With its charming neighbourhoods, beautiful parks, and bustling streets, South West London is something of a hotspot for food lovers looking for the perfect brunch experience. The menus match the ambience with a wonderful blend of traditional, global, and innovative food options that make it a standout destination for mid-morning meals. From riverside cafes to upscale eateries, here is a guide to some of the best brunch spots in the area.
No. 32 The Old Town, Clapham
With a trendy and relaxed feel alongside a buzzing atmosphere, No. 32 The Old Town is a favourite among locals. Popular for its stylish interior and friendly service, the restaurant boasts a delicious brunch menu. Highlights include beautifully crisp avocado on toast topped with poached eggs and a generous amount of chilli flakes to enhance the flavour. Another standout for those with a sweet tooth are the soft ricotta pancakes served with seasonal fruits and honeycomb butter for the perfect amount of sweetness. Meals can be paired with unique fresh smoothie options or even a Bloody Mary from the brilliantly crafted cocktail menu. The restaurant hosts a beautiful rooftop terrace with views of the bustling Clapham Old Town, perfect for sunny mornings.
Megan’s on the Hill, Balham
The Megan’s restaurants, a chain of cosy, Mediterranean-inspired eateries, have become something of an institution in South West London, with several locations across the city. The branch in Balham, which has been nicknamed by locals “Megan’s on the Hill”, is a brilliant blend of rustic charm and laid-back Mediterranean vibe. The shakshuka is a longstanding favourite with baked beans in a perfectly spiced tomato sauce and a warm slice of sourdough on the side. The vegan brunch options are also popular like the sweet potato hash served with fresh avocado, and unique drink options such as the homemade rose and elderflower lemonade serving as the perfect brunch refreshment. Megan’s is a dog friendly restaurant with an outdoor area that is lit with fairy lights and used for year-round dining.
Brickwood Coffee and Bread, Tooting
For a community-focused and casual slice of Melbourne’s café culture, the Australian-inspired Brickwood Coffee and Bread in Tooting Market offers the whole package, complete with artisanal coffee wholesome food, and rustic, relaxed interiors. The menu is hearty and holistic, made up of dishes like the corn fritters topped with mashed avocado, bacon, and poached eggs and the Greek yoghurt granola bowl served with seasonal fruit. The coffee here is expertly viewed, especially the flat whites, but they also serve a signature cold brew that is ideal for a hot day. With Tooting Market just a stone’s throw away, there is always the option for a post-brunch stroll to take in everything the area has to offer.
The Breakfast Club, Battersea Rise
The Breakfast Club is a well-known name on London’s brunch scene and the Battersea Rise location is one of its best. With a retro-diner-style interior littered with quirky décor, the restaurant is lively and fun and provides hearty food portions. The All-American breakfast is an indulgent choice that features pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausages, and hash browns. There is also a veggie version that swaps out the meat for refreshing avocado and vegetarian sausages. True to its American diner inspirations, The Breakfast Club serves delicious milkshakes made with ice cream and topped with whipped cream and a cherry.
Milk, Balham
Minimalist, trendy, and quality-focused, Milk in Balham is a pioneer of the brunch scene in South West London. Renowned for its creative dishes and delicious coffee, the café has managed to garner a loyal following in the community. The most popular item on the menu is The Sweet Maria, a pancake stack topped with dulce de leche, caramelised banana, and espresso-flavoured mascarpone. For those with a preference for savoury foods, the sausage, and egg muffin with burnt butter hollandaise, called the “Convict”, is a perfect choice. Milk serves single-origin coffees that are crafted using high-quality beans from reputable roasters such as The Barn in Berlin and Bailies in Belfast. The attention to detail in every drink and dish is what draws people to Milk, and the popularity of this place is evidenced by the massive queues you'll get on a sunny Saturday or Sunday late morning lunchtime.
Ben’s Canteen, Earlsfield
For a brunch that is big on flavour and portion sizes, the laid-back Ben’s Canteen in Earlsfield is surely worth a visit. The signature dish served at Ben’s Canteen is a burger brunch, complete with a beef patty topped with bacon, cheese, and a fried egg. The restaurant caters to vegetarians with flavourful halloumi and mushroom breakfast bowls which can be accompanied by prosecco and signature cocktails like Aperol spritz as part of a bottomless brunch. With such generous portions and a welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere, Ben’s Canteen is a great spot for catching up with friends.
GAIL’s Bakery, Richmond and Clapham
Renowned for its unique freshly baked offerings, GAIL’s is a popular bakery chain with locations across the country. With an emphasis on high-quality baked goods, GAIL offers a decadent croque monsieur as a standout brunch option, with cinnamon buns and almond croissants making for a deliciously light meal. The barista-made coffee at GAIL’s is the perfect companion to any baked good, as are the freshly squeezed juices. GAIL’s offers consistently excellent brunch experiences and plenty of fresh, homemade pastries to choose from.
South West London has a stellar reputation to uphold for everything culture and cuisine-related, and the brunch options do their part with inimitable style. From the Mediterranean-inspired menu at Megan’s to The Breakfast Club’s diner-style charm, every venue in the area is unique, adding its own creative twist to this beloved meal.
