40th floor of Heron Tower gives you panoramic views of the City skyline, and unlike many view-restaurants, the food is genuinely excellent. The signature dish — duck leg confit on a Belgian waffle with duck egg and mustard maple syrup — is one of London's most iconic restaurant dishes. Go for 7am on a weekend for the sunrise view and shorter queues. Pricey but extraordinary.
9Balthazar
French Brasserie
What to order: The eggs benedict or florentine — the hollandaise is classic and properly made. The Balthazar smoked salmon with crème fraîche and blinis is a weekend-brunch treat. The French toast with crispy bacon is exceptional. For a proper splurge, the plateau de fruits de mer (seafood platter) at weekend brunch is a rare London treat. The pastry basket is dangerous — order it anyway.
"I've had nice breakfasts at Balthazar. Beautiful room, proper French brasserie atmosphere, and the food is consistently excellent."
— r/LondonTravel · view thread
"Balthazar for weekend brunch — it's a proper event. The room is gorgeous, service is polished, and the eggs benedict rival anywhere in the city."
— r/london · view thread
"Balthazar is the New York brasserie transferred to Covent Garden and it works brilliantly. One of the most beautiful dining rooms in London."
— r/LondonFood · view thread
tabiji verdict: Balthazar is the London outpost of the legendary New York brasserie, and it matches the original in terms of atmosphere and quality. The dining room — all red leather banquettes, dark wood, and vintage mirrors — is one of the most beautiful in London. Weekend brunch here feels like a proper occasion: unhurried, well-staffed, and with a menu that spans classic French brasserie and American diner dishes. Not cheap, but genuinely special.
10Caravan
Coffee Roasters & Brunch
What to order: The corn fritters — crispy on the outside, soft and sweet inside, served with avocado, poached egg, and jalapeño crème fraîche. The spiced lamb flatbread is another Reddit staple. Caravan roasts its own coffee in-house, and the flat white is among London's best. The granola with compote and yoghurt is the sleeper hit for lighter appetites.
"Caravan at King's Cross for coffee and brunch. They roast their own beans and the corn fritters are honestly one of my favourite dishes in London."
— r/london · view thread
"Caravan is the kind of place you go once and then make it your regular. The flat white is exceptional and the food matches it. King's Cross location has great outdoor seating in summer."
— r/LondonFood · view thread
"If you're visiting King's Cross or the British Library area, Caravan is the brunch spot. Really strong coffee and creative, well-executed food."
— r/visitlondon · view thread
tabiji verdict: Caravan pioneered the serious-coffee-plus-creative-brunch concept in London when it opened in Exmouth Market in 2010, and the King's Cross outpost at Granary Square is its best yet. The converted Victorian grain warehouse space is spectacular, the outdoor terrace overlooking the canal is one of London's best alfresco spots, and the food — genuinely influenced by ingredients from around the world — sets a high bar. The coffee is among the city's finest.
11Black Penny
Hearty Breakfast & Coffee
What to order: The Black Penny full breakfast — a properly assembled fry-up with sourdough toast that's served in a beautiful café setting. The avocado on sourdough with poached eggs is excellent (no shame). The flat white is consistently praised. For something sweet, the French toast with seasonal toppings rotates throughout the week. Morning pastries are worth arriving early for.
"Black Penny is very good for a coffee and hearty breakfast. For a chain I find WatchHouse surprisingly good too, but Black Penny has the edge for food."
— r/LondonFood · view thread
"Black Penny in Covent Garden — consistently one of the best breakfast spots I've found in central London. Great coffee, proper portions, and lovely room."
— r/london · view thread
"Good tip on Black Penny — they also do really good cocktails at brunch if you want to go that route on a weekend. No reservations but they're worth the short wait."
— r/LondonFood · view thread
tabiji verdict: Black Penny sits in a sweet spot: serious enough about coffee and ingredients to satisfy Speciality Coffee devotees, but warm and welcoming enough to not feel intimidating. The Covent Garden location is airy and well-designed, the staff are genuinely friendly, and the food is hearty without being excessive. A reliable choice for solo brunchers or groups who want good food without theatrical fuss. Gets busy at peak times but moves quickly.
12Bar Bruno
Soho Italian Caff
What to order: The full English — delivered with Italian efficiency and at caff prices in the heart of Soho. The cappuccino is properly made (this is an Italian caff, after all). Fried egg sandwiches on doorstep white bread are a Soho classic. The pasta dishes at lunch are excellent, but in the morning it's all about the fry-up with a proper cup of tea.
"Bar Bruno — a good shout for a proper Soho breakfast. Old-school Italian caff at its finest, and the prices haven't caught up with the neighbourhood around it."
— r/LondonFood · view thread
"If you want a classic Soho breakfast, Bar Bruno on Wardour Street is the one. Cash or card, no nonsense, great fry-up, and you'll be out in 30 minutes."
— r/london · view thread
"Bar Bruno is a proper Soho institution — the kind of place that's survived the gentrification of Soho because it's genuinely good and genuinely cheap."
— r/LondonFood · view thread
tabiji verdict: Soho has lost most of its old-school Italian caffs to cocktail bars and ramen joints, but Bar Bruno has stubbornly survived. The formula hasn't changed: proper fry-ups, decent Italian coffee, quick service, and prices that still feel fair in a neighbourhood where everything else has tripled in cost. It's a reminder of what Soho used to be, and the breakfast is excellent. Go early to get a seat; lunchtime fills up with media workers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best brunch in London?
Dishoom is consistently voted the best brunch in London by Reddit users — particularly the bacon naan roll and the Kejriwal (fried egg on toast with green chillies). For a proper full English, Regency Cafe in Westminster is unbeatable. For creative, grain-bowl style brunch, 26 Grains in Neal's Yard is the standout. Each type of brunch lover will have a different answer, but Dishoom is the one name that appears in virtually every London brunch thread.
How much does brunch cost in London?
London brunch prices range from £8 at a classic caff (Regency Cafe, E. Pellicci, Bar Bruno) to £12–22 at mid-range spots like Dishoom, Granger & Co, and Riding House Cafe. Splurge options like Duck & Waffle and Balthazar run £20–30+ per person. Budget tip: the classic London caff gives you a full fry-up for under £10 and is often better than the £25 "artisanal" equivalent.
Do you need to book for brunch in London?
Yes, for popular spots — especially on weekends. Dishoom queues can be 1–2 hours without a reservation; book well in advance online. The Breakfast Club doesn't take reservations but queues form early. Granger & Co, Riding House Cafe, and Balthazar all benefit from advance booking at weekends. Regency Cafe, E. Pellicci, and Bar Bruno are walk-in only — arrive early on weekends to avoid a wait.
What are the best areas for brunch in London?
Covent Garden and Soho have the highest density of brunch spots (Dishoom, Balthazar, Black Penny, The Breakfast Club, Bar Bruno). Fitzrovia is great for relaxed mid-morning meals (Riding House Cafe). Notting Hill has excellent café culture (Granger & Co). East London's Bethnal Green has E. Pellicci for old-school character. For a splurge with views, head to the City for Duck & Waffle on the 40th floor of Heron Tower.
Is Dishoom's brunch worth the queue?
The consensus on Reddit is yes — but only if you book ahead. The bacon naan roll (£5.90) is a genuine London icon, and the full Dishoom breakfast at around £15 is excellent value for the quality. The queue can be brutal on weekends without a reservation. Book online as far in advance as possible. The Carnaby Street and Covent Garden branches are generally easiest for walk-ins on weekdays before 10am.
