Real Value (and Real Spritzes) at Smith’s Bottomless Brunch

Here at Belle we are always on the hunt for that perfect urban oasis – a place where the cocktails flow freely and the vibes are as fun as the menu. Our latest expedition took us to the pulsating heart of Paddington, just three minutes’ walk from the hub of the station, to uncover the secrets of Smith’s Bar & Grill. A place of pure, unadulterated escapism.

First, the location. It’s absolutely fantastic. Smith’s is situated right next to the Grand Union Canal, offering a surprisingly serene backdrop to your Saturday indulgence. We snagged a table near the terrace that overlooks the procession of quirky, colourful canal barges meandering their way up to Little Venice.

The interior itself is impressive. Think soaring, high ceilings that give the whole room an airy, almost cathedral-like sense of space, anchored by a dazzlingly huge, central bar – the kind that begs for a dramatic cocktail order. While the main dining area is open and lively, they’ve also been clever enough to incorporate some coveted nooks and crannies designed for more private, intimate dining. It’s chic, it’s expansive, and it’s perfectly set up for a buzzing atmosphere.

Now, for the serious business: the bottomless brunch. Smith’s offers a great value deal: £37 per person for unlimited food, or you can go all-in (which we obviously did) for £55 per person to include 90 glorious minutes of free-flowing sparkling wine, house red, white wine, and their signature spritz cocktails. The clock starts ticking the second you arrive, so we swiftly ordered our first round.

Our inaugural sip was a Hugo Spritz – a crisp, floral concoction of elderflower and prosecco that was sheer, effervescent perfection. We chose two dishes each from the unlimited menu, settling on the creamy, delicate burrata, the perfectly seasoned smoked salmon, lush avocado toast, and the small but perfectly baked aubergine parmigiana. The portions are overall pretty generous, and everything was absolutely delicious – a true testament to the kitchen’s ability to handle high volume without compromising on quality.

The key to a truly successful bottomless venture is, of course, the liquid assets. Smith’s delivers well here. They offer three spritz options: the classic Aperol, the zesty Limoncello, and our new favourite Hugo. Each is made fresh to order and tastes exactly as it should – vibrant, balanced, and potent. This is a massive win, as we’ve all suffered through those other bottomless brunches where the cocktails are clearly pre-made and unforgivably watered down. While the larger tables are served jugs so can top themselves up, our table of two didn’t, but that was fine as we wanted to mix and match our spritzes.

Our overall experience was overwhelmingly positive. The atmosphere was incredibly lively, filled with happy chatter and clinking glasses. The staff, while swift and professional, were a little light on the personality front. We didn’t receive a smile or even fleeting eye contact from anyone who served us; they were simply efficient. Not unfriendly, but disappointingly transactional. We did notice that the larger tables seemed to benefit from a bit more attention, possibly due to the sheer volume of orders. We waved down our server to ask for refills, but once requested, the drinks arrived soon after. We managed to enjoy one of each spritz in our 90 minutes – three beautifully made, full-strength cocktails in an hour and a half plus bottomless food – we ordered another two dishes each, as well as sharing churros and tiramisu – is, quite frankly, an absolute bargain and a testament to the value.

Smith’s Bar & Grill is a fantastic spot for a luxurious, well-priced brunch where the food is generous and the drinks are genuine. It’s the perfect launchpad for a weekend of fun. Go for the views, stay for the Limoncello Spritz, and make sure you’re assertive about those refills!