Here are some of the best places in Berlin to soak up the sun and fill up your stomach.

Morgenland
Neighborhood: Kreuzberg

In the shadow of Görlitzer Bahnhof, Morgenland offers all the traditional trappings of breakfast (cereals, yogurt, fruit, eggs, bread, jam, Nutella), as well as the traditionally German trappings (sliced meats, cheeses, veggies), then adds a rotating and constantly refilled selection of sweet and savory options, from hummus to filled crepes to pasta salads, many with a distinctly Mediterranean flair.

Brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., €9.50, no credit cards accepted, reservations possible. kontakt@morgenland-berlin.de

Anna Blume
Neighborhood: Prenzlauer Berg

This combination flower shop and cafe/restaurant in the heart of the trendy Kollwitz neighborhood serves ample and beautiful tiered brunch platters for one, two, or four persons. Enjoy the quiet atmosphere of these leafy streets from the large outdoor seating area in front of the cafe.

Open everyday from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., platter for two €17.50, credit cards accepted, no weekend reservations.

Datscha
Neighborhood: Friedrichshain

Serving up repeatedly refreshed trays of Russian-inspired dishes in an atmosphere that can be described as an “Ostalgic” living room, Datscha’s selection is far better than anything you’d find in Moscow. With plenty of options for meat eaters and vegetarians alike, this is a place to hunker down and try plate after plate of savory and sweet delectables.

Brunch Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., €10.90, credit cards accepted, no Sunday reservations.

Your favorite brunch spots in Berlin?

Have a favorite brunch to add to our list? Tell us about it in the comments section.

The post Where to get your brunch on in Berlin appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

London is awash with options for brunch, but steer clear of the pricey smart hotels that target tourists and head to some of these local’s favorites instead:

The Diner’s Soho location. Photo: Ewan-M

The Diner
18 Ganton Street
W1F 6BU
Web site

Tucked away just off London’s Carnaby Street and a safe distance from the bustle of Oxford Street, The Diner offers all-American indulgence in the form of tasty all-day breakfasts and shakes to those in need of a little TLC. Pancake stacks, muffins, huevos rancheros and omelettes stuffed with all the ingredients you could wish for grace the menu, making it the ideal retreat for when you’re feeling a little on the fragile side.

The prices are nice too, with breakfasts ranging between £5 and £9 each, so you’re even left with some change for a bit of retail therapy afterwards.

Homa
71-73 Stoke Newington Church Street
N16 0AS
Web site

“Stokey” is an area well worth exploring if you haven’t already discovered it and Church Street is absolutely packed with quirky little cafés and bars. Homa is a beautifully airy restaurant and an absolutely perfect spot for reading the paper and enjoying brunch on a lazy morning. The product of the Turkish and Italian owners, the menu is quite unusual, offering everything from bruschetta with wild field mushrooms to taleggio cheese and rocket, and smoked haddock kedgeree with slow cooked hen’s egg.

Prices are very reasonable, with most dishes costing between £6-£8.50, unless you decide to splash out on the sumptuous champagne English muffin combo, which rocks in at £14. Brunch is served from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Monday-Friday and until 4 p.m. on weekends.

Bill’s
St Martin’s Courtyard (off Long Acre)
WC2E 9AB
Web site

A small, funky chain with six outlets across England, Bill’s is a really fun choice for brunch with a laid-back vibe and delicious food. The colorful Covent Garden branch is definitely my favorite, mainly due to its hard-to-find location in a relaxed square in the city centre. Choose from full English breakfasts, to all kinds of eggs (benedict, florentine, royale) or indulge that sweet tooth with the amazing french toast topped with banana, strawberries, walnut yogurt and maple syrup… heavenly.

Breakfast prices range from £2.95 to £9.50 and is served weekdays until midday and weekends until 1 p.m.

