To Breakfast or to Lunch? Brunch is the Question -

by Anita Zaror

Whoever came up with the concept of “brunch” must’ve woken up without an alarm clock, and probably didn’t feel like doing a lot that day.

This succulent meal consisting of (late) breakfast and (early) lunch dishes – hence the hybrid name – is celebrated around the world anytime between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Versions of the story on how it may have originated vary from

English and American pre-hunt breakfasts, back in the XIX Century
The Catholic Code of Canon Law which says that a person “is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from any food and drink” (so everybody obviously ate a lot after mass!)
The historic Ambassador Hotel in Chicago, where movie stars would meet for brunch at its famous Pump Room restaurant, becoming particularly popular after World Word II.

In Thailand, it was five-star hotels that introduced Sunday brunches to their food and beverage offers and turned them into the institution they are today. Nowadays, many restaurants in town are offering them too, either buffet-style, through a la carte options, or just with all-day breakfast as an alternative for those who want to sleep in.

Usually taking place in Bangkok between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., one would argue how brunch is any different to the city’s usual 12 p.m. lunchtime? Booze is the answer. The thing is: unless you’re staying in a five-star hotel in Napa Valley, where local sparkling wine is many times offered together with breakfast, alcohol before lunchtime tends to be a worldwide no-no… except if it’s for brunch (great excuse to drink, lol!).

The trend in Bangkok—especially at five-star hotels—is that of Sunday brunch including free-flowing soft drinks, while there are optional packages for alcohol, mostly serving sparkling wines and house wines. The offer will also consist of both international and Asian dishes at the same time, making brunch a much better option than regular lunch, as you won’t even have to get into the discussion of whether going for Eggs Benedict or Thai crab salad.

Welcome to Lookeast’s new #SundayBrunch section, where we will be reviewing Bangkok’s most exquisite brunch menus. Bookmark this page and come back to it often to find new additions.

Would you like to have an honest opinion about a particular Sunday Brunch before trying it? Let us know in the comments section below, and we’ll do the research for you!