The Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Recoleta, Buenos Aires

This is a great Italian chain of restaurants, where everything served is of a really high quality, with fresh ingredients used to create mouthwateringly tasty dishes. Lunch can easily pass for brunch, and you could be forgiven for thinking you have been transported to Rome, such is the authentic Italian flavour of the food. Don’t miss this if you’re at a loose end in Recoleta.

The Alvear Palace Hotel is possibly the best-known hotel in all of Buenos Aires and is famous for its celebrity clientele and the opulence of its architecture and interiors. Brunch at the L’Orangerie, the hotel’s decadent indoor patio, is akin to heading to the Ritz for afternoon tea, an inimitable experience. Experience Buenos Aires the way it would have been in its heyday, when it was one of the world’s 1o richest economies at the beginning of the 20th century.

Malvon was one of the first places in Buenos Aires to make brunch a thing, and it still continues to serve up some of the best and most elaborate brunches today. There are two venues: the original in Villa Crespo and its sister restaurant located near the Japanese Gardens in Barrio Norte/Recoleta. It’s a great option for weekend brunch or breakfast during the week. Make sure to go on an empty stomach, as the portions are plentiful.

One of Recoleta’s most beloved bars, Milion is more than a restaurant, more than a bar, and more than a brunch spot: it is a Recoleta institution. Located in a glamorous mansion, Milion attracts a well-to-do crowd who come for the decadent surroundings and the delicious brunch. It is also a good option for a classy drink with a date, or to take friends or family who are visiting.

One of the best bares notables, or heritage bars, in Recoleta is La Biela. Recognisable by its candy-striped awnings, inside, the wood panelling and wooden tables speak of a bygone era, and not much has changed about the bar since then. This type of establishment is typical of old-school Buenos Aires, and no doubt you will see patrons as old as the bar itself if you choose to stop by for a café and medialuna, a pastry that is a typical Porteño breakfast.

High-rollers will appreciate this fancy bar, restaurant, café and bookshop. Brunch is a highlight of Casa Cavia’s offerings, if the stylish venue and classic Buenos Aires architecture weren’t enough of a draw. The setting is luxurious, so make sure you dress accordingly. There is a four-course tasting brunch for those looking to push the boat out, but if not, they also have an à la carte menu that won’t break the bank.

This chain of French bakeries/cafés is a good call for pretty much any time of the day. With branches all over the city, they are known for their delicious bread, pastries and plates, all of which will satisfy you and fill you up. Go for the Le Ble coffee, a bowl of rich, steaming caffeine that is guaranteed to keep you wide-eyed until dinner.