14 Places To Book For An Al Fresco Brunch

Stanley’s, Chelsea

Hugh Stanley’s debut restaurant opened in Chelsea this summer. Set back from the King’s Road, guests enter through a floral archway flanked by olive trees and tiered shrub planting into the flagstone courtyard area, which is inspired by an English country garden. The courtyard is able to seat 60 guests, has festoon lighting overhead and is surrounded by potted plants. Under the leadership of head chef Olivia Burt – who was a finalist on Masterchef: The Professionals last year – the menu focuses on seasonal produce showcasing the best of British ingredients. Brunch dishes include the likes of sourdough crumpet with Cornish crab and potted shrimps; crispy prawns served with sriracha emulsion; and salmon tartare with shiso and keta caviar.

151 Sydney Street, Chelsea, SW3 6NT

Visit StanleysChelsea.co.uk

Milk Beach, Queen’s Park

All-day Australian restaurant Milk Beach has reopened following an expansion that saw it double in size after taking over the adjacent restaurant. On the private mews of Lonsdale Road, Milk Beach features a large outdoor heated seating area with parasols for European-style alfresco street dining year-round. The new menu draws inspiration from the diverse cultures that make up modern, coastal Australian cuisine with highlights including banana bread with espresso cream cheese; Smashed avocado, confit cherry tomatoes, whipped goats’ curd and pumpkin seed crumble; and folded eggs with crumpet, curried crab and fragrant herbs. 

19 Lonsdale Road, Queen’s Park, NW6 6RA

Visit MilkBeach.com

Mama Shelter, Shoreditch

Newcomer Mama Shelter’s outdoor bar offers a chic, heated spot for drinkers and diners. In the centre of the hotel, the space comprises an open roof and terrace-style seating that is well suited to social distancing. A recently refreshed brunch menu includes burrata with wild mushrooms, truffle and garlic toast; and pancakes with crispy bacon and maple syrup or berry compote and Greek yoghurt.

437 Hackney Road, Hackney, E2 8PP

Visit MamaShelter.com

Double Standard, King’s Cross

The Standard hotel in King’s Cross has turned its 70s-inspired summer terrace into a warm and cosy winter terrace, complete with a fire pit, festoon lighting and sheepskin furs. One of the largest in the neighbourhood, the terrace is tucked behind the hotel and is now taking reservations. The space offers Aperol slushies, a Moët Minis vending machine, a choice of dishes from chef Adam Rawson's dive bar menu and bottomless Sunday brunch. 

10 Argyle Street, King’s Cross, WC1H 8EG

Visit StandardHotels.com

La Goccia, Covent Garden

This Covent Garden restaurant is part of Petersham Nurseries’ collection of spaces in Floral Court, and has a heated terrace, where guests can come and enjoy warming seasonal cocktails and Italian seasonal small plates. The all-day menu changes daily – each dish is built with seasonality in mind and celebrates the very best British produce, cooked simply. The courtyard is open for food from 11:30am every Saturday and Sunday.

1 Floral Court, Covent Garden, WC2E 9FB

Visit LaGoccia.co.uk

Megan’s Old Town, Clapham

Megan’s is a group of small, dog-friendly neighbourhood restaurants in Fulham, Parsons Green, Balham, Battersea and Clapham. Each location offers all-day, wholesome dining, and at its Clapham site, up to six people from mixed households can sit outside under heaters and covers. When it comes to the all-day brunch, we like the sound of the Turkish brunch feast for two – shakshuka, Turkish cheese fondue, chorizo, chopped salad, smashed avocado, harissa hummus, Nutella, halva cream, blueberry compote, flatbread and organic seven-seeded sourdough.

55-57 The Pavement, Clapham, SW4 0JQ 

Visit Megans.co.uk

Flor, Borough Market

Wine bar, bakery and restaurant Flor is the latest spot from Michelin-starred Lyle’s James Lowe and John Ogier. The Borough Market restaurant now has a selection of covered seating outside – ideal for weekend brunches. With Pamela Yung at the helm of the kitchen, a new menu includes weekly-changing flatbreads; Banh Xeo-style crispy savoury pancakes stuffed with roasted delica squash, cabbage slaw, herbs and pickles; mozzarella and ’nduja in carrozza with a fried egg; and smoked eel with waffles and black fig. Make sure to kick things off with a verbena and bergamot fizz.

