More than just instagram fodder for rich and famous
twenty-somethings, brunch is a meal that manages to be settling, savoury and
cheekily sweet all in one go. It’s so wonderful that not even first date nerves
can taint it. In fact, it’s the ideal date situation; none of the formality of
dinner nor the platonic vibe of lunch, and even if you overdo it on bloody marys you’re unlikely to be at risk of drinking yourself under the table. Even if the
date itself is a disaster, it won’t
have been a total waste because you will still have eaten brunch! Brunch is
never a waste. Here’s where we recommend for a getting-to-know-you over a
plateful of that sacred breakfast lunch combo:
Tucked away in the backstreets
between Westminster and Pimlico since 1946, Regency’s art-deco exterior and
Formica-topped tables are true greasy spoon originals. You order at the counter
before getting your table, and although there’s a permanent queue it’s fast
moving and gives you time to decide what you want to order. This isn’t much of
a dilemma though - arrive hungry and go for the set breakfast of egg, bacon,
sausages, beans, toast and tea or coffee for £5.50. Slick service, huge
portions, and your order is announced loudly from the counter when it’s ready.
This is a charming piece of old London and definitely worth a visit.
Going to the Wolsely comes with a luxury sense of occasion;
book a table in advance and impress your date with a morning of refined
grandeur that’s somehow cosy at the same time. The Full English is well worth
the food coma that comes after it, the scrambled eggs and smoked salmon offers
a lighter, similarly tasty alternative, and the huge choice of pain au
delicious pastries shouldn’t be ruled out either. Its lesser known sibling, The
Delauney, is another special spot worth visiting.
Go early to avoid queues (before 10am), and order a takeaway
coffee for while you’re waiting if you do get there a little later. The
Australian themed menu puts a light, healthier slant on your traditional brunch
choices and is particularly known for its magically fluffy scrambled eggs and
ricotta hot cakes. The bright, relaxed atmosphere of Granger & Co is ideal
for easy conversation with your date while you eat.
Situated within Peckham Road’s South London Gallery, No. 67
boasts a soaring space, huge
windows and bright natural light. Whether you’re seated inside or out in
one of the winding gardens, it’s a brilliant place for brunch followed by a
browse through the gallery’s exhibitions. The ‘Full Spanglish’ is a
particularly popular Spanish-fusion option that we would recommend.
Kopapa offers creative, innovative fusion meals throughout
the day, but their weekend brunch between 9am and 4pm is particularly unique
and not to be missed. Try not to arrive before your sweet tooth kicks in for
the day, because the salted caramel shake is to die for. Whether you go for
lighter options like their fruit salad and granola mix or something a little
heartier, such as their renowned ‘Turkish Eggs’, the unusual blend of tastes
won’t disappoint.
Greenberry is more than just another of Primrose Hill’s
pop-up cafes; it has a comfortable, fresh atmosphere and menu to match, both of
which are worth going there for. The later it gets the more it fills up with
families and dogwalkers on a weekend, but if you’re there early-ish or on a
weekday you can get breakfast with an inoffensive twist and enjoy it in the café’s
lovely interior. Hickory smoked baked beans and chorizo on toast are amazing if
you fancy something warming, and ordering their quinoa porridge is a quicker
and probably more delicious alternative to making that health-craze porridge
variation yourself.
40 floors up, Duck and Waffle at the Heron Tower isn’t a bad
place to have brunch. Many of the window tables (these have the best views) are
for two diners only, making this an ideal restaurant for a date. Prices are
also sky high, but with the glass lift and panoramic vistas of London, you’re
paying for more than your food. Opt for the signature dish of duck and waffle;
it might seem like an unusual combination but let the success of the place
speak for itself and trust that it’s a tasty dish!
