Ok lads, I’ll be real here. Milton Keynes is kinda known for being full of chain restaurants…
But wait, don’t go!
When you look a little closer, there are actually some really decent independent spots in MK that are more than making up for the fact that we have 5 Nandos in town. I mean I’m all for a grilled chicken wrap (medium spice with cheese if you’re asking), but I much prefer going to unique places and supporting local businesses.
And yes, hello, I’m a millennial, so naturally I’m obsessed with going out for brunch. I don’t know why we love it so much but we do. Bloody avocado-on-toast generation, ay?
Milton Keynes has been low on the ground for brunch restaurants for a while, but lately some really super ones have popped up. So I figured I’d put together a list of my faves for your next Saturday morning get-together.
The Best Brunch in Milton Keynes
French Affaire
I’ll start with the newest one because it’s the freshest in my mind having just tried it out last month!
French Affaire is a french place, I mean obviously, located in Odell’s Yard in Stony Stratford. And they specialise in crepes. Savoury crepes, sweet crepes, breakfast crepes, lunch crepes, they have the works. They also offer some small plates and baguettes but crepes are really the main event.
On my visit I sampled the ‘Le Chevre’ crepe, which consists of roasted vegetables, goats cheese, cheddar and a balsamic glaze. It was dreamy, whoever decided to put double cheese in that bad boy is a genius. My pal Sam had the Eggs Royale with eggs and salmon and hollandaise and said it was top notch too.
And ok, I might have also had a sweet crepe. Y’know, for research purposes. And oh boy the Ferrero Rocher crepe is sickly sweet but incredible. Hashtag no regrets.
They also do wine and bubbles if you’re in the mood for a boozy brunch, or homemade smoothies if you’re on a health kick. Oh and there’s a dinner menu on weekends that I’m yet to try out but Sophie Etc did a review recently and it sounds incredible!
Breakfast/lunch menu served 10am-4pm (closed Mondays)
Location: 5 Odell’s Yard, 58-60 High St, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes, MK11 1FA
Nonna’s
Nonna’s breakfast menu is right up my street. The Italian restaurant in Woburn Sands does a decent date night dinner sure, but for me, their breakfast is really the jewel in their crown.
They do everything from a Full English to Eggs Benedict to Bacon Brioche Rolls to Breakfast Pizzas. There’s honestly something for everyone and they have good veggie options too. On my last visit I got the Veggie Stacker which comes with wilted spinach, sautéed, button mushrooms, halloumi, red cabbage and roasted cherry tomatoes on toasted sourdough. OH BABY. Any breakfast that comes with halloumi and I’m on board.
Nonna’s also serve Bloody Marys and Breakfast martinis should the mood take you. Just saying.
Breakfast/brunch menu served 9:30-11:30am.
Location: Nonna’s, The Square ,Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes, MK17 8SY
Fourth & Fifth
Located right in the centre of Milton Keynes at Witan Studios (opposite The Hub), Fourth & Fifth is a prime location for brunch if you have other things to do with your day. Most times I’ve come here have been after an event like the Vintage Kilo Sale, or before a shopping trip in Centre:MK. So yes, location-wise it’s pretty decent.
The menu is small but offers a nice range of dishes, with classic cooked breakfasts, millennial faves like avo on toast or Eggs Benedict, and a good few veggie and vegan options. But personally, I’m in love with their pancakes. You can’t beat their fluffy American-style pancakes with greek yoghurt, blueberries, raspberries and cinnamon to be quite honest.
Fourth & Fifth is also a good shout just to stop in for a coffee and cake if you’re short on time so give it a look-in next time you’re in the city centre.
Breakfast/brunch served weekdays 7:30am-2pm and weekends 9am-3pm.
Location: Fourth & Fifth, Witan Studios, 280 Witan Gate West, Milton Keynes, MK9 1EJ
The Greedy Italian
I’m a big fan of The Greedy Italian. It’s a small, cosy restaurant with fairy lights and really good vibes. And the food always tastes authentically Italian. Their Ragu for example tastes like similar ones I’ve had in Italy, as opposed to basic Bolognese served in Zizzis or Ask, y’know?
But anyway, back to brunch.
Their breakfast menu is small but effective, with cooked breakfasts, a few Eggs Benedict variations and American pancakes. But the latest addition is a brunch-specific menu for two dedicated brunch sittings on a Saturday – at 12.30pm and 2.30pm. Here you can have 2 courses (there are starter and dessert options) and unlimited prosecco or beer for 2 hours for £28! Pretty good deal ay? I haven’t gone for this new bottomless brunch option just yet but I love that we finally have one in MK! Watch this space.
(I don’t have a photo of the breakfast so here’s me with a risotto in The Greedy Italian instead…)
Breakfast menu served Fridays 9-11am, Saturdays 9-11:30am and Sundays 9am-12pm. Brunch menu served on Saturdays at 12.30pm and 2.30pm sittings.
Location: The Greedy Italian, 79 Victoria Rd, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK2 2NZ
The Navigation Inn
The Navigation Inn in Cosgrove is my go-to summer brunch. It’s a gorgeous country pub on the canal and you can sit outside and take it all in, so it’s just dreamy. Plus, the food is great.
In terms of brunch, there’s not a huge selection, it’s predominantly of the Eggs Benedict / Eggs Royale persuasion. But they do a couple of Hash dishes that are banging. A Sweet Potato & Chorizo Hash and the veggie version, a Sweet Potato, Avocado & Feta Hash. I’m a big fan of the chorizo one, it’s so good.
Brunch is also served until 5pm so is a great shout if you’ve had a big night out the night before and there’s no way you’re making it out before midday, y’know?
Breakfast menu served until 11am, brunch/lunch menu served until 5pm.
Location: The Navigation Inn, Thrupp Wharf, Station Road, Cosgrove, Milton Keynes, MK19 7BE
The Swan Inn
I only recently discovered that The Swan Inn in Milton Keynes Village had a brunch menu, and that’s only because it’s my local. So I don’t think it’s very well-known. But I was pleasantly surprised with their brunch menu. Cooked breakfasts, French Toast, Bubble & Squeak and Omelettes, pretty good selection. But the best part is that they have a deal at the moment where you can get any brunch and a glass of fizz for a tenner! Not bad, ay?
I had the Vegetarian breakfast which was lovely (delicious spinach fritters), but I do need to go back and try out the French Toast for sure.
Brunch Menu available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-12pm.
Location: The Swan Inn, Broughton Rd, Milton Keynes Village, MK10 9AH
The Whisk
A new addition to Woburn Sands is the very cute brunch spot, The Whisk. It’s mainly pancakes on the menu, although they have plans to extend the menu. Oh and they serve delicious cocktails too, and operate as a bar in the evenings.
I tried the mushroom, spinach and blue cheese pancake and it was amazing! And really big portions which gets the thumbs up from me. The people that work there are lovely too and it looks like it’s fast becoming the go-to place for a catch-up with the gals. Oh and they have highchairs if you’re going with le bebe.
The Whisk is open from 10.30am – 6pm Tues-Thurs, 10.30am – 10.30pm Fridays & Saturdays, and 11am-5pm on Sundays. It’s closed on Mondays.
Location: 51 High St, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes MK17 8QY
Anywhere else you would recommend for brunch in Milton Keynes?
Let me know in the comments below or head on over to my Twitter and Instagram pages for regular updates on my travels and life in general.
