Not So Restrictive Brunches

Brunch is the word on everybody’s lips these days. Whether you went to brunch last weekend, are planning to brunch this Saturday or have just heard of the most amazing brunch location which you’re desperately trying to get a reservation for, one cannot deny the ever growing popularity of this loungy weekend meal.

But what about the people who seem to have been left behind by brunch society? What about those forced to spend the weekends in various brunch locations sipping on a black coffee and munching on a slice of quasi cold gluten-free bread, while everyone around gorges on an enormous selection of goodies banned from your belly?

We’ve found the capital’s best brunch locations adapted to your diet: whether you don’t eat meat, you’re lactose intolerant, you’re gluten-free or you’re only into raw, these locations will sort you out this weekend.

The Vegetarian

The Mellow Fig (George’s Avenue, Blackrock)

Bruch in the suburban seaside location of The Mellow Fig is full of vegetarian options, from a take on the full-Irish involving lentils and mushrooms to deliciously fluffy pancakes.

The Dairy Free and the Paleo

Staple Foods (Curved Street, ?Dublin 2)

Having lately combined the best of their brunch and lunch menus into one mega-awesome early afternoon meal, all the bases of what’s on offer are completely dairy free, so lactose-intolerants may rejoice! What’s more, half of the options cater to the Paleo diet, so if you have hunter-gatherer friends, make sure to bring them here.

The Coeliac

Herb Street (Hanover Quay, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2)

No more shall coeliacs be sufferers with practically every item on Herb Street’s menu adaptable to gluten-free diets. With their homemade gluten-free bread, Belgian waffles, corn chips and turkey burger, there’s no chance of a pitifully unsatisfying salad as the only wheat-free choice.

The Raw

Rustic Stone (17 South George’s Street, Dublin 2)

Not strictly speaking brunch, but closer to lunch, Rustic Stone offers a raw food menu that’s certain to please anyone who’s wary of even warming their food prior to consumption. Plus, there are seven colour-coded labels ranging from ?Super Food? to ?Sugar Free?, in case you’re trying to keep any other illicit foods at bay.

The Vegan

Seven Social (7 Benburb Street, Dublin 7)

With a specific part of their brunch menu dedicated to vegans, Seven Social are looking out for those that can’t eat any animal products, and you certainly can’t go wrong with the oat, maple syrup & Venezuelan chocolate chip granola served with almond milk. We’re eagerly anticipating their reopening this autumn in a new location as soon as their chef Emma Bowe returns from working in London with the extraordinary Heston Blumental.

Follow Cecilia Lacombe