It’s National Breakfast Week – woohoo! I’m a firm believer that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and weekend brunches are a key part of my social routine. I may forever be questing for the perfect poached egg, and I don’t believe that there’s such a thing as too much avocado. Here’s ten of my favourite brunch spots (alphabetically arranged, it was the only way), and also five that are at the top of my To Try list. Where are your favourite places for brunch?

AquaShard

Breakfast at AquaShard, London

Stunning views over London, delicious food, great service… what’s not to love? Well… maybe a slight dent on my wallet. Brunch at Aqua Shard on the weekend is an elaborate three course affair. But breakfast on a week day features all of the above and, if you can squeeze it in before work, is a fabulously indulgent start to the day!

Ben’s Canteen

Bens Canteen Brunch, London

When I visited Ben’s Canteen in Battersea, my main question was why it had taken me so long. I loved the quirky vibe, from the wall art to the enamel dishes, and I also loved the gigantic serving of mushrooms, another of my food favourites. The coffee was as good as the fabulous company, and writing this post has reminded me I need to get back there soon!

The Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club Brunch, London

This hugely hip chain of breakfast specialists feels a little like my spiritual home, with a huge range of brunch options, good coffee, and great decor. But I knew it was truly love between me and The Breakfast Club when I told the waitress I couldn’t have the hollandaise due to my lactose allergy and without missing a beat she simply asked “Extra avocado instead?” Best. Question. Ever.

Grind Cafe

Grind Cafe Brunch, London

As Grind Coffee Bar is run by the legends of Grind Coffee, you might well expect the coffee to be excellent. What you might not expect, but will happily welcome, is the fantastic brunch menu that accompanies it, in a cafe space that is well-thought out and with friendly smiley waitstaff to bring you all the coffee you desire.

Honey & Co

Honey & Co Brunch, London

Bookings aren’t just advised for this tiny Warren Street establishment, they’re practically compulsory. I don’t mind as I’d rather plan ahead than spend two hours waiting, although Honey & Co would undoubtedly be worth it. Middle Eastern cuisine might not leap to mind when you think of brunch, but feast your eyes on my tasty shakshuka or contemplate the Merguese sausage roll with fried egg and I’m sure it will all fall into place – so delicious!

Hummingbird

Hummingbird Brunch, London

On a long inauspicious-looking road in Shepherd’s Bush sits the cute little Hummingbird Cafe. I was lured here by friends who raved about the avocado breakfast above – simply half an avocado, a poached egg, chewy delicious rye and lime. I say simply, but this combination worked perfectly – I particularly loved the unusual addition of the lime flavour which added zest to my morning!

M1lk

M1lk Brunch, London

I love meeting bloggers in person, and there was certainly no better place for a Kiwi blogger meet-up with the lovely Liz from Passport Packed than brunch at M1LK in Balham. Liz’s gigantic pancakes looked delicious, but there was no way I could go past sweetcorn fritters, a childhood favourite, particularly when coupled with this much avocado and bacon – yum!

Maltby Street Market

Maltby Street Market Brunch, London

While there’s many markets in London I have yet to try, I found myself drawn back time and again to the perfectly-sized package that is Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey. Great coffee in Craft coffee and a plethora of brunch options – just some of which are above – mean my feet can often be found heading this direction on a sunny weekend. For more on Maltby Street Market, click here!

Senzala Creperie

Senzala Creperie Brunch, London

I love Brixton Market and Village for the incredible range of food options, but I’m more often found there post-Ritzy or pre-Brixton Academy than at convenient times for brunch. When it’s morning sustenance I need, Senzala Creperie Bar & Café has a mouthwatering selection of both savoury and sweet crepes to satisfy every possible type of brunch craving. Above, my buckwheat crepe with mushrooms, caramelised onions and spinach was both so healthy it could run a marathon and delicious – win!

The Table Cafe

Table Cafe Brunch, London

The Table Café in Southwark threw me off the first time I tried it, with deep-fried sweetcorn fritters, but given its large menu and Allpress coffee I was prepared to give it another shot. I was amply rewarded when I happened upon the above special which, if you’ve made it this far, you’ll rightly pick as being one of my favourite combinations – poached eggs, avocado and bacon. Perfectly done and delicious – Table Cafe you have redeemed yourself!

Now here’s a few more choices that I want to try super soon:

Caravan: King’s Cross and Exmouth Market
Dishoom: Covent Garden, Shoreditch and King’s Cross. Two words = bacon naan.
Foxlow: Clerkenwell
Granger & Co: Notting Hill and Clerkenwell
Lantana: Shoreditch, Fitzrovia and Camden. Pictures of the corn fritters here make me feel homesick… I need to get my fix!

Your turn! Have you tried any of these? Where else do you rate in London?

We kicked off St Paddy’s Day with a visit to the Eagle Farm market – home of amazing breakfast, a huge number of grocery stalls, and a bunch of artsy bits and pieces. The coffee was great, and I loved the colours and variety of stalls.

Amazing poached eggs, rosti and salsa

Lawn bowls is apparently a huge thing for all ages in Australia, and as Emma and Will live super close to a club, we decided to check it out as the first real step in our St Paddy’s Celebrations. Barefoot bowls is certainly not too demanding, even in 35C plus and with the ice in our drinks melting faster than you can say “What a shot!”

Barefoot Bowling at the Boo – nice form Will!

When we’d bowled our ends, we decided to continue the neighbourhood explore with a visit to the Breakfast Creek Hotel. Pubs in Aussie are apparently all called hotels, maybe because they practically live there!? The BCH is one of the grand old ladies of the Brisbane pubs, and is also huge, with heaps of different dining and drinking areas. We chose the Rum Bar, and sampled a couple of delish flavours – one new to us, and an old favourite.

Breakfast Creek Hotel

On the Monday poor Will was back to work, but Emma and I headed out for a few more touristy activities. The view from Mount Coot-tha Botanical Gardens was worth the journey, although the huge variety of plants was slightly lost on us, and we definitely weren’t the target age range for the guided tour. We snuck off on our own and encountered a croc (extremely realistic) and some massive spiders too scary to photograph on our way to the viewing platform.

Croc!

View of Brisbane from Mount Coot-tha

One last look at the city came courtesy of the Wheel of Brisbane, centred on South Bank and with a fantastic 360 view. The operators were apparently feeling generous as we were given well over our allotted four rotations – not entirely to Emma’s delight!

View of the City from the Wheel

I was pleasantly surprised by Brisbane, having had few preconceptions beyond the “Gold Coast” stereotypes before I arrived. The city seemed to celebrate its heritage while also having a great modern vibe, a very interesting and exciting mix.

Thanks for the awesome stay Brisbane!

Eating My Way Around… London {Best Brunches}