Top 5: Ways to Eat Brunch in London This WeekendBy Alicia Grimshaw
Your time in precious. And so is brunch. Never settle for a mediocre avocado on toast, and a half-arsed attempt at a Bloody Mary. We’ve discovered the best brunch you should be eating in the capital this weekend. Happy munching, London:
1. For a German Brunch: Berlin Brünch x German Gymnasium
What: This summer, Grade II listed German Gymnasium has teamed up with roaming Berlin pop-up brünch to bring the ultimate Berlin brunch experience to King’s Cross. Their last brunch is this weekend, so book tickets to avoid disappointment.
Eat: Available for £35, the brunch comprises a generous Berlin-style platter full of German delicacies. Designed to showcase German produce, the platter includes cheeses, meats, smoked fish, fresh fruit, typical German desserts, cakes, and bread from Germany’s leading bakery, Kamps, as well as a complimentary glass of German Schloss Vaux Sekt on arrival. Highlights include ‘KX Currywurst’, Berlin Fleischsalat with gherkins, cheddar cheese, chives and mustard dressing, and smoked salmon on potato rösti with horseradish cream.
Where: Available every Saturday and Sunday 12pm – 3pm, brünch will give Londoners a taste of Berlin in London’s very own King’s Cross. To reserve a table or to attend the closing event, please visit here.
2. For a New Brunch: The Woodford
What: Former Young National Chef of the Year, Ben Murphy, 25, is serving brunch at The Woodford, with the launch of his unique and memorable Saturday lazy breakfast menu. If you pay an extra tenner, enjoy a glass of champers or a Bloody Mary.
Eat: The Woodford‘s new menu is contemporary and elegant, seeing the return of brunch as a leisurely, special treat to be shared with friends. Pierre Koffmann protégé, Ben Murphy, is serving modern yet refined dishes, including light and healthy options with a twist, such as the raspberry granola with almond, ricotta and mint, and green asparagus with celery, parmesan and walnut. For those looking for something more substantial, Ben’s playful approach to breakfast classics – including eggs with ham, créme fraîche and chives, and smoked salmon with lemon and cucumber.
Where: The Woodford, 158 High Rd, London, E18 2PA
3. For a Boozy Brunch: Rudie’s
What: Rudie’s is keeping our spirits high with the introduction of their Unlimited Rum Punch Brunch. This stella brunch runs on Saturday and Sunday between midday and 3pm. Those seeking that extra zing in the summer months can enjoy bottomless punch when ordering at least 2 courses, available for all diners on the table (maximum 6 people).
Eat: Beginning this weekend and finishing in September, you now have the whole summer to enjoy an authentic slice of island life in the heart of Dalston. The jerk chicken served at Rudie’s is marinated for 24 hours in a secret blend of herbs and spices, smoked using pimento and sweet wood, before being cooked over coals in traditional jerk drums. There’s even stuff for the non-meat eater, including shrimp salad and swordfish steak, and the ‘jah love’ Jamaican jerk Veggie Platter, which is a real winner with all vegans. Dig into Jamaican patties and curry goat dumplings with pepper jelly. Save space for their homemade rum cake – it’s a boozy delight.
Where: 50 Stoke Newington Road, London, N16 7X
4. For a Bottomless Brunch: CABANA
What: CABANA, the award-winning home of Rio street food, cocktails and skewers, is launching a new all- day Brazilian brunch in its Islington and Brixton branches, including bottomless tropical Bellinis and Bloody Marias.
Eat: The bottomless Brazilian brunch features an assortment of brunch classics with a Latino accent, such as Rabanadas, Brasilian French toast with condensed milk, cinnamon sugar and chocolate, and the açai smoothie bowl, frozen açai berry smoothie topped with sliced strawberries, bananas and crunchy granola. For those seeking something more substantial after the night before, there’s sweet potato hash, topped with a poached egg and crumbled feta, or Cabana’s picanha beefburger, the ultimate Sao Paulo Burger with Malagueta Mayo chimichurri, tomato, matchsticks and Rio beans in a brioche bun. For a quicker bite, enjoy cheesy dough balls or ‘Pao de Queijo,’ typically served for breakfast with a super strong, super sweet coffee, spicy malagueta chicken wings or pastel de nata, the famous Portuguese custard tart. And of course, brunch wouldn’t be brunch without avocado on toast: Cabana’s is served on sourdough, with fresh chilli, lime and a poached egg.
Where: Available at Cabana Islington and Brixton, Saturdays and Sundays, 11am – 4pm. Locations here
5. For a Two Course Brunch: M Victoria
What: Martin Williams, the founder of M Restaurants, opened his second destination restaurant; M Victoria Street, in the heart of London’s Victoria neighbourhood last year. By night, the restaurant dishes up unbelievable Japanese and grill dishes, while on Sundays they roll out their new two course brunch menu.
Eat: For the first course, M Victoria Street has stuck to the brunch classics. The avocado is served on rye bread, topped with feta cheese, tomatoes and pomegranate seeds – it’s seriously good. The granola with yogurt and berries is also a winner as is the smoked trout with pickles and bread. For the second course, the fry up has been reinvented with chorizo sausage and duck eggs, while scrambled eggs have been paired with pork belly and goat’s curd. Try their burger for the ultimate meat fest. We’re always down for a two course brunch.
Where: 3 Zig Zag Building, 70 Victoria St, London SW1E 6SQ
