Delhi’s topping its morning game with the breakfast table action. As the sun shines on the most important meal of the day, avenues to head-fast for break-fast are mushrooming across the capital faster than Usain Bolt sprints. A gamut of eggs, potpourri of good ol’ Indian naashta, a selection of European style grub, #OurCity has many a scrumptious options. Not to forget, some really wicked coffee and tea brews to help you wash down that hearty morning-chow! #DSSCRecommends six places around town for that earlier than early morning breakfast meeting to the perfect hangover cure breakfast, made with TLC.
Cafe Lota
Crisp air. Patio seating. Great coffee. Wholesome food. Frontrunner in early morning service – here are some of the reasons why Cafe Lota is known for letting go of the last smidgen of sleep courtesy great grub. Millets, flattened rice, corn, eggs, all get metamorphosed into Indian breakfast staples with a contemporary twist as Cafe Lota takes you on a trip across India. Munch their Kanda Batata Poha, Bombay Egg Bhurji or Sabudana Popcorn With Hari Mirch Thecha for that Maharashtrian punch. The Dal Ka Chila and Keema Parantha bring you back up north, and the Mini Rava idlis with molgapodi transport you down south. As the Railway Masala Omelette Sandwich rounds up your trip with perfection, don’t skip the unputdownable bread basket – freshly baked spinach pao, Ladakhi and ragi sesame bread for that morning win. Chow down your hearty breakfast with their single estate specialty orthodox teas and single estate artisan coffee that’ll keep you powered through the day and you can thank us later.
Break your fast: 8 am onwards at National Crafts Museum, Gate 2, Bhairon Marg, Pragati Maidan. (Mondays closed).
Perch Wine & Coffee Bar
Image: Perch
Mr. Hoots has just finished curating what will be our go-to breakfast menu in town with a dash of healthy, wholesome and fresh food. At Perch all the breakfast suspects grin and peek from a superbly executed menu. We are still marvelling over the Avocado Toast which we had with a perfectly poached egg and glazed baby spinach. Grab a single origin brew and eat your way through the menu – there is Winter Spiced Mixed Grain Granola with whipped yoghurt, Basil Seed Pudding with custard apple and coconut, Spanish Frittata Croissant with chorizo and scarmoza. Yay! The Cornflakes Crusted Brioche French Toast with grilled pineapple and hazelnut butter was much loved on the table. For us, the hero of this new menu is the Bread. THE BREAD, holy lord. Baked in-house, they’ve worked on perfecting the recipe and it’s a winner. So, what’s stopping you, dearies, from wearing your light woollies and chomping all-mornin’ long?
Break your fast: From 8am to 5pm at Vasant Vihar. Serving at Khan Market next week.
SodaBottleOpenerWala
The Big Bawa breakfast pumps adrenaline into your day. SodaBottleOpenerWala has an eccentric Parsi vibe, quirky decor, and a breakfast spread that spells out comfort from the get go. They love the breakfast-staple eedu and we love the variety they dish up. On offer are Poro or Parsi style flat omelettes, sandwiches from the streets of Mumbai, classic Parsi breakfast dishes (think Akuri with Thick Buttered Toast, Eggs Kejriwal, and more), breakfast cakes, and nitro cold brews that make the perfect wake-me-up cuppa.
Break your fast: From 8.30am to 12 noon at Cyber Hub,Gurgaon or Khan Market.
Carnatic Cafe
Is there anything more comforting than dipping cotton-soft idlis in steaming hot sambar for breakfast? Make way to the unpretentious Carnatic Cafe for some spiffing vegetarian fare. If you’re lucky enough to arrive early, grab a seat by the large bay window, sip on Bitter Head Coffee (black coffee with a hint of nutmeg) or Filter Coffee, and witness the city hustle & bustle to a new day. The Bombat Dosa is your key to spice things up on a particularly slow morning. We absolutely love the Malleshwaram 18th Cross Dosa that comes generously slathered with podi, and the Crispy Mandakki Dosa made with rice flakes runs a close second. If your day starts with ‘eat light, take flight’, then the Dahi Vada, Paper Plain Dosa, Uthappams with a side of Rasam and papad will do you good. The interiors are minimalistic with hints of the Kannadiga roots – the Kolam at the entrance, the dried maize hanging from the roof, tender coconuts in the centre – they’ve heard your call, dear Instagrammers!
Break your fast: 9 am onwards at M-21, M Block Market, Greater Kailash – 2.
Fig & Maple
Looking for the perfect antidote for your hangover? Crawl outta bed post noon, swap them jammies for denim, take a quick shower (or not), for the buck stops with Fig & Maple. Catch a seat on their terrace, sip fresh OJ with basil, and soak in some sunshine (Vitamin D, Check). A Classic Benny with cheddar & chive biscuit, hollandaise, and ham or Florentine will do the trick. Omelettes or Scrambled Eggs served with baby potatoes, sausages & bread do a good job of meeting eggspectations. A choice of Buttermilk, Gingerbread, or Nutella pancakes served with a side of seasonal fruit will warm your heart, while the Buttermilk Waffles With Fried Chicken and Spicy Maple take care of giant hunger pangs.
Chef Radhika Khandelwal is credited with rolling out Instagram-friendly plates that make clever use of negative space adding beautiful pops of colour. Her go-to plating wizardry of using at least three textures to make the food bold & beautiful stumps us on each visit.
Break your fast: 12 pm onwards at M-27, Greater Kailash (GK) 2, New Delhi.
Music and Mountains – Hillside Cafe (formerly Sakley’s Mountain Cafe)
The ambience of Music and Mountains – Hillside Cafe instantly conjoins you with a hilly vibe drawn from from the warmth of wood, vintage photographs, and stacks of books on every table. An all-day breakfast of all-things egg (Bear Mountain Scrambled Eggs With Ham, Oak Alley Melted Cheese Veggie Omelette, there’s no stopping); comfort nibbles (West Abbey Cheesy Fries, Seven Sister’s Battered Fish n Chips); hot sips (Lemon Ginger Tea With Honey, Penny Lane Hot Chocolate) and cool dips (Homemade Nightingale Coke Float, Smoothies, Shakes) build their rather impressive menu. Disclaimer: Getting out of the mountain state of mind is a challenge most diners fail at. Infact, people are known to book holidays after their brekkie-sojourn here!
Break your fast: 11 am onwards at M-23, Greater Kailash- 1 or Sakley’s The Mountain Cafe serving the same menu at DLF Galleria, DLF Phase 4, Gurgaon.
Go ahead, indulge in extra snooze time, for breakfast will be ready when you are!
Featured Image Courtesy: Perch
