Whether a lengthy affair enjoyed over the Sunday papers or a raucous event serving as the beginning of a great day out, brunch is big business in London, cited by many as their favourite meal of the week. This popular portmanteau is the best of both worlds, bringing together breakfast and lunch in leisurely, delicious harmony for a meal that lasts all afternoon. And how to improve on this already indulgent affair? Throw in unlimited bubbles, cocktails or beer, of course. These are the best bottomless brunches in London…
Double Standard, King’s Cross
Images: Anton Rodriguez
If you like your brunch with a slice of Americana (after all, it is where the trend originated), hot foot it over to Double Standard, the bar and terrace at The Standard hotel. New for spring, the restaurant has launched its Another Bloody Brunch, targeting the Bloody Mary fans among us. Available every Sunday from 12-4pm, the new DIY Bloody Mary station enables guests to create their perfect tomato concoction: choose between a classic vodka, red snapper gin, bloody maria mezcal or a virgin maria and add a mix of five garnishes including gherkins, cherry tomatoes, bacon and celery, seafood delights of prawns, pickled anchovies and lobster claws or cheddar and stilton cheese or a or add an extra kick with a Double Standard hot sauce float. Don’t worry if you’re not a fan, there’s bottomless prosecco too.
Enjoy your homemade cocktail alongside a menu of hearty comforting classics, including buttermilk chicken and waffles with crispy bacon, maple syrup and chicken fat butter; short rib mac and cheese; baby back pork ribs with barbeque sauce and jalapeno slaw. If you’d rather a traditional British breakfast opt for The Standard’s full English or eggs benedict, royale or florentine served with a Sriracha hollandaise.
10 Argyle Street, WC1H 8EG, visit standardhotels.com
Gaucho, across London
Paying homage to the restaurant’s South American roots, the new Gaucho Brunch will comprise a menu of signature breakfast staples sprinkled with modern Latin twists, accompanied by 90 minutes of free-flowing drinks to be enjoyed against a backdrop of saucy, samba beats. Available every Saturday from 11am-4pm at Gaucho outposts, from Piccadilly to Tower Bridge, bottomless brunches begin with a fruity cocktail or two — think passion fruit martinis, citrus negronis and Aperol Spritzes — or choose from a range of beers and wines, with an Argentine sparkling wine on offer too.
Then, tuck into a free-flowing selection of South American-inspired starters to share, such as Argentinian sausages, prawn tostadas, empanadas and zingy beetroot ceviche. Main courses include the signature marinated churrasco de cuadrill or make a beeline for the hearty brunch burger. Not for the faint-hearted, this burger is made with 100% Argentine steak, topped with cherry tomato jam, Portobello mushrooms, an egg and streaky bacon, all loaded into a fluffy brioche bun and served with chips or salad.
Visit gauchorestaurants.com
The Aubrey, Knightsbridge
Styling itself as an ‘eccentric izakaya’, the Japanese version of a Spanish tapas bar or Venetian cicchetti, The Aubrey is the perfect place for those who love nothing better than to linger over small plates of delectable Asian fare. Located on the ground floor of the Mandarin Oriental hotel, between Hyde Park and Knightsbridge, its bottomless brunch offers a truly expansive selection with dishes delivered in waves across multiple courses. Highlights include Irish oysters, prawn sando, Tokyo eggs royale, matcha pancakes and tempura platters. Wash it all down with bottomless Akashi Tai Honjoso Kuro Sake, Minuty rosé or The Aubrey’s own Brut Cuvée champagne and consider yourself thoroughly inducted in the art of Japanese cuisine. Served from 12-3.30pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA, visit mandarinoriental.com
Quaglinos, St James’s
Nothing beats dinner and show. Except, perhaps, bottomless brunch and show. That is exactly what Quaglino’s is serving up with its ever-popular Champagne Brunch. Held every Saturday from 11.30am to 2.30pm, two- or three-course options include brunch classics, such as eggs florentine and buttermilk pancakes, alongside substantial dishes including roasted ballotine of Guinea fowl, Quaglino’s brunch burger and an enticing dessert list. The whole event is soundtracked by live music, or classics spun by Quaglino’s in-house DJ, creating a party atmosphere that will keep you going all day long.
16 Bury Street, SW1Y 6AJ, visit quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk
Shangri-La at The Shard, Southwark
Celebrating a special occasion? Few bottomless brunches come more sophisticated than those offered at the Sky Lounge at the Shangri-La. So named for its position on the 34th floor of the Shard, the Sky Lounge’s signature Sky Brunch has been created in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot and offers guests 90 minutes of unlimited Yellow Label champagne alongside a mouthwatering brunch menu inspired by the hotel’s Far Eastern heritage. Tuck into a range of starters, including crab crumpets and soy-glazed before choosing from a menu of mains featuring sweet and sour tiger prawns, Malaysian fried rice and roasted butternut squash. Finish with an elegant dessert platter of mango and coconut sago pudding. Served every Sunday from 11am to 4.30pm.
