A spread of brunch dishes on a wooden table A spread of brunch dishes on a wooden table

The best brunch restaurants in Central London

Jessica Dellow, Content Writer UK, Thatsup Jessica Dellow, Content Writer UK, Thatsup
Jessica Dellow

Brunch is arguably one of the most important meals in London; that sweet spot between breakfast and lunchtime. So it's probably no surprise that there are plenty of places to enjoy a proper brunch in Central London, whether you're in the mood for a traditional full English or huge stacks of giant fluffy American pancakes. Save this guide for the next time you're in Central London and looking for somewhere to enjoy a spot of brunch in the capital.

  1. Smith & Wollensky – New York steakhouse
  2. Delamina – A taste of the Middle East
  3. Christopher's – Weekend brunch
  4. Abuelo – Australian-South American spot
  5. Scarlett Green – Aussie cafe vibes
  6. Claro – Eastern Mediterranean dishes
  7. Kolamba – Sri Lankan brekkie
  8. Drury 188-189 – A digi detox
  9. Popina – Alfresco brunching
  10. Dalloway Terrace – A classic brunch spot
  11. Drunch – Good times only
  12. Farzi – Pan-Asian brunching

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Smith & Wollensky – Brunch in Central London
Smith & Wollensky
Smith & Wollensky – Brunch in Central London
Smith & Wollensky
Smith & Wollensky – Brunch in Central London
Smith & Wollensky
Smith & Wollensky – Brunch in Central London
Smith & Wollensky
Smith & Wollensky – Brunch in Central London
Smith & Wollensky
Smith & Wollensky – Brunch in Central London
Smith & Wollensky
Smith & Wollensky – Brunch in Central London
Smith & Wollensky
Smith & Wollensky – Brunch in Central London
Smith & Wollensky
Smith & Wollensky – Brunch in Central London
Smith & Wollensky
Smith & Wollensky – Brunch in Central London
Smith & Wollensky
Smith & Wollensky – Brunch in Central London
Smith & Wollensky
Smith & Wollensky – Brunch in Central London
Smith & Wollensky

Smith & Wollensky

New York steakhouse

This American steakhouse started out in New York in the 70s and is all about serving the finest cuts of meat. Feast on USDA prime dry-aged steaks here as well as premium British and Irish cuts, as well as other dishes like decadent towers of mixed shellfish and other seafood specials. The bottomless brunch includes classic brunch dishes like American pancakes alongside bottomless champagne, prosecco, gin and tonic, or Aperol Spritz.

Delamina

A taste of the Middle East

Delamina is all about fragrant Middle Eastern dishes inspired by the owner, Limor's, heritage: she was born in Tel Aviv and grew up with a family with European and Middle Eastern origins. The food leans towards being healthy, made with herbs and spices to utilise raw ingredients by cooking and grilling them. The restaurant is stylish and cosy but spacious at the same time, with lush hanging plants and lights giving the space a trendy feel. They serve a brunch menu on weekends and bank holidays, including a range of large plates, house classics and drinks. 

Christopher's

Weekend brunch

This modern American restaurant and martini Bar in Covent Garden is an all-day restaurant that serves a dedicated brunch menu on the weekend. Here, there's a build-your-own pancakes menu, as well as premium steaks from the US, Scotland and Australia. All dishes are made with the best seasonal ingredients, and there's an impressive drinks menu of bespoke martinis, cocktails and wine.

Abuelo Covent Garden Abuelo Marylebone
Abuelo Covent Garden
abuelocafe.co.uk
Abuelo Marylebone
abuelocafe.co.uk
Abuelo Covent Garden Abuelo Marylebone

Australian-South American spot

Abuelo is a chic, modern cafe with two city centre locations: Covent Garden and Marylebone. Expect a menu of Australian-South American breakfast dishes, like egg plates, toasties, fritters, seasonal sweet options, and freshly baked cakes from the front counter. Enjoy a range of hot drinks, including matcha and matcha ice cream floats. The stylish interiors of this one makes it one for the Insta grid.

  • 26 Southampton St, Covent Garden 7-11 Cavendish Pl, Marylebone
    Abuelo Covent Garden
    26 Southampton St, Covent Garden
    Abuelo Marylebone
    7-11 Cavendish Pl, Marylebone
  • Abuelo Covent Garden
    abuelocafe.co.uk
    Abuelo Marylebone
    abuelocafe.co.uk
    Abuelo Covent Garden
    020-783 684 76
  • Abuelo Covent Garden Abuelo Marylebone

Scarlett Green

Aussie cafe vibes

This brunch restaurant is just one of many, which all serve delicious Aussie-inspired food and drinks in uber-stylish spaces. Expect staple brunch classics like smashed avocado on toast, sweetcorn fritters, fancy bacon rolls, and hearty options like roasted monkfish on the bone and chicken parmigiana. Opt for the bottomless brunch option if you're going all out.

