“Hampstead has always remained not a suburb, or a piece of antiquity engulfed in the modern world, but a place with a character peculiar to itself.”
So wrote Virginia Woolf in her guide to the capital city, The London Scene, in the early 1930s. Almost a hundred years later, that description remains perfectly appropriate for this marvellous part of North London that feels almost village-like in its charm and community.
The cultural connections don’t stop here however, with the neighbourhood being famous for several literary salons that hosted celebrated poets and writers such as Keats, D.H. Lawrence, E.M Forster and Virginia Woolf herself. As they discussed all matters cultural and social together, they would take in a light meal of coffee, eggs and toast to keep their body and minds optimised.
In 2025, this particular ritual can still be practiced in the form of the ever-present brunch, perhaps the defining social gathering of the 21st century. As you would expect with such a rich history to draw from, Hampstead has a wealth of options that provide brunch in magnificent ways.
Here is our collection of the very best among them.
New York Café
The elegant, leafy environment of Heath Street in Hampstead might at first appear a million miles away from the Big Apple, but the owners of New York Café have made a fantastic attempt at bringing the casual energy of an American Diner to North London. It manages to combine the bright and polished feel with a welcoming atmosphere of English tearoom to fantastic effect.
Set across three levels with a garden terrace offering some incredible views of nearby St Mary’s Church, this place buzzes with mellow tunes, lively conversations and a cadence of service that encourages relaxation with no rushing required.
For brunch options, there is a neat twist on familiar English standards with the Full American Breakfast delivering a hearty portion of sausage, bacon and eggs alongside a side order of pancakes and maple syrup. There is NYC heritage here too, with Avocado on Rye and the NYC Club Sandwich for a slightly smaller dish. Particular mention should also go to the Chipotle Pancakes for a rather more stirring start to the day. It is always advised to secure booking for the popular terrace if you are planning a weekend brunch, as New York Café is fast becoming a Hampstead highlight.
The Coffee Cup
Everything in London moves at such a rapid pace in modern times. It often seems that as soon as a food and drink spot is established, it is replaced, revamped or repurposed to adapt to incoming trends, fashions and tastes. That is all the more reason to celebrate the Coffee Cup on High Street, a place that symbolises the enduring appeal of their own take on morning meals, particularly what we now call brunch.
Since 1954, this has been the place to go for everything from raisin toast and macchiatos to full English breakfasts and midday pasta dishes. It is now unofficially known as London’s oldest coffee lounge and that title is made even more impressive with the list of patrons who have graced their tables. Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, Sting and Sir Paul McCartney have all taken a sip at The Coffee Cup, something that the owners are incredibly proud to tell you at any opportunity.
This is true vintage in a very real and unfabricated way, achieving what so many modern cafes try to do with the décor and furniture a little worn from all those years of early mornings. For the full vintage London brunch experience, you could always try the kippers on toast too.
The Gallery
For a brunch with a more contemporary feel and a slightly more social energy, The Gallery at Broadhurst Garden, West Hampstead is a fine choice. This place evolved over time from its position as a cosy neighbourhood bar built around a love for community quiz evenings and whisky tastings into a sophisticated, but still relaxed, local gem for the Hampstead crowd.
There is a distinctly speakeasy aesthetic at work with the exposed brick walls, tealights and vintage records adding a lovely touch of rebellion and exclusivity. For brunch, the menu also steps outside of the traditional dishes you might expect with delights such as cheddar & Black Cab stout croquettes or cod cheeks in dill-fennel to share with your group, alongside the zingy Korean fried chicken.
The weekend service for brunch begins at 10am, but if you do plan to be dining at closer to lunch or early afternoon then you could always add the odd Mimosa or Margarita as an accompaniment too. There is lots to admire at The Gallery with a creative flair and welcoming atmosphere that means the patrons are often as eclectic as the music they provide here all day.
Oak & Poppy
Oak & Poppy on Rosslyn Hill is earning a name for itself as one of the most stylish eateries in all of Hampstead with its penchant for great food and a dash of theatrical flair. It occupies what was the site of The Rosslyn Arms, a local pub of some distinction, and the repurpose process feels as though it has been as imaginative as it is sympathetic to the tavern style of its predecessor. The interior is bathed in natural light as a result of one incredible design choice that demonstrates this philosophy perfectly – a retractable glass ceiling that can transform the place into a conservatory on those sunny days.
A handcrafted wooden tree takes centre stage, surrounded by muted pink banquettes on top of parquet flooring, with wonderful accents of greenery to fully bring the leafy atmosphere of Hampstead inside.
The brunch service is a great place for the pastry patrons amongst us with standout options like the PB&J croissant delivering a playful twist on old favourites. Of course, there are tacos and bao buns as hungrier choices in a menu that seems designed for sharing in couples or groups. Oak & Poppy has more than enough elements to make it an exciting brunch destination in Hampstead for a very long time.
After a long walk on Hampstead Heath to watch the sunrise or as a weekend treat with the family, these places all have something unique to offer residents and visitors for brunch in this incredible London neighbourhood. The real beauty is that when you have sampled these delights, you will have plenty of the day left to explore everything Hampstead has to offer. And that is definitely something worth waking up to.
