Click here to read the Spanish version.
If there is one dish that is associated with the concept of brunch, it is the egg -and served twice as good-. And if we specify a little more, the first classic that comes to mind will probably be eggs Benedict (or Benedictine, Benedictine, Benedictine, as you prefer…). Or maybe eggs Florentine or eggs Royale. You’ve probably heard different names for this typical American or British breakfast dish, but there are some differences between them that we’ll reveal below.
To begin with, it should be mentioned that the original would be eggs Benedict. Although there are several contradictory theories about its origin, everything points to the fact that it was a recipe that emerged in the second half of the 19th century and became popular in New York City. As for the ingredients, these eggs are basically two poached eggs served in the typical English Muffin -a type of bread- split in two halves, with Canadian bacon and hollandaise sauce. From there, the variations are endless and other recipes such as eggs Florentine or Royale have also become very popular.
In this case, Florentine eggs Benedict substitute bacon for spinach, while Royale eggs Benedict add smoked salmon instead of bacon. How do you usually order them? Either way, here are some recommendations of places in Madrid where you can eat the best eggs Benedict or [insert variation].
Café Comercial
A brunch while you enjoy reading Tapas magazine? A great plan to take place on the terrace of Café Comercial, an iconic place in Bilbao’s Glorieta that requires no introduction. Their weekend menu includes, of course, eggs Benedict with bacon, but also with smoked salmon (which would be the Royale), but adding avocado. The full brunch is €30.
Where? At Glorieta de Bilbao 7 (Madrid).
Haroma
In Mario Sandoval’s restaurant you also have the opportunity to taste a luxury brunch to give you a good tribute. And with excellent views of its secret garden inside the Heritage Hotel. In the menu there is no lack of eggs Benedict (they also have them fried or scrambled). If you want a sophisticated plan in Madrid, you have it for €58.
Where? At calle Diego de León 43 (Barrio de Salamanca).
Federal Café
Federal Café is another of those essential cafes where you can have brunch in Madrid, have a quiet breakfast or even work. In their menu they have eggs in all their varieties, including eggs benedict, with spinach, with English bacon, with smoked salmon or avocado (for €11.5).
Where? At Plaza de las Comendadoras 9 and Plaza del Conde de Barajas 3 (Madrid).
Casa Suecia
Its Bubble Brunch (Saturdays and Sundays) is one of the great plans that you must try on weekends. In their Golden Edition Vol. 5 you can’t miss their eggs Benedict, one of the most recommended in Madrid. This time they serve a poached egg on a healthy toast with avocado, tomato and turkey. It costs €30 and, if you want it with cocktail, €35. An extra reason? You will enjoy it on their amazing rooftop.
Where? At Calle del Marqués de Casa Riera, 4 (Barrio de las Letras).
Mür Café
This rustic-industrial style place will make you feel as if you were in your own home having a good eggs Benedict. They have been serving their brunch in Madrid for more than a decade (full for 25 €), which includes the option to order the eggs Benedictine (two poached eggs on toasted bagel base, with a choice of bacon, smoked salmon or avocado, and covered with hollandaise sauce. Served with spiced wedge potatoes and tomato with pesto).
Where? At Plaza Cristino Marcos 2 (Ventura Rodríguez).
Zenith Brunch & Cocktails
It is one of the best known brunch places in the center of Madrid. In their menu they offer eggs Benedict, but their normal recipe is on water bread toast with avocado, chives and hollandaise sauce (€9.5). They also have bacon and smoked salmon.
Where? At calle Valverde, 28 (Malasaña).
La Bicicleta
The iconic café in Malasaña, which also has an outlet on Calle Galileo in Chamberí, offers different options of Eggs Benedict. On the one hand, what they call Norwegian Benedictine (low temperature eggs with smoked salmon, on Panic bun-brioche and flambéed hollandaise sauce – €11,9); also the Porchetta Benedictine (low temperature eggs, homemade pork porchetta with garlic and parsley majada, sautéed portobello mushrooms, on Panic brioche and flambéed hollandaise sauce, €11,9). And finally, a lowcarb option: Low-temperature eggs with their own bacon, mushroom cream and gravy, fresh herbs and nuts on homemade keto pabst with almond flour, costing €12.9.
Where? At Plaza San Iledlfonso 9 (Malasaña) and calle Galileo 39 (Chamberí).
Pum Pum Café
Another of the classic cafes for breakfast or brunch in Madrid is Pum Pum Café. Of course, its menu includes eggs Benedict, which here they call Benedict Pum Pum Pum and is farm eggs, toasted organic sourdough bread, avocado and black sesame (€6 and with two eggs, €8).
Where? At calle Tribulete 6 (Lavapiés).
Adorado Bar
It has become one of the hotspots where you can enjoy a good brunch in Madrid, where you can’t miss the eggs Benedict. They serve it in a corn bun with poached eggs, hollandaise sauce and arugula (you can also add salmon and avocado).
Where? At calle Mesón de Paredes 22 (Lavapiés), and also at Ferraz 20 (in front of the Temple of Debod).
BiBo
Dani Garcia’s restaurant also serves a championship brunch. Its motto is “Every cloud has a silver lining” and its menu includes an adaptation of Eggs Benedict. You have two options: the NY style eggs Benedict, brioche, Iberian bacon and Béarnaise sauce; or the low temperature eggs, smoked salmon, hollandaise sauce and fresh dill. It costs 39 € per person.
Where? At Paseo de la Castellana 52 (Madrid).
