There’s nothing more indulgent than brunching on delicious, sometimes not-so-nutritious breakfast-ish dishes on a leisurely Sunday morning. You can technically have brunch on any day of the week, there are no rules, but admit it – there is something whimsical about having brunch on the weekend, after a lazy lie-in at home.
The irresistible breakfast-and-lunch combination has us all hankering for more eggs benedict. Somehow, having brunch with your significant other over sweetness and conversation seems much more romantic than having plain old lunch, and we cannot deny that brunching with family or friends is super fun, too. So, why do we love brunch so much?
While brunch might seem like a modern meal, humans have been brunching for over a century. In 1895, an English writer named Guy Beringer coined the word “brunch” in his hilariously sincere essay “Brunch: A Plea”. Beringer stoutly bore the banner for brunch, which he insisted was a “hospitable meal, [while] breakfast is not”, especially the morning after a riotous Saturday night out (obviously).
“Brunch,” Beringer said, “is cheerful, sociable, and inciting. It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper; it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow-beings. It sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.”
Beringer’s sentiments on brunch ring loud and true to this day – brunch is all about comfort and conversation. It’s about delectable, rich food that’s closer to breakfast with all the heartiness of lunch. Brunch is more relaxed, because we’re all more relaxed when we have brunch. We’ve slept in, we’ve rested, we’re not thinking about work, and it’s the weekend.
Brunch is the best combination of great food, a sociable atmosphere, and a fun environment. And, these days, there is no shortage of trendy cafés and restaurants in Singapore that offer sumptuous brunch spreads for you, and your people to enjoy.
If you’ve got eggs on the mind – Penny University
While Penny University has loads of amazing brunch eats on their all-day brunch menu, they are famous for their interesting take on eggs. Sure, you can go anywhere for good old eggs benny, but if you’re craving for more exotic flavours, their Baked Moroccan Eggs ($16) and Turkish Eggs ($8.60) are exciting choices that will satisfy that urge. You’ll love the bold flair of the Baked Moroccan Eggs, a weekends-only special, which are richly-baked eggs over savoury, spicy beef chorizo and sweet tomatoes. The Turkish Eggs, divine and available (thankfully) everyday, are lusciously-poached eggs topped with whipped yogurt, homemade Moroccan Harissa sauce and oregano leaves on a sourdough toast.
Penny University / 402 East Coast Road, Singapore 428997 /Mon – Thu, 8.30am – 6pm; Fri – Sat, 8.30am – 10.30pm; Sun, 8.30am – 7pm / Tel: +65 6345 9055
If you can’t decide and want everything – The Lokal
Be the boss of your own brunch at one of the best brunch spots in town. The Lokal has a great brunch menu, hearty and completely house-made, but the Pimp My Breakfast offering is a must-try. Choose exactly what you want to eat and have fun designing your own feast. The Pimp My Breakfast options are enticing, varied and average $6-$7 per serving. Go wild with eggs, any way you want, your choice of bread and an eclectic spread of goodies that includes but is not limited to dry-cured bacon, cauliflower and cheese, grilled lobster tails, home-made ricotta, house-smoked mackerel, carrot and pumpkin seed hummus and grilled pork or beef sausages.
The Lokal / 136 Neil Rd, Singapore 088865 / Mon, 8am – 5pm; Tues – Fri, 8am – 10pm; Sat, 9am – 10pm; Sun, 9am – 4pm / Tel: +65 6423 9918
If you want artisanal pancakes with a twist – Two Bakers
For a fresh yet decadent brunch experience, get yourself out of bed and head to Two Bakers, an artisanal bakery, and café that offers beautiful French, and fusion dishes. They have exquisite items on their brunch menu, but if it’s pancakes you’re after, their Pandan Pancakes ($14) and Milo Dinosaur Pancakes ($15) are a unique experience. The Pandan Pancakes are thick Japanese-style hotcakes, dense and moist, topped with a generous mound of desiccated coconut. The three-pancake stack is drizzled with gula melaka syrup and accompanied by slices of strawberries and bananas. The Milo Dinosaur Pancakes are a rich, chocolate-y treat with Milo pancakes, Milo custard, and chocolate praline sauce, and fresh fruits.
Two Bakers / 88 Horne Rd, Singapore 209083 / Mon, Wed, Thurs & Sun, 9am – 6pm; Fri & Sat, 10am – 10pm, Closed on Tuesdays / Tel: +65 6293 0329
If you fancy a drink with brunch – Club Meatballs
Don’t be deceived — Club Meatballs is not just all about meatballs. On their menu, they’ve got a different kind of brunch in mind — oh, they offer Eggs Benny ($15) just like any respectable place that does brunch, but they’re thinking you might want to start the party early. Check out their promotional brunch menus, advertising free flow food and drinks (with kids eating for free!) for two hours, with 11am-1pm, 12nn-2pm, and 1pm-3pm slots. Their food, coffee and soft drinks option is at $40, while the food, coffee and alcohol option goes for $80 per person, with a selection of Bloody Mary, Prosecco and selected draught beer on offer. Eat, drink and let the weekend begin!
Club Meatballs / 01-35, 20 Cross St, Full Steam China Square Central, Singapore 048423 / Mon – Fri, 8am – 12am; Sat, 10am – 12am; Sun, 10am – 10pm / Tel: +65 6222 8660
If you can’t decide between East and West – Atlas Coffeehouse
Atlas Coffeehouse, which specialises in speed, consistency and attention to detail with their sustainable specialty coffees, also does some amazing all-day brunch, with an interesting mix of East- and West-influenced dishes. The Salmon Soba Noodles ($18), the top choice if your brunch cravings are of the Asian variety, features poached salmon with soba noodles, crispy fried egg and shimeiji mushrooms with a dressing of fresh cilantro lime yoghurt. For something cheesy and creamy, try the Creamy Mushrooms on Sourdough ($14). The white wine creamy mushrooms and fresh parmesan cheese on toasted sourdough is simple but decadent.
Atlas Coffeehouse/ 6 Duke’s Road, Singapore 268886 / Closed on Mondays; Tue – Sun, 8am – 7pm | Tel: +65 6314 2674
/TISG