In the last few years, the words “bottomless” and “brunch” have merged together to form as seamless a combination as, say, “fish” and “chips”, “strawberries” and “cream”, or “meal” and “deal”. It’s been quite the ride — London now has more than you can shake a stick at; not that we’re complaining.
But it’s reached that point, to put it bluntly, where it isn’t exactly news when most places decide to go down the bottomless brunch route. Unless that place is somewhere like Snackbar.
Snackbar has virtually reached cult-like status in the last few years, regarded as not only an essential café in Dalston, but in the whole city of London. With a menu that changes regularly, always offering delectable picks – whether it’s a kimchi croissant, hopi corn, cheese toasties with gooseberry ketchup or has browns with dill pickle – and a fine setting, be it inside or out in their lovely summer garden, Snackbar is one that should jump to the top of your to-do lists.
Now, owner Freddie Janssen has created a bottomless brunch to rival all those in London (as we’ve mentioned, there’s a lot of competition). Each Sunday, the Dalston faithful will be offered the chance to try the new menu, which takes inspiration from Janssen’s favourite Dutch snacks of her youth and her time spent travelling in Mexico and the US.
Lasting between 11:30am – 2:30pm and costing £35-per-head, guests can book (which is recommended) or walk-in to be greeted by unlimited Bloody Marys – just the tonic for those sore Sunday morning heads – or a pet nat spritz, which is Rhubarb Fizz this month.
The food? Yes, it sounds predictably divine. Customers can choose from two main dishes — the first of which is a nod to the US Breakfast, Biscuits and Gravy. Picture a buttermilk biscuit, with a decadent sausage gravy and a Burford Brown poached egg, and you have this thing of beautiful indulgence.
Choice number two hails from Mexico, and is known as Chilaquiles. This breakfast dish consists of crispy tortilla chips cooked in salsa verde, topped with a fried egg, refried black beans and Neal’s Yard Dairy cheese.
Both dishes come with a side of the signature Snackbar house-made dill pickle hash browns and, to finish, you’ll be treated in style; with their rich gooey butter coffee cake. We can’t think of any issues to flag, other than the dilemma of choosing between the mains and deciding whether to get that last Bloody Mary. I think you know the answer to that second one, though.
Freddie Janssen said: “Snackbar has always been about that all-day, relaxed vibe, so I’m really excited to finally be welcoming locals and visitors alike through the door for a lazy Sunday brunch. I’m an early bird and brunch is one of my favourite ways to spend a weekend with friends so I’m really excited to be serving this new menu.”
Find Snackbar at 20 Dalston Lane, E8 3AZ (nearest station is Dalston Junction). The Bottomless Brunch takes place each Sunday between 11:30am – 2:30pm and costs £35. Visit Snackbar’s website here.