The weekend is nearly here which means one thing: long, lazy brunches with friends that stretch out well into the afternoon…
Engel Bar – The Marlene Brunch
What: A glamorous Saturday brunch with full 1920s flair, live jazz, burlesque touches and a refined three-course menu, set above the Royal Exchange in the heart of the City.
Why: This is brunch with serious style. Expect beautifully executed classics like Eggs Benedict and salmon tartare, followed by standout mains including yuzu-glazed sea bass or buttermilk fried chicken and waffles. Desserts keep things indulgent yet light, with matcha cheesecake and brioche French toast stealing the show. Add live jazz, velvet interiors and bottomless bubbles, and it’s a full-blown weekend event.
Where: Engel Bar, The Mezzanine, Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3LQ
Good to know: Brunch from £45 (two courses) or £50 (three), with 90-minute bottomless Prosecco, Bellinis or Spritzes for £30. Half-price Ruinart Champagne currently available.
engelbar.co.uk | @engel.london
The Blues Kitchen
What: A fun spot with a jazzy vibe with live sets of smoky blues and timeless soul in the evening. Serving top notch bottomless sweet & sour wings, alongside a wide choice of mouth-watering burgers.
Why: Sides to die for – try the delicious fresh squid and cheeseburger spring rolls, and yes, they actually tasted like a high-quality steak burger, including the pickles! The most excellent hot buffalo wings served with a fab blue cheese dip and the perfect ratio of spice to sauce – we could eat these endlessly. For mains we recommend the bacon double smash burger or the buttermilk fried chicken, both tender and full of flavour. Wash it all down with a spicy martini or Bloody Mary.
Where: 134-146 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3AR
We are The Bach
What: Relaxed brunch spot in the heart of bustling Broadway Market.
Why: Lovely spot for brunch and brilliant that they cater well for gluten free diets as well as veggie and vegan. The vegan breakfast with spicy sweet potatoes, falafel, hummus and avocado with toast, chilli jam, peppers and courgette was delicious.
Where: 12 Broadway Market, E8 4QJ
Prices from £8-10 per dish.
wearethebach.com
The Breakfast Club
What: Family cafe with branches all over London. This Brekky Club baby was born on the banks of the River Lee in May 2016 in the Here East Development.
Why: The Brekky Club has become a staple venue for brunch in London and we love the Hackney branch right by the canal. Our go-to is the All American with pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon and fried potatoes.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 29 E Bay Lane, Hackney Wick, E15 2GW
Prices from around £8-12 per dish.
thebreakfastclubcafes.com/locations/hackney-wick
Cecconi’s
What: Serving up top notch Italian classics with a relaxed vibe.
Why: The choice of food here is absolutely amazing. The antipasti/starter selection includes salmon, prawns, tuna and a selection of charcuterie and salads. The mains range from pasta dishes to fish and roast meats – and yes, you can also have an entire roast dinner here if you so wish.
Where: 58-60 Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, E2 7DP
Prices from £8-29 per dish
cecconisshoreditch.com
The Vincent
What: This plant-filled gem of a local café in Hackney serves brunch with a large outside area for the sunnier days. A lovely, laid-back space inside-out.
Why: Totally recommend the waffle with buttermilk fried chicken, bacon and maple syrup – it is mouth-wateringly good and comes with the perfect amount of maple syrup.
Where: Atkins Square, 2, Dalston Lane, London E8 1FN
Prices from £5-10 per dish
thevincent-e8.com
Pavilion café
What: A gorgeous little café overlooking the lake in Victoria Park offering a changing menu of veggie dishes.
Why: Make sure you arrive early as it can get busy quickly on a weekend. A fab place to people-watch and enjoy a plate of their fluffy buttermilk pancakes, which are absolutely delicious.
Where: Victoria Park, Old Ford Road, E9 7DE
Prices from £7-9per dish
wearethepavilion.com
Dishoom
What: An ode to the Irani-style cafes that were once so popular in Bombay, serving a whole host of vibrant, palate-pleasing dishes.
Why: This place is consistently fantastic and offers innovative breakfast and brunch dishes. Try and get a seat on the lovely Verandah if you can (but be prepared to queue). And if you get there in time for their breakfast menu (8am to 11.45am on weekdays and from 9am to 11.45am on weekends), the bacon naan roll is a must. Or even better still, try The Big Bombay: your plate will be laden with abundant akuri, char-striped smoked streaky bacon from Ramsay of Carluke, peppery Shropshire pork sausages, masala beans, grilled field mushrooms, grilled tomato and buttered, home-made buns. Too good.
Where: 7 Boundary Street, Hackney, E2 7JE
Prices range from £2.90 for snacks to £13.50 for a bigger dish.
dishoom.com
You can follow Nicola over on Instagram @EastLondonFoodie and read more of her East London recommendations over on eastlondongirl.com
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A perfect blog and i have to save your list of suggested eating spot because i want to be there . I also have to visit Best East London Restaurant Yaadgaar.
Thanks for sharing worthy content!
A perfect yummy list I would love to be there. I will visit and follow your list soon. I had an amazing experience at East London Restaurant Yaadgaar
This was really an interesting topic and I kinda agree with what you have mentioned here!