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Header image courtesy of @lejardinsoho (via Instagram)
Originally published by Catharina Cheung. Last updated by Celia Lee.
Weekends are for indulgence, and there’s nothing better than waking up late, then spending a good few leisurely hours eating and day-time drinking with friends. Seriously, if brunch were a sport, we would be gold medalists. For those of us without deep pockets and unlimited credit, here are some fantastic brunch options that will not break the bank—all at under $300. (Check back for our upcoming pieces on mid-range and splurge brunches as well!)
Ninetys’ brunch board offers a filling morning pick-me-up that won’t break the bank. The board is fully customisable with a choice of carbs and diners can opt for three ($108), four ($148), five ($178), or six sides ($198). For carbs, choose between bread—sourdough and dark rye sourdough—or rice with mentaiko, kimchi cheese, or onsen egg (add $15). For sides, fill up your board with items across five categories: plant-based, salads, yoghurts and cheese, eggs, and Ninetys’ signatures.
For our brunch board, we paired a steaming bowl of kimchi cheese rice with slow-cooked Wagyu beef cheek (add $58), kale salad, grilled miso egg plant, and truffle scrambled eggs—all goes surprisingly well with a soy flat white ($50).
Offering chill vibes and ample space for diners to unwind and relax, Sp_ce has garnered a steady clientele since its opening. On the brunch menu are a selection of starters, mains, ciabatta sandwiches, and Sp_ce’s insta-famous bagels. Must-tries include the A+BLT ciabatta ($98)—that is avocado, bacon, lettuce, and tomato—and the black truffle scrambled egg bagel ($108). In terms of beverages, patrons are spoiled for choice with a selection of black and milk coffees, specialty drinks such as hazelnut latte and Okinawa black sugar latte, and teas—milk, floral, cold brew, or hand-shaken.
Sp_ce Café and Lounge, G/F, 20 Po Hing Fong, Sheung Wan
Located just on the outskirts of the Soho district, Le Jardin offers a whimsical and cosy retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Its weekend brunch includes two choices of tapas, a choice of salads or yoghurt, and a choice of mains. We are particularly fond of the French crispy potatoes pavé and seared scallops with avocado tartare, while the eggs Benedict with truffle portobello and pesto penne with tiger prawn are not to be missed. Brunch goes for $268, and free-flow is available for an added $188.
Le Jardin à Soho, Shop E, G/F, 36–38 Staunton Street, Central
Café Crêpe serves a Hong Kong special brunch set that includes a drink, a choice of seasonal soup or signature salad, and a choice of mains at wallet-friendly prices. Evidently, the Hong Kong goose crêpe ($228) is a must-try that wraps traditional charcoal roasted goose meat in a sweet pancake, while the Montreal smoked meat mac and cheese ($188) is a twist on the cha chaan teng breakfast item.
Café Crêpe, 15B Wellington Street, Central
Whether you are visiting its Kennedy Town or Sai Kung location, Little Cove Espresso never ceases to impress with its relaxed atmosphere and quality fare. Its all-day menu features a selection of pastries, breakfast bowls, and smoothie bowls alongside a lengthy brunch section. Choices range from light items such as the breakfast panna cotta ($92) with granola, strawberry, banana, and passion fruit and scrambled tofu ($112) on sourdough rye with greens, to hearty plates such as shakshuka ($122) and pulled pork Benedict ($138).
While Passepartout does not have a dedicated brunch menu, we enjoyed its all-day offering so much that we thought it deserves a mention on this list. Big plates are named after different places around the world. Try the Yokohama, a sukiyaki Wagyu topside with crispy rice patty ($163); the Calcutta, a crispy butter chicken with cold slaw and masala waffles ($143); or the Yorkshire, a cast-iron Yorkshire pudding with fried egg, baked beans, sausage, and greens ($138). If you prefer to start your morning with lighter fare, Passepartout also offers a selection of small plates. Add on a cup of coffee (starting from $30), artisan tea (starting from $62), or speciality drinks such as the sesame latte (from $50) and tieguanyin chocolate (from $55).
Passepartout Brunch and Coffee, G/F, Ka Sing Building, 1A Min Street, Jordan
Milligram Coffee, a secluded Japanese-style café located along Wellington Street, is the perfect place to start your mornings slowly. The café offers a compact menu, with four choices of mains and four choices of sweets. Its all-day breakfast is uniquely presented in a bento box ($158), while its miso carbonara ($108) is a unique twist to the familiar pasta dish. Pair your meal with the signature canelé ($48) if you have room for more and wash it all down with the speciality charcoal black latte (from $50).
Milligram Coffee, Shop A, G/F, 174–178 Wellington Street, Central
This three-storey restaurant lends a touch of culinary whimsy to the area of Island East. Enjoy your brunch à la carte and choose between a selection of light bites ($88 each) and brunch plates ($198 each) such as freshly baked croissant and mini brioche, eggs benedict, and moules marinière. Opt for the brunch combo ($268) which includes a light bite and a brunch plate. Elevate your brunch experience with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (starting from $58) or the two-hour free-flow packages (starting from $98).
Mr & Mrs Fox, 23 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay | (+852) 2697 8500
Opt for a classy start to your weekend with Mr Wolf’s weekend brunch. The à la carte menu features classic brunch items such as the three-egg omelette ($138), a full English breakfast ($198), and pancakes with a wide range of toppings ($128). Fuel up for the day with hearty mains such as the Wagyu smash burger ($188), butter chicken curry ($258), and fish and chips ($228). Customise your meal with a choice of add-ons for a unique brunch experience.
Mr Wolf, 5/F, Crawford House, 70 Queen’s Road Central, Central | (+852) 2526 0838
Catharina has recently returned to her hometown of Hong Kong after spending her formative years in Singapore and the UK. She enjoys scouring the city for under-the-radar things to do, see, and eat, and is committed to finding the perfect foundation that will withstand Hong Kong’s heat. She is also an aspiring polyglot, a firm advocate for feminist and LGBTQIA+ issues, and a huge lover of animals. You can find her belting out show-tunes in karaoke, or in bookstores adding new tomes to her ever-growing collection.
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