The power of a slow morning

Sunday brunch. The Best addresses in the capital

For some time now, Rome has become a hotspot for Sunday brunch,  eaten in the late morning. The history of this tradition, little known but curious, is rooted in Victorian England, in the late 1800s, when young aristocrats would end their Sunday hunts with large, light buffets. In 1895, English writer Guy Beringer coined the term, a combination of breakfast and lunch, in an article for a hunting magazine, celebrating the happy and social moment that instilled good spirits and pushed away the worries and “spiderwebs” of the week. Soon, this custom transformed into a veritable trend, reaching the United States in the 1920s. The undisputed cornerstone of brunch is the rich and colourful buffet of tasty, original sweet and savoury dishes for all kinds of palates. The dishes are curated down to the most minute detail and accompanied by warm and cold drinks, sweets and fruit. Those who like Anglo-American delicacies can indulge in scrambled eggs and bacon, stuffed bagels, pancakes, muffins, cupcakes and brownies. Brunch has become a mainstay on people’s calendars and an excellent occasion to spend a few care-free and relaxing hours with good friends in an elegant and evocative setting. We recommend some of the most exclusive and sophisticated spots that guarantee a welcoming and discreet atmosphere, where you can fully enjoy this pleasant Sunday ritual and recover from overindulging on Saturday night or recuperate your energy for the week ahead. Every Sunday, from 12.30om to 3.30pm. 

Le Jardin de Russie offers the perfect Weekend Brunch on Saturday and Sunday in its unforgettable Secret Garden. The renowned Fulvio Pierangelini has created an excellent gourmet experience characterized by refined Italian cuisine. The meal vaunts live pasta-making stations and a fish corner with sushi, sashimi, oysters and raw, Italian fish. Via del Babuino 9, tel. 06 32888870. 

J.K. Place offers a delicious Sunday Brunch in its café with a large variety of homemade breads and pastries. The buffet includes focacce, sandwiches, bagels, savoury cakes and pastries, cold cuts and cheeses made in Lazio, including prosciutto crudo produced in Bassiano, and some Roman classics, like Carbonara and Amatriciana. Via di Monte d’Oro, 30, tel. 06 982634.

At The St. Regis Rome, in Lumen, Cocktails & Cuisine, the beating heart of the hotel and located in the central lobby, guests can enjoy Tea Brunch. A rich selection of infusions and Dammann Freres teas are accompanied by a selection of scones made by the executive chef Francesco Donatelli, flutes of Ruinart champagne, mini club sandwiches and small, fresh pastries. Upon request, a special caprese can be made in front of the guests with three types of buffalo mozzarella (smoked, fresh and dried) and beefsteak tomatoes from Sorrento. Guests can also sip on a Red Admiral, a variation of the classic Bloody Mary, inspired by the St. Regis Rome and vaunting Mediterranean hints. Via Vittorio E. Orlando 3, tel. 06 47091.

The Doney Restaurant & Cafe at The Westin Excelsior Rome offers a buffet lunch with a selection of hot and cold seasonal dishes. The pasta is prepared fresh in front of the guests. The selection of quiches, Italian cheeses and various veggies are delectable. Guests can also choose special dishes with truffles and mushrooms from an à la carte menu between October and early November, as well as recipes with Barry Callebaut chocolate between November and December. Via V. Veneto 125, tel. 06 47082783.

Sunday Brunch at Hotel Eden is served in Il Giardino Ristorante, on the sixth-floor rooftop of the hotel. The rich brunch buffet is made by executive chef Fabio Ciervo, featuring hot and cold dishes made with seasonal ingredients. The buffet includes a varied offer of sweet and savoury recipes inspired by Campania, the chef’s home region, such as savoury sfogliatella pastries, Neopolitan pastries, focacce, bruschette, stuffed croissants and typical English-American sweets like pancakes, waffles, muffins and cupcakes. Via Ludovisi 49, tel. 06 478121.