Lantana- Fitzrovia, London

13 Charlotte Place, London, W1T 1SN
http://www.lantanacafe.co.uk/

Lantana is a lively little café tucked away down Charlotte Place, just off Goodge Street. The interior is light and bright, the focal point a beautiful sketch of an Australian lantana flowering plant which expands across the entire rear wall. An Australian feel is further represented in this space with its laid back environment, simple but delicious menu and focus on fantastic coffee. Choices on the brunch menu include 'toasted banana bread with spiced mascarpone and fresh passionfruit' (divine!) and 'Scottish smoked salmon with dill pancakes, horseradish crème fraiche and rocket, spring onion and caper salad.' You might have to queue but it will be worth it.

 

Caravan Restaurant & Bar- Farringdon, London

11-13 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QD
restaurant@caravanonexmouth.co.uk

Caravan Restaurant & Bar is Farringdon's answer to a perfect weekend brunch; the atmosphere is relaxed, the décor modest but stylish and the menu is fantastic. If choosing becomes an issue, the cornbread French toast, bacon, rocket & avocado is amazing.  Try a delicious pre-prosecco flat white from the 12-kilo coffee roaster that was installed in the basement- which makes a feature of the downstairs space available for private hire while creating a wonderful aroma around the whole restaurant. Weather permitting, it’s lovely to get a table on the pavement outside as this restaurant sits at the leafy end of Exmouth market. In addition, the all day menu is known for being particularly inventive and given the buzzing and packed interior every evening I pass, it’s only a matter of time until I’m back to try it for dinner.

Dolly's, Selridges- Oxford Street, London

400 Oxford Street, London, W1A 1AB
Menu

Bypass the generic café chains on Oxford Street and head to the basement of Selfridges for a special coffee break. With its divine selection of cakes and pastries and impressive surroundings- shelves stacked with luxury products and never-ending overhead escalators- you’ll be tempted to sit for hours and watch the world rush by.

Workshop Coffee Co. - Clerkenwell, London

27 Clerkenwell Road, EC1M 5RN
 http://www.workshopcoffee.com/

Formally known as St. Ali, this lovely brunch spot epitomises what Saturday mornings should be all about…good food and delicious coffee in relaxed & stylish surroundings.

On the menu are the usual brunch suspects but with a twist; the corn fritters, baby spinach, grilled halloumi and kasundi (a spicy chutney) with poached eggs was delicious. On my next visit -which will be soon- I’ll be sampling the baked eggs, roast pepper, chorizo, saffron and feta dish. Fresh, home roasted coffee is a big emphasis here so remember to order your cappuccino or flat white.

Split over two floors, the exposed brick work and overhead piping give a rough edge to an overall very comfortable and homely space. The most unique element of the interior is the back wall on the ground floor covered from head to toe in lush greenery- this is a piece of art in itself.  

The Modern Pantry- Clerkenwell, London

47- 48 St. John's Square, London, EC1V
http://www.themodernpantry.co.uk/

I went to the Modern Pantry for lunch to celebrate a special occasion. Exceeding all expectations, it was the perfect choice.  The upstairs restaurant is a bright and elegant room…black framed pictures against very light pistachio walls, crisp white table cloths, jars of lilac blooms and pots of fuschia-coloured flowers lining the outside window-sills. Our monkfish and beetroot salad mains were exceptional…even the olives and bread selection to start were a cut above the rest.  A glimpse of the downstairs pantry on my way out confirmed I will be back for afternoon tea or brunch. This ground-floor space is more relaxed and yet the white washed brick walls, low hanging copper lights and enormous floor to ceiling window make it an equally impressive interior.