Top 5: Ways to Eat Brunch in London This WeekendBy Alicia Grimshaw
We miss NYC. We miss the all day brunches, the plate-sized pancakes and the bubbly bellinis. But we’re not in America, and we’re not al fresco brunchin’ in the Brooklyn sunshine. But you know what, that’s ok – because London is brimming with amazing brunch places. Here’s where to get your eggs and Bloody Mary kicks in the capital this weekend:
1. For an All American Brunch: Ben’s Canteen
What: Ben’s Canteen has gone Stateside with their latest July brunch menu. Bringing big American flavours across the pond, the team have created a menu that will keep any stomach happy, and any hangover at bay. The chaps here know how to whip up a stella Bloody Mary. Hair of the dog, anyone?
Eat: The brunch menu is everything we like; big portions, good value and fresh ingredients. The specials this month include the Elvis Bun – a sweet and savoury combo featuring grilled banana, bacon, jam, peanut butter and honey. Outrageous, but so delicious. Best washed down with their Kraken spiced rum and peanut butter milkshake. Savoury fiends, get your fix with their mighty deep fried chicken and waffles. If you fancy a slice of NYC, the NY bagel filled with smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, red onion and tomato will do just the trick. Guys, there’s still avocado and eggs on the menu. Don’t panic.
Where: Locations here
2. For a Bottomless Brunch: Wringer + Mangle
What: Wringer + Mangle have just launched their brand new bottomless weekend brunch. Whether you’re searching for a fry up, an endless pit of Prosecco or you just want to kick off your weekend with a slap up brunch, Wringer + Mangle is the perfect way to start.
Eat: The institution of brunch hails from New York, where breakfast isnt just a meal but a celebration. Wringer + Mangle have taken this ethos to London and will be offering everyone a seasonal menu featuring dishes including spicy sweet potato and sweetcorn hash with poached eggs, and of course the legendary W+M full English with maple syrup cured bacon, cumberland sausage, eggs any way, tomatoes, black pudding and homemade baked beans. Throw down an extra £15 and your glass will never be empty.
Where: The Laundry Building, 13-18 Sidworth Street, London, E8 3SD
3. For a Fishy Brunch: Fish Market x Prawnography
What: Like seafood? Like brunch? You’ll be pleased to hear Fish Market restaurant and Street Feast Hawker House resident, Prawnography have teamed up to create the ultimate seafood weekend brunch, available every weekend until 7th August.
Eat: Using the freshest seafood from London’s Billingsgate fish market and creative flavour combinations, the partnership sees innovative dishes from Prawnography founder and Chef, Jim Thomlinson. Highlights on the menu include scallop and bacon rolls, inspired by early morning fish market visits, crabmeat soldiers with boiled duck egg and XL Prawn Benedict with XL Tiger Prawns, toasted muffin, spinach, bacon butter, fried egg and ‘harissa-naise’. In addition, for a classic twist on breakfast favourites, enjoy freshly baked croissants with shrimp marmalade, and a prawn Bloody Mary, made with prawn-infused vodka. It’s prawn mania.
Where: 16 New St, London EC2M 4TR
4. For a Bespoke Japanese Brunch: Murakami
What: As much as we like our French toast, or a runny Eggs Benny – we’re game for throwing the brunch rulebook out of the window once in a while. Recently revamped Murakami has a tasty array of Japanese delicacies on offer, and we promise you won’t be pining for your toasted sourdough. Their new brunch deal now allows you to get creative with your brunch choice by picking any four courses from the main menu for just £28.
Eat: You can choose any dish from each section Starters and Salads, Hot Plates, Robata Japanese Grill and Sushi Bar. Each personalised menu is served alongside a shot of house sake, to keep you feeling fresh from the night before. A must-try is their pressed salmon with Murakami sauce, jalapeño and red pepper, and aguri salmon roll with lime zest and asparagus. Other specialties include popcorn prawn tempura with spicy yuzu mayo, and the famed rib eye with shiitake and yuzu sweet soya sauce. Order a few of their summer rolls for good measure, and try the sashimi salad. Dreamy.
Where: 63-66 St Martin’s Ln, London WC2N 4JS
5. For a New Brunch: Brother Marcus
What: Brother Marcus is new joint just opened in the heart of Balham. The indoor/outdoor café and bar is the brainchild of three school friends Alex Large, Arthur Campbell and Tasos Gaitanos. There’s a big focus on seasonal, organic and the highest quality produce, with the team very passionate about every ingredient used, from the St Ives eggs to Cypriot halloumi.
Eat: Their brunch is available daily and on weekends, and features dishes such as Sister Special with avocado, spinach, poached eggs, bacon and sourdough; the Brother Special poached eggs, asparagus, smoke salmon, avocado and spinach, and The Step Sister with courgette, beets and feta fritter, avocado, spinach and poached egg. Sitting alongside the brunch menu are seasonal salads such as shaved courgette, avocado, rocket, pumpkin seeds and lemon, and a selection of freshly baked gluten-free cakes, think lemon drizzle and almond, and orange cakes made in house.
Where: 9 Chestnut Grove, SW12 8JA
One for luck…
For a No Nonsense Brunch: Victory Mansion
What: Victory Mansion is not your average restaurant come bar – the food is as good as the cocktails. You’ll find it nestled between clubs, pubs and franchises on Stoke Newington Road. Set apart from the local late-night dives, one of the best bars in North-East London, this place has a big personality, and a killer brunch menu to boot.
Eat: Let’s talk brunch. The menu here is concise, with a few option available. Get your carbs fill with their sourdough toast with homemade berry compote, or smashed avocado, crispy sichuan quinoa on sourdough. There’s also beetroot smash on sourdough toast, topped with smoked kippers, and pistachios and orange oil. A weird mix, but it works. Keep it simple with the granola topped with yogurt, mango, pomegranate, berries and brown rice syrup, or for a Japanese inspired dish, the burnt miso prawn toast drizzled with sesame and chilli ticks all the boxes. The bacon, poached egg and pea shoots on sourdough is pretty good too.
Where: 18 Stoke Newington High St, London N16 7PL