The Breakfast Club
33 D’Arblay Street
W1F 8EU
Web site

This place is so popular on weekends that queues have been known to stretch right down the street, but Londoners “in the know” are happy to wait as their patience will be rewarded. The Breakfast Club’s brunch menu is extensive and covers all bases, from generous English breakfasts and all-American pancakes, to green eggs and ham or breakfast burritos. For those who like their brunch with a twist, the posh sausage sandwich (with smoked cheddar cheese, red onion chutney and portobello mushrooms) really hits the spot, and the chorizo hash browns are also well worth sampling.

The Soho branch is the original and most central Breakfast Club, but other branches can also be found in Hoxton, Spitalfields and Angel. Brunch is served every day from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Also in our guide: Now that you have your brunch plans settled, we’re here to help out with choosing a hotel, as well. Our editors sneak around London, inspecting budget hotels and choosing their favorites — only hotels that are central, clean and cheap. Read their suggestions in our London hotel guide.

The post Best restaurants for an affordable brunch in central London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The ingredients are just as Irish—including smoked salmon, hearty brown bread, and farm fresh eggs. What’s new is the preparation, a slight focus on healthy options over greasy ones and a pleasant atmosphere in which to enjoy it all.

Here are three of my favorites in Dublin City Center:

1. The Canal Bank Café
146 Upper Leeson Street, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Tel: 353 (01) 478 9966
Web site

This leisurely café is the perfect place for groups. Inevitably, one person wants breakfast while another wants brunch. One wants only a fruit plate while another craves a hearty burger. The Canal Bank Café has it all—on a lovely corner in Dublin, where light streams through the windows and locals read newspapers at the tables.

I also like how spread out the tables are. Your chair won’t be bumped and you don’t need to listen to the next table’s conversation while you dig into your Eggs McSwiggan (similar to Eggs Benedict, but replace the ham with Irish smoked salmon). They aren’t in a rush here though, so if you arrive hungry be sure to order an appetizer (like their divine buffalo chicken) while waiting for your meal.

2. Junior’s
Bath Avenue, Dublin 4
Web site

This neighborhood favorite has the best interpretation of brunch in the city. Menu items are perfectly sandwiched between breakfast and lunch—think steak and eggs—and are hearty enough to carry you through until dinner. Open for brunch only on the weekends, the tables fill up fast when this spot opens at 11 a.m.

The best tables are outside on the sidewalk, especially if you’re in a small group. Inside can feel quite cramped, as there are only eight tiny tables for two. On the inside, however, you have the perfect view of the chef as he creates your meal. I love Junior’s take on French Toast—this is a dish I would wake up craving on a Sunday.

3. The Lennox Café
31 Lennox Street, Portobello, Dublin 8
Tel: 353 (0)1 478-9966
Web site

The most stylish of these three brunch options is the Lennox Café, tucked into the Portobello neighborhood amongst prime examples of historic Georgian architecture. The best tables here are outside on the patio, or upstairs on the second floor, where you can get a glimpse of this building’s former life.

Everything on the menu is delicious and beautifully presented, but one of my favorite dishes is their take on huevos rancheros. Perfectly poached eggs, cheddar, chorizo and avocado all find a home with a little salad on top of a toasted tortilla. Spicy and nourishing, this is a meal I always find myself reurning to.

Don’t believe the rumors that Irish food is bland and boring. By venturing away from the Irish breakfasts on offer at pubs, you can find cafés that are bringing serious brunch culture to Dublin.

Your favorite breakfast spot?

Do you have a favorite brunch or breakfast spot in Dublin? Tell us about it in the comments section.

The post Dublin: Breakfast and brunch spots with a twist appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Pastries for breakfast?

That’s right. I’m not talking about the old doughnut and drip coffee ritual (although you can simulate that with a caffe’ americano and a ciambella, if you please) but a nice cornetto (croissant) or sfogliatina (clam-shaped sugary pastry) with fancy foamy cappuccinos.

Yum. Photo: Virytum

For breakfast a cappuccino is the classic choice, however any type of caffe (espresso) without or with milk (macchiato, caffe latte, etc.) is standard fare. Pastries here come in all shapes and sizes with fillings ranging from none (vuoto) to those with cream or chocolate (crema or cioccolato) or yummy marmelades (marmellata). You’ll also find some rice-based pastries that are rich and sugary, but a lighter flavor than regular cream or even ricotta-filled delights.

