Brunch in Zaragoza is as impressive as in other Spanish cities. From cafes with charming interiors to sunny outdoor eateries, you can’t help treating yourself to the experience.

So what can you expect from this quaint city in the northeast of Spain? The dining culture here is by far unmatched, compared to other places I’ve been to and lived in. They take pride in preparing food using fresh, natural ingredients — staying true to the Mediterranean style.

After over a year of cafe hopping, I’ve come up with a list of the best brunches from all over the city, including what to expect from each cafe, so you can plan your next brunch date.

Handy Coffee Lingo in Spanish

Coffee is a big deal in Spanish culture, with each Spaniard drinking an average of 2.2 cups of coffee per day. I remember being really nervous when ordering coffee for the first time in Spanish. So, here is some useful lingo for the next time you need to get your coffee fix.

Café solo – similar to espresso

Café con leche – latte (coffee with milk)

Carajillo – coffee with a shot of liqueur

Café bombón – coffee with condensed milk

Cortado – espresso with a dash of milk

Bebida/leche de avena – oat milk

Bebida/leche de soja – soy milk

Con hielo – with ice (especially helpful during the summer)

Azúcar blanco – white sugar

Azúcar moreno – brown sugarEdulcorante – sweetener

1. La Cocina de Keyla (LCDK)

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Arrabal, La Cocina de Keyla is home to delicious and healthy brunch options. You have a selection of toast, cassava crepes and even açai bowls to choose from! 

I personally recommend tostada completa (toasted brown bread with poached egg, ricotta cheese, avocado and tomato) and their açai bowl. Be sure to come on an empty stomach because the portions are so generous, it’ll fill you up for the rest of the day.

Make a reservation in advance, as places fill up quite quickly, especially on weekends. Check out La Cocina de Keyla’s menu.

Price range: €10 to €15 for food and drinks

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30am to 3:30pm

Closed on Mondays

2. Mondo Café

Besides serving perfectly-brewed coffee, Mondo also offers a great place to catch up with friends over coffee and brunch.There are two branches in the city; one in Calle Cádiz, and another in Calle San Miguel.

As a millennial, I can’t recommend their avocado toast highly enough. The Cádiz branch whips up delicious cakes. I always pop by on a Friday for a slice of their Greek custard cake, or souffra. Another honourable mention is their caprese sandwich, which is made with fresh burrata and tomatoes.

If you crave tortilla de patata or croquetas, head over to their San Miguel branch, which has one of the best tapas selections in the city.

They’re open every day so you can count on them for an impromptu breakfast or brunch.

Price range: €10 for a cup of coffee and sandwich

Opening hours: Calle Cádiz, Weekdays from 7:30am to 10pm, Weekends from 8am to 10pm

Calle San Miguel, Monday – Thursday, from 8am to 11pm, Friday from 8am to 12am, Saturday from 9am to 1am, Sunday from 9am to 11pm

For brunch, My Favorite Room offers a number of three-course brunch menus in Zaragoza, including vegan and gluten-free options. The portion size may seem modest at first glance, but you’d be surprised once you’ve cleaned your plate. Take a look at Mi Habitación Favorita’s menu.

They also (literally) take the cake with its array of delicious, decadent desserts. If you love a good coffee-and-cake combo, look no further. Located in the centre of town, it’s popular among both locals and tourists.

I recommend their chocolate and Lotus Biscoff cake for people with a sweet tooth. If you prefer something tart, their raspberry and lemon cake is a good shout too.

Price range: €10 to €15

Opening hours: Weekdays from 7am to 9pm, Weekends from 8am to 11pm

La Clandestina is one of my favourite places to have brunch in Zaragoza. Their whopping three-course set menu makes for a memorable occasion. Their secret lies in locally-sourced ingredients.

The meal kicks off with a cup of coffee or tea and a glass of their special house orange juice. This is then followed by a slice of sourdough toast with your choice of a sweet or savoury spread. You will also be treated to a serving of yoghurt with granola and fruits on the side.

The next course features a range of savoury options. You can choose between their signature pulled pork sandwich, huevos rotos (‘broken’ eggs on a bed of potatoes and ham), lemon chicken wings or beef cheek.

