an indulgent brunch is one of our favourite weekend activities. Run, don’t walk to these five top spots. They will not disappoint …
1 URBANITY, Coke Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7
In Smithfield, Urbanity has certainly staked its claim as THE place for brunch. The weekend menu is full of dishes that make you want to instantly drop whatever you are doing and get yourself to Coke Lane. Turkish eggs with baharat spiced lamb crumb, roasted almond yoghurt, coriander and mint chermoula, crispy kale, pomegranate, chili, organic fried egg, Tartine organic sourdough sounds like a dream. Equally as delicious are the Belgian waffles with pumpkin spiced dulche de leche, toasted marshmallow, brown butter crumb, dark chocolate and vanilla cream. The Vietnamese iced coffee is excellent, whatever the weather, as is the freshly made house lemonade. www.urbanity.ie
2 O’HERLIHY’S, Kinsale, Co Cork
Kinsale isn’t that far from Dublin. At least that’s what I tell myself every weekend as I look longingly at the brunch delights that O’Herlihys in Kinsale are serving up to lucky locals and visitors alike. I dream of the day that I can revisit dishes such as the Turkish eggs flatbread with poached eggs, garlic and lemon Greek yoghurt, chilli butter oil on a house flatbread or the breakfast smorgasbord with soft goats cheese, manchego, Gubbeen, fresh fruits and baby figs, honey, toast and bread, jalapeño jam plus a Swedish cardamom bun. Food aside, the setting itself is splendiferous. Don’t skip something sweet. www.oherlihyskinsale.com.
3. SOUTH AT THE K CLUB, Straffan, Co Kildare
The full Irish breakfast at the newly refurbished South Bar and Grill will set you back €16.95, but it will certainly set you up for the entire day. Other options include Sneem black pudding with chorizo, potato bread, poached eggs and sun blushed tomato salsa. Another reason to visit South? The bottomless cocktail pitchers for €25 per person for a two hour indulgence. Cocktail choices include limoncello, margarita and the gin bramble. www.kclub.ie
4. SALT FOOD AND WINE, Victoria Road, Cork
In County Cork, Salt is known for brunch and mushroom lovers will no doubt attest to the dish of mushroom and brie baked eggs making a visit mandatory. A savoury casserole of leek, mushroom and spinach is topped with free range eggs, French brie then baked and served with toasted sourdough. For me, it would have to be the corn and vegetable pancake served with baba ganoush and mint yogurt topped with a poached egg and sumac. www.saltcork.ie
5. THE POCKET, 68 Upper Church Lane, Belfast
In Belfast, those in the know head to The Pocket for brunch. Let’s speculate why. Perhaps it’s because of the lavender French toast using Bara Bakehouse tin loaf, rolled in Cardamom and cinnamon sugar, drizzled with lavender infused caramel topped with a hazelnut biscuit, macerated berries and meringue kisses. Or maybe it’s the green eggs on toast with soft poached free-range eggs on sourdough toast served with pocket’s famous homemade green sauce, or even the butterscotch blondies. Who am I to question but it is certainly going on my list. www.thepocket.coffee
Good to Know…
Dash Burger recently won the public vote for Best Irish Food and Drink Pairing with its double smash cheeseburger basted with allta restaurant’s shiitake miso butter matched with O’Hara’s IPA. If you have ever had a burger from Dash, you will be aware that for breakfast, lunch, brunch or dinner, it’s always a good idea. Add allta’s shiitake miso butter and O’Hara’s IPA and you have a match made in foodie heaven. www.dashburger.ie.