Where to get the best brunch in London

Thanks to the fact that I’m from Melbourne, I’m a complete brunch snob. I truly believe nothing can beat or recreate my hometown’s café culture*.

So when friends from Melbourne visit London and want to know where to go for brunch, the pressure is on to recommend something that’ll meet their high expectations. And without fail, my answer is always the same: ‘Go to Dishoom and get and bacon and egg naan roll.’

Why? Because Dishoom is an institution in London and its breakfast naans are the stuff of legends. As far as I’m concerned, no London itinerary is complete without brunch at Dishoom.

About Dishoom

In its own words, Dishoom pays loving homage to the Irani cafés that were once part of the fabric of life in Bombay. In my words, that means their food is a delicious blend the Iranian and Indian cultures you probably haven’t experienced before.

But it’s not just the unique food I love about Dishoom – it’s the atmosphere. Each of Dishoom’s restaurants (yes it is a chain, but don’t let that put you off) is elegantly kitted out to transport you back to Bombay in the 60s.

When you head to Dishoom (notice I say when, not if!), these are my favourites from the brunch menu:

Dishoom’s top 5 best breakfast dishes

Any of the naan rolls: my favourite is bacon and egg, but they also have bacon, sausage, sausage and egg, and egg for veggies.
House chai: made in the traditional way, you won’t find a better chai in London.
Kejriwal: fried eggs on chilli toast – it’s divine.
House granola: I eat a lot of granola, and this is one of the best I’ve had. Perfect paired with one of the naans (but be warned, you won’t be hungry again that day!).
Fire toast: simple, delicious, and great for those on a budget.

Top tip: Get there early! As with all the best cafes in London, you can’t book for Dishoom, so I recommend getting there at 9am if you’re going on a weekend, as every location fills up quickly. But I can promise you it’s worth it.