Why Abuelo Marylebone Lives Up To The Buzz (With Caveats)

In a city like London with amazing places to eat, Abuelo Marylebone is one answer to the question: where shall we go for brunch?

After a quick look round the shops on Oxford Street, I’m getting just hungry enough to justify eggs, bread, and a drink that feels like a treat.

I’ve heard Abuelo Marylebone mentioned often, always positively, usually with a nod to the matcha or the coffee. So when I clock it mid-walk, I head inside for a London brunch. And I’m also here to get an answer to the question of whether Abuelo is worth the hype, or not.

It’s immediately obvious I’m not the only one who’s had this thought. Abuelo in Marylebone is already full, even on a weekday morning. Let’s see what all the fuss is about.

Quick info on Abuelo Marylebone

• Restaurant: Abuelo Cafe
• Location: Marylebone, London
• Known for: viral brunch venue, frothy matcha and coffee
• Best thing to order: Iced vanilla maple cream matcha, brown butter ice cream coffee float
• What to skip: Sitting inside if you enjoy space and quiet

Read our Abuelo Marylebone restaurant review to find out more.

Abuelo is jam packed on a weekday

Stepping into Abuelo Marylebone feels like walking into a room mid conversation. It’s jam packed and people are already well into their brunches. I’m not sure this place ever gets quiet.

Inside the Abuelo cafe, the seating is tight with a mix of small tables and communal seating. It feels sociable in theory, but in reality it means you’re very aware of everyone around you. You probably learn a lot about other people’s brunch habits, whether you want to or not.

Thankfully, there’s a small section of outdoor seating where you have more space and a much calmer energy. On a not-too-cold day, this is where brunch at Abuelo Marylebone really works.

There’s no denying Abuelo London looks good, with its warm wood, clean lines, and neutral tones.

Inside, though, it’s simply too full to appreciate properly. The design gets lost in the density, and it’s not a pleasant place to relax. Outside is where everything suddenly makes sense, and you get the added benefit of people watching.

Exploring the Abuelo Menu

Opening the Abuelo menu feels reassuring. It’s focused and confident, not overloaded with options. And for a cafe, brunch is clearly the priority.

There are other dishes I consider ordering, but quite a few of the more interesting options include pork. We don’t eat pork, which narrows the field fairly quickly. Still, it doesn’t feel limiting, because one Abuelo menu option stands out immediately.

The Build a Brekky.

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The Build A Brekky is Lovely (but also simple)

The Build a Brekky is Abuelo Marylebone’s take on elevated egg and soldiers, and it’s an idea I’m instantly drawn to. It starts with a base of soft-boiled egg, lightly toasted sourdough, and butter. From there, you add extras to build your own breakfast plate.

The add-ons I choose are crispy potatoes, feta, avocado with lime, and hot smoked salmon. It feels indulgent, possibly a little excessive, but it’s exactly what I want to eat for brunch.

When my Abuelo Build a Brekky arrives, it looks comforting and generous.

The egg is beautifully cooked, with a rich, jammy yolk. My one small gripe is that the opening at the top of the egg is a little tight, especially when paired with thick, sturdy sourdough, which makes dunking slightly awkward. Boo.

The sourdough itself is excellent. It’s well toasted and has a good chew, and is sturdy enough to handle butter and yolk.

The potatoes are the standout part of my Abuelo breakfast. They’re perfectly cooked, well seasoned, crisp on the outside and fluffy inside. Deeply moreish and easily the most memorable part of the plate.

The feta is fine – it’s just feta. The avocado is fresh and pleasant, lifted by a drizzle of oil and a squeeze of lime. The hot smoked salmon adds richness and depth and makes the plate feel more indulgent.

And yet, the most obvious takeaway from this Abuelo menu option is that, as delicious as it is, the Build a Brekky is also quite simple. Save for the potatoes, most of it is made up of picky bits. Very good picky bits, admittedly, but things you could easily assemble and enjoy at home without too much effort.

It doesn’t take away from the enjoyment, but it does make me question how often I’d come back specifically for this dish.

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That viral matcha at Abuelo Marylebone is worth the hype

The drinks, however, are another story.

I order the iced vanilla maple cream matcha, because Abuelo Marylebone has built a reputation around it and my curiosity wins every time. It’s £7, which feels bold. How does it taste?

The matcha is clean and neutral, without bitterness or grassy notes. The vanilla maple cream on top is generous, rich, and indulgent, turning the drink into something that borders on dessert.

It’s an excellent rendition of a matcha drink, and I can see why Abuelo Marylebone has made its name with it. I immediately think how dangerous this would be with pancakes, and mourn their absence from the Abuelo menu just a little.

Coffee that would also bring me back instantly

I also order the brown butter ice cream coffee float, because leaving Abuelo London without trying the coffee feels wrong.

The coffee itself is strong and confident, although it’s served cold. The ice cream on top has a pronounced brown butter flavour that’s rich, savoury, and addictive.

If I had one note, it would be that I’d love the coffee base to be hot, so the ice cream melts and mingles more, like an affogato. Even so, it’s a very good drink.

So really, it’s the excellent drinks at Abuelo Marylebone that have won me over.

So would I actually go back to Abuelo Marylebone?

The short answer: I’d go back for the drinks in a heartbeat, because they’re excellent. But I’d only order food if I didn’t have any other food plans and was also hungry.

Although the Build a Brekky at Abuelo is lovely, comforting, and well executed, it’s also quite simple, and much of it is made up of elements that could be easily recreated at home. The potatoes are the exception, and they’re genuinely excellent.

The drinks, though, are a different story entirely. I’d come back for the Abuelo matcha in a heartbeat. I’d happily order the coffee again.

Abuelo Marylebone is busy, buzzy, and doing something right. It may not reinvent brunch, but when it comes to drinks, it absolutely delivers.

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Abuelo Marylebone restaurant review
Address – 7-11 Cavendish Pl, London W1G 0QD
Nearest Tube – Oxford Circus