5 Best Brunch Spots in the Sun

Lizzie Gore-Grimes hopes for good weather with her guide to five great spots for brunch in the sun…

The Dylan Hotel
New head chef Mark Brodie (formerly of Pearl Brasserie) is doing great things with the menu at The Dylan. And when the sun shines there are few better places to be in Dublin than on the Dylan terrace, with its smartly dressed tables and prime people-watching aspect; you get that holiday feeling. On the weekend brunch menu you’ll find all the familiar treats (eggs Benedict, French toast with bacon and berries) but you can also go for something more virtuous in the form of a super food salad (quinoa, pomegranate, avocado, citrus pumpkin seeds and mustard dressing) if you need to feel less guilty about ordering that second Bellini. Brunch served 11am – 4pm weekends and bank holidays.
dylan.ie.

The Greenery
The Greenery in Donnybrook has kitted itself out with some very stylish extra outdoor seating, complete with mini canopy covers (if it starts to drizzle mid sun). All the better to enjoy their inspiring brunch menu – highlights include the avocado granary toast with chilli, feta, mint and lemon olive oil and Turkish eggs with whipped yoghurt, hot chilli butter, coriander and sourdough toast. They also offer fresh coconut and a selection of cold-pressed juices to help you get your weekend off to a healthy start.
thegreenery.ie.

Herbstreet
We’re not alone in holding Herbstreet in high esteem when the temperature reaches anything above 15?C. Trying to nab one of their outdoor tables on a fine day can be a challenge to say the least. Located in the heart of the Docklands action, with the impressive sweep of the Grand Canal Theatre to one side and the rippling water of the Grand Canal Basin to the other; this is prime brunch real estate. And the menu’s not bad either. We come back time and again for their wild mushrooms on toast (saut?ed wild mushrooms in a light roast garlic and truffle cream on thick cut toasted brioche with a rocket and roast cherry tomato salad). Heaven.
herbstreet.ie.

Ely CHQ
If Herbstreet is packed out head across the water to the gorgeous and much under-used CHQ building in the IFSC, where Ely have launched a new brunch menu to run every Saturday throughout the summer months. Food sourcing at Ely is a high priority with all meat sourced from their family farm in the Burren, Co Clare. New on the brunch menu you’ll find organic Burren steak tartare, melt-in-the-mouth buttermilk pancakes with organic smoked Burren bacon or Portuguese baked eggs with chorizo and avocado. Yum. All enjoyed, looking out over the water while sipping something chilled and lovely.
elywinebar.ie

The Woollen Mills
The terrace at The Woollen Mills is a top spot to escape for some late morning refuelling at the weekend. With its view out over the Ha?penny bridge and the hustle and bustle of the quays below, you could spend hours sitting here, polishing off plates of homemade waffles with ?Bloody Mary? salmon, poached egg, caper-berries and lemon or classic hake smokies, green salad, pickled cucumber and toast (if you’re really hanging the pork belly mac and cheese will sort you out!). They also bake all their own bread and boast a killer cocktail list. Brunch is Sundays only.
thewoollenmills.com

@lizgoregrimes