These days it seems Islington’s food scene is so irresistible that locals and visitors simply can’t wait until standard lunch-time hours to tuck into its many cuisines.
Come the weekend, midday meals have fast-forwarded a few hours in recent years thanks to Islington’s coffee shop and brunch scene and we’re not complaining. Take one look at the plethora of brunch options available, from savoury to sweet, brunches without meat or dairy, and brunches without bottoms, and all of a sudden the usual lunch time slot seems a tad… 2015.
We’ve broken down some of our favourite brunch spots in Islington by the best dishes on offer. So whether you’re a sugar-coated pancake kind of bruncher or think yourself an eggs benedict connoisseur, get set…
For sweet-tooth brunchers…
Take one look at the super-fluffy buttermilk pancakes that exit Sunday’s kitchen at a rate of knots and you can see why Islington’s sweet-toothed brunch lovers flock here on more weekends than is probably healthy. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see people queuing for a seat at Sunday, which in our eyes, is always a good sign.
The menu here is fresh, indulgent and inventive with some classics thrown in for good measure.
Sugary highlights include; buttermilk waffles with vanilla cream cheese, stone fruit and almond brittle, and toasted coconut bread with poached plums and ricotta finished with a drizzle of sticky honey. Fancy a taste? We suggest arriving early doors for this brunch.
Average dish price: £8-12
Predominantly a chocolate shop offering cocoa-loaded, vegan sweet treats such as hot chocolate, peanut butter cups and rocky roads, Islington’s brunchers on the hunt for a sugar hit will be pleased to know Copperhouse Chocolate is also home to a cosy copper themed cafe.
Serving baked goods and chocolatey treats all made in-house, paired with delightfully rich hot chocolate and Monmouth coffee, this is a brunch spot designed for those with a serious sweet-tooth and coffee lovers in mind.
Head to Copperhouse Chocolate on a Friday between 3 and 4pm and you’ve arrived during chocolate happy hour where with every coffee purchased, customers can enjoy a free cookie or £1 slice of cake.
Average dish price: £5-7
Looking for other vegan hotspots? Check out some of our favourite vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Islington that we know hit the spot.
Savoury-style brunch
This rustic trattoria opened near Upper Street in 2017 with a mission to bring the flavours of southern Italy to Islington and that’s not excluding its brunch scene. For a delicious savoury brunch with a European twist that offers dishes a little different from the usual avocado on toast, Radici is the place to be.
With options such as ‘eggs purgatorio’ with nduja and roasted peppers, and pumpkin mash with roasted mushrooms and a choice of scrambled, fried or poached eggs, this is Islington’s brunch offering for those looking for the best bits combined with ingredients that surprise and delight.
The weekend brunch menu at Radici is available on Saturdays 11am – 14:30pm. They also offer a bottomless prosecco brunch option for £20 per person for two hours, or upgrade to Ferrari Trento for £35 per person.
Average dish price: £9-12
Having recently celebrated its 50th birthday, it’s safe to say Frederick’s knows a thing or two about serving a great brunch in Islington. This contemporary, homely restaurant has been a Saturday brunch favourite for locals for years, and it’s easy to see why with its classic menu offering all the traditional brunch favourites that we know and love.
Tuck into a bubbling plate of croque monsieur with Kessler ham, eggs royale with smoked salmon or bacon and cumberland sausage sandwich, and you’ve found yourself in savoury brunch heaven. Paired with a bucks fizz, bloody mary or fresh mint tea and you really can’t go wrong.
Average dish price: £6-10
For the Insta-bruncher
Take one look inside Sawyer & Gray and it’s clear to see this restaurant’s owners have put just as much effort into their interior design as they have their menus. Adorned with vintage-style reclaimed wood, farmhouse decor and plump, cosy cushions, Sawyer & Gray is asking for avid Instagrammers to come and have a field day here.
Come brunch o’clock and that’s exactly what happens. With a significant emphasis on the coffee poured in their Espresso Room, Sawyer & Gray take pride in their coffee beans sourced from likes of Origin, Small Batch Coffee and Climpson & Sons. Served alongside the likes of brioche french toast, homemade shakshuka and a scrumptious selection of cakes and tarts, this is a brunch in Islington worth trying out for yourself.
Average dish price: £5-9
Rather swap Sunday brunch for pub grub? Our ultimate guide to Islington’s best pubs ought to point you in the right direction. And if you’re in the drinking mood, we’ve got a blog on our favourite wine and cocktail bars in the area.
Or if you like the sound of Islington’s brunch scene, why not get in touch with one of our Camden & Tufnell Park estate agents to talk about the local area and its available properties – you have to live somewhere that serves good brunch, it’s the golden rule.
Looking for brunch in a different area? Check out our local guides:
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