Claro

Eastern Mediterranean dishes

Clara is a Middle Eastern restaurant led by Chef Patron Ran Shamueli, who serves a menu of refined Eastern Mediterranean fare using seasonal, locally sourced produce. The building itself is a historic listed structure in St. James, and head inside and you'll find tall ceilings, exposed bricks and soft neutral tones throughout. The food menu includes brunch classics like French toast, shakshuka and pancakes, as well as heartier options like gnocchi, salads and more. Choose from a drinks menu of cocktails, fresh juices, and hot drinks.

Kolamba

Sri Lankan brekkie

Kolamba is a Sri Lankan restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Sri Lankan fare in a chilled setting – think draping foliage, rustic brick walls and dim lighting. Menu highlights include Ceylon chicken curry cooked on the bone with creamy coconut milk and toasted pumpkin tossed with black pepper and red chilli, but they also serve a brunch menu of dishes like crispy fried eggs with chilli oil and more.

Drury 188-189

A digi detox

You might have seen Drury 188-189's massive stack of pancakes on your Instagram or TikTok timeline at some point, and there's good reason for that. These guys know how to do brunch properly, serving everything from sweet waffles to various things on toast. Opt for their sharing French toast if you're really hungry, washed down with some fresh OJ or a hot drink. There's a no laptops policy here, and instead, they encourage you to pick one of the books off the shelf or talk amongst yourselves.

Popina

Alfresco brunching

Popina is the place to go for breakfast and brunch in the heart of Mayfair and is exactly what you'd expect from a classic brunch spot in London. Enjoy dishes like Turkish eggs, tangy shakshuka, and fluffy French toast made with thick, sweet brioche alongside smoothies, milkshakes, fresh juices and hot drinks. There's even outside seating for alfresco brunching.

Dalloway Terrace

A classic brunch spot

You've probably seen snaps of the floral-covered Dalloway Terrace, with its year-round, flower-filled heated terrace. Enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea here, which includes dishes like banana split, avocado on toast,  various eggs of any style, and a range of desserts. They even offer a complimentary children's afternoon tea with every adult afternoon tea.

Drunch Oxford Circus Drunch Mayfair
Drunch Oxford Circus
drunch.co.uk/oxford-circus
Drunch Mayfair
drunch.co.uk/mayfair
Drunch Oxford Circus Drunch Mayfair

Good times only

Drunch is a classic brunch restaurant with two spots in the city centre: Oxford Circus and Mayfair. Choose from a menu of dishes like fluffy French toast, stacked pancakes, fresh açaí bowls, shakshuka, and various egg dishes, amongst many other options. Wash it all down with a hot drink, and you can choose your art for the top: Fashion, Cute, or Rude.

  • 71 Great Titchfield St., Fitzrovia 1 Woodstock St, Mayfair
    Drunch Oxford Circus
    71 Great Titchfield St., Fitzrovia
    Drunch Mayfair
    1 Woodstock St, Mayfair
  • Drunch Oxford Circus
    drunch.co.uk/oxford-circus
    Drunch Mayfair
    drunch.co.uk/mayfair
    Drunch Oxford Circus
    020-758 080 75
    Drunch Mayfair
    073-428 522 61
  • Drunch Oxford Circus Drunch Mayfair

Farzi

Pan-Asian brunching

This swish Indian restaurant in the buzzy Haymarket district serves a menu of tasty Pan-Asian dishes, like various curries, small plates, thalis filled with North Indian delicacies, freshly baked naans, and much more. The cocktails are also a work of art, sometimes arriving in an elaborate fashion – think encased in a glass of smoke. A dedicated brunch menu is served every Sunday, including live music, live food stations where you can watch the chefs in action, and entertainment for the kids.

Brunch in Central London – About the guide

The best brunch in Central London – Our guide to the best brunch in Central London is updated regularly. If you know of a great brunch spot in Central London that we haven't featured in our guide, feel free to get in touch. Please let us know if you see any mistakes in our guide to the best places for brunch in Central London. Have you visited any of the places mentioned in the guide? Don't forget to write a review on Thatsup.

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At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.