If you've no plans this weekend then why not try one of these decadent brunches? Usually a meal between breakfast and lunch (and enjoyed lazily on a Saturday or Sunday), brunches have become social events that now play host to many a varied menu.
From pastries in Parisian settings to perfect pancakes, Scotland is serving up a range of bountiful brunches. Here's our pick of the best.
Picture: the Birnam Brasserie's Winter Garden, supplied
With live music, a Bellini, Mimosa and Bloody Mary station, and a varied choice of brunch favourites – including elegant brasserie dishes, fresh seafood and American classics – the iconic hotel’s latest culinary offering provides guests with no-holds-barred access to a bountiful banquet.
Set to launch this Sunday (3rd September), the brunch will continue to run on the first Sunday of each month in Gleneagles’ newest restaurant, The Birnam Brasserie.
The Bellini brunch provides the perfect opportunity for couples, families and friends to come together for an informal yet extravagant dining experience – to toast the end of the weekend in style.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBC20esxHqk/
This trendy establishment has lighter options like bagels or omelettes, as well as their hearty signature Big Bear cooked breakfast.
If it’s a rare sunny day, be sure to grab a table outside and enjoy an al fresco brunch. If you’re struggling to decide, you can’t go wrong with Blue Bear’s eggs benedict and cup of coffee. Their cute bear latte art will put a smile on any face.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYAyVSxn_tZ/?taken-by=stravaigin_g12
Nasi Goreng, the national dish of Indonesia, is a firm favourite at the Stravaigin breakfast table, topped with bacon, king prawns and a poached egg.
That’s just one of the delectable dishes on the weekend brunch rundown. Eggs benedict with chilli hollandaise is another unique and popular option.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNCijZxBXYK/
Serving brunch from 9am to 4pm at the weekends, Smoke Stack are Edinburgh’s waffle connoisseurs, and their offerings certainly aren’t run of the mill.
The huevos racheros waffles topped with salsa, black beans, monterey jack cheese and a fried egg are a stand out, and go perfectly with a freshly made smoothie.
Situated on bustling Broughton Street, the floor-to-ceiling windows at the front of the restaurant provide great people watching opportunities while you eat.
Picture: Loudons Facebook
At Loudons – a cafe and artisan bakery – all of the bread and cakes are made fresh on-site daily, and include lots of gluten-free options.
For brunch, Loudons cooks up a range of eggs benedict dishes such as: Benny Hoots Mon - haggis, black pudding and bacon topped with poached eggs and homemade tomato ketchup chutney and Cajun spiced Benny - avocado, bacon and poached eggs topped with Cajun hollandaise sauce and spiced crayfish.
Picture: McPhabbs Facebook
A cross between relaxed restaurant and classic pub, McPhabbs is a perfect place for a weekend brunch, with their 'bottomless brunch' selling out fast.
Choose from American style dishes such as banana bread french toast, Mexican style poached eggs served with avocado and black bean salsa, crumbled fresco, chilli on sour dough and truffled scrambled eggs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVhbcNMlIrr/?hl=en&taken-by=quaycommons
Owners of Gardeners Cottage, the historic restaurant situated in Edinburgh’s Royal Terrace Gardens at the foot of Calton Hill, have recently opened a new venture, Quay Commons.
Serving a range of breads, cured meats, pastries and sharing platters Quay Commons is an ideal place for anyone looking for a laid back brunch option.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYQSX0sg73R/?taken-at=223993668
Named for the butcher's shop that occupied the site from 1926 until 2008, Mitchell's offers both sit-in meals, including brunch plates (served till 2pm on a Sunday), as well as take away options from the adjacent deli.
Dishes range from traditional breakfast rolls to French Toast served with peanut butter and jelly, bacon and maple syrup or berries and yoghurt.
Its interior, which has been designed by Jim Hamilton from Graven Images, is totally Instagram worthy thanks to the banquettes made from deconstructed tweedy jerkins, a luggage rack holding a battered antique suitcase.
Picture: The Ivy's waffles are available for brunch, The Ivy Collection
Set to open in a few weeks, this much anticipated restaurant is the group's first foray into Scotland and will serve everything from breakfast to afternoon tea and, of course, brunch (served from 11am-4pm)
Diners can look forward to dishes such as; Buttermilk pancakes, eggs benedict and chips, eggs royale and chips and avocado and spinach benedict, as well as a 'build you own waffle' menu.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BR0I-nFATSj/?taken-by=ryeandsoda
Rye and Soda serves up American classics such as pancakes with bacon and maple syrup as well as Scottish and British dishes such as a smoked haddock omelette by day, and is a popular gin bar with bottle shop and bistro by night.
Diners who want something decadent and bubbly instead of traditional coffee or tea can add a glass of Piper-Heidsieck champagne to their meal.
Picture: Hutchesons City Grill Facebook
Hutchesons take the humble breakfast egg and gives it an array of wonderful make overs. Chilli and avocado served with a poached egg on sourdough toast is a highlight, as is Eggs Stornoway, consisting of poached egg, hollandaise sauce and Stornoway black pudding.
The glam restaurant recently opened after an extensive makeover so why not head there this weekend to check it out and try the Bubbles & Brunch?
Served from 10am (bubbles from 11am), diners can tuck into fresh croissants, brunch dishes, a bottle of fizz and fresh orange juice.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ5Ij0zjY8G/?taken-at=229265687
This vegan hangout is as famous for its gigging credentials as its food. One look at the weekend brunch menu here and even the most devout meat eaters will be begging for a veggie chilli burrito.
If you’re after something more traditional, try the full veggie breakfast.
Picture: Fairmont St Andrews Facebook
After a successful run this summer, the popular brunch will be back next year. Diners can look forward to more of the same - decadent dishes served to the back drop of classic jazz.
