It’s no secret that weekend brunch is a city-wide ritual for Londoners. Every Saturday, thousands flock to their closest coffee corner for a dose of avocado on sourdough and a pint-sized oat milk latte. Come Sunday, the order of the day is buttermilk pancakes and orange juice, often ordered in an attempt to stave off the ill effects of the night before. 

While brunch comes in many forms, it — like everything in the world of food — is spruced up for the festive season. If every evening of your December diary is already filled, opt for a breakfast date with friends instead, and celebrate the season with delicious food while having a good catch-up. Here are some of our favourite festive brunches in London. 

Crust Bros, Waterloo

Images: Beca Jones

This Christmas, Crust Bros – the award-winning Neapolitan pizza restaurant in Waterloo – has reimagined classic Italian fare for its festive brunch on 9 December. The menu will include the Double Carbs at Christmas pizza, combining mozzarella, Italian sausage and shaved provolone with a vibrant purple potato creme, in a colourful ode to the roast potato. The second festive pizza is the Hot Cheeseboard pizza – inspired by the Christmas cheese board – with mozzarella, parmesan, Gorgonzola, walnut and Scotch Bonnet chilli. 

To finish, there will be a twist on a Crust Bros classic: the Panettimisu. Combining Crust Bros’ executive chef Davide Parato’s famous tiramisu with the fruity flavours of panettone, this is a new Italian Christmas staple. Wash it all down with a chocolate negroni, spiced Aperol spritz, or bottomless prosecco or beer. Bottomless brunchers are encouraged to adorn their best Christmas attire to be in with a chance of winning a £50 Crust Bros voucher, with £35 for the runner-up. 

113 Waterloo Road, SE1 8UL, visit crustbros.co.uk

The Table, Battersea and Southwark

Having opened its Battersea outpost earlier this year, modern caff The Table will be catering a festive offering from 27 November for all south Londoners to enjoy. Available for groups of eight or more and from £25 per person, the festive brunch menu kicks off with starters of smoked salmon blinis, chestnut falafel with cranberry sauce, or free-range pigs in blankets. For the main event, choose from a sleigh full of delicious dishes such as fried buttermilk turkey breast pancakes with maple cured bacon, the festive full English or the roast turkey, chestnut and sage burger. Perfectly accompanied by The Table’s carefully curated cocktail menu, including all the classics alongside some limited edition festive specials, this will be a brunch to remember. 

Visit thetablecafe.com

100 Wardour St, Soho

A surefire way to get in the festive spirit this year is by booking a table at 100 Wardour St for a lively Christmas meal. Available from 12-3pm from 5 December, 100 Wardour Street’s Live Music series will be showcasing some of the UK’s finest vocalists in the heart of Soho, alongside a three-course menu. For £40pp, start with a glass of bubbles before tucking into plates of roasted whole camembert with rosemary sourdough and braised beef cheeks with roasted garlic mashed potato before finishing with apple and raspberry crumble with raspberry sorbet. 

100 Wardour Street, W1F 0TL, visit 100wardourst.com

34 Mayfair, Mayfair

Image: Johnny Stephens Photography

34 Mayfair has transformed into a winter wonderland in time for Christmas in partnership with English sparkling wine producer, Nyetimber. Its famous brunch offering on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-4pm, now served with Nyetimber’s classic cuvee or blanc de blancs, offers diners a decadent festive experience, beginning with the likes of woodland chestnut soup, the 34 Caesar salad or crispy duck with charred pineapple and spiced cashews. Mains include brunch classics of Argyll smoked salmon with scrambled eggs, toasted waffle sandwich with caramelised bananas and peanut butter, and two signature eggs benedicts, alongside more adventurous options of crispy beef tartare taco with truffled miso and ponzu, and a lobster and shrimp roll slathered in lime mayo. 

34 Grosvenor Square, South Audley Street, W1K 2HD, visit 34-restaurant.co.uk

The Anthologist, Moorgate

Putting a unique but uplifting spin on brunch, The Anthologist will be hosting the Rowe Talent Collective Gospel Choir for an all-singing, all-dancing Christmas event on 10 and 30 December. Featuring Motown songs we know and love (think Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and Beyonce), as well as festive tunes, dig into a two-course menu including fried chicken waffles, classic fish and chips and steaks for £44.95 per person. Upgrade to bottomless cocktails, including Aperol spritz, Bloody Marys, mimosas and passion fruit martinis, for an additional £25. 

58 Gresham Street, EC2V 7BB, visit shop.drakeandmorgan.co.uk

Read more: The best winter bars and terraces in London