The Best Cafés for Breakfast and Brunch in Knightsbridge

Serpentine Bar & Kitchen in Hyde Park, London, comes with lovely views
Serpentine Bar & Kitchen in Hyde Park, London, comes with lovely views | © Greg Balfour Evans / Alamy Stock Photo
Anna Koutras

Whether you plan on spending the day in Harrods or Hyde Park, the high-end neighbourhood of Knightsbridge has plenty to offer on the breakfast front. Kick-start your day with eggs and smoked salmon in a world-famous hotel, a caffeine fix in one of the area’s five-star cafés or a mimosa or two on a Knightsbridge rooftop.

Loved by over 40s

Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor

Cafe, Restaurant, British

Fifth Floor Champagne Bar, Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, London
© Cath Harries / Alamy Stock Photo

Start your day in style with a decadent breakfast on the top floor of world-renowned department store Harvey Nichols. Feast on eggs royale, melted cheese brioche toasties and buttermilk pancakes while you quench your thirst with an energy-boosting green juice and gaze out over the Knightsbridge rooftops. Heading down on the weekend? The breakfast cocktails come highly recommended, especially the house mimosa, made with Harvey Nichols’s own champagne. The outdoor terrace is a perfect al fresco brunching spot come summer.

Mandarin Oriental

Hotel Restaurant, British

Outside the Mandarin Oriental
© Ferenz / Alamy Stock Photo

For the ultimate in brunching chic, head to the Mandarin Oriental, a stone’s throw from Knightsbridge tube station, for an unforgettable breakfast experience. Definitely one for a special occasion, dine on smoked haddock and poached eggs, french toast with almond and honey butter or a top-quality English breakfast. Healthier options include cashew and oat pancakes and corn and lime fritters as well as an impressive selection of some of the world’s rarest teas, giving your morning brew the Knightsbridge treatment.

Ladurée at Harrods

Cafe, French, British

Laduree shop in Harrods department store in London
© A. Astes / Alamy Stock Photo

Ladurée, the famous Parisian creators of the pastel-hued macaron, has four shops dotted across the capital, but its outpost in Harrods is the biggest and serves up an indulgent weekend brunch. The menu is made for those with a sweet tooth, featuring everything from scrambled eggs on toasted brioche to warm french toast, Ladurée granola and macarons. Just be sure to book well in advance as the café is, unsurprisingly, a popular spot.

The Brompton Cafe and Bookshop

Cafe, British

Tucked away in the crypt of a historic church, this charming café is an ideal spot to escape the hustle and bustle of Brompton Road. Order a flat white and settle in with a homemade pastry while you peruse the menu – the smashed avocado with feta, chilli and pine nuts on wood-fired sourdough is a must-try while the homemade bircher muesli, which comes laden with Greek yoghurt and fresh fruit, is a virtuous start to the day.

The Berkeley

Spa Hotel

5 star Berkeley Hotel, Knightsbridge, London
© Jeffrey Blackler / Alamy Stock Photo

Opposite the lush expanse of Hyde Park and a short stroll from the museums on Exhibition Road, The Berkeley is a perfect place to start a day of sightseeing. Served in the recently renovated Collins Room, breakfast is a gourmet affair with something for all taste buds. Hero dishes include the crab frittata, served with melted cheese in a milk bun, and made-to-order American pancakes drizzled with maple syrup, while plant-based options include quinoa porridge, scrambled tofu and fruit-rich chia seed pudding.

Céleste at The Lanesborough

Hotel Restaurant, British

Inside the Lanesborough hotel on Hyde Park corner
© giuseppe masci / Alamy Stock Photo

With Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace on its doorstep, The Lanesborough occupies a prime position in the heart of Knightsbridge, and its Michelin-star restaurant, Céleste, is equally impressive. The richly decorated dining room, naturally lit by a domed glass roof, is a perfect setting for a special occasion, and the extensive menu caters for all appetites. From freshly baked bread baskets and smoked salmon blinis to smoked kippers and truffle scrambled eggs, Céleste is every inch the Michelin-star dining experience.

Serpentine Bar & Kitchen

Bar, Restaurant, British

The Serpentine Bar & Kitchen on the edge of the Serpentine in Hyde Park, London.
© Alex Segre / Alamy Stock Photo
Escape the hustle and bustle of Knightsbridge and enjoy the serenity of Hyde Park. Wander on over to Patrick Gwynne’s iconic building on the eastern edge of the Serpentine in Hyde Park where you’ll find the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen. A fantastic slice of country living in the heart of London, here you can tuck into a delicious brunch while taking in the views of the Serpentine. Start with a bloody mary or a buck’s fizz, and then enjoy a full English breakfast. For something lighter, choose the porridge with blueberry and blossom honey or scrambled eggs.

Not sorted your stay in Knightsbridge yet? Book one of the best hotels in the area, close to the landmark London Harrod’s, through Culture Trip.

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.