Where to find breakfast

Your best bet for a good coffee and pastry are in pasticceria (pastry shops), rather than a regular coffee bar. Espresso in Italy is generally good as long as it’s made fresh from a high pressure machine and served scalding hot, although locals analyze and debate the quality of coffee at each bar.

Here are a few places that are centrally located and that offer delicious pastries and coffee. Do note that the standard price for an espresso ranges from 80 cents to €1, so avoid spending too much on this liquid gold and beware of extra charges for sitting down at tables!

Sieni
Via dell’Ariento 29

This pastry shop has a prime location on the corner of the San Lorenzo market and a quiet side street heading towards the train station. It’s renowned for its delicious confections. Offering range from standard croissants and other danishes to cookies, chocolates, cakes and tiramisu, as well as sandwiches for a quick lunch.

Look out for seasonal sweets that are definitely worth the wait. These include the traditional Carnival munchies of cenci (available in February), crispy fried dough covered in powdered sugar, and frittelle di riso, small fried balls of rice pastry with amaretto liqueur.

Corona Cafe
Via Calzaiuoli, 72

Despite its position on the main tourist and shopping thoroughfare of Via Calzaiuoli (leading from the Duomo to Piazza Signoria), the Corona Cafe is not a tourist trap! It’s usually packed and has only a few stools or shelves to rest your goods, but it’s worth any inconvenience. The pastries are incredibly good, especially the chocolate and ricotta sfogliatina. While the coffee isn’t cheap, it’s still affordable for this area.

Caffe’ Alinari
Largo F.lli Alinari 28

Located a few steps from the train station and a hub of bus stops, you’ll find the discreet Caffe’ Alinari bar and pastry shop. The cafe boasts a traditional look, and the delicious pastries are all made fresh on the premises. Considering its proximity to the train station, whether you’re arriving or departing it’s the perfect stop for a quick, filling and sugary breakfast.

American-style savory breakfast

Can’t take that much sugar in the morning? American-style breakfasts are scrambling their way into the Florentine breakfast scene.

One of your best bets for a hearty meal is The Diner on Via dell’Acqua 2, not far from Palazzo Vecchio. This American-themed restaurant offers extensive eggs, pancakes, bagels and breakfast sandwich options.

For something lighter there is Mama’s Bakery in Via della Chiesa 34, across the Arno river. The bakery is a bit of a walk, but it’s worth it for the bagels alone (the best you’ll find in in Florence, although still nothing like H&H Bagels back in New York). Also of note are their yummy muffins.

The post Where to find a cheap breakfast in Florence appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Until not long ago, if you happened to wake up late in Madrid on a Sunday with a bit of a headache after a long night out, your breakfast choices were mostly limited to the typical Spanish fare: pincho de tortilla (eggs and potatoes omelet with bread on the side), pan tumaca (toasted slices of bread covered with tomato, olive oil and a bit of salt), tostada con mantequilla (a slice of bread fried with butter and served with fruit jam) and salty “churros,” accompanied with coffee and maybe orange juice.

Brunch at Cafe Oliver. Photo: Juanita972

That is all good, of course, if you’re in the mood for a typical Spanish breakfast. However, what about other breakfast options?

Fortunately, during the past few years it has become increasingly fashionable to enjoy brunch, and there is no shortage of choices. While they’re not exactly “cheapo,” these brunch spots offer a fun, leisurely way to spend a weekend afternoon.

Here are our three favorite spots where you can enjoy an American-style brunch in Madrid:

Nina
Calle Manuela Malasaña 10
Tel: (+34) 91 591 00 46
Metro: Bilbao
Brunch served Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Price: €22.90

Modern, sophisticated and with New York loft-style decoration, Nina has quite rightly become one of the classic brunch joints in town. They have two shifts: one from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and another from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. We suggest to go for the earlier one as it is easier to get a table, but make sure you make a phone reservation because the place is always packed. Regarding the food, the eggs Benedictine are always a good choice, and we especially enjoyed the freshly baked muffins and bagels.