1 Bedale Street, Borough, SE1 9AL 

Visit FlorLondon.com

Allegra, Stratford

Head to Allegra on the seventh floor of the Stratford Hotel – just a seven-minute Overground journey from King’s Cross St Pancras – where head chef Patrick Powell has just launched a new brunch menu: think Cornish crab, potato latke, pickled fennel and sesame; or truffled croque madame with baked ham and confit egg. There are also a handful of dishes to share ‘For The Table’, including a whole roast Yorkshire free-range chicken, aioli and caramelised lemon. New cocktails include the ‘East Side’ (Ojo de Dios mezcal, cucumber, lemon balm, honey and lime) and the ‘Wrong Bianco’ (Allegra’s own dry vermouth blend, Luxardo Bianco, pet nat and bitters). The brunch is also available on a Friday. 

20 International Way, Stratford, E20 1FD

Visit Allegra-Restaurant.com

Folie, Soho

Soho’s Folie has launched a new weekend brunch, which is available to eat on its al fresco terrace on Golden Square. Head chef Christophe Marleix has brought a taste of the Riviera to the kitchen’s earlier daily dishes including french toast with salted caramel and chickpea pancakes with black olives and herb pistou. To start, a collection of cocktails has been created to kickstart the weekend including a ‘Bloody Maria’ – a mix of Don Julio Blanco, tomato, Tabasco and worcestershire sauce – and a mimosa made with orange, Crémant de Loire and triple sec.

37 Golden Square, Soho, W1F 9LB

Visit Folie.London

Lina Stores, King’s Cross

Lina Stores on Stable Street has brought its take on ‘la colazione’ to King’s Cross, dishing up breakfast for the first time. Guests can wake up with a quintessential Italian espresso, before taking their pick from a selection of breakfast pastries. For those who like to begin their morning with a sweet treat, the menu starts with ‘sfogliatina’, light puffed pastries filled with apricot or fig and topped with soft vanilla cream. Elsewhere on the menu, guests can order a crispy roasted pork belly served in a ciabatta sandwich; Tuscan fennel sausage with cannellini beans and tomatoes on freshly baked bread; truffled scrambled eggs; plus, roasted mushrooms and parmigiano served on creamy polenta. 

21 Stable Street, King’s Cross, N1C 4DR

Visit LinaStores.co.uk

Albie, Southwark

If you’re after choice, The Hoxton’s Albie is an all-day neighbourhood spot that’s home to four restaurant residencies. Diners can choose from five different menus all under one roof: there’s Eggbreak popping up from West London; Tandoor Chop House and its little sister Tandoor Tacos; Nashville-style hot chicken from Pecking Order; plus, the restaurant’s own ‘Hox Classics’. The bar has a strong focus on low and no-alcohol drinks, with a full cocktail list dedicated to alcohol-free serves. No-alcoholic drinks include a ‘Seedlip Mary’ (Seedlip Grove, Albie spices and cold-pressed tomato juice); an ‘Amarena Sour’ (Seedlip Spice, cherry and vanilla); and ‘Just Peachy’ (Seedlip Garden, London Essence, white peach and jasmine).

40 Blackfriars Road, Southwark, SE1 8PB

Visit AlbieLondon.com

Nutshell, Covent Garden

Iran’s abundance of spices, herbs, fruits and nuts define its fragrant dishes – and Nutshell’s brunch menu is testament to just that. Stand outs on the new weekend brunch menu include saffron and sour cherry French toast with mixed berries, sumac clotted cream and candid orange; and poached eggs with butter beans, turmeric, apricot and dill. A small selection of outdoor tables are available to book in advance.

30 St Martin’s Lane, Covent Garden, WC2N 4ER 

Visit NutshellLondon.co.uk

26 Grains, Covent Garden

Watch the hum of shoppers wander through Neal’s Yard as you enjoy a brunch at the recently reopened 26 Grains. Chef and owner Alex Hely Hutchinson makes sure there’s an array of grain-focused bowls on the menu, while seasonal variations on her signature porridge include a spiced apple puree, butter, hazelnuts and brown sugar special. Savoury options include thyme and sage sautéed mushrooms on sourdough wedges – topped off with mustard crème fraîche and parmesan. We love the sound of the scrambled eggs, with crispy onions and ogleshield cheese. 

1 Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden, WC2H 9DP

Visit 26Grains.com

Jikoni, Marylebone

Chef Ravinder Bhogal’s meal delivery kits – Comfort & Joy – were a lockdown highlight for many. We’re certain her newly launched weekend brunch menu at Jikoni in Marylebone is sure to bring the same pleasure. Combinations on offer include tamarind-glazed bacon and fenugreek waffles, while the veggie must-try has to be the sweetcorn pancakes, spiced creamy corn and fried eggs; or the sweet potato bhel, apple and pomegranate.

19-21 Blandford Street, Marylebone, W1U 3DG

Visit JikoniLondon.com