In Knightsbridge, brunch is a far more glamorous affair than a humble late breakfast – it’s a vibrant social event that might just be the weekend’s main attraction. Not long ago, the word ‘brunch’ denoted that time in the day where it’s too late for some cornflakes but too early for a proper lunch. Today, ‘going for brunch’ suggests something far more substantial than filling up on some elevenses – especially in Knightsbridge. In this high-end London district, brunch ranges anywhere from a Sunday morning eggs benedict with a golden cup of specialty coffee, to an all-out fine dining experience fuelled by free-flowing champagne and cocktails.
Brunch in Knightsbridge
Whether you’re craving a hearty family-friendly brunch that’ll keep the kids happy, or that well-needed bottomless bubbles experience, here are the best brunch spots in Knightsbridge .
The Aubrey
A weekend brunch at The Aubrey isn’t brunch as you know it. Nestled in the grand Mandarin Oriental hotel, this Japanese-style izakaya delivers a seriously extravagant brunch menu, with dishes of lobster scrambled eggs, daikon & ponzu oysters and aristocrat beluga caviar. If you feel that a midday brunch is a little too early in the day for something as sumptuous as caviar, you may prefer the more familiar brunch options on the menu, such as the yuzu-infused Tokyo eggs royale and sweet matcha french toast. It’s hard to say no to a drink in this dark-wood, chic izakaya, which serves beautiful brunch-appropriate cocktails like classic bloody marys and espresso martinis.
The Fifth Floor Café (Harvey Nichols)
Luxury department stores like Harrods and Harvey Nichols are usually the main attraction in Knightsbridge, but there’s more to do there than shop. On the rooftop of Harvey Nichols is the bright and airy Fifth Floor Café, which delivers an excellent weekend brunch that’s suitable for both family dining and casual drinking. The menu is traditionally British, with breakfast options like oozing poached eggs, apple crumble pastries and simple smoked salmon – all of which pair perfectly with the bar’s orange juice mimosas and prosecco peach bellinis.
If you plan to brunch at the Fifth Floor Café later in the day, you can sink into a hearty roast beef dinner with all of the trimmings, or some classic British fish and chips. This Knightsbridge restaurant has a lovely terrace for some alfresco dining in the spring and summer months.
Co.
Quite possibly the loveliest little hidden gem in Knightsbridge, Co. is a concept café and boutique that delivers a health-conscious brunch experience. Tucked away on charming Park Close, the menu at Co. is filled with colourful, nutrient-packed breakfast and brunch dishes, including spiced prune porridge, gooey poached egg florentine, and a 12-hour chicken and miso noodle broth.
You won’t find any prosecco bellinis here, but you will find some expertly crafted single-origin coffee with impressive microfoam art. The atmosphere inside this boutique café is ambient and relaxing: expect crisp white walls, teal fixtures and quirky shelves lined with verdant, well-tended indoor plants.
Sette
For three hours every Saturday and Sunday, Knightsbridge Italian restaurant Sette brings a decadent slice of New York fun to the capital with its larger-than-life New York Brunch. Located in the five-star Bulgari hotel, Sette brings a mix of authentic New York favourites, such as bagel stacks and fluffy pancakes, alongside a selection of niche Italian pastas like the famous short rib and bone marrow agnolotti. In true American fashion, the portion sizes are generous, but if you do have any space left after the main course, the New York cheesecake is well worth a try.
Live music, free-flowing Dom Perignon and all-round glamorous interiors make brunch at Sette an out out affair that’s worth dressing up for.
Harry’s Dolce Vita
Brunch at Harry’s really does deliver a slice of the dolce vita (the sweet life). This Knightsbridge restaurant is right opposite Harrods and is the perfect place to kick off your weekend in style. The menu comes with all of the brunch essentials (egg benedicts and waffles, no less), but with an Italian high society spin. The crab egg benedict for instance is served on soft white crab flesh, and there’s an indulgent seafood platter replete with lobster tail and squid for those who want to get the most out of weekend dining.
The atmosphere inside this Knightsbridge restaurant is relaxed yet lively with chatter, making it a great place to meet with friends or dine with family. The outdoor Parisian seating is also the perfect location to watch the ebb and flow of Knightsbridge’s vibrant streets as you savour a late morning coffee.
Serpentine Bar & Kitchen
Adjacent to Knightsbridge is the gorgeous Hyde Park, offering a welcomed breath of fresh air and lush greenery to the dense, built-up city. If you’re looking for a brunch spot around Knightsbridge that isn’t in a five-star hotel, department store or historic building, the laid-back Serpentine Bar & Kitchen in Hyde Park will not disappoint.
Here you can enjoy a traditional English breakfast complete with cumberland sausages and baked beans, or a softly stewed tomato shakshuka with sourdough. Hot coffees at the Serpentine are lovely on winter mornings, and the cold fresh juices go down wonderfully on those warmer summer days. The outdoor seating area is particularly romantic and child-friendly. Some of the picnic benches are beneath lovely weeping willow branches, and there are dozens of gorgeous white swans paddling on the lake.
Final Take
Knightsbridge is one of London’s most chic neighbourhoods, and the brunches in the area are evidently the most opulent in the city. From the beluga caviar at The Aubrey to the free-flowing Dom Perignon served at Sette, brunching in this London district is often an occasion that necessitates your best outfit (and credit card). Although casual family-friendly options are sparse, the beauty of venues like the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen easily make up for it.