Café Oliver
Calle Almirante 12
Tel: (+34) 91 521 73 79
Metro: Chueca

Brunch served Sundays from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Price: €25
Web site

One of the first places to start the brunch buzz in the city a few years ago, Café Oliver is a Mediterranean-style restaurant and cocktail bar that on Sundays turns into one of the busiest and liveliest brunch spots in Madrid, so make sure you arrive early as they don’t accept brunch reservations. The menu starts with the usual range of coffee and juices, baked goods and pastries. You then choose eggs any style, followed by a first course from the menu, which includes anything from a salad to a cheeseburger.

ENE
Calle Nuncio 19
Tel: (+34) 91 366 25 91
Metro: La Latina

Brunch served Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Price: €22
Web site

Located in an ancient iron warehouse in one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Madrid, Ene offers a chill-out brunch in a cool atmosphere, complete with live DJ sessions, tatamis mats scattered about the floor (come early!), and lounging hipsters enjoying brunch. Once settled, the first thing you’ll need to decide is on the cocktail: Bloody Mary or Mimosa. Then there’s a great selection of muffins, bread and handmade pastries, natural juices, coffee or teas, and a lots of starters and main courses to choose from.

The post Madrid: Three Hip Brunch Spots Worth the Splurge appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

A typical breakfast in Barcelona is a very simple combination of coffee with milk. You can add in a pastry such as a croissant if you like. If you are a savory kind of person, then you can order a sandwich, usually consisting of ham in between two slices of baguette which have been rubbed down in tomato, olive oil and sprinkled with salt. Kids — or those who avoid caffeine — will go for hot chocolate or an orange juice. That’s pretty much all there is to it.

If you like a more hearty breakfast like me, it can be very hard to find French toast or (sigh) waffles. There’s certainly no biscuits and gravy with fried eggs and hash browns. Breakfast is not the most important meal of the day in Spain (that would be lunch), so it shouldn’t come as a big surprise.

But traditional breakfast seekers, all is not lost — at least not in Barcelona. If you require a couple of eggs over easy and a ration of pancakes with syrup to help you through the morning, then you can get it in Barcelona. You just have to know where to go.

Bagels Galore

Trying to find a bagel with lox, capers and cream cheese in Barcelona? It’s not going to happen! Unless you head to Be My Bagel (Calle Planeta, 37) where you can choose from a vast array of bagel flavors and spreads. It looks like I am not the only one who misses bagels in Barcelona, because

Aussie Style Breakfast

Open for a few years now, Federal Cafe will answer the prayers of those craving sourdough toast and scrambles with spinach and mushrooms. Federal has an open-air front dining area and patio seating. In the center of the city, this concept makes a lot of sense in sunny Barcelona. They now have two locations in Barcelona, one in Madrid and one coming to Valencia soon.

Best for Brunch

Marmalade is run by the same guys who brought the city Barcelona Milk Bar, one of my faves for cheap happy hours! Marmalade offers some killer cocktail deals, but best of all, they have a hearty brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays (served from 10am to 4pm).

What’s for brunch? Expect smoothies, Eggs Benedict (also with salmon and florentine) tortilla ranchera with chorizo (also comes in a vegetarian version), stacks of fluffy pancakes, and many other delicious items. Some of these dishes are served with home-fries, which brings tears to my eyes.

Marmalade also has a dinner menu that includes  burgers and a few veggie options.

Brunch Fun Facts

There are actually a few Barcelona Meetup groups devoted to brunch. People miss waffles and mimosas so badly that they have actually created clubs so that brunch can be enjoyed communally, usually with an added activity like Spanish conversation or yoga. If you love breakfast, these Meetup group may be what you’re after.  Check out this website for more info.

Finally, I should also mention Barcelona’s  ‘Cuchara’( literally: spoon), a heartier form of breakfast. Cuchara can be found in select bars. For larger appetites and those with hangovers, it might consist of a filling stew or some other meaty dish. The key is that instead of having coffee with your Cuchara, you will be served wine. Nothing says ‘good morning’ or ‘you’re still drunk’ like a bottle of Rioja.

