7 Delicious Brunch Destinations around the World

*You can pry my avocado toast from my cold, dead Millennial hands*

I honestly don’t care how yuppie it sounds: I f*cking love brunch. I’ll take any excuse to eat multiple courses before noon, I love a good mix of sweet and savory, and what better way to start the day than with a cocktail (especially a Bloody Mary)?

I’m a morning person; doubly so when I’m traveling. And wherever I happen to be on this lovely planet, I’m always in search of a great brunch spot to kickstart my day.

I’ve had countless great brunches throughout my travels, and whittling down this list to a reasonable number was a challenge. So I had to ask myself: which brunches were most memorable? Which can you still smell and taste when you close your eyes?

And which brunches are inextricably linked, in your mind, to a particular place, to the particular context of your visit, to a particular moment or memory?

Without question, it’s these:

1. Omikron Brunch (Paphos, Cyprus)

*Omikron Brunch’s Scrambled Mess and ‘The Lox’ Bagel*

I had no choice but to put this place at the top of my list: as far as brunches go, Omikron Brunch is king.

I visited Cyprus in late September 2021, starting and ending my weeklong excursion in Paphos. From Paphos, we drove inland to Omodos (lovely town with beautiful views and vistas), passed by Troodos Mountain before doing a short hike up to Caledonia Falls, then spent a night in Lofou (for me, the highlight of the whole trip; this remote little village is one of the most charming places I’ve ever been), before heading to Nicosia (perfectly enjoyable city). From there, we drove back to the coast, had a brief lunch in Larnaca (forgettable), and then spent the rest of the trip in Ayia Napa (major Euro-trash vibes; not for me), before returning to Paphos.

*The village of Lofou: one of my two favorite places in Cyprus (the second being Omikron Brunch)*

(This is where I should probably tell you that I’m not a ‘beach holiday’ person. I’m also firmly past my clubbing days, so most of Cyprus’ seaside destinations don’t really offer much appeal to me—except Paphos, which I quite enjoyed. But when you head inland, up into the mountains, the country is just overflowing with beauty and charm.)

*Apple Pie Pancakes, served a la mode, of course*

Visits to Omikron Brunch punctuated both ends of the trip (and, to be honest, I wish I could have started every day there). I’m not even sure where to begin with the menu: everything is phenomenal. The bagel sandwiches were to die for (“The Lox” was delicious, but it’s their Egg & Bacon Bagel that I’m still dreaming about), and the pancakes were divine (personal recommendation: the Apple Pie Pancakes). Reservations are a must, because missing out on this gem when you’re in Paphos is not an option.

2. Fresh Fruit Factory (Siem Reap, Cambodia)

*No trip to Siem Reap is complete without an ice mountain (or two) from Fresh Fruit Factory*

I’ve been to Fresh Fruit Factory a few times now over the years, and it’s always a highlight of my visits to Siem Reap. (Cambodia’s neighboring countries might get most of the culinary attention, but if you really know where to look, Siem Reap is filled with great cuisine, from street food to upscale Cambodian dining, to exquisite French fare.)

Owned by a lovely Japanese couple, Fresh Fruit Factory serves up a relatively simple menu that falls perfectly in that somewhere-between-breakfast-and-lunch space. Of course, the major draw for most visitors is the famous Ice Mountain, which consists of shaved ice, sweetened condensed milk, and fresh fruit syrup of your choice (my personal favorite is mango and passion fruit). It’s a heavenly way to beat the oppressive Siem Reap heat.

But as much as I love their ice moutains (seriously: they’re delicious), and as much as I adore the friendly, unpretentious atmosphere (made all the more special by the unparalleled warmth and hospitality of the owners), there’s one dish in particular that is the real superstar for me: the Eggs Benedict Pancakes. I mean, who would have guessed that you could take one of my favorite brunch-time dishes and elevate it to new heights by simply placing it atop a fluffy mound of sweet pancakes, all completely slathered in hollandaise?

The Bacon and Cheese French Toast is a close second. (And from what I hear, their cold-style pasta dishes are pretty exceptional, too.)

3. Bockem (Prague, Czech Republic)

It started with a canceled flight. I was on the train from Vienna to Prague—where I had planned to spend one night before catching a plane back to Amman—when I got an email informing me that my flight was canceled.

I was elated. As I’ve said before, Prague is one of my favorite places on Earth. Who wouldn’t mind a couple extra days there?

It was during one of these additional days that I happened to wander past Bockem one morning. I thought it looked quaint, with just a handful of tables situated in its rustic interior, and a couple more outside along the sidewalk. Little did I know what a gastronomic gem I had stumbled upon.

*Perfectly decadent; absolutely delicious*

Bockem’s three-course degustation brunch is so perfectly refined, so inventive, so elevated that it’ll forever challenge your conception of what brunch should be—by showing you exactly what it could be.

Elegant dishes that blend simplicity and sophistication, a carefully curated wine list and drink menu… if only every day could start so perfectly. (And I guess, technically, it could… if you live in Prague.)

4. Cafe Centaur (Lviv, Ukraine)

*Eggs benedict on a croissant: a heavenly dish from Cafe Centaur*

My heart aches for Ukraine: it’s truly one of my favorite places in the world, with some of the most vivacious people you’ll ever meet, and it kills me to think of how much they’re needlessly suffering.

