Ten London bars our editors book for Mother's Day brunch — civilised pours, no DJ, an honest mimosa list.
Mother's Day brunch in London is its own genre. Half the venues that pitch for it run a deafening DJ set and a £45 bottomless mimosa scheme; the other half quietly serve the best brunch in the room with no surcharge. Our editors only book the second category. These are the ten London bars our team takes our own mothers to.
The London brunch picks our editors actually use
The first six picks below are the editors' default — the rooms we send a friend to first when they ask. Each is followed by a recommendation we have ordered ourselves at least three times. Click any bar name to read the full review, signature drink notes, neighbourhood guide and how to book.
In Soho, Swift the irish coffee arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. Mother's Day brunch runs the regular menu with a small Mother's Day cocktail addition — no surcharge, no DJ. Editors' rating in our database: 4.8 of 5.
A Bar with Shapes for a Name (in Hackney) the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. the corner table is held back for family bookings and the staff bring an extra glass of sparkling on the house. Editors' rating in our database: 4.8 of 5.
At Tayer + Elementary in Old Street, the margarita arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. the corner table is held back for family bookings and the staff bring an extra glass of sparkling on the house. Editors' rating in our database: 4.8 of 5.
Happiness Forgets sits in Hoxton, and the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. Mother's Day brunch runs the regular menu with a small Mother's Day cocktail addition — no surcharge, no DJ. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Bar Termini sits in Soho, and the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. Mother's Day brunch runs the regular menu with a small Mother's Day cocktail addition — no surcharge, no DJ. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Three Sheets sits in Dalston, and the three sheets spritz is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. Mother's Day brunch runs the regular menu with a small Mother's Day cocktail addition — no surcharge, no DJ. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Order: Three Sheets Spritz
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These last four are the editors' deeper-cut picks. Smaller rooms, more specific energy. If the first six feel obvious to you — meaning you have already been — start here.
In Hackney, Scout the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the corner table is held back for family bookings and the staff bring an extra glass of sparkling on the house. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
At Oriole in Smithfield, the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. Mother's Day brunch runs the regular menu with a small Mother's Day cocktail addition — no surcharge, no DJ. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
At Seed Library in Shoreditch, the seedlip garden is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. the corner table is held back for family bookings and the staff bring an extra glass of sparkling on the house. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
At Bar Three in Soho, the three penny punch is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. Mother's Day brunch runs the regular menu with a small Mother's Day cocktail addition — no surcharge, no DJ. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
Order: Three Penny Punch
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Three Mother's Day rules. Book the 11am or 2pm slot — the noon-to-1pm window is loud. Skip the 'bottomless' offers; the picks on this list pour properly and the bill ends up the same. And ask the manager about a corner table when you book — most rooms on this list keep one back for family bookings.
Other seasonal London guidesFrom New Year's Eve to Halloween - every annual London occasion our editors cover, cross-linked.
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