It's better than breakfast because it does not allow a haphazard creation process and hasty scoffing in your dressing gown, whilst herding the kids out the door.
And it trumps lunch too; yes, that pasty looking pre-made sandwich in the fridge is technically your lunch, but if you give in to brunch then it doesn’t have to be!
As Toronto-based chef Matthew Basile once said; “breakfast is a meal, but brunch is a culture.” It deserves indulgence, it deserves to be savoured in a swanky outfit and celebrated with friends, especially in London!
Wait hold that thought; imagine treating yourself to brunch not just in London, but ABOVE London. Nestled down at a trendy rooftop terrace, casting your eyes out over the iconic London skyline (Eye and all!).
If brunch is starting to sound like your kind of culture then read on for our round up of the top spots. And you're in for a treat because – you guessed it – the sky's the limit with this one! P.S. some of them are ‘bottomless’... (you can thank us later!)
Duck & Waffle
Up first Duck & Waffle, celebrating the joy of delicious food, offers a high-altitude dining experience with breathtaking views of London. Although, being situated on the 40th floor (one of the tallest in Europe) and in the heart of the Square Mile, we’d expected nothing less.
Whilst they have an extensive brunch menu, we know why you’re really here; to indulge in their signature dish – crispy duck leg confit with waffle and a fried duck egg. Having sold over 2 million to date, it's an incredibly popular dish that combines sweet, salty, and savoury flavours, making for an unforgettable culinary experience!
Not to mention (as if you need anymore arm twisting) their bottomless cocktails are £25 per person!
Madison Rooftop Bar
Stepping out onto one of the many New York style rooftop terraces of Madison, means stepping into the true world of brunch and all the finery that accompanies it. The Saturday and Sunday ‘Bottomless Rooftop Brunch’ allows you to choose between a two or three course meal to have on the side of your mimosa or fizz… we got that the right way around, right?!
With unobstructed views of St. Paul's Cathedral, Madison has an undeniable wow-factor that has earned it recognition as one of London’s top rooftop bars. If you accepted an invitation to brunch hoping to get a social media post out of it, then picturesque Madison has your back.
Coq d'Argent
If French is what you fancy, then French is what you’ll get at the Coq d'Argent in London. Within a stone’s throw from London’s renowned landmarks such as Tower Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral Coq d'Argent offers an elegant rooftop setting to enjoy their French-inspired menu. Think Escargots de Bourgogne, Caviar, and Filet de Boeuf.
Radio Rooftop Bar
If it's a view of the River Thames and Big Ben you’re after (or the London Eye, or the Shard – yeah, this one has it all!) then look no further than Radio Rooftop, one of London’s most iconic venues.
Directly above the site of the very first BBC programme transmission, which happened in 1922, this rooftop bar now goes by the unofficial title ‘Brunch Broadcasting Company’ – clearly, it's the place to be for a good brunch!
Whilst most other venues are weekends only Radio Rooftop is prepared to satisfy those brunch cravings on any day of the week. Between 12 pm and 4 pm you can sample the classics like avo on toast and eggs benedict, or take a chance on more complex dishes like the pulled duck leg on potato hash, or Orecchiette. Whatever takes your fancy!
Aqua Kyoto
Remember what we said earlier; brunch is indulgence, brunch is sophistication, well on this elegant rooftop terrace, brunch is a high end Japanese-themed affair!
Just outside of Soho, in London’s West End, Aqua Kyoto is serving a show-stopping four-course brunch menu. It features sushi and tempura (naturally), a selection of mains, and a dessert platter. Plus if you ask them nicely (and for the right price) they’ll upgrade your brunch experience to include free-flowing cocktails and either prosecco or champagne.
Smiths of Smithfield
Spread over four floors of a Grade II-listed Farringdon building and capped off with their heated rooftop terrace, Smiths of Smithfield is up there with the best of them!
For £60 per person the brunch menu includes a Sipsmith gin welcome cocktail, a three-plate brunch, and two-hours of free-flowing prosecco, mimosas and Bloody Marys.
Or for £85 per person you can expect a Sipsmith gin welcome cocktail, Exmoor caviar and sour cream blinis for the table, a three-plate brunch and two hours of bottomless champagne, mimosas or Bloody Marys.
A little more expensive than other locations, Smiths might be best reserved for those special occasion brunches. Unless of course you’re on a boujee champagne budget, in which case… cheers!
The Aviary
Montcalm Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square,
So through reading this article we like to think you’re well-acquainted with brunch, and even bottomless brunch, but may we now introduce bottomless brunch BUFFETS – since that’s the latest trend at the Aviary.
This popular rooftop bar is offering “a smorgasbord of classic brunch dishes, luxury seafood, charcuterie, seasonal salads, freshly baked pastries and indulgent sweet stations.” All of which can be enjoyed against the visual backdrop of London’s gorgeous skyline and the melody of their ever changing assortment of live music performers.
With the promise of their buffet-style brunches – piled almost as high up as they are – how can we say no?
The Rooftop at One Hundred Shoreditch
100 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch
Complete with lush succulents, marble, and terrazzo, all wrapped up in a pink colour theme, The Rooftop at One Hundred Shoreditch is that playful, atmospheric, californian Palm Springs vibe you never knew you needed in a brunch spot.
Despite being new to London’s rooftop scene (as of 2022), the panoramic views are incredible!
But, as good as its views and decor are, the food is even better! Their Cali-inspired brunch menu bursts with the mouthwatering promise of breakfast burritos, shrimp burgers, cured salmon tostadas, and buttermilk pancakes.
They claim their meals are big enough to share, but we’ll let you be the judge!
