The best alternative brunches in London

Neptune

Since opening its doors in May 2018, Neptune has cemented itself as not only an incredible seafood restaurant, but also as one of the prettiest eateries in London. The soft-pink room, filled with wicker and velvet furniture, and a healthy array of green plants, is an Instagrammer’s dream. Alongside the interiors, Neptune’s newly launched brunch menu is sure to keep customers coming back for more. Offering a plethora of brunch choices, from the crab omelette and smoked haddock kedgeree to the meat-heavy mortadella sausage sandwich and chimichurri steak and eggs, the menu really does have something for everyone. Seafood lovers can also indulge in the oyster bar, extensive caviar selection and fresh seafood platter, which includes fresh whole langoustines and scallop crudo, while a quick word with one of the expert bartenders will also get you the highly recommended Coffee Negroni (a mixture of gin, Campari and cold-brew coffee liqueur) – the perfect way to finish off brunch at this idyllic spot.

Neptune, Corner of Guilford Street and Russell Square, London WC1B 5BE, +44 (0)20 7520 1806

Santo Remedio

At Santo Remedio, founders Edson and Natalie Diaz-Fuentes draw on their time in Mexico City, the Yucatan and Oaxaca to recreate traditional Mexican dishes. In autumn 2018, the restaurant expanded its menu with the addition of brunch on Sundays, served between 10am and 4pm. The brunch features authentic Mexican food, including dishes specific to local regions. Start off your meal with specialities such as tetela – a black-bean-filled corn masa parcel topped with mole negro sauce, cotija cheese and crema, or guacamole garnished with grasshoppers. Larger dishes include motuleños, a dish featuring corn tostadas, black beans, and eggs, or tota ahogada, a sandwich filled with pork belly that has been braised in a thick salsa. Santo Remedio is a must for lovers of authentic Mexican cuisine.

Santo Remedio, 152 Tooley Street, London SE1 2TU, +44 (0)20 7403 3021 

Freak Scene

Freak Scene is a spectacular Soho restaurant with a superb Asian menu. Opened by former Nobu head chef Scott Hallsworth, it is the perfect combination of casual dining with exquisite food that’s at a standard beyond its price point. Don’t let the at-the-bar seating and blaring hip-hop fool you, this place takes its South East Asian cooking seriously. It’s the perfect place for lunch, dinner or drinks, and if you’re looking for a brunch with a difference, the Sunday Bruncho Box is a must, best eaten to the sweet sounds of a local punk band playing live. It offers two options, one meat-filled and one meat-free, and features several of Freak Scene’s favourite tapas-style small plates, including black cod tacos, Singapore-style fried chicken and kimchi cups. Freak Scene serves some of Soho’s best cocktails (even at midday, if you’re daring) and popular Asian dishes with a twist.

Freak Scene, 54 Frith Street, London W1D 4SL, +44 (0)20 7734 6370

Opso

In the heart of Marylebone, showcasing a sleek décor, Opso presents modern Greek food and has been awarded a prestigious Michelin Plate 2019 award. There’s a strong focus on sharing dishes for a sociable brunch experience: highlights include smoked metsovone cheese croquette with rhubarb jam – best enjoyed while still warm – and spanakopita, as well as a selection of breads and spreads. From maniatiki (handmade pasta with fried duck egg, brown butter and metsovone cheese) through to the Opso Benedict, the egg dishes are a true brunch highlight, as are the exquisite thick, fluffy pancakes piled high with sweet toppings, including a Greek take on Black Forest gateau. Enjoy with a cocktail made with Greek sparkling wine, or opt for the signature Opso brunch cocktail, the Espresso Freddo Martini.

Opso, 10 Paddington Street, London W1U 5QL, +44 (0)20 7487 5088

Hoi Polloi

Created by the guys behind Bistrotheque, Hoi Polloi is an all-day brasserie in Shoreditch’s trendy Ace Hotel London. The hotel is just as cool as its New York, LA and Palm Springs branches; with a florist, café and lobby full of creatives on laptops, you’d be hard pushed to find a hipper place in east London to people watch. One of the biggest selling points of this place is its atmosphere. A live band plays classical versions of old pop favourites and, from the bar to the bathroom, the interiors are ridiculously Instagrammable. The weekend brunch menu offers classic plates such as pancakes, eggs Benedict and French toast, as well as some unusual treasures, including pork belly Benedict and an avocado and salsa corn cake dish that’s a Mexican take on avo on toast. Drinks are delectable, too: certified organic raw juice, Mylks and elixirs are on offer; Prosecco cocktails and Bloody Marys fly out of the bar; and you can also enjoy a proper English breakfast tea that even the Queen would be impressed with.  

Hoi Polloi, 100 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JQ, +44 (0)20 8880 6100

Duddell’s

If dim sum is your idea of a perfect meal, then a reservation for Duddell’s new Sunday brunch is a must when visiting London. The restaurant has established an international reputation for brunch at its original location in Hong Kong and there is surely no more luxurious place to enjoy classic Cantonese cuisine in the UK capital – particularly when combined with two hours of bottomless Perrier-Jouët champagne. Held on the first Sunday of every month, between 11am and 3pm, Duddell’s brunch is filled with fun, frivolity and, above all, incredible food. Offering an unlimited amount of steamed and fried dim sum, including pork siu mai dumplings, edamame duck dumplings and morel spring rolls, followed by refined Cantonese mains including crispy Cointreau Berkshire pork, wok-fried chicken with cloud fungus and Chinese ginger and pan-fried New Zealand beef with an aged mandarin sauce, Duddell’s is Chinese food on another level.

