Pergola on the Wharf – Your New High Rise London Brunch Spot

With warmer weather fast approaching, it’s time to curate a list of new brunch spots in London. The kind of places where you can bask in the sun with your friends, indulge in tasty breakfast delights and kick off the weekend in style.


Pergola on the Wharf

Perhaps you have already visited the original Pergola Paddington, West London’s largest outdoor dining space, complete with sprawling Ibiza beach style decking, leafy canopies and vast array of pop-up style food outlets. Although just as ‘instagrammable’ and complete with beautiful aesthetic backdrops, Pergola on the Wharf at Canary Wharf is Pergola Paddington’s slightly more demure, cooler, collected little sister which is not yet as well known. I have already raved in previous pieces about Canary Wharf’s slick style as  a shiny, sophisticated haven for foodie hotspots and trendy bars and Pergola on the Wharf fits in perfectly with this persona. The Pergola brand is known for embracing the al-fresco elements of dining and is famous for being a go-to summer location for sunny breakfasts, right on through to evening cocktails upon long balmy evenings. Despite its’ location, Pergola on the Wharf lends itself to alfresco dining thanks to it’s stunning cityscape location. Covered with giant hothouse style honeycomb windows, reflecting the glass menagerie ofCanary Wharf is a paradisiacal jungle of palms, botanical plants, spiky grasses and waxy green trees. Spot brightly coloured birds flitting about through the leafy mass, chirping away and creating an almost Amazonic atmosphere of flora and fauna. What makes it even better? It never rains here! 

Pergola on the WharfStep inside the restaurant and you will see the botanical aesthetic is carried through. Mixed amongst lengthy tables and tall stools are vibrant green plants, lots of open space and a simplistic industrial style aesthetic. This gives the space a light, bright, airy and fresh feel, which is perfect for summertime events, meals and meet-ups. Our hostess tells me that Pergola regularly has live saxophonists and DJs in the evenings, where customers can lap up the party atmosphere and let loose after work, making use of the well-stocked bar and creative cocktail list. I, however, was here to enjoy a wholesome Sunday brunch which I kicked off (unsurprisingly) with a frothy cappuccino and a refreshingly sweet and generously poured glass of orange juice. Pergola on the Wharf invites guests to relax and unwind throughout the weekend with traditional brunch dishes, from 11am-4pm with the option to add bottomless drinks to any main for just £30, a great deal, especially when taking into account the wonderful atmosphere and super location.

London RestaurantsThe brunch menu is pretty extensive and does cater to all tastes (sweet and savoury options aplenty!). If you are craving a heartier dish , I recommend you go for the ‘Full Plate’(£14.50), made up of traditional breakfast favourites: Lincolnshire sausage, streaky bacon, black pudding, thyme and honey Portobello mushroom, grilled herb tomato, smoky baked beans, hash brown and toasted sourdough (vegan version also available). I opted for the eggs Benedict(£12.00); poached eggs and smoked Wiltshire ham upon a toasted English muffin with Hollandaise sauce. 

Pergola on the WharfWhilst this dish is a perfect light bite, aI was, however, still in need of more appetite satisfaction, so after this and a strong flat white, I opted for the ‘Chocolate Orange Ganache’ from the desserts section – a Valrhona dark chocolate orange ganache with crisp honeycomb and crème fraîche (plus a few traded bites of my friend’s sticky toffee pudding). The desserts definitely satisfied my Sunday hunger and we sat enjoying them for as long as we could in our chilled, vibrant and botanical surroundings. 

Pergola on the WharfIn conclusion, Pergola on the Wharf is a great venue that lends itself to both fabulously boozy bottomless brunches and also brunches of the more chilled-out and calming variety – a true London brunch hotspot for Summer and definitely worth a visit.

Olivia Riccini