Top 5: Ways to Eat Brunch in London This WeekendBy Alicia Grimshaw
This feature has it all: boozy brunches, bottomless brunches and a fabulous Taiwanese brunch. May your poached eggs be perfectly cooked, and your Bloody Marys spicy. Happy feasting, pals:
1. For a Meat-tastic Brunch: Boxcar
What: On London’s bustling New Quebec Street, Boxcar Butcher & Grill is a relaxed, independent restaurant and butchery dedicated to sourcing outstanding, 100% British produce from the best farmers across the UK. And their weekend brunch is spectacular.
Eat and Drink: The brunch menu features a sensational array of meat-based dishes like the Dingley Dell Smoked back bacon and/or Porcus sausage butties; Boxcar breakfast with Dinton Farm fried egg, smoked back bacon, Porcus sausage, fruit black pudding, mushrooms, baked beans, smoked tomato and toast; and the braised short rib crumpets with smoked butter. But fear not meat-free pals, as there’s plenty of veggie options like the smashed avocado with soft boiled egg, lemon zest and parsley on an English muffin; buckwheat and blueberry pancakes; and bubble and squeak hash brown with Dinton Farm poached egg, smoked heritage tomatoes and Hollandaise.
Where: Boxcar, 23 New Quebec Street, London W1H 7SD
2. For a Taiwanese Brunch: Mr Bao
What: South London based Taiwanese restaurant, Mr Bao, roll out a fantastic bottomless brunch offering. Available every Saturday and Sunday, 11am-4pm, Mr Bao have taken those soft white pillowy buns to another level. Served alongside their regular menu, expect a wonderfully creative Taiwanese-twist to one of the weekend’s greatest pleasures.
Eat and Drink: Brunch dishes include the Bao Benedict with slow braised Flock + Herd pork, wilted spinach, free range egg and Hollandaise in a bao bun; Taiwanese spring onion pancake topped with house kimchi, cheddar, sunny side up egg and basil, and The Full Taiwanese, a plateful of Taiwanese sausage, spring onion pancake, Flock + Herd smoked bacon, bao bun, Asian beans and spiced eggs. Theres also a bottomless option, choose between White Night in Taipei £16 (white rum, passionfruit jam, lychee, lime) or Bloody ‘Hell’ Mary £17 (sparkling sake, vodka, tomato juice, wasabi, sriracha, wasabi salt).
Where: Mr Bao, 293 Rye Lane, Peckham SE15 4UA
3. For a Vegan Brunch: Bluebird Chelsea x Isa Robinson
What: Bluebird Chelsea are putting on a vegan brunch party hosted by the Goodness Guru on Saturday (27th January) in line with their Mindful City campaign. The campaign is about taking steps towards a healthier environment from the ban of all single use plastics to an eco-friendly diet.
Eat and Drink: Goodness Guru, Isa Robinson, has worked with Head Chef, Simon Gregory, to create a vegan brunch that is full of nutrition and goodness whilst still being delicious. Dishes such as chickpea fritters with shredded cucumber and a sun dried tomato pesto; toasted freekeh with roasted squash, charred sweetcorn, smashed avocado and baby gem topped with pomegranate seeds and a chipotle mayo feature alongside waffles to fulfil those sweet cravings. The brunch will start with a short talk from Isa who will give her alternative tips for a healthy lifestyle in the New Year followed by a brief meditation session before the brunching begins. CPess are providing juices for guests to sip on throughout.
Where: 350 King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5UU
4. For an Anti Dry January Brunch: Camden Town Brewery
What: There’s noting dry about this. On Saturday (27th January), Camden Town Brewery will once again open the doors to its Enfield brewery for a Big Brewery Bottomless Brunch. Throw down £27 and dig into a tasty beer brunch inside the home of Camden Hells.
Eat and Drink: The menu, created by The Horseshoe gastropub the birthplace of Camden Town Brewery, includes hot dishes such as buttermilk pancakes and skillet-baked eggs, to enjoy alongside bottomless croissants and sourdough toast. This can be all washed down with bottomless coffee, tea, fresh orange juice and of course Camden’s award-winning beers over a two-hour sitting. Alternatively, individual items can be selected from the menu, such as the full Enfield breakfast as well as Camden’s full beer range. Anyone who wants to learn more about the beer they are drinking can also book a BreweryTour, running every 2 hours from midday to 4pm.
Where: Morson Rd, Enfield EN3 4TJ
5. For a Bottomless Brunch: Chelsea Harbour Hotel
What: Chelsea Riverside Brasserie at The Chelsea Harbour Hotel has launched a brand new brunch menu, available every Sunday between 12:30 – 4:30pm. There’s live jazz, stunning views over Chelsea Marina, and if you pay an additional £17, you can knock back unlimited prosecco or Veuve Clicquot.
Eat and Drink: With both hot and cold options, choose from a whole host of treats including freshly-prepared sushi, oysters and lobster, roast beef served with all the traditional trimmings and a selection of cheeses and charcuterie. To top it all off, head over to the dessert station and indulge in unlimited delights such as espresso and white chocolate cheese cake, chocolate fountain with strawberries and freshly-prepared crepes with a choice of sauces.
Where: Chelsea Harbour Dr, Fulham, London SW10 0XG
Photo Credit: Matthew Shaw