The post Barcelona Eats: Where to grab breakfast and brunch appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Your recipe for the perfect New York brunch goes something like this: a sprinkling of ambiance mixed with a dash of patience (brunch is generally an early afternoon affair, and there is often a wait). Fold in an egg or two, and don’t forget a cup (or more) of coffee and your breakfast cocktail of choice.

It’s this last portion that can run up the bill, but we’ve scouted some of the best brunch spots in town, those brimming with enough atmosphere to keep you happy, even if the wait is long, and inexpensive enough to keep your wallet happy.

Each of our five picks folds one brunch beverage into the meal price. If you want more than one — which is not frowned upon in this town — you’re on your own…

1. Virage (118 Second Avenue, 212-253-0425) is everything you might expect from the eclectic East Village, right down to the exposed brick wall adorned with vintage European posters. Then there’s the self-described French/Italian/Middle Eastern menu, which stretches into shades of Spanish and Mexican too.

Amid the traditional benedicts and frittatas you’ll find such delicacies as a Moroccan breakfast of baked eggs with tahini sauce. The low price of $14.25 includes coffee or tea, a breakfast cocktail, and a basket of homemade breads, and leaves money left over for that decadent nutella-stuffed brioche as dessert. If only you can find the room in your stomach.

2. Cornelia Street Café (29 Cornelia Street, 212-989-9319) proves there’s one thing New York does better than brunch: the long-shot upstart turned neighborhood mainstay. This local favorite is both — oh, and did we mention the art scene? Yep, this cozy haunt is actually a West Village trifecta: What started as a teensy café is now a beautiful restaurant and bar that helped launch the likes of Suzanne Vega.

But we’re here to talk about brunch… The pre fixe gets you your coffee, beverage, and entrée, along with a baked good from another New York favorite, the nearby Amy’s Bread (three words: warm chocolate bread!). It also gets you your little piece of New York history. Now that’s worth $18, right?

3. The Smith (55 Third Avenue, 212-420-9800) is an airy, modern hotspot with tinges of nostalgia that can be seen in the black and white tiled floor and tasted in the down home comfort food (with a modern twist). Think gooey cheddar grits, crumbly biscuits and gravy, and let’s not overlook the vanilla bean French toast with caramelized bananas.

Another thing you shouldn’t miss: a trip downstairs, where a photo booth is not the only throwback you’ll see — it’s a rare restaurant in this day and age that sports black-and-white burlesque behind tiny peepholes. Note to Cheapo: the complimentary tipple (with meals $14 to $15) is included with Sunday brunch only.

4. Isabella’s (359 Columbus Avenue, 212-724-2100) is a 20-something year-old New York classic where the uptown girls and boys go to see and be seen. At this bright and breezy spot, with its patio overlooking the American Museum of Natural History, you’ll savor simple but delicious country fare, like the bacon, egg, and cheese salad, or one of their four bennys on offer (hello filet mignon benedict). On Sundays the $12 to $15 price includes coffee or tea and your choice of breakfast beverage.

5. Penelope (159 Lexington Avenue, 212-481-3800) is a small, homey space guaranteed to have an inevitable wait, but trust us; It’s worth it. With its kitchen-facing bar and its pastry case of tempting treats, the staff serves food to match the comfy setting. It’s equally inevitable that dishes named after people — like Mabel’s homemade granola or Ellie’s spinach pie — are served up with a whole lotta love.

You can have any of this yumminess (including the irresistible pumpkin waffles with baked apples) for $14, which includes your choice of coffee/tea and juice or an apple cider mimosa. It should be noted that Doreen’s sake bloody mary is sold separately, but that doesn’t mean we love her (whoever she is) and her eponymous drink any less.

Do you have any other favorite New York City brunch spots to add? Tell us in the comments below!

The post New York: Five Delicious (and Cheap) Brunch Spots appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.