Lantana captures the Aussie spirit

Lantana first opened in 2008 when Shelagh Ryan, Michael Homan and Caitlin Ryan wanted to introduce Australian culture to London. They wanted to make Lantana one of the best cafes in the city, and somewhere people want to go back to again and again. Now one of London’s favourite weekend brunch spots, Lantana uses delicious fresh produce and changes the menu every season.

Situated in Fitzrovia, London Bridge and Shoreditch, the cafes are always busy, and when the food arrives there is no surprise as to why. The menu boasts an amazing selection, with flavours from all over the world. Available from 9.00am until 4.00pm on weekends is the Lantana blowout brunch, with unlimited prosecco, mimosas and coffee with any brunch menu, all for the great price of £30. Unlike a normal (tired) brunch menu, Lantana has courgette bread toasted with halloumi, sweetcorn, black eyed bean and tomato salsa served with a poached egg and sour cream as well as a meat or veggie bubble and squeak with Cumberland sausage, poached egg, black pudding, muhammara and sautéed spinach (take away the meat for the veggies). The corn fritters stacked with streaky bacon, fresh spinach, roast tomatoes, avocado and lemon crème fresh are our favourite, and the matcha french toast with whipped mascarpone raspberry ripple, coulis and fresh raspberries is a fresh take on the green tea treat that the city has become obsessed with.

Breakfast is served every weekday from 8.00am until 11.40am and offers a spring green omelette with coconut and split pea dahl, pickled red cabbage, crispy fried shallots and pita bread, along with wild mushrooms on sourdough with poached eggs, sunblushed tomato white bean hummus and a crispy shallot crumb. And if a cooked breakfast isn’t for you, there is a range of lighter options, including a bircher bowl, honey granola and banana bread toasted with toffee sauce and a grilled banana.

Dinner is served from 5.30pm until 10pm, which is lucky, because it might take that long to decide what to have. Everything on the menu is delicious, from the chicken schnitzel with green apple and kohlrabi salad, lemon and pepper dressing and shaved parmesan, to the light bites of sweetcorn and courgette croquettes with jalapeno zhoug and crème fraiche or the pulled pork taco with chipotle sour cream.

Classic cocktails and a generous variety of wines are available, as well as juices and smoothies and a range of tea from Good & Proper Tea.

The light and airy buildings make Lantana a perfect choice for the summer, whether it’s an after work treat or a weekend blow-out. The staff are friendly and attentive and everything about the place captures the chilled Aussie vibe. Head down to your nearest branch whenever you can – we can guarantee it will be your new favourite after the first visit.