LONDON | Dalston may be known for its late-night party vibes and pop-up culture but the ongoing gentrification of the area has allowed their breakfast and brunch scene to flourish. Cafes, bars and even clubs are now feeding the hungover ravers and the die-hard foodies some of the best eggs benedict and smashed avocado dishes London has to offer. We’ve gone through all the pain and hard work of eating and drinking around the area to bring this ultimate brunch guide to you lovely readers. Enjoy.
Jones & Sons
If you’re up for a proper feast on the weekend then look no further than Jones & Sons. These guys are all about quality and quantity with their unlimited food and drink menu on weekends. This is a proper challenge. But there are quite a few rules to follow so do be sure to decide on your group tactics beforehand. You will only have 2 hours to eat as much food as possible and guzzle down all the prosecco your body can withstand and you are only able to order more food once everyone at the table has finished what’s on their plate. This means you need to be sharers. The faster eaters need not politely wait for their friends to finish. They should dive right in to help before ordering another round of mains. Last time when I was in with two friends, we managed to get through a staggering 12 sweet and savoury meals between us – so the bar has been set. Let us know if you can beat it!
Jones & Sons
2G Stamford Works
3 Gillett Street
London N16 8JH
United Kingdom
Café Route
Situated beneath The Dalston library is Café Route, a bustling Middle Eastern and European inspired café and deli. Expect fresh local produce every morning and afternoon with regulars spending the day noshing on homemade granola and daily specials while working on their computers as well as a busy weekend crowd going for their renowned Mediterranean Breakfast with mimosas and apreol spritzes. We recommend you indulge in their halloumi cheese filo pie served alongside fried eggs, chorizo, sautéed potatoes, mushrooms, and olives. The healthy deli-styled brunch menu is a massive win!
Cafe Route
Unit A, Gaumont Tower
Dalston Square
London E8 3BQ
United Kingdom
L’atelier
L’atelier is a humble and stripped back brunch spot that’s highly regarded by those in the know. Get a mountain of smashed avocado on toast with some of East London’s best coffee without spending a ridiculous amount of money. They don’t do the hip poached eggs due to their tiny kitchen and steady stream of customers but don’t be turned off by this. Their simple but perfectly curated daily brunch menu works perfectly with their ever-changing assortment of pastries, cakes, quiches and pies, making L’Atelier your ideal regular brunch spot.
L’atelier
31 Stoke Newington Road
London N16 8BJ
United Kingdom
Dalston Superstore
Dalston Superstore is an East London institution. The gay bar is notorious for late night raves, drag shows and eccentrically themed parties but has recently moved onto mastering the brunch life. You might be a bit turned off by the idea of grabbing some eggs benedict and smashed avo from a nightclub but this place transforms into a unique café/bar during the day with all memory of the night before cleaned away.
117 Kingsland High St, London E8 2PB; dalstonsuperstore.com
Dalston Superstore
117 Kingsland High Street
London E8 2PB
United Kingdom
Tina, We Salute You
Tina, We Salute You’s main shindig is located up in E20 but the smaller original manages to squeeze all their best bits into a compact, more central package. The brunch menu will cover all your faves, from some simple fresh fruit and granola to their fresh avocado on toast with poached eggs, lime and chilli. But what makes this space so special is the constantly evolving artwork displayed throughout the cafe. They bring in local and international artists to take over the walls, bathrooms and wherever else they can squeeze in an installation. These guys celebrate creativity in every form so head down for some good eats as well as something more cultural.
Tina, We Salute You (Dalston)
47 King Henry’s Walk
London N1 4NH
United Kingdom
Hash E8
Hash E8 (technically in Hackney, yes we know) is all about serving hearty food in a casual and lively environment. Get their signature hashes with beets and luscious pulled pork or some of the more classic brunch time dishes. You’ve got decent coffee, fresh smoothies and coconut water as well as a short list of infused cocktails. These guys are known for covering all bases. Whatever mood you’re in, from going hard on the booze and feasting on grease to relaxing and grazing all day long, these guys have you sorted.
Hash E8
170 Dalston Lane
London E8 1NG
United Kingdom
A Little Of What You Fancy
A Little of What You Fancy is pushing back against the gentrified brunch trend of having intricate dishes in trendy modern spaces by serving some traditional British food in their shabby chic café. The home-style cooking gives you all your classics without the fuss while their ever-changing additions will keep you coming back for something new. The crowd here isn’t dressed to impress but to simply enjoy a good meal with mates or on their own. It simple. It’s honest. It’s delicious. It’s a little bit of what you fancy.
A Little Of What You Fancy
464 Kingsland Road
London E8 4AE
United Kingdom
Ballie Ballerson
Ballie Ballerson’s weekend brunch offerings are a bit more left than centre than you may be used to. This ballpit bar boasts your typical bottomless brunch as well as a totally bizarre bottomless spaghetti meatballs feast within their LED lit upstairs bar. And once you get well merry, you’re able to head downstairs into their adults’ playground full of 200,000 glow in the dark balls. Dance along to some banging tunes, playfight or simply wade about this fluroscent pool of balls and drunk afternoon partiers.
Ballie Ballerson
79 Stoke Newington Road
London N16 8AD
United Kingdom
Reilly Rocket
Inspired by Melbourne’s iconic brunch culture, Reilly Rocket aim to bring Australia’s perfected poached eggs and amazing coffee to east London. And they certainly succeed. Cosy up on some of their pillows by the window and people watch all day long, gawking at the notorious Kingsland Road characters while digging into something from their seasonal menu.
Reilly Rocket
507 Kingsland Road
London E8 4AU
United Kingdom
Floyd’s
This highly popular restaurant has been booking out for months, creating mini masterpieces from simple seasonal produce every evening of the week. Floyd’s have since been open for brunch and lunch on Saturdays, dishing out superb eggs royale, Florentine and benedict dishes as well as an assortment of full English breakfasts. The food is damn good and the intimate space is exactly what you need when so many brunch places tend to be big, noisy and full of bustling people. Just head down Shacklewell Lane for a little retreat next time you’re out for some brunching.
Floyd’s
89 Shacklewell Lane
London E8 2EB
United Kingdom