31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9QU, visit skylounge-shangrila.com
Flesh & Buns, across London
Offered at its two London locations in Covent Garden (Sunday only) and Oxford Circus (Saturday & Sunday), brunch and Japanese restaurant group Flesh & Buns is another eatery that allows for wide roaming across the menu. Diners are asked to choose three small dishes, from a selection that includes Korean fried wings, seafood ceviche and salmon avocado rolls, alongside a ‘flesh’; a main protein served with steamed buns, shiso and salad. Choices include crispy duck leg, piglet belly, Portobello mushrooms and half a spatchcock chicken, while the whole affair is accompanied by free-flowing prosecco, red or white wine.
Visit fleshandbuns.com
Rake’s, Liverpool Street
Located just minutes from Liverpool Station, Rake’s is a favourite with the out-of-town weekend crowd looking for a good time in London — so expect bottomless brunch here to be a noisy, entertaining affair. Which isn’t to say Rake’s doesn’t take the business of feeding its guests seriously. Every Saturday from 12-4pm, The Scandal Brunch invites guests to let their hair down with a menu of indulgent brunch dishes — think pecan waffles, truffle ham and cheese toastie and panko chicken burger — alongside bottomless drinks where you can mix-and-match cocktails and prosecco.
40 Liverpool Street, EC2M 7QN, visit rakescafebar.co.uk
Nobu Shoreditch
Descend the sweeping staircase of Nobu Shoreditch to the lower-ground restaurant and load up on unlimited self-serve sushi, alongside main dishes including tiger shrimp tempura, salmon teriyaki, nasu miso and scrambled egg donburi. Bottomless tipples include prosecco, Asahi beer and a zesty lychee and elderflower cooler. With live DJs, this is a relaxed and value-for-money Nobu experience served every Saturday from 12-3pm, amid stylish interiors that marry low-key Asian opulence with Shoreditch chic.
10-50 Willow Street, EC2A 4BH, visit nobushoreditch.com
Mr Bao, Peckham
Mr Bao is a pocket-sized Peckham pleasure serving namesake fluffy steamed Bao buns alongside Taiwanese-style small plates. On weekends from 11am-4pm, enjoy brunch bao options including bacon, beef brisket, smoked salmon, onsen egg and furikake or ‘The Drunken Prawn’, with marinated prawns, pickled mooli and spiced spring onions. The perfectly formed menu is served with bottomless saké-based cocktails, including a fruity lychee twist on the classic daiquiri. The lively atmosphere is bolstered by a banging, Beyoncé-filled soundtrack and the friendliest service in London.
293 Rye Lane, SE15 4UA, visit mrbao.co.uk
Brigadiers, City of London
Brigadiers is an Indian barbecue restaurant within the newly developed Bloomberg Arcade, a modern dining concept in the City. Head here from 12-5pm at weekends for a contemporary Indian twist on brunch, including goat belly vindaloo samosas, Konkani coast masala scallops, beef shin and bone marrow biryani and Indo-Chinese chilli paneer lettuce cups. For £25, you can add free-flowing prosecco, Cobra lager and palomas. Key sporting events are shown on large screens, while the outside terrace can hold up to 34 guests.
1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, EC4N 8AR, visit brigadierslondon.com
Shackfuyu, Soho
Shackfuyu, part of the Bone Daddies group, serves unlimited prosecco and small plates (think seared salmon sashimi, Korean fried chicken wings and prawn toast), plus the option of one larger dish from the menu and finishing with a dessert of kinako French toast with ice cream. Highlights include grilled salmon fillet with chilli teriyaki or Iberico pork pluma with spring onion and black pepper miso. Served from 12-7pm every Sunday.
14A Old Compton Street, W1D 4TJ, visit bonedaddies.com
Sea Containers, Southbank
There’s no better way to start a weekend than by sinking into a plush velvet seat at Sea Containers, the super-sized dining room of the five-star hotel of the same name, overlooking the Southbank. Tuck into all-day brunch dishes including crab on sourdough with avocado, shakshuka and mac and cheese with pulled pork. Enjoy free-flowing prosecco, Bloody Mary or Laurent-Perrier champagne, and roasts on Sundays. A yellow submarine hangs above the Tom Dixon-designed bar as an ode to the building’s maritime history.
20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD, visit seacontainerslondon.com
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