Brunch has become something of a weekend ritual in London; it can be a slow start to the day with the newspapers or a gathering that sets the tone for an unforgettable afternoon. Once viewed as a mid-morning import from New York café culture, brunch began gaining real traction in the late 2000s and was fuelled by the rise of all-day dining and neighbourhood restaurants. By the mid-2010s, venues like Granger & Co. and The Riding House Café had turned it into a social mainstay. The “bottomless” concept followed soon after and was initially driven by casual chains before being reimagined by high-end establishments.
Fast forward to today and brunch has evolved far beyond the fluffy pancakes and prosecco clichés of years gone by. In London's most upscale corners, the “bottomless” concept has matured, and the joy lies not only in speed or volume but also in the setting and service the venue provides. Weekend brunch reservations in London have grown steadily year on year since 2019 and reflect London’s reputation as one of the world’s most diverse dining capitals, where brunch is no longer a novelty but a marker of hospitality culture as we know it.
In this guide, we reveal five venues that exemplify the very best of London’s new era of brunching.
Norma, Fitzrovia
Found in the heart of Fitzrovia, Norma delivers a mini Sicilian escape amid the hustle and bustle of central London. Rooted in the rich heritage of Sicily, the restaurant's concept draws particular inspiration from the island’s Moorish culinary influences and truly captures the essence of Italian warmth and hospitality. Housed within a charming three-storey townhouse, brunch is a two-course affair and features a variety of dishes that are firmly grounded in authentic Sicilian culinary traditions.
Every Saturday and Sunday, guests can tuck into indulgent dishes that are paired with endless pours of Franciacorta or prosecco, all inspired by the flavours of Southern Italy. Chef Giovanni Attard sets the tone with olives and fresh focaccia before moving on to a selection of antipasti and for the main event, guests can choose from classics including pasta alla Norma, aubergine parmigiana or beef lasagne.
Bokan 37
For a brunch with drama, Bokan 37 offers one of the city’s most ambitious sky-level experiences. Found on the 37th floor of the Novotel hotel on Marsh Wall, the restaurant marries panoramic views with a three-course menu that is brimming with seasonal dishes led by Executive Chef Robert Manea. Highlights include salmon gravlax with potato and wasabi, Rhug Estate lamb with miso gnocchi and yuzu and a pistachio mascarpone with clementine to finish.
The bottomless, which offers limitless prosecco, complements rather than competes with the food. After brunch, guests are invited to continue upward to the 39th-floor rooftop terrace, where the music carries on well into the evening.
Aqua Nueva, Soho
Set high above the bustle of Soho and a short walk from Oxford Circus, Aqua Nueva’s Bottomless Dark Brunch brings a touch of the Mediterranean to London weekends. Every Friday evening, the experience offers free-flowing drinks with bold and authentic flavours that perfectly channel the spirit of modern Spain.
Guests can indulge in a leisurely 90-minute feast of Spanish tapas and sharing plates, from rustic tomato bread and Padrón peppers to fried cod with tartare sauce and Iberico ham. To drink, diners can enjoy endless pours of Cava, wine, sangria and beer, alongside Aqua Nueva’s signature Patrón cocktails, a luxurious twist that sets this brunch apart. Guests can soak up the energy of Aqua Nueva’s resident DJs, as the restaurant transforms brunch into a vibrant late-night celebration unlike any other.
The Aubrey, Knightsbridge
Just steps from Knightsbridge station, this upscale restaurant, named after the Victorian illustrator Aubrey Beardsley, sits right beside the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and offers an “Izakaya brunch”, which is Japan’s answer to Spanish tapas or Venetian cicchetti.
The venue is frequently recognised as one of the best Japanese restaurants in the capital, serving expertly prepared sushi and sashimi alongside grilled meats and fish, all perfected on a custom Robata grill. The sushi follows the traditional Edomae style, made with Hokkaido rice and red vinegar derived from Ginjo sake.
The brunch menu moves from truffle croquettes, miso-glazed aubergine, tamagoyaki buns, to a sushi platter of sashimi, maki and nigiri. Guests can choose mains such as miso robatayaki salmon, BBQ tonkatsu beef rib or mushroom curry udon, finishing with desserts like matcha French toast. The bottomless drink options, champagne, sake and signature cocktails serve as a welcome companion to the food.
Bocconcino
At Bocconcino Mayfair, Brunch Esclusivo transforms Saturday afternoons into an elegant affair filled with flavour, fizz and music. Running on Saturdays from 12 to 4pm, the brunch combines fine dining with the energy of a weekend party, all set within the restaurant’s signature marble-and-gold interiors.
Guests are welcomed with freshly shucked oysters and crisp fried zucchini before choosing their antipasto, from the abundant Antipasto Misto Italia, laden with mozzarella, cured meats, truffle arancini and grilled vegetables, to a Carpaccio di Manzo that is topped with rocket and Parmesan. For mains, the menu spans indulgent pastas and pizzas that showcase the best of Italian home cooking – think lobster tagliolini, truffle tagliatelle, Eggs Royale or a pizza crowned with Wagyu bresaola. To match, diners can opt for free-flowing Prosecco, Champagne or Aperol Spritz while resident DJs set a soundtrack that is sure to keep the mood high.
In a city that now boasts more than 20,000 restaurants, brunch has emerged as one of the most competitive and creative meal services of the week. Together, these restaurants illustrate how London’s bottomless brunch culture has evolved into a sophisticated dining movement and celebrate a distinctly metropolitan luxury. What was once a novelty has become an art form and is defined by chefs who treat brunch with the same care and precision as fine dining.
