Best Christmas brunch London: 15 festive spots to brunch with friends

In the words of legendary pop songstress Mariah Carey - 'all I want for Christmas is brunch.' Okay, fine, we might have mangled that a little bit, but if a young Mariah was living in London circa 2023, that's probably how the song would have ended up. Weekend brunch in London has become a city-wide institution. Every Saturday and Sunday, thousands of Londoners descend upon neighbourhoods from Shoreditch to Mayfair and everywhere in between to chow down on smashed avocado and stacks of buttermilk pancakes lashed with maple syrup. 

Weekend brunch is a time for celebrating - another work week is consigned to the annals of time, and lie-ins, Prosecco and the Sunday hangover await. Surely there’s no better time for celebrating than Christmas, so it makes sense that the keenest of the capital’s brunchers don’t want to break their weekend tradition during the festive season.

If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a festive brunch, our guide to the best Christmas brunch in London offers plenty of festive inspiration. Some of the restaurants featured are as sparkly as a cracker on the table just waiting to be pulled, while others have actually gone the extra mile and are hosting dedicated Christmas brunch events (we’re talking cringe worthy jumpers galore). You’ll even find a bottomless Christmas brunch or two, that are guaranteed to have you feeling merry by the end of your allotted 90 minutes.

By the way - if you’re in charge of planning the office Christmas do this year or the annual festive reunion of your friend group, planning a recovery brunch for the day after your party is also a good idea. The likes of eggs any style and superfood smoothies are sure to cure any sore heads and dodgy stomachs.

So, whether you’re sorting Christmas brunch for you and your mates, the whole office or as a festive-themed date idea, there are plenty of options to choose from, spanning a range of styles and budgets. Just remember to be on your best behaviour - we’d hate for you to end up on the naughty list.

The best Christmas brunch in London

From themed Christmas brunches to just a jolly good festive time with your pals, these are our picks of the best Christmas brunches in London.

Gallio, Canary Wharf

What: A festive brunch with a sunny, Mediterranean twist. At Gallio you can enjoy a two course feast, alongside a glass of prosecco or mimosa on arrival, and delve into the flavours of the Mediterranean - if you’re not quite ready to embrace this wintery season just yet. Choose between Turkish eggs, Greek doughnuts or tiramisu overnight oats, as part of your first course, with a variety of flatbreads for your second course. Whether you’re wanting those classic brunch flavours of avocado, egg and feta or whether you’re wanting to spice things up with harissa chickpeas and garlic yoghurt or a smokey tomato and pepper shakshuka. 
Where: The Atrium Kitchen, E14 4QT
Book now: Gallio

Farmacy, Notting Hill

What: To cleanse your soul of the previous evening’s sins, make your way to the plant-based Farmacy restaurant where everything is green and good for you. Kickstart the recovery process with a shot of ginger blended with cayenne and turmeric, before moving on to the virtuous likes of a creamy beetroot hummus and roasted vegetables, acai berry bowls, fluffy buckwheat pancakes and a chickpea waffle with aubergine sambal – all the fun of hangover binge-eating, just without the meat. This is the ideal way to cleanse before you get right bback into the roast dinners and buffet meals inevitably coming your way. 
Where: 74-76 Westbourne Grove, W2 5SH
Book now: Farmacy

The Otherist, Liverpool Street

What: Drake & Morgan’s popular West End Drag brunch is a raucous affair filled with death drops, dancing and a series of fierce performances. Held at The Otherist just a short walk from Liverpool Street station, guests are entertained by performances from West End queens and a special guest announced on the night, all while tucking into a two-course brunch with a welcome drink on arrival. Shows run throughout Autumn on Saturdays and Sundays, but it’s hosting a Christmas Special on 17 December, so keep your eyes peeled for more info on that .
Where: 111 Old Broad Street, EC2N 1AP
Book now: The Otherist

The Wolseley, St James's

What: The Wolseley does breakfast rather than brunch, but so what? We can't think of many better places to enjoy a late morning Christmas breakfast (otherwise known as brunch). Get stuck into quality Viennoiserie, cooked breakfasts, or just order some toast and jam and enjoy your time in this beautiful London institution bedecked in its Christmas finery.
Where: 160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB 
Book now: The Wolseley

Dean Street Townhouse, Soho

What: One of the comfiest dining rooms in the capital, Dean Street Townhouse is a perennially popular Soho restaurant. Brunch here is served on Saturday and Sunday, with choices ranging from classic options (think eggs Benedict and full English) right through to more substantial dishes, such as haddock and chips with mushy peas and tartare sauce or ribeye steaks accompanied by thick-cut chips and lashings of béarnaise sauce. The cosy soft furnishings make it feel festive, as does the green and red colour scheme. 
Where: 69-71 Dean Street, W1D 3SE
Book now: Dean Street Townhouse

Korean Dinner Party, Soho

What: Inspired by LA’s Koreatown, Korean Dinner Party brings kitsch cocktails, sake, Korean hip-hip and some east-meets-west fusion cooking to Soho. It's serving up two cracking menus this year, either Chimaek for £32 per person or Seoulful for £42 per person, which include a wealth of fun Korean party food and booze. The Seoulful for example, includes a fizz cocktail and a three-course menu featuring fried chicken, kimchi pancakes and Bo Ssam pork shoulder.
Where: Kingly Court, W1B 5PW
Book now: Korean Dinner Party

