A good brunch has a dish you would return for and somewhere you are happy to linger over coffee. It might begin with eggs, pancakes or a filled brioche, depending on your appetite and when you woke up. These five places have distinct characters, from the house and garden on Negustori to menus where breakfast moves towards lunch.
1. Frudisiac
Frudisiac’s ricotta and lemon pancakes are a good reason to start with something sweet. They come with honey-and-lavender cream, red berries and pistachios, a combination where acidity and the texture of the nuts matter. For a savoury meal, burrata and pea-hummus toast offers a different direction from the ubiquitous avocado.
Read beyond the most photographed dishes. Shakshuka with chickpeas, feta and tahini makes a substantial meal, while mushroom toast combines several varieties with asparagus and a poached egg. Frudisiac suits a meeting in Dorobanți where everyone orders something different and tastes a little from the other plates. Leave room for coffee as part of the meal.
2. Simbio
Simbio, in the house at 26 Strada Negustori, retains its appeal through its dining rooms and a garden sheltered from the busy street. It suits a weekend meeting that begins with breakfast and ends after another coffee. The old house rewards a visit with time to spare, particularly if you find a table outside.
One detail affects planning: brunch is served only on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10am to 4pm. Weekdays focus on lunch and dinner, with the kitchen closed between 4pm and 5pm. Save Simbio for a weekend when you can eat slowly, and consult the day’s brunch menu before choosing a savoury or sweet start.
3. Gram Bistro
Gram Bistro, at America House, is a practical brunch choice around Piața Victoriei. Its bistro setting and menu extending into lunch suit meetings where some people still want breakfast and others prefer something more substantial. You can arrange to meet without building the entire outing around a single dish.
Check the brunch selection available that day and pair it with coffee or a cold drink. Gram is also useful when you only have part of the morning free but want a seated meal before continuing through the city. Nearby public transport helps groups arriving from different neighbourhoods, and lunch can become the starting point for a walk towards Calea Victoriei.
4. Plantini
The name Plantini might suggest an entirely plant-based menu, but the offering includes eggs and dairy. Scramble toast is an example: sourdough, eggs, yoghurt, whipped feta, tomatoes and hemp seeds. Bread, creamy cheese and vegetables come together in a plate suited to a late morning.
The restaurant near Herăstrău is an option for combining brunch with a park walk. Choose by ingredients, particularly if you eat vegan food or avoid particular products. Plantini suits a daytime meeting in the north of the city, with breakfast dishes substantial enough for lunch and time for conversation afterwards.
5. Ou
At Ou, at 86 Strada General Berthelot, maritozzo gives brunch a distinctive character. The savoury version uses house brioche with eggs, cheddar, caramelised onion, bacon and mayonnaise. The slightly sweet dough changes how the ingredients work together and makes an interesting alternative to a familiar toast.
There is also maritozzo with whipped cream, for a sweet finish or anyone happy to begin with dessert. The small-restaurant atmosphere and morning food suit a visit for two. Check the current offering if you are coming specifically for one of these dishes, as event selections may differ from the regular menu. Ou is worth remembering for the way it centres a meal on eggs and baking.
