Having Brunch in Argentina
If you’re splashing out on a lavish fancy dinner and you don’t want to overeat at lunch – brunch is your answer. If you’ve got a heavy day of sightseeing ahead and you need some rocket fuel – brunch is your answer. If you’ve got yourself a rainy day so you’re stuck in doors – brunch is your answer. Or finally if you had a bit too much Malbec the night before and you’ve got a bit of a sore head – brunch is your answer.
Among many new customs that foreigners have brought to Buenos Aires, the concept of brunch and its type of food is definitely one of the imports that has successfully (yet slowly over a few years) took its shape in the city. As much as I love medialunas, a savoring brunch with eggs, bacon and pancakes with coffee really makes a weekend weekend. Mixing sweet and salty all at once or eating the ‘wrong’ food at the ‘wrong’ time is usually not a local preference. Since there was a lack of such meal options in restaurants that I have really perfected my french toast with home-made fruit syrup and the ability to whip up an All-American breakfast in no time (yes, that includes fluffy pancakes!).
During those days when I didn’t want to lift a finger to cook, I’ve tried a few places that served a bit more elaborated breakfast food items for lunch consumption, but they were just not greasy/buttery/sweet or generally ‘substantial’ enough to satisfy my cravings. However, by now, I can gladly announce that the age of sort-of brunch food has moved onto the real deal, as more and more restaurants/cafés have opened up that truly understand what and how brunch should be. This ‘evolution’ was no doubt originally influenced by all the ever-growing demand from the foreign clientele, but the locals have also started to discover the beauty of it. That leads to the phenomenon of even finding brunch foods in neighborhoods outside of the tourist-beloved Palermo and Recoleta areas!
Where to Have Brunch in Buenos Aires
Here are some places that are known to serve brunch or have a brunch menu (that’s huge!). The list is a mix of expats’ favorites, guidebook mentions, luxurious indulgence, and low-key local joints. Keep in mind though that you might not necessary find pancakes, sausage links at every one of these places, some are more internationalized than the others and some do put a twist to local sweet and salty favorites to create an All-Argentine brunch.
Cocu Buenos Aires
The first place on our list is Cocu Boulangerie nestled in the depths of Palermo, this cute little spot is the answer to all your prayers. It’s an authentic French patisserie owned by a Parisian couple, you know what that means, their patisseries are off the charts. Hop on down for a pan au chocolat or a fresh baguette to tickle your tastebuds. Pick from an array or tarts, sandwiches or salads with a fresh coffee or tea to start the day the right way. Or dig into the brunch menu for two involving fresh bread, pastries, coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice and toast with home-made condiments. Their dish of the month at the moment is smoked salmon blinis with white limon cheese served with rustic potatoes and home made dill mayonnaise. Mmm it even looks mouth-wateringly good just imagining it. What’s also useful if you’re on the go you can even have food ‘para llevar’ (to take away) so you definitely can’t miss out on this one!
Malabia 1510, Mon-Fri 9-8pm, Weekends 10-8pm
Ninina Buenos Aires
Another gem you’ll find on the streets of Palermo is Café Ninina. Ninina is perfect if you’re looking for something slightly healthier and lighter to start your day – minus the gorgeous selection of cakes they have staring at you through the window. They have a lovely range of salads made with fresh ingredients, which you can pair with a coffee and a juice for just 210 pesos – a bargain! The choice of juices and smoothies is truly mesmerising, one definitely worth a try is the mint and ginger licuado, it really does taste as good as it sounds if not better. The best thing about Ninina is there really is something for everyone on the menu for whichever member of the family for whatever mood you’re in. So why not try their classic eggs benedict or their sweet granola yoghurt parfait with fresh berries to kick start your day. Not to mention their extensive choice of cocktails if you’re coming at midday (ish!) to treat yourself!
Gorriti 4738, 8-12am
Café Crespin
Outside of the Palermo hustle and bustle is this cute brunch hangout in Villa Crespo. Even if you’re not passing through to this part of the city it’s worth visiting purely for this brunch spot alone! One of the best in BA why not try their maracuyá (passion fruit) yoghurt with cereal, raisons topped with fresh mango or one of their fluffy baked cakes with raspberry and banana which are still warm from the baking tray. Or why not try something typical of the city – the notorious medialuna which is a croissant but with an Argy twist on it. Like Cocu, they have an awesome brunch deal to split between two including ghash browns and English muffins if you’re feeling peckish!
Vera 699, Buenos Aires, 8-8pm
Hierbabuena Buenos Aires
Situated in the heart of the oldest part of the city, this is the perfect start to your day especially if it’s followed by a stroll around San Telmo market. All the ingredients are fresh, natural and organic and do you want to know what the best part is… they do a bottomless buffet brunch so you can keep going back for more! This place shares the same love that we do in back in Europe for avocados so there is no escaping those here. Hierbabuena is also very accommodating to vegans and beggies, something which isn’t always so easy to find in this meat eating capital. What I really recommend here is one of their detox or superfood juices which really will give you a vitamin kick to set you up for a perfect day ahead. If you’re willing to push the boat out a bit and try something different – try the avocado gnocchi which is creamy but healthy at the same time!
Av. Caseros 454, 9-12am
Las Violetas Buenos Aires
This spot is located in the neighbourhood of Almagro, giving you a bit of a breather from busy Palermo. This place has been open for a whopping 129 years, you know what I’m thinking – they know their stuff. If you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth this place does the job with it s beautiful assortment of cakes and treats to choose from but because they’re so small you don’t feel half as guilty! They also have brunch platters to share where you really get your money’s worth getting coffee, tea, sandwiches, cakes, medialunas … the list is endless. Or if you fancy a celebration maybe on your last day and you need to get rid of your final few pesos why not splash out on the champagne brunch and really leave (or arrive) with style!
Av. Rivadavia 3899, 6am-1am
UCO Restaurante
If you’re looking for a slightly more lavish brunch experience – this is the place for you. It’s situated in Palermo Hollywood in the Fierro Hotel, but anyone is welcome even if you’re not a guest. The set menu comes with a glass of bubbly, yogurt with cinnamon granola, scones and breads with cured meats and cheeses, a main dish of either eggs Royale or an Irish fry up and finally a dessert and espresso just to top it all off. This one may not be the cheapest of brunch places but it sure is worth splashing the cash.
Hotel Fierro, Soler 5862, 7:30-11am, 12:30-11p
Other popular places
Artemisia – Gorriti 5996, Palermo
La Cafetería De Villa Ocampo – Elortondo 1837, Beccar
Felicidad – Migueletes 887, La Imprenta
Gibraltar – Perú 895, San Telmo
Gringa – Costa Rica 6094, Palermo
Home Hotel – Honduras 5860, Palermo
Magdalena’s Party – Thames 1795, Palermo
Malvon – Serrano 789, Villa Crespo
La Mansión, Four Seasons Hotel – Posadas 1086/88, Recoleta
Nucha – Various locations in Palermo, Recoleta and Belgrano
Olsen – Gorriti 5870, Palermo
L’Orangerie, Alvear Palace Hotel – Alvear 1891, Recoleta
Oui Oui – 6068 & 6099 Nicaragua, Palermo
Pani – Nicaragua 6044, Palermo
Postdata – Azcuénaga 1739, Recoleta
Sirop Folie – Vicente López 1661, Recoleta
Vamos Spanish Academy Viamonte 1516, CABA, Argentina. Buenos Aires Spanish Schools. Profesor de Inglés y Español para Extranjeros. Escola de Espanhol. Volunteer Projects Abroad Spaans Leren in Buenos Aires
