34 best brunches in London, selected by our editors with first-hand reviews

Best brunch for: Daytime parties
Dish to order: Robata black cod

Sushisamba is no regular brunch spot. Tucked on a panoramic rooftop in Covent Garden, the glamorous, often boozy restaurant has been serving Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian flavours in its part-jungle, part-golden dining room for almost seven years, and now, the tri-cultural coalition is launching a new set menu for its SAMBA Brunch events series. Our four-course bonanza kicks off with a refreshing caipirinha and selection of sharing nibbles, each a teasing snippet into the best of each cuisine, from doughy Brazilian pao de queijo (cheese bread), to the crunchy yellowtail taquitos representing both Japan and Peru. A choice of large plates follows with plenty to suit all tastes. The Peruvian potato hash topped by a fried egg scratches that breakfast itch, while the rock shrimp burger offers an exotic spin on a comfort classic, but my top recommendation is the black cod, a buttery, slow-grilled fillet with a sticky miso glaze.

No trip here would be complete without sushi either, and the third course comprises a generously sized platter of smoked salmon, spicy tuna, and shrimp tempura favourites. After three savoury courses, we are unsurprisingly stuffed, but there’s always room for pudding, particularly when there’s a gooey chocolate banana cake soaked in rich maple butter on the menu. But what really makes the SAMBA Brunch special is its energetic atmosphere – Covent Garden’s very own slice of the Amazon Rainforest is taken over by an electrifying spectacle of live DJs, snazzy saxophonists, and, of course, the eponymous samba, bringing a glimpse of Rio Carnival to the brunch table. Expect one big party of upbeat rhythms and feathery headdresses in between each course, where all diners are invited, if not encouraged, to take part in the cheery dances. The SAMBA Brunch takes place on the last Sunday of every month. Layla Quaedvlieg

Address: 35 The Market, London WC2E 8RF
Website: sushisamba.com