Shoreditch Bottomless Brunch Guide: From Hijingo to Hidden Gems

Shoreditch isn’t just about late-night bars and street art-it’s ground zero for bottomless brunch in London.

If you’ve ever waited 45 minutes for a mimosa that arrived lukewarm, you know not all bottomless brunches are created equal. In Shoreditch, where the coffee is strong and the vibes are louder, the best spots don’t just pour unlimited drinks-they build an experience. This isn’t about stuffing yourself with pancakes until you can’t move. It’s about finding the place where the prosecco flows, the eggs are perfectly runny, and the noise level feels like a party you were invited to without even trying.

Hijingo: Where the fizz doesn’t quit

Hijingo is the name that comes up first for a reason. Open since 2018, it turned Shoreditch’s brunch game upside down with its Mexican-inspired menu and a bottomless deal that lasts two full hours. The key? No skimping on quality. Their margaritas are made with real lime juice, not syrup. The sparkling wine? It’s a Spanish Cava, not a bulk buy from a warehouse. And yes, they refill without asking. You don’t need to raise your hand. You don’t need to flag down a server. They just show up with a fresh glass before yours gets empty.

The food is just as intentional. Don’t skip the chorizo and egg tortilla. It’s thick, smoky, and holds together like a mini cake. The avocado toast? Served on sourdough toasted just right-not soggy, not crunchy. And the churros? Dusted in cinnamon sugar and served with dark chocolate for dipping. You’ll want to order two.

Arrive before 11:30 a.m. or expect a 30-minute wait. No reservations for brunch. Walk-ins only. But if you’re patient, you’ll get a corner table by the window with natural light streaming in. That’s the kind of detail that turns a meal into a memory.

The real secret? It’s not on Google Maps

Shoreditch has dozens of brunch spots. But the ones locals keep coming back to? They’re the ones you won’t find in the top 10 Google results. One of them is tucked behind a bookshop on Redchurch Street. No sign. Just a small wooden door with a brass bell. Walk in, and you’re greeted by a woman who asks if you’re here for the bottomless brunch. You say yes. She nods, hands you a menu, and points to a table under a hanging plant.

This place doesn’t have a name. Locals just call it “The Bookshop Brunch.” They serve a simple menu: smoked salmon on rye, scrambled eggs with dill, and a bloody mary that’s actually spicy-not just tomato juice with a celery stick. The bottomless drink option? Prosecco and orange juice, or a house-made ginger beer with gin. Two hours. Unlimited. And no one ever rushes you.

The vibe? Quiet. No loud music. No influencers taking selfies. Just people reading, talking, laughing. The owner, a retired chef from Barcelona, makes the coffee herself. She doesn’t use pods. She grinds the beans every morning. You can taste the difference.

What makes a bottomless brunch worth it?

Not every place that says “bottomless” deserves the label. Some charge £45 and give you a glass of cheap sparkling wine that tastes like carbonated vinegar. Others slap a £10 surcharge on the mimosa and call it a day. Here’s what actually matters:

• Drink quality: Is the prosecco from a known region? Is the orange juice freshly squeezed? If they’re using concentrate, walk out.
• Time limit: Two hours is standard. Anything less? Red flag. Anything longer? Usually means they’re trying to make up for bad food.
• Food variety: You should get at least three solid mains and two sides. No one wants to choose between eggs and pancakes when they’re hungry.
• Service rhythm: Good spots refill without being asked. Bad ones make you wave like you’re at a beach resort.
• Atmosphere: If the place feels like a buffet line at a conference center, you’re wasting your money.

At Hijingo, you get all five. At The Bookshop Brunch, you get four-minus the flashy decor, but with way more soul.

The hidden gem that locals don’t talk about (but should)

Down a narrow alley behind Boxpark, there’s a tiny café with a chalkboard menu and no Wi-Fi password. It’s called Little Bird. It opened in 2023 and hasn’t changed a thing since. No Instagram account. No online booking. Just a counter, six stools, and a kitchen where the chef cooks everything by hand.

Their bottomless brunch costs £32. You get: a choice of eggs Benedict or sweet potato hash, a side of sourdough toast with house-churned butter, and two hours of either sparkling wine or a cold brew cocktail made with cold-brewed coffee, orange peel, and a splash of tonic. No syrup. No artificial flavors. Just real ingredients.

The coffee? They roast their own beans in the back. You can smell them before you even walk in. The eggs? Poached to the exact second. The hollandaise? Made with real butter and lemon, not powder. And the staff? They remember your name if you come back. Which you will.

What to avoid in Shoreditch brunch spots

There are places that look great on Instagram but fall apart when you sit down. Watch out for:

• Brunches that only offer one type of alcohol (e.g., only prosecco, no wine or cocktails)
• Places that charge extra for “premium” drinks like mimosas or bloody marys
• Menus with 12 items that all say “avocado toast” with different toppings
• Restaurants that start serving brunch at 10 a.m. but don’t open until 11
• Any place that doesn’t let you refill your own glass if you want to

One spot on Brick Lane tried to pass off a £50 bottomless brunch with a single glass of cheap rosé and a sad croissant. The staff told us it was “artisanal.” We left. We didn’t even finish the toast.

Timing matters more than you think

Shoreditch brunch spots get packed. But not all times are equal. The sweet spot? Arrive between 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. That’s when the tables are still fresh, the kitchen isn’t overwhelmed, and the staff have energy. Show up at noon? You’re fighting for a seat with a group of tourists who’ve been waiting since 9 a.m.

Weekends are brutal. If you can swing a weekday brunch, do it. You’ll get better service, quieter tables, and sometimes even a free dessert. Hijingo gives a free churro to anyone who comes on a Tuesday. Little Bird gives you a second coffee if you come before 11 a.m. on a Wednesday.

Bottomless brunch isn’t about quantity-it’s about rhythm

The best bottomless brunches don’t feel like a binge. They feel like a slow dance. The drinks come at the right pace. The food arrives when you’re ready for it. The music is loud enough to feel alive, but not so loud you can’t talk to your friend. The napkins are thick. The butter is cold. The coffee is hot. And you leave feeling full, happy, and not guilty.

That’s what Shoreditch does better than anywhere else in London. It doesn’t just serve food and drinks. It serves moments. And in a city that moves too fast, that’s worth paying for.