THE JOURNAL
From San Francisco to Sydney, the most mouthwatering midday meals on social media.
Brunch is the best of both worlds: better than breakfast, because you still get a lie-in, and more efficient than lunch, because you can start mid-morning. For some people – the MR PORTER team included – the weekend just isn’t the same without it.
Things have come a long way since eggs benedict became a menu staple in the early 1990s. In recent years, we have seen bottomless brunches offering unlimited booze with your hash browns, the #avocadoontoast revolution and hipster bakeries churning out more sourdough than you can upload onto Instagram.
But with an overwhelming number of brunch joints to choose from, from Sydney to San Francisco, it’s hard to know where to begin. So, to help you in your search for the world’s best, we asked some top Instagrammers, who dedicate their feeds to discovering the best meals from around the globe, where they like to brunch and what they like to order.
Shawarma spiced pork hash at Le Bab, London
Recommended by @clerkenwellboyec1, 154k followers
Le Bab stands out a mile from the rest of the London brunch scene. It combines flavours and ingredients from the eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and South Asia and calls itself a “kebab renaissance project”. A most unusual brunch joint, then. Located just off Carnaby Street, near Soho, Instagrammer @clerkenwellboyec1 goes there for the shawarma spiced pork hash, a Leventine meat dish. “The simplicity of the dish, the oozy eggs, the slow-cooked meat and crispy hash browns” are what make it so delicious, he says. A consultant and image maker, @clerkenwellboyec1 uses his Instagram account as a way to “share recommendations and shine a spotlight on hidden gems, as well as future talent”.
Photography tip: “Ask for a table by the window, but not in direct sunlight.”
Recommends following: @ks_ate_here, @allthingsmeaty, @food_feels, @wethefoodsnobs, @robsonbarista
Shakshuka at Feast Of Merit, Melbourne
Recommended by @thegoodnesscollective, 11.2k followers
Feast Of Merit’s shakshuka – a popular north African egg dish made by poaching eggs in a tomato sauce with peppers and onion – comes highly recommended by Mses Grace Gribble and Julia Leong, the duo behind Instagram account @thegoodnesscollective. “Feast Of Merit is a beautiful space that serves beautiful food,” they say. “We didn’t even have to do much styling for this particular shot, because the food is just stunning.” Friends since university, the Melbourne-based pair, who both work in marketing, decided to start sharing the healthy-food joints and cafés they frequent. They are particular fans of Feast Of Merit, not just because of its locally sourced, seasonal dishes, but also because it’s a social enterprise, with 100 per cent of profits supporting YGAP, a group of entrepreneurs who improve the lives of people living in poverty.
Photography tip: “Make the most of natural lighting, but not directly in the sunlight. Natural lighting really brings out the best elements of a photo.”
Recommends: @breakfastinmelbourne, @melbournebreakfastdiary
A tailor-made brunch at Wulff & Konstali Food Shop, Copenhagen
**Recommended by @lammaigal, 113k followers **
The menu works slightly differently at Wulff & Konstali. You can tailor your brunch by ticking items on a list, which, as you can see, often leads to a feast of bacon, eggs, pastries and granola. Located in the former industrial neighbourhood of Amager, it serves all-day brunches at its three branches. This one is conveniently positioned on the waterfront, on the way in from the airport, which is how Instagrammer Mr Michael Gardenia @lammaigal stumbled across it. “It was the first restaurant I visited on my first trip to Copenhagen,” he says. “We decided to sit outside with blankets because it was a sunny winter day – that, and it was packed inside.” Based in Milan, Mr Gardenia’s day job is a photographer and creative director of Fusillo Lab, an event space where homemade meals are made, like-minded people meet and creative ideas are shared. He chose to start documenting his food as a way to convey his personality through pictures. And why the obssession with food? “I’m Italian,” he says.
Photography tip: “Try to appeal to all the senses with a food picture, not just sight.”
Recommends following: @giorgette_p, @liviasala
Egg sando at Réveille Coffee Co., San Francisco
Recommended by @theboywhobakes, 114k followers
Réveille Coffee Co. takes its coffee very seriously. In fact, it is often said to be the best coffee shop in The Castro, which is how Instagrammer Mr Edd Kimber @theboywhobakes, a self-confessed “coffee geek”, heard about it. “It was my first meal in the city,” he says. Lucky, then, that the standard of brunch here meets that of the coffee, particularly this egg sandwich. It contains a sunny side up egg, gruyère, sharp cheddar, roasted shallot aioli, greens, avocado and bacon, and comes highly recommended by food writer and stylist Mr Kimber. Residing in east London, the Great British Bake Off winner created his account as his “own little record” of the places he visits. “I think food gives you a little window into a place,” he says.
Photography tip: “Don’t overdo it. Food looks amazing as it is, so try not to mess around too much with it. Also, edit images with a light touch. Filters straight out of the box are too intense.”
**Recommends following: **@georgiepuddingnpie, @dandoherty_, @loveleluu, @nigelslater
Koko moco at Koko Head Cafe, Honolulu
Recommended by @candidsbyjo, 113k followers
If you want to score a table at Koko Head Cafe, we suggest showing up early. Run by chef Ms Lee Anne Wong, the no-reservations restaurant has queues around the block on a Saturday morning. Known for its twists on classics, Instagrammer Ms Jo Yee @candidsbyjo recommends the Koko moco, a beef patty with garlic rice, mushroom gravy, sunny side up egg and tempura kimchi. “Loco moco was high on my list to try, and the chef’s take on it really added a special touch in taste and texture,” she says. Based in London, Ms Yee is a food and travel photographer. She created her Instagram account to share her most memorable meals, and says that “food is especially fun to capture because it’s so visual”.
Photography tip: “Opt for a seat by the window to take full advantage of the natural daylight. Failing that, hold a menu above your food to block out as much artificial light as possible.”
Recommends following: @mondomulia, @sarkababicka, @charlottehu
Smashed peas at Welcome Dose, Sydney
Recommended by @sydneyfoodcrew, 64.3k followers
The first thing you see as you walk into Welcome Dose is a giant 1956 German coffee roaster. “Welcome Dose is the perfect spot for a weekend brunch,” says Instagrammar Ms Christine Kollias of @sydneyfoodcrew. “We go there for the chilled atmosphere and great food – and when we’re in desperate need of their amazing coffee.” The smashed peas, a dish made up of toasted sourdough topped with smashed peas, mint, lemon, ricotta and baby herbs, is a favourite with the crew (which includes Messrs George Kollias and Chris Rogaris) behind the Instagram account. “We particularly like its simplicity,” she says. “Less is more, and it’s a great alternative to avocados.” The trio grew up together and decided to embrace their shared passion by setting up the account. “Growing up, everything revolved around food,” says Ms Kollias. “Some things never change. We still love eating, and now we take photos of it, too.”
Photography tip: “You don’t need a fancy camera to take a good picture.”
**Recommends following: **@4foodssake, @cocktailsbykurtis