London Brunch Guide: Where Locals Actually Go

London's most photographed brunch spots aren't always where Londoners actually eat on weekend mornings — here's the difference.

The Instagram Spots

Certain Shoreditch and Notting Hill cafes have built reputations primarily on photogenic plating — worth knowing they exist, but expect queues and premium prices for food that's good but not necessarily better than quieter alternatives nearby.

Where Locals Go

Neighbourhood cafes in Peckham, Walthamstow, and further-out Hackney streets serve equally good brunch with a fraction of the wait — look for places with a mixed local crowd rather than an exclusively young, camera-ready one.

Tips

• Arrive before 10am at popular spots — queues build fast after that.
• A five-minute walk away from the "famous" brunch street often finds equally good food with no wait.