A taste of London’s bottomless brunches

Taking daytime drinking to the limit, bars and restaurants have been offering Nando’s-style bottomless drinks: of prosecco, cocktails and, it was announced last week, craft beer. Some restaurants are even completing the circle by being ‘completely’ bottomless – where the food doesn’t end, either.It hasn’t all been good news, not least with the release of a report warning of the health risks of such indulgence. Perhaps there can be too much of a good thing; but what this shows is that, as for so much else in the capital, when it comes to excess London will always find an innovative way of doing it. Here’s our guide to London’s brunches.

The Good Egg Co (Stoke Newington)

This is slightly off-piste in that they don’t offer bottomless drinks; however, this should not detract from the fact their food is so good as to be worth a place in our list. The menu is not extensive, but the plates large enough to be good value and you won’t find ingredients more fresh this side of London.

Nearest station: Stoke Newington

Dishoom (Various: Shoreditch, King’s Cross, Carnaby, Covent Garden)

A personal highlight of UnderTheDoormat, Dishoom has grown and grown in recent years to incorporate four sites across the city (as well as one in Edinburgh). This reflects its immense popularity, serving a range of home-cooked breakfast items inspired by the cuisine of the sub-continent. Naan rolls, Bombay omelettes and lassi drinks provide a brilliantly flavourful way to start the weekend. Hot food from £5.50 and drinks from £3.90.

Flesh and Buns (Covent Garden)

‘Rowdy’ and ‘shameless’ were terms used by Guardian food critic Jay Rayner to describe this restaurant dedicated to buns (or bao) and ‘Japanese drinking food’. Not sure what that is? Go along to find out. Includes bottomless prosecco and wine, as well as a cocktail on arrival and unlimited hot and cold dishes. There really is no end: all for £46 per person.

Nearest tube: Covent Garden

Mommi (Clapham)

Offering an eccentric twist on the idea of food and drink, Mommi includes an artist-in-residence, as well as other cultural events including film screenings. Their ordinary menu is made up of a range of Peruvian-Japanese-inspired small and large plates, but their brunch is replete with hip dishes including avocado on toast, purple-potato pancakes and a range of salads. The prosecco flows freely for £15 a head.

Nearest stations: Clapham High Street, Clapham North

Drink, Shop & Do (King’s Cross)

Unlimited bloody marys and bagels; all in for £15. In terms of simplicity there isn’t a better option. There are also boardgames – so it’s the best Sunday, too. The café holds a number of events throughout the week, with each day bringing something new and unexpected – upcoming activities include building Lego robots, rum pong and calligraphy. Even if you’re not there for the brunch, it is definitely worth checking out.

Nearest tube: King’s Cross

All Star Lanes (Various: Brick Lane, Bayswater, Holborn, Stratford)

A new arrival to the bottomless brunch scene, All Star Lanes differs in that it is the craft beer that is flowing freely (apparently there isn’t enough craft beer around). £19 gets you unlimited pints, drawing from British and American brands. Opening date will be announced soon.