Duck & Waffle, City

What: Open 24/7 and 40 floors above the city’s streets, Duck & Waffle is an ideal spot for special occasion dining, but is still casual enough to not feel pretentious or stuffy. Brunch here is served on both days of the weekend, with the offering featuring bacon-wrapped dates, eggs any style and Belgian waffles topped with caramelised banana. If you’re visiting for the first time, the restaurant’s eponymous dish is a must-try. Come Christmas, the pretty decorations give this place a little bit of seasonal sparkle. 
Where: 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY
Book now: Duck & Waffle

34 Mayfair, Mayfair 

What: The Christmas decorations at 34 Mayfair are a treat to behold every year, with previous installations seeing the hotel covered in over 14,000 baubles. It adds a touch of festive flare to the weekend brunch offering here each year, which features dishes like eggs benedict with ham and truffle hollandaise, lobster and shrimp rolls with chipotle and lime mayo, and a toasted waffle sandwich with caramelised bananas and peanut butter.
Where: 34 Grosvenor Square, W1K 2HD 
Book now: 34 Mayfair

Dishoom, King's Cross

What: London’s foremost Indian chain has a smattering of sites across the capital, but the King's Cross location has the cosiest feel. The breakfast/brunch menu here is full of the kind of ‘dirty good’ dishes that you find yourself craving after one too many drinks the night before, including the now legendary bacon-stuffed naan finished off with cream cheese and chilli tomato jam, and a rather festive chai egg nog.
Where: 5 Stable Street, N1C 4AB
Book now: Dishoom King's Cross

The best Christmas bottomless brunch in London

Christmas is the season to party with your pals, and what better way than to get boozing? Most festive bottomless brunches offer free-flowing fizz or cocktails for at least an hour, along with some tasty food into the bargain.  

Park Restaurant, Bayswater

What: Fancy going bottomless on Christmas day? Park Restaurant is offering a festive brunch with a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne on arrival, topped off with free-flowing wine and live music from a soulful jazz trio. This one’s scheduled for the day itself, with bookings available on 25 December between 1pm and 4pm. Indulge in a hot breakfast buffet, followed by sushi, seafood and salad, as well as plenty of traditional festive fare.
Where: Lancaster Terrace, W2 2TY
Book now: Park Restaurant

London Bridge Rooftop, London Bridge

What: An outdoor bar might not be your first thought of location this winter, but with excellent views and live music each weekend, London Bridge Rooftop’s winter bottomless brunch could be the perfect spot for your festive celebrations. You’ve got your classic bottomless brunch tipples including prosecco and mimosas, but this menu is guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit with all you can drink winter punch and mulled wine. The best part – you don’t need to worry about braving the elements as the rooftop is fully covered and heated. So you’ll be perfectly toasty as you tuck into the famous Winter Brunch Puds - a huge Yorkshire pudding stuffed full of turkey, roast potatoes, veg and gravy. 
Where: Colechurch House, SE1 2SX
Book now: London Bridge Rooftop

Bar Elba, Waterloo

What: With Mrs Claus on the decks and St Nick on the mic, last year saw Bar Elba host a truly raucous event with its Bad Santa bottomless brunch. There was a saucy setlist, plenty of games and two hours of bottomless cocktail jugs on offer, as well as a menu that featured Coronation chicken skewers, pigs in blankets with honey mustard sauce, and molten mac ‘n’ cheese nuggets. We imagine there will be something just as extravagant on the menu this year.
Where: 109-117 Waterloo Road, SE1 8UL
Book now: Bar Elba

Daisy Green, Marylebone

What: This intimate café is one of the smallest from the Daisy Green Collection, who have lovely Aussie all-day diners all over London these days. It's famous for its beautiful brunch dishes and this Christmas is serving a wealth of festive menus where guests can indulge in the likes of honey glazed figs with winter spices, burrata, toasted almonds and Riesling reduction, or butternut squash and sage gnocchi with sage burnt butter, pecorino romano and crispy roasted pumpkin seeds. Guests also receive a welcome Christmas cocktail or festive fizz on arrival.
Where: 20 Seymour Street, W1H 7HX 
Book now: Daisy Green

Double Standard at The Standard, King's Cross

What: Every Sunday, Double Standard at The Standard hotel serves a boozy brunch featuring a select menu of tasty dishes: buttermilk chicken waffles with crispy bacon, maple syrup and chicken fat butter, for example. The ground-floor bar normally gets a lovely seasonal makeover as well so keep an eye out for that as you enjoy a little festive feast, and bottomless drinks if you choose, with unlimited Mimosas or festive fizz for two hours.
Where: 10 Argyle Street, WC1H 8EG
Book now: Double Standard at The Standard

Crust Bros, Waterloo

What: Pizza counts as brunch right? Introducing their new Christmas menu, Crust Bros have two festive inspired pizzas launching that will be the star of a bottomless brunch event taking place on Saturday 9 December. For one day only enjoy bottomless prosecco or beer alongside one of these two pizzas. Enjoy the Double Carbs at Xmas, topped with Italian sausage, shaved provolone and purple potato creme, or the Hot Cheeseboard pizza, topped with parmesan, gorgonzola, pear, walnut and scotch bonnet chilli. The Christmas tunes will be playing and you're actively encouraged to get your best Christmas gear on - with prizes for the best festive fit. 
Where: 113 Waterloo Road, SE1 8UL
Book now: Crust Bros

If you’re the kind of person who thinks brunch without booze is just a sad, late breakfast, check out our pick of London’s best bottomless brunches.