Duddell’s, 9A Saint Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY, +44 (0)20 3957 9932

Snaps & Rye

Calling lovers of all things Scandinavian – bring some hygge to your brunch with Danish restaurant Snaps & Rye. Located on Golborne Road, it’s mere moments away from Portobello Road but has a more residential feel than that of Westbourne Grove, bustling with boutiques, cafés and delis. Opened in 2014, Snaps & Rye offers a seasonal and sustainable menu of Scandinavian favourites, including Nordic kedgeree, skyr (Nordic yoghurt) and a full-Danish breakfast on the brunch menu. The service is fantastically friendly, with staff readily available to talk you through the menu if you’re no expert in Danish cuisine and encourage you to enjoy the range of Danish beers, cocktails and juices. The décor is contemporary, matching venues found in Copenhagen, and the atmosphere is relaxed yet sophisticated, making it a perfect meeting point for friends, family and couples on a Sunday morning.

Snaps & Rye, 93 Golborne Road, London W10 5NL, +44 (0)20 8964 3004

Nobu

Fans of Nobu’s existing international offering of restaurants and hotels may think they know what to expect when booking the bottomless sushi brunch at the Shoreditch outpost, but the experience itself is so much more impressive. Heading into the light, airy, lower-ground floor of the modern hotel, visitors will discover a restaurant space that is the epitome of chic Japanese dining, with welcoming pale wood and gentle acoustic music. From 11.30am to 3pm every Saturday and Sunday, Nobu Shoreditch becomes a haven for sushi lovers, offering an unlimited buffet of sashimi, hand rolls and some of the most exquisite seared salmon imaginable (all of which are constantly replenished by the expert chefs). In addition to sushi, guests are invited to choose a hot main dish, with highlights including skirt steak hobayaki, salmon scrambled egg donburi and spicy rock shrimp tempura. If you still have space, a bar stocked with traditional Asian desserts alongside exquisite French pastries with a Nobu twist awaits. For those looking to liven up their afternoon, two hours of unlimited Prosecco, negronis, lychee elderflower Martinis or Japanese draft beer can also be added, which the impeccably attentive staff will deliver straight to your table.

Nobu, 10-50 Willow Street, London EC2A 4BH, +44 (0)20 7683 1200

Jinjuu

Korean restaurant Jinjuu, in the heart of Soho, does bottomless brunch like no other. Don’t go expecting anything remotely like the usual pancakes, bacon and eggs – Jinjuu is a feast of Korean meat classics, such as crispy fried dumplings filled with beef short ribs and bulgogi beef fillet that you cook yourself on a hot stone table top and comes with a range of sensational truffles, seaweed and soy sauces. If you’re looking for a more traditional brunch dish, Jinjuu offers these with a twist in the form of green tea pancakes, Korean fried chicken waffles, and avocado K-toast, which comes with poached duck eggs, sesame and Korean chilli flakes. The three-course menu includes a starter sharing board encouraging you try many culinary delights inspired by the food in Seoul, and with the cool Asian-inspired interiors, you’ll forget you aren’t actually there yourself. Even the cocktails get an Asian overhaul: start with Soju Mojitos or spiced Kimchi Marys before moving on to champagne, beer or wine. The busy restaurant has a lively yet relaxed buzz, with an array of families exploring the delights of a Korean-style brunch.

Jinjuu, 15 Kingly Street, London W1B 5PS, +44 (0)20 8181 8887

Club Mexicana at The Spread Eagle

For a satisfying plant-based brunch, vegans need look no further than The Spread Eagle in Homerton. This 100% vegan pub is home to Club Mexicana, which, as the name implies, offers Mexican-inspired fare. Some of Mexico’s most famous dishes are given the vegan treatment, including a version of huevos rancheros or a brunch burrito packed with ‘chorizo’, ‘scrambled eggs’, black beans and guacamole. The menu also features a host of brunch favourites, namely the Mexicana Fry Up and a waffle and chicken dish drizzled with syrup. Go all-out with one of the excellent cocktails, including a Bloody Mary to impress even the most discerning gourmet, or a creamy avocado piña colada. To finish, dig into a lemon and blueberry taco stack: three perfectly crunchy tortillas elegantly layered with whipped soy cream, blueberry sauce and lemon curd.

Club Mexicana at The Spread Eagle, 224 Homerton High Street, London E9 6AS, +44 (0)20 8985 0400

Greyhound Café

Brunch at the Greyhound Café will take your taste buds on a journey to Bangkok. Here, you can expect to tuck into brunch classics with a twist, from Thai-style egg and soldiers to the eatery’s take on a full-English breakfast, featuring scrambled eggs, grilled pork skewers, Moo Yor sausage, chilli beans, mushrooms and tomatoes. Must-haves include the Moo Yong toast with pork floss and chilli jam, and the spicy Kai Krata egg dish. Accompany your Thai iced tea with condensed milk, a zingy lemongrass granita juice or enjoy the unexpected flavour combinations of the Sawasdee cup, which pairs iced coffee with pineapple juice, ginger ale and mint.

Greyhound Café, 37 Berners Street, London W1T 3LZ, +44 (0)20 3026 3798