No need to wake up early

Brunch is a hot culinary trend in Madrid. There isn’t a restaurant or hotel that doesn’t offer its own version, sometimes jazzed up with amazing views and live music. If it’s been a while since sunrise, go find a table! You can find several suggestions below.

Before we begin, let’s get one thing straight: brunch is a combination of the words “breakfast” and “lunch”, so it’s almost both, but not quite either. It’s a delicious portmanteau that appeared for the first time in the 19th cen - tury, in the satirical English magazine Punch. Back then, wealthy British families used to give their servants the day off on Sunday. Before they left, they would prepare a hearty buffet for their employers to eat from at their leisure throughout the day. It then crossed the pond to the United States, which immediately adopted it as a new custom, one that’s particularly associated with getting rid of Saturday night hangovers. In Madrid, we all know the nights often stretch out well into the next day, which is why this culinary concept where anything goes, whether sweet or savoury, has gained such a foothold. One of the pioneers of brunch in our city was Café Oliver. It’s now in Barrio de las Letras (Literary Quarter), but back in 2002, it was in Las Salesas. More than two decades later, many others are following its lead.

Published in esMADRIDmagazine in February 2023

NUBEL

Argumosa, 43 (Museo Reina Sofía).  ATOCHA / ESTACIÓN DEL ARTE. Tel. 91 468 46 04

A space where art is eaten, lived and felt. That’s what you get at the restaurant in the Reina Sofía Museum, which serves young, urban cuisine that champions traditional gastronomy but gives it a modern twist with new ingredients and techniques. The menu is full of colours and flavours from all over the world. One example is its brunch, which is served from 9.30am to 2pm. It includes delicious dishes to share (a platter of cold meats and cheeses, guacamole with tortilla chips, paprika and tomato emulsion hummus, an assortment of pastries and artisan bread, etc.) and other main dishes to choose from, including the particularly outstanding eggs Benedict, salmon poke bowl and pancakes with chocolate and passion fruit foam. The latter are superb for those with a sweet tooth! At the weekend, there’s music by DJs (12 noon-4pm).

BIBO MADRID

Paseo de la Castellana, 52. GREGORIO MARAÑÓN / RUBÉN DARÍO. Tel. 91 805 25 56

“I love you so brunch”. It’s quite the declaration of intent by chef Dani García, who has made this restaurant into his own little slice of Andalusian heaven. Lit by 7,000 light bulbs that replicate the lights of the Malaga Fair, the space reflects the essence of the chef’s homeland as well as his passion for travel. Its half-breakfast, half-lunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 12.30pm. It’s a set menu consisting of starters (guacamole made to order, oxtail brioche and crunchy prawns), main dishes (chicken burger, French toast and eggs Benedict with Iberian bacon and smoked salmon), dessert (Nutella to die for!) and a drink. They put on quite a display, so be sure to arrive with an empty belly!

BENDITA LOCURA

Príncipe de Vergara, 73. DIEGO DE LEÓN / AVENIDA DE AMÉRICA. Tel. 91 563 25 70

In the heart of Barrio de Salamanca, this modern two-floor gastrobar with non-stop kitchen service is a bastion of peace with an utterly cosmopolitan ambience. Throughout the week (Monday to Friday from 10.30am to 2pm; Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 4.30pm), it serves a wonderful brunch with two options to choose from: three or five courses, depending on your appetite. Both of them always include coffee and fresh-squeezed orange juice, but also dishes like the quiche Lorraine made with ham, or the roast beef sandwich with tartar sauce on German bread.

EATMYTRIP

Manuela Malasaña, 17. BILBAO. Tel. 689 96 09 75

Calling all late sleepers: brunch is served practically all day here, so there’s no need to be up with the larks. Or maybe you should, because there’s always a huge queue at the door. The culprit is the candyfloss served with the restaurant’s most popular sweet dish: a double portion of pancakes with toppings, strawberry jam, fresh fruit and chocolate crumble. No one will believe you were in Madrid, unless you post a picture on Instagram. There are also savoury house specialities. Fancy some Turkish eggs on romesco yoghurt sauce? Or maybe you’d prefer a Thai hamburger or Vietnamese sandwich.

