For most of the year, we’re happy to snuggle into the capital’s many dimly lit restaurants and cosy pubs, but when summer finally hits we find ourselves desperate to spend every single second outside, so as to soak up that vitamin D. Here we’ve rounded up London‘s finest al fresco brunch spots so that you can enjoy your avocado on toast or hearty fry-up under clear, blue skies.
Pavilion Cafe, Victoria Park
The Pavilion Cafe boasts a prime location beside Victoria Park’s West Boating Lake, providing those who frequent this popular eatery with dreamy views as they chow down on their food. This is a spot that doesn’t rely on its surrounds to draw in the crowds – interesting Sri Lankan treats are served alongside more traditional brunch fare, and the coffees here really are phenomenal. Eating alone? Grab one of the stools to dine overlooking the happy families splashing about in their rowing boats.
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Ombra, Hackney
Ombra in Hackney is perched between the bustling Hackney Road and the Regent’s Canal. Its terrace is bedecked in the colours of every millennial’s favourite summertime drink, the Aperol Spritz (which is of course served here). This is a restaurant that serves up great quality Italian food, which is reflected in the brunch menu where eggs and meat rule supreme – it’s one where you won’t find an avocado in sight!
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Chiltern Firehouse, Marylebone
The Chiltern Firehouse opened to huge fanfare in 2013, and for a while its dining room read like a who’s who of Britain’s A-list. While things may have calmed down a little at this Marylebone hotel, it is still an extremely popular spot, so booking ahead is essential. Its menu doesn’t disappoint – crab donuts sit alongside shrimp burgers and caviar scrambled eggs.
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Coal Office, Kings Cross
The Barbary in Covent Garden is frequently named by Time Out as London’s finest restaurant, and while it’s offering is truly delicious, the restaurant itself is really rather dinky. This is where Coal Office comes in – this capacious Kings Cross restaurant was created by the same group as the Barbary but enjoys some seriously grown-up surrounds. The eatery, including an exterior terrace, is designed by Tom Dixon, and so you can expect clean lines and fascinating textures. When it comes to food, the vibe is Middle Eastern and shakshuka shares the menu with egg and aubergine croissants, and chicken liver pates.
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Pergola Paddington, Paddington
We haven’t yet used the word bottomless, but in today’s day and age we couldn’t get away with a blog about brunches without mentioning one with free-flowing bubbles. Pergola Paddington has an expansive outdoor area which catches the afternoon sun in a Miami-esque setting, where brightly coloured furniture is set against the summer sky. Eating here is a casual affair with street stall-style establishments serving up burgers, poke bowls and wraps. Its bottomless brunch offering sees revellers enjoy an endless flow of prosecco, bloody marys and aperol spritzes within a two-hour window – this is only an option on Sundays and needs to be booked in advance.
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The Darcie and May Green Barges, Paddington
This multi-coloured barge even has passersby taking snaps, and with its brightly painted exterior and intricate floral displays it’s not hard to see why. Perched just outside of Paddington station, this quirky eatery is a popular spot with those looking to catch some sun on its upper deck. The food has an Australian vibe, and you can enjoy fresh, veg-filled fare alongside bottomless bubbles (should you choose).
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Frank’s Cafe, Peckham
Frank’s, the rooftop bar atop a multi-storey car park, is arguably what made this area cool. The bar’s decor is pared-back, and cold cocktails are served against one of the best views in London – the makings of a true hipster heartland. This year, the cafe has added brunch to its offering, and south Londoners can enjoy treats such as merguez sausages in pitta, with a bloody mary in hand.
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Lido Café, Herne Hill
Enjoying brunch beside turquoise waters is a joy normally reserved for annual holidays in sunnier climes. However, Herne Hill’s Brockwell Lido Cafe offers up just that. This Insta-worthy cafe has a parasol-covered terrace which overlooks the twinkling waters of the pool – is there a dreamier spot to spend a Sunday morning? To enhance that feeling of zen living, the menu has a focus on vegetarian and vegan delights with the option to add meat if the feeling takes you.
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Lardo, Hackney
Situated on Richmond Road between the buzzing Mare Street and the laid-back London Fields, this Italian eatery enjoys a roaring trade come weekends. This is in part due to the location of its outdoor seating which bathes in sunshine almost until the sun goes down, but also because the food offering is so delicious. You could tuck into Parmesan-laden pizzas, healthy veg-heavy bowls or meaty delights and wash it all down with a cup of coffee or a cold fresh cocktail, should you please.
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Brickwood, Balham
Brickwood Balham’s outside seating offering might be limited, but there’s nothing more summery than enjoying an Australia-inspired menu under blue skies. Think sweet potato and feta combinations, alongside the ever popular avo on toast and breakfast burritos – we’re drooling already!
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Happy brunching!
