Everyone loves Brunch. It is the official licence to eat a great breakfast-type meal with amazing cocktails. For most of us, it is an excuse to extend the Friday/Saturday night boozing which probably ended too early. When it comes to brunch options, Abuja is not exactly overflowing with restaurant options but there is enough for discerning foodies.
Here is our list of the best brunches in the city of Abuja:
Saffron Cafe at House 43
43 Gana street, Maitama, Abuja
Come here on the weekend, and it’ll be full of folks trying to avoid the popular brunch (buffet) party at Hilton. No beef with Hilton but we totally get it. Saffron Cafe is a quaint European styled café with a delightful menu serving fluffy pancakes, full English breakfast and the popular Nigerian breakfast (yam and egg stew of course). The other reason to come here is the amazing coffee and outdoor seating area. Also WIFI is free depending on who you ask.
Bukka at Transcorp Hilton
1 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama
Like Southern Sun in Lagos, there’s a high probability that Transcorp Hilton was your first brunch experience in Abuja. The Sunday brunch at the Hilton is a rite of passage for most folks in Abuja. However if we are honest, it is more of an extensive buffet covering every type of cuisine / breakfast one can imagine (Nigerian, English, American breakfasts and even combo made to order etc). Despite the price point, we still love the Hilton.
Salamander Cafe
5 Bujumbura Street, Wuse 2
Restaurants in Abuja come and go, yet the one constant fixture has always been Salamander. A few reasons why this is a great place for brunch: cosy cafe co-located with a bookstore, consistent breakfast menu, great service and a super relaxed atmosphere. Prices are a little on the high side but the cultural immersion is amazing.
The Quarter Café
6 Tapeta Street, off Thaba Tseka Street, British Village, Wuse 2, Abuja
Inside The Quarter Café looks like one of those bourgeois Parisian bistros except there is no real view. That’s ok. Like many good restaurants in Abuja, Quarter Café is located in a residential area with a non-descript black gate (you actually need to know where you’re going, that’s why you have ofadaa.com). This cosy cafe is perfect place for a romantic brunch with a broad menu covering pancakes, all-styles of breakfasts, gourmet burgers, desserts and coffees.
Papillon – Sheraton Abuja
Ladi Kwali Way, Maitama, Abuja
Notwithstanding our position that breakfast buffet is not really brunch, the Sunday Jazz Brunch at the Sheraton is an age old tradition for families in Abuja. Sheraton (alongside the Hilton) has been offering assorted inter-continental “brunch” fares before all the cool chic cafes showed up on scene. If the agenda is to eat till you drop and not worry about variability of your final check at 4pm, this is the spot for you.
Waffle Stop Cafe at Dunes
Dunes Centre, 44 Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Maitama, Abuja
If you want authentic Belgian waffles and pancakes, then the appropriately named Waffle Stop at Dunes should be your first port of call in Abuja. Whilst the menu is relatively fixed, the choice of toppings changes frequently, our current favourite is Strawberry with Oreos. Need more convincing, that’s where Iyanya gets his breakfast in Abuja. Enough said.
BluCabana
Shehu Yaradua Way, Opp Setraco Building , Mabushi, Abuja
Although a little out of the way next door to the highly rated Nordic Hotel, BluCabana is the perfect brunch paradise for families. Here’s why: an outstanding Lebanese inspired breakfast menu, a beauty lounge to relax in while the kids enjoy the swimming pool and the playroom. But here is a better idea: leave the kids at home with daddy and enjoy all-girls boozy brunch date.
Bunna Cafe
Silverbird Entertainment centre, 1161 Sani Abacha way, CBD, Abuja
Yes it is located in Silverbird but Bunna Cafe is a world away from the hustle and bustle just outside. This premium coffee shop serves amazing pastries, muffins, mini burgers and sandwiches with a good cocktail list. It’s a cute spot to catch up with friends or to read a book solo whilst enjoy the view of Abuja.
The Charcoal
Fashion Mall, 112 Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja
Try to reserve a table on the rooftop terrace ahead of time if you can – that’s where all the fun is at and the view is actually not bad. If that fails, just get there early enough for brunch. Over 70% of the diverse menu at Charcoal is grilled, that should bring (some) comfort to those wanting a healthy-ish brunch (if there is such a thing).
Tea Room at Tulip Bistro
7 Atakpame Street, Off Adetokunbo ademola crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja
Tulip Bistro regularly comes up as one of the most recommended restaurants in Abuja. For good reasons: food tastes great, beautiful ambience perfect for most occasions (brunch, date nights) and extremely friendly service. Tea Room retains all those qualities with a focus on delicious breakfast items and various tea flavours.
Kalakut Café at Venture Platform
Ventures Platform, 29 Mambilla street, Three Arms Zone, Abuja
Kalakut Café is just too trendy; making it an instant hit with the Instagram kids. Anywhere that is architecturally built with shipping containers located in the former American Embassy and has a great view of Aso Rock from the rooftop is always going to be a winner. That’s enough to have brunch at Kalakut Café whilst hanging out with some cool tech heads.
Classic Rock Coffee
12b Ajesa Street, Off Aminu Kano Crescent, By LG Showroom, Wuse 2, Abuja
Yes this place reminds you of Hard Rock Cafe in Lagos, great place to hang out with friends on Friday nights listening to upcoming live bands. The brunch affair is however a lot gentler and the space surprisingly adapts well to that change. This is definitely where you bring brunch date that is into rock and roll, others might fully appreciate it.