NOMADE CAFE

Tres Peces, 22. LAVAPIÉS / ANTÓN MARTÍN. Tel. 685 88 66 40

Good vibes and good food. What more could you ask for? How about an inviting restaurant and being able to enjoy a leisurely brunch made lovingly by Cynthia, its owner, a Frenchwoman who has made Madrid her home? To go with the coffee or tea, there’s toasted bread with toppings, like the Halloumi Lovers, which comes with avocado, cheese and poached egg, as well as sandwiches (the spicy grilled cheese is so yummy!), salads and homemade cakes.

EL ESCONDITE DE VILLANUEVA

Villanueva, 26. RETIRO. Tel. 91 431 33 49

Banana-strawberry pancakes with maple syrup and whipped cream, artisan Greek yoghurt with honey and muesli, carrot cake with cookie and white chocolate ice cream, veggie bagels with avocado, egg, spinach and Hollandaise sauce... You’ll have to wait until the weekend to enjoy brunch (12 noon to 1.30pm) at this restaurant in Barrio de Salamanca, which has outdoor seating, a bar and a dining room that’s perfect for a laid-back meal.

CARMENCITA BRUNCH

San Vicente Ferrer, 51. NOVICIADO. Tel. 91 523 80 73

The best in Malasaña! It’s an opinion shared by many of the neighbourhood’s residents, who are faithful customers of this restaurant which opened in 2010 with the mission of bringing an authentic American brunch to Madrid. You’ll be spoilt for choice: from The Bunny Plate (three eggs Benedict with salmon, avocado and bacon) to Carlos Rancheros (two corn tortillas, cheddar cheese, two fried eggs, bacon, Mexican salsa, guacamole and black beans).

DIURNO

San Marcos, 37. CHUECA. Tel. 91 522 00 09

A restaurant of note in the Chueca neighbourhood, it’s an essential meeting place whose decor is inspired by the rationalist design of 1930s Berlin. On Saturdays and Sundays (from 11am to 1pm), it serves an irresistible brunch with a “welcome tower” that includes fruit, cheese, croissants and chocolate cake. For the main dish, there’s eggs Benedict, or perhaps you’d prefer huevos rotos (fried eggs served on chips) with ham, and toasted bread with vegetarian toppings.

HOTELS TO MEET AT

You don’t have to be a guest at a hotel in Madrid to enjoy some of the city’s best brunches. If there’s one brunch with real tradition, it’s the one at Hotel InterContinental Madrid (No. 49 Paseo de la Castellana), a true gastro feast with over 200 options, served under the dome of the lobby every Sunday from 1.30pm to 4pm. This brunch features a spectacular seafood and lobster buffet, a Nikkei corner with sushi and different ceviches, exqui - site fish, meat and rice dishes, artisan desserts and a hot chocolate fountain.

Brunch is a growing trend, and that’s something they know at Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana (No. 4 Plaza de Carlos Trías Bertrán), whose rooftop restaurant, Planta Z, offers a sensational brunch experience on Sundays from 12 noon to 2pm. It starts with a “violet kiss” shot, which is followed by a smoothie or antioxidant drink. The menu includes mini cranberry muffins, churros, chocolate cake, cookies and crumble, complemented by cold meats and cheese. And there’s music to liven things up!

Music is something you’ll also find at Barceló Imagine (No. 32 Calle de Agustín de Foxá), which holds its Brunch Sessions at weekends (12 noon to 3pm). The delicious offerings include quintessential Madrid foods like porras (cylindrical doughnuts bigger than churros) and a slice of potato omelette served on pan de cristal (crunchy, airy bread).

A brunch with views is what you’ll get at El Jardín de Diana (Saturdays and Sundays, 12.30pm to 3.30pm), the rooftop bar of the Hyatt Centric Gran Vía Madrid (No. 31 Gran Vía avenue), which offers a range of nibbles to go with its coffees and teas, including freshly baked pastries, toasted bread topped with roast beef, baba ghanoush with chickpea falafel and marinated tofu, and mini brownies with pecans. This place makes winter so much more enjoyable.