The Paris brunch scene is booming, and it’s not just croissants, oeufs bénédicte and fromage blanc that will be left when the dust settles. In fact, any kind of food is fair game for the 2-in-1 meal that has helped make grasses matinées all the more acceptable and has become one of the best modern-day pain relievers for (excessively) well-watered nights. So pull yourself out of your eggshell and break your weekend routine with our top 5 exotic brunches in Paris.

For a Franco-Thai compromise : Bon

If you can’t quite fathom a brunch without croissants and cheese but still want to stir fry things up a bit, reserve for the 42-euro French-Thai fusion buffet at Bon. At the hands of design dieu, Philippe Starck, the resto boasts three magnificent rooms, each with its own unique ambiance. Dine in la Vinothéque for a cozy, contemporary feel, la Salle Cheminée with rustic furnishings and comfy couches or get a taste of philosophical chic in la Bibliothéque. Smokers even have a shiny fumoir at their disposal. The enormous spread seamlessly blends French flavors with southeast Asian spice. Notable selections : cold and hot starters, such as the green papaya shrimp salad and scrambled eggs infused with Thê  herbs; Asianized mains, including Chili sea bass in Tom Yam sauce, sautéed beef and veggies, and grilled chicken served with Laotian rice or noodles; and an array of familiar and exotic desserts, among which you’ll find fromage, coconut mango soup, chocolate cake, fruit salad and the mandatory viennoiseries. What are you waiting for ? Get sum.

BON
25 rue de la Pompe 75116 / Métro : La Muette
Brunch time : Sundays 12 pm to 4 pm
Website : www.restaurantbon.fr

For a Lebanese buffet to keep your hangover away : Liza

Somehow the dodgy kebab stands throughout Paris just don’t look as luminous and appetizing as they do at 3 am when your post-fête faim hits. Eat instead like they do in Beirut, by feasting on contemporary Lebanese cuisine in an elegant and airy setting located on rue de la Banque. The all-you-can-eat self-serve brunch at 31 euros is composed of the essential mezzés (hummus, baba ganouj, tabbouleh, Fattoush, turnover pastries, etc.), a platter of Kashkaval, Halloumi and Labne cheeses with veggies, Manakish breads topped with spices or ground lamb, Molokhia (a traditional stew made with grilled chicken, garlic and coriander, served with Basmati rice), and a dish of the day that changes regularly. Bref, your stomach will be glad you skipped that greasy late-night snack.

Liza
14 rue de la Banque 75002 Paris / Métro : Bourse
Brunch time : Sundays 12 pm to 3 pm
Website : www.restaurant-liza.com

For a bento-style brunch: Kinugawa

Brunch isn’t only for Occidentals. When you’re in the mood for swapping crunchy French baguettes with Asian ones (baguette is also French for chopstick), take a cue from the Japanese, and replenish your stores with sushi and rice tea at Kinugawa. Proof that imported bouffe comes at a price, the 55-euro brunch bento is worth the extra sous. Start with a steaming bowl of miso soup before passing to ultra-fresh sushis and makis, a Tataki salmon salad, grilled and glazed black cod and tender slices of grilled teriyaki beef. The only non-Japanese concessions are the pastries from Patisserie des Rêves to round out your meal and an accompanying glass of fresh fruit juice. The two-story resto reflects an authentic Japanese elegance, and you might rub elbows with a celebrity or two.

Kinugawa
9 rue du Mont Thabor 75001 Paris / Métro : Tuileries
Brunch time : 12 pm to 2:30 pm / Phone : 01 42 60 65 07
Website : www.kinugawa.fr

For post-nuit blanche bonding with potes : Le Comptoir Général

Direction : Canal Saint Martin. A self-dubbed ghetto museum, the place resembles a kitschy-cool warehouse decorated with random African paraphernalia and five themed rooms, each with a different swag. The 18-euro brunch formula includes unlimited coffee, tea or tchai, a choice of carbs with as much Nutella, jam or butter your arteries can take, and a glass of fruit juice. Salty fare includes traditional African cod fritters, scrambled eggs or grilled chicken. Dessert is slightly extra. Not the most copious, but it’s a dope ambiance, and you’ll be too busy rehashing the dirty details of the night before with your bande de copains or copines to notice.

Le Comptoir Général
80 quai de Jemmapes 75010 Paris / Métro : Jacques Bonsergent, Goncourt
Brunch time : 11 am to 1 pm / Phone : 01 44 88 24 48
Website : www.lecomptoirgeneral.com

For Anglofood lovers : Barbershop

Go elsewhere for your haircut/beard trim. This place is for the barbed and beau accompanied by belles nanas. The place has a classy, trendy, cool feel to it with vintage furnishings, funky art déco objects and a distinct NY vibe. Choose between the 21-euro brunch à  l’americaine composed of Egg’s Benedict with bacon or smoked salmon, golden potatoes and salad or the version anglaise with scrambled or fried eggs, baked beans, bacon, sausages, and sauteed tomatoes and mushrooms. Follow up with fromage blanc and muesli or a fresh fruit salad, and finish with pancakes and syrup or an American pastry au choix. Alternative brunch options include a Cheeseburger or Caesar salad, which you can wash down with a jumbo iced tea or milkshake for the real American deal.

Barbershop
68 avenue de la République 75011 Paris / Métro : Saint Maur, Parmentier
Brunch time : Saturdays 12 pm to 3 pm, Sundays 12 pm to 4 pm
Facebook : www.facebook.com/pages/barbershop/77378465813

Article: Stéphanie Holmes