Brunch is the weekend's most relaxed meal — the leisurely, late-morning collision of breakfast and lunch where you can order pancakes and a Bloody Mary and no one blinks. But the most popular brunch spots also come with the longest queues and a few unwritten rules. This guide covers what to order, when to go, what to drink, and how to do brunch right, whether you're heading out or hosting.
What brunch actually is
Brunch is exactly what the portmanteau suggests: a single meal, served late morning into the afternoon, that blends breakfast and lunch. Its real charm is freedom of choice — sweet or savoury, light or indulgent, coffee or a cocktail — eaten at an unhurried weekend pace. It's as much a social ritual as a meal: a reason to gather friends, linger over a long table, and ease into the day. That sociability is why it pairs so well with our group dining tips.
When to go (and beat the queue)
Brunch usually runs from around 10–11am until 2–3pm, peaking hard between noon and 1pm. If you want the shortest wait:
- Arrive at opening (10–11am) for a calm, empty room and the freshest kitchen.
- Or go after about 1:30pm, once the lunch rush thins out.
- Avoid 12–1pm at walk-in spots unless you enjoy queuing.
- Reserve where you can — the best weekend brunches book up. See our guide to making a reservation.
What to order: the brunch canon
Brunch menus revolve around a reliable set of classics. The savvy table move is to order one sweet and one savoury and share:
| Dish | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Eggs Benedict | Poached eggs, ham or salmon, hollandaise on a muffin | The classic indulgence |
| Avocado toast | Smashed avocado on good bread, often with egg or chilli | Lighter, fresh option |
| Pancakes / French toast | The sweet centrepiece, with syrup, fruit or cream | The sweet tooth |
| Shakshuka / omelette | Eggs baked in spiced tomato, or a folded omelette | Savoury and satisfying |
| Full breakfast plate | Eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, toast, the works | Big appetites |
| Smoked salmon & eggs | Scrambled eggs with salmon and bagel or toast | An elegant middle ground |
Watching what you eat? Many brunch dishes can be light — see our guide to eating out on a diet for the savoury, protein-led picks.
Brunch drinks & bottomless deals
Brunch is the one meal where a morning cocktail is celebrated rather than judged. The classics:
- Mimosa — sparkling wine and orange juice; the brunch default.
- Bellini — sparkling wine with peach purée.
- Bloody Mary — savoury, spiced and weirdly restorative.
- Aperol spritz — light, bitter and refreshing.
And the non-alcoholic backbone — great coffee, fresh juice and tea — is every bit as on-theme. If coffee is your priority, our coffee brewing methods and coffee types explained guides will sharpen your order.
Bottomless brunch deals offer free-flowing sparkling cocktails for a fixed time and price — fun in a group, but pace yourself, eat properly, and please drink responsibly.
Brunch etiquette
- Honour your reservation time and don't linger at a packed table long after you've finished when others are waiting — turnover is real at brunch.
- Splitting the bill is common; agree the approach early, especially with bottomless deals. Our group dining tips help.
- Tip as you would for any sit-down meal in your country — see how to tip at restaurants.
- Be patient with the kitchen at peak times; brunch rushes are intense.
Hosting brunch at home
Brunch is one of the easiest meals to host because so much can be prepped ahead. A baked egg dish like shakshuka or a frittata feeds a crowd from one pan, a stack of pancakes can be kept warm, and a spread of pastries, fruit, yoghurt and good coffee needs no cooking at all. Set out a build-your-own mimosa station and you've got a relaxed, generous spread. Our hosting guide and table setting guide apply just as well to a daytime table.
Frequently asked questions
What time is brunch served?
What are the classic brunch dishes to order?
Do you need a reservation for brunch?
What do you drink at brunch?
Mustafa Bilgic writes Arsenal Rest's guides to dining out and entertaining. Fact-checked against established culinary and public sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-13.
- Established references on brunch culture and café dining.
- General hospitality and food-service practice.
- Arsenal Rest editorial guidance. Please drink responsibly.