By Giovanna Simonetti
After a tiring week of work, there’s nothing better than taking advantage of a weekend of rest to slow down and live calmly. Nothing sums up this feeling as well as brunch: a mix of breakfast and lunch, usually served on Sundays, the reinforced meal –usually washed down with sparkling wine and drinks– is a great program.
Some restaurants and hotels offer upscale brunches, with hearty menus, top-notch ingredients and exquisite dishes served in sumptuous settings – from iconic hotels to theaters.
Check out our suggestion of the 9 most special brunches in Brazil below:
TANGARÁ PALACE
In one of the most sophisticated settings in São Paulo –where it seems most like we are out of town, with such privacy and nature around–, one of the most luxurious brunches in the city is served. Visitors enjoy the outdoor area of the Tangará hotel, overlooking Burle Marx Park, while enjoying a meal that includes options such as crispy salmon sushi, ancho steak tartar, coconut breaded shrimp, filet Wellington, pavlova and mille-feuille – and, of course, sparkling wine, wine and drinks.
Only on Sundays, from 1 pm to 4 pm, at R$420 per person.
COPACABANA PALACE
The iconic hotel in Rio serves a poolside brunch at the Pérgula restaurant. In an all-you-can-eat buffet style, it has a risotto station, artisanal pasta, cheeses and cold cuts, more than 10 types of salads, hot dishes and desserts. To go with it, Copa sparkling wine and drinks such as Mimosa, Aperol Spritz and Bloody Mary are included.
Only on Sundays, from 1 pm to 4 pm, at R$395 per person.
EMILIANO
One of the most traditional (and ancient) brunches in the capital of São Paulo, the banquet at the Emiliano hotel is always served on weekends with food, and unlimited sparkling wine and wine. From the couvert to the desserts, the menu is full: salmon tartar, croque monsieur, pancakes, angus carpaccio, taleggio cheese risotto with serrano ham, parmigiana with yam puree and cheesecake mousse with jabuticaba jelly are some of the many options.
On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 12pm to 4pm, R$305 per person.
TIVOLI MOFARREJ SÃO PAULO
One of the most luxurious hotels in the city, with the most expensive presidential suite in Brazil, the Tivoli Mofarrej serves brunch next to its outdoor pool. The special menu features more than 30 options between breakfast, starters, main courses and desserts. Eggs Benedict, ceviche, fried calamari, salmon gravlax, octopus with Provencal potatoes and filet Wellington are some of the options on the menu.
On Sundays, from 1pm to 4pm, R$340 (with free sparkling wine, white and red wines) or R$180 (with just one welcome drink) per person.
Elected the best bakery in São Paulo by Veja Comer e Beber magazine for three consecutive years, DAMA recently started serving brunch at its main store in Pinheiros. The best thing is that you don’t have to wait for the weekend: it’s available every day. Its special character comes from the artisanal quality of what is served, from fresh breads to sweets with French pâtisserie techniques – such as its famous mille-feuille, in the classic version and the salty version, with salmon. Mini chocolate and cream eclairs, mixed brioches and mini croissants with artichoke paste are also included. To drink, the premium bottled cocktails by APTK Spirits, by award-winning mixologist Alê D’Agostino.
Every day, from 9 am to 3 pm, at R$270 for two people, with a drink for each.
JW MARRIOTT SÃO PAULO
The second unit of the luxury brand JW Marriott in Brazil, the hotel in São Paulo was recently opened with 258 rooms and suites, restaurants, spa and pool. As a novelty, from September 11, it will begin serving a brunch with live music and free sparkling wine, bloody marys and gin and tonic. The menu has special ingredients, resulting in dishes such as avocado and smoked salmon tartine, traditional eggs Benedict and eggs Florentine, native bee honey and black truffle pizza, seafood rice, porchetta, cream brùllée tartelette and a selection of gelato.
On Sundays, from 1pm to 5pm, R$310 per person.
MANGA
In Salvador, Manga has a very hearty breakfast. From the hands of chefs Dante and Katrin Bassi, the special touch comes from the fresh and high quality ingredients: practically everything served is made in the restaurant itself, from breads and pastries (baked fresh in the early hours of Sunday) to sausages – such as pastrami, wild boar picanha, smoked salmon and duck prosciutto. The meal takes root in Germany, Katrin’s birthplace, with German classics like zopf bread and sweet schneckennudel. This also includes regional specialties from Bahia, such as beijú, mungunzá and corn couscous.
On Sundays, from 8:30 am to 12 pm, à la carte.
CANOPY SÃO PAULO JARDINS
At the Stella restaurant, on the ground floor of the Canopy hotel, chef David Kasparian serves a brunch with signature dishes. In addition to a cereal, fruit and yogurt station, the meal has a counter with homemade breads and sausages (such as duck and copa ham), in addition to award-winning artisanal cheeses from São Paulo. Eggs, tapiocas and pancakes serve as a starter for the more elaborate main dishes, which change every week. As an example of what has already been served, there are yellow polenta with seafood ragu, banana moqueca and vanilla ice cream with pomegranate molasses and crumble.
On Sundays, from 12pm to 5pm, R$260 (with free sparkling wine and beer) or R$200 (without alcoholic beverages) per person.
SÃO PAULO MUNICIPAL THEATER
In the golden hall of the majestic theater, in the center of São Paulo, the Bar dos Arcos serves an à la carte brunch on weekends – with the option of a guided tour of the building’s basement. The menu includes typical breakfast and lunch dishes, but with a special twist. This is the case with hot cheese with caramelized onions, mozzarella and mandala cheese; the Florentine eggs, made from free-range mollet egg, creamed spinach, cashew nuts and toasted bread; or the brioche french toast with puxuri crème anglaise and chocolate ice cream. Main course options range from grilled fish with miso and passion fruit sauce to “picadinho” (chopped beef plate) and “baião de dois” (prepared from rice and beans, preferably green beans or new beans and curd cheese). Another highlight is the drinks, from classics to signatures.
On Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 am to 4 pm, à la carte. The value of the guided tour with the brunch can vary from R$150 to R$195 per person.
With Information from Forbes
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