Three budget brunches near UCL
Emma Ippolito recommends her favourite brunch spots that won’t eat into your budget.
Londoners have officially moved on from sandwiches and scones in favour of smashed avocado on toast and stacks of syrup-infused pancakes. Although we are spoilt for choice, it is hard for us students to find brunches that are both tasty AND affordable. So whether you’re brand new to the city or you’re fully acquainted with the trauma of tube rush hour, here’s my round-up of the three best budget brunches in London that are worth reading about – and definitely worth skipping a lecture for.
Photography by Isabella Tjalve
Just a short walk from UCL, Half Cup is a little gem in the midst of this bustling area. The cosy interior means that sometimes you have to queue to get a table, but I promise that it’s worth the wait. From the moment you step inside you’ll be captivated by the impressive wall art: huge flowers and hummingbirds in various shades of violet, orange and turquoise cover the entire space, a beautifully unique feature of Half Cup.
Photography by Emma Ippolito
The menu offers a variety of dishes, from the traditional and vegetarian Full English (£10.50) to the Smoked Salmon & Beets Bagel (£7), as well as healthy options such as the Coconut Muesli (£6.50). Spot the glass bottles and paper straws at each table - Half Cup is committed to serving customers in an eco-friendly way. The overall atmosphere is rustic and inviting, with a touch of bohemian-chic. Half Cup is guaranteed to make your stomach, bank account, and Instagram story very happy indeed.
Photography by Emma Ippolito
You’re likely to have passed a Bill’s at some point when wandering around London, as this successful chain boasts 19 locations around the capital. Start your morning off well by going to Bill’s Baker Street, the nearest one to UCL, so that you can enjoy brunch and then head on to your 1pm lecture just two tube stops away. This café is really spacious, so no matter what hour of the day you’re guaranteed to find a table.
Photography by Emma Ippolito
What stands out the most at Bill’s Baker Street is the wonderful décor: newly refurbished and packed full of colour, everywhere you look there are sights to be taken in. With multiple mirrors, plants big and small, and framed pictures of various exotic birds, this too is an Instagram-worthy destination. A must-try are their Buttermilk pancakes: a whopping 5 stack with bananas, strawberries, blueberries and a side of syrup comes at just £8.95. Such delicious deals are hard to come by, so why wait?
Photography by Isabella Tjalve
Photography by Isabella Tjalve
Looking for brunch with a twist? Dishoom has got you covered. Located in Granary Square just behind King’s Cross, this sensational Indian restaurant has become the talk of the town. When you step inside you feel as though you have travelled back in time: you are in fact in a restored Victorian building, originally built in 1850 as a warehouse to store goods passing between Britain and the Empire. The vintage décor is a nod to its history: look out for anti-colonial graffiti at the back of the restaurant, such as ‘Simon Go Back’, urging the British Simon Commission of 1928 to leave India.
Photography by Isabella Tjalve
Photography by Isabella Tjalve
The incredible atmosphere is paired with incredible food. You’ll find several cooked breakfast options: Kejriwal (a delicious combination of two fried eggs on chilli cheese toast) at only £6.90, whilst Akuri (scrambled eggs packed with flavour alongside home-made buns and a grilled tomato) is just £7.20. For the sweet-toothed, go for the triple stack of Appam pancakes, topped with creamy shrikhand, berries and syrup for as little as £7.90. When you want to spice up your brunch plans, Dishoom is your destination.