But you know what else aches for Ukraine? My stomach. (Don’t worry: I already hate myself for this terrible segue.)

Through much of Eastern Europe, Lviv is known as the city of restaurants, and I’ve genuinely never had a meal there that was anything less than incredible.

The first time I visited was on a spontaneous excursion in 2016: I had been staying with a friend in Rzeszow, a quiet city in Eastern Poland. My friend had to work during the week, so I was left entirely to my own devices, and in one single day, I’d managed to see everything Rzeszow had to offer. I didn’t quite know what to do with myself for the next few days, so I decided to catch a bus over the border to Lviv.

It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Lviv has a certain spirit to it—a joie de vivre that permeates every city block. The energy is effusive, invigorating, and contagious. Honestly, it’s a bit indescribable.

I will absolutely write future posts about Lviv, and especially about all the incredible meals I’ve had there. But for now, we are speaking strictly about brunch–and for that, there are few places more delightful than Cafe Centaur.

*Sometimes, the food is so good that you can’t manage to snap a single photo of a dish that isn’t half-eaten*

Situated right on Rynok Square, in the heart of the city, Cafe Centaur’s interiors are warm and richly cozy, evoking the sense that it belongs in another era–one where intellectuals gathered in the back of dark, smoky haunts and drank coffee or wine while pontificating over their latest theories.

I’ve had a few meals at Cafe Centaur, but the one dish that holds firm in my memory is their take on the eggs benedict, served on a fluffy, flaky croissant. It’s a combination that needs to catch on elsewhere. It’s divine.

Sadly, according to a quick Google search, Cafe Centaur is temporarily closed (more than likely due to the war).

5. Ayoubi Foul & Tamees (Amman, Jordan)

*Hummus, lentils, foul, and tamees bread*

Oh, how I adore a hearty Arabic breakfast. Falafel, hummus (the real stuff, loaded down with olive oil, not that tasteless garbage you buy in American supermarkets), foul (cooked and mashed fava beans, also loaded down with olive oil), qudsiyyeh (a mix of hummus and foul), galayeh bandoorah (stewed tomatoes), Arabic bread… it’s simply one of the most utterly satisfying meals on the planet.

In Amman, a great Arabic breakfast isn’t difficult to come by: I could list at least a dozen places off the top of my head that serve an impeccable breakfast spread (Hashem, Hamada, Abu Jbara, Kalha, 7attouteh, Al Khal, Al Usra… shall I go on?).

But Ayoubi Foul & Tamees is different: this tiny little restaurant near Amman’s Seventh Circle serves up Yemeni and Afghani versions of the traditional Arabic breakfast spread. And let me tell you: there are few things I love more than Yemeni foul (once you try Foul Gulaba, you’ll never be quite the same). The Afghani tamees bread is also spectacular, as is the hummus with Yemeni ghee. And don’t even get me started on the Ayoubi Lentils. Magnificent.

I love ordering delivery from Ayoubi Foul & Tamees on cold winter mornings and then spending the whole morning and afternoon just grazing over a massive spread. It’s the best way to ensure a lazy, leisurely day—and I wouldn’t trade those for anything.

6. The Etihad First Class Lounge at the Abu Dhabi International Airport (Abu Dhabi, UAE)

*I never pass up the waffles at the Etihad First Class Lounge*

Before you get up in arms about me being some rich, first-class-flying asshole, let me clarify: I’m not. But that doesn’t mean I’m not willing to splurge a little to enjoy some first-class-level comforts, and the Etihad First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi is worth every penny.

If you have an especially long layover, and you want to be really bougie, it’s even worth paying for a private suite (try to get one with an ensuite bathroom and shower if you can). It’s still infinitely cheaper than a night in a five-star hotel, and includes attentive, personalized service as well as unlimited access to an around-the-clock menu of delicious dishes, all prepared fresh to order.

*Bougie asshole in her private suite, eating more waffles*

Look: I hate airplane food. It’s garbage, and even when it’s good, your tastebuds are dulled considerably at 30,000 feet, so it’s not exactly enjoyable. And airport cuisine isn’t much better: it’s mostly low-rate fast food or crappy casual dining joints. Even most business-class lounges can only offer a slightly better-than-mediocre buffet. (Jesus, listen to me: I really do sound like a pretentious asshole. Whatever, I stand by it.)

*If it hasn’t yet become abundantly clear, I love a good eggs benedict*

But any time I find myself with a long layover in Abu Dhabi, I make room to eat my heart out at the Etihad First Class Lounge—as many dishes and courses as I can stomach, paired with a steady flow of either champagne or coffee.

Plus, let’s be honest: when you’re in an airport, time is completely fluid and relative. The rules of mealtimes go straight out the window, and brunch can be whenever you want it to be.

7. My House

*My at-home brunch buffet. Treat yo’ self*

With my immense love for brunch, you’d better believe that I know how to throw together a pretty killer brunch spread myself. I’m a huge fan of the ‘bagel bar,’ with different kinds of bagels and an array of spreads and toppings, from cream cheese, smoked salmon, and capers to guacamole, bacon, devilled eggs, and everything in between.

Oh, and did I mention that I make the best limoncello martinis on Earth?