As the year draws to a close, I’ve gathered my ten favourite neighbourhood brunch places around London. To me, neighbourhood brunch means eateries that feel like part of their community, where the menu is thoughtfully curated, and the atmosphere has that relaxed familiarity that makes you want to linger longer. These choices are listed in no particular order, though I have grouped cafés nearby to make the guide easier to navigate.
My Ten Favourite London Neighbourhood Brunch Spots In 2025
Boxcar in Connaught Village offers a peaceful retreat in central London, maintaining the charm of a quaint village near Marylebone. The matcha and blueberry pancakes were light, with earthy undertones and bursts of berry sweetness, while the Chantilly on the side added a gentle creaminess. On another visit, I also enjoyed the scrambled eggs with wild mushrooms and pecorino, which felt warm and comforting. The stylish yet low-key relaxed setting added to the exceptional experience.
Abraco in Finsbury Park offers hearty Turkish breakfast flavours. The Simit Breakfast included scrambled eggs, melted Kashkaval cheese, olives, feta, cucumber, and tomato, all served with a delicious sesame-crusted bagel. This café is situated on Blackstock Road, which has been named the coolest street in the world by Time Out. I used to live nearby and stopped by Abraco after visiting a community plant sale.
Fink’s at Clissold House, a historic building in Stoke Newington, is located within the charming Clissold Park. Their mushrooms on toast arrived on sourdough with a rich, earthy sauce and a subtle hint of chilli. Well-balanced and satisfying, it’s exactly the kind of dish that makes a leisurely morning in the park feel complete. The interiors are stunning so you’ll enjoy your visit.
Gecko Coffeehouse in Shoreditch offers a generous plant-based brunch. The Gecko breakfast was filling, with spiced sausages, harissa potatoes, beans, garlic oat yoghurt, chilli oil, and flatbread. The protein pancakes were soft and fluffy, topped with fruit, whipped oat cream, maple syrup, and a sprinkle of peanuts. It’s a lovely place to enjoy coffee and a plentiful vegan brunch in the centre of Shoreditch.
Franze and Evans in Shoreditch blends modern British and Italian influences in a relaxed deli café. Their French toast was a real highlight for me, featuring thickly sliced bread perfectly soaked, topped with banana, blueberries, and maple syrup. My partner enjoyed his vegetarian full breakfast. It’s popular with locals and creative types who work in the area.
Dudleys in Walthamstow is a highlight along Wood Street. Their French toast was nearly custard-soft, with matcha mascarpone, strawberry-lemon coulis, and fresh berries. It looked beautiful and tasted just as wonderful. The coffee was first-rate, and I loved everything from the interiors to the food and service. They also have a peaceful outside area at the back of the café.
Oscar’s in Ladywell serves vibrant and thoughtful dishes in a genuinely local setting. The tomatoes on toast are fresh and layered with heritage tomatoes, olives, basil, walnut pesto, feta, and red onion on crunchy sourdough. It’s a charming little brunch spot in the centre of leafy Ladywell, with a lovely garden at the back.
Liloo near Oval Station and Kennington offers a welcoming, modern atmosphere with a brunch menu inspired by flavours from around the world. The Full Veggie House included halloumi, smashed avocado, a poached egg, mushrooms, spicy bean relish, and a crispy potato rösti. They have a few tables outside for sunny days.
Vanilla Black in Kennington specialises in modern European café dishes, with many vegetarian options. The Veg House was wonderfully generous with avocado, talagani cheese, poached eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, harissa beans, and a lively tomato relish on sourdough. On another visit, I enjoyed the smashed avocado with lime and herbs, as well as the warm banana bread with yoghurt, ricotta, and Biscoff crumbs, which tasted indulgent without being overly sweet. This space doubles as a book shop, and there’s a courtyard at the back.
The Locals in Chelsea offers European-inspired healthy dishes in a calm, airy space. Their vegetarian breakfast was colourful and generous, featuring fried eggs, halloumi, avocado, mushrooms, tomatoes, and sourdough. I visited during the Chelsea Flower Show and met a friend there for brunch. It’s tucked away within a modern residential courtyard with outside seating.
Why These Neighbourhood Brunch Spots Stood Out
If you’re searching for the best neighbourhood brunch spots in London, these ten cafés each offer something memorable. From generous plant-based plates in Shoreditch to thoughtful Turkish-inspired brunch in Finsbury Park and fresh seasonal dishes in Ladywell, these eateries showcase the creativity and warmth found across the city. London offers endless brunch options, but these combine a relaxed neighbourhood vibe with delicious food and coffee. Enjoy!
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London.