This elaborate affair is then finished off with a slice of cake and a glass of cava (or alcohol-free lemonade). While it’s worth every penny, this brunch experience will set you back €22.

Even though some of the brunch options aren’t vegetarian or vegan-friendly, you can still pop over for a nice lunch or dinner, which has a separate menu and includes a broader range of equally mouthwatering food.

Reservation is compulsory for brunch, as spots fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Browse La Clandestina’s menu.

Price range: €20 to €30 per meal

Opening hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 11am to 12 midnight, Sundays from 11:15am to 5pm.

Closed on Mondays

5. Doña Hipolita

Doña Hipolita is a beautiful establishment with three strategic locations: Plaza San Felipe (city centre), Plaza Los Sitios (newly opened) and Plaza Reina Sofia (in San Jose).

Their brunch menu includes a couple of slices of toast with savoury toppings, and your choice of hot and cold beverage. Plus, you get to pick from their variety of cakes for dessert.

While I love the convenience of an all-inclusive menu, my go-to is their pastrami sandwich with either a cup of coffee or fresh orange juice. Browse Doña Hipolita’s menu.

If you’re there for some coffee and cake, they come at a reasonable price of less than €10 altogether.

Price range: €10 to €15

Opening hours: Plaza San Felipe, Weekdays from 9am to 10pm, Friday until 2am (Siesta from 2 to 4pm). Saturdays from 9:30am to 2am. Sundays from 9:30am to 10pm

Plaza Los Sitios, Mondays to Thursdays from 7:30am to 10:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30am to 2am, Sundays from 8:30am to 10:30pm.

Plaza Reina Sofia, Weekdays from 9am to 10pm, Friday until 2am (Siesta from 2 to 4pm). Saturdays from 9:30am to 12am. Sundays from 9:30am to 10pm

6. Artisan Real Food

You can find Artisan in Barrio Jesus across the river. This cosy establishment has it all (almost), from heartwarming brunch food and pastries, to tasty tapas and full-on lunch and dinner dishes.

Make sure to bring your appetite if you want to make the most of their full brunch experience. A yoghurt bowl with granola, a slice of toast or brioche, two drinks, and it even includes dessert. Artisan brunch menu.

I went for their nutella pancakes with fruit, which would satisfy any sugar cravings. As for savoury options, their pastrami toast and avocado toast are also great choices.

Price range: €10 to €15 for a la carte options, €21 for a three-course brunch

Opening hours: Tuesdays to Thursdays from 9am to 11pm, Fridays from 9am to 12am, Saturdays from 10 am to 12am, Sundays from 10am to 8pm

Closed on Mondays.

7. Elio and Coco Speciality Coffee

For one of the best eggs Benedict in Zaragoza, head over to Elio and Coco. Located 10 mins from the Pilar Square, this cafe is a particular hit on weekends. Make sure to either plan ahead or swing by early for brunch on Saturday morning, as they don’t take reservations.

Their eggs are poached to achieve a perfect balance between firm and runny, before being placed on lightly toasted and soft brioche buns. Choose between mortadela (drizzled with hollandaise sauce) or smoked salmon (with tartar sauce).

If you’re not a huge fan of savoury food, they have other mouthwatering options on their menu. Elio & Coco menu.

Price range: €10 to €15

Opening hours: Wednesdays to Saturdays from 9am to 5pm, Sundays from 9am to 2pm

Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

8. Nati Natillas

Need a change of scenery? Hop on the tram for a hearty brunch at Nati Natillas in Valdespartera. This cosy café is the perfect place to slowly start your day. The comfortable interior and aromatic coffee will stimulate your senses and put you at ease.

When we finally made the trip out here, I decided to make my reservation worth it. Specialising in savoury brunch, Nati Natillas serves brioches, toast and bagels. There’s also a selection of fluffy and sweet pancakes if you fancy something sweet.

I went for the freshly squeezed orange juice with a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. If you’re not a coffee person, try out their smooth and rich chai latte. As for food, we all opted for something different. I’d recommend getting any of the brioches and the jamón and eggs Benedict on toast.

Prefer a boozy brunch? Level it up and get cocktails with your meal.

This quaint space fills up really quickly at the weekend, so make sure to reserve ahead of time.

Price range: €10 to €15

Opening hours: Weekdays from 9am to 1pm, 5pm to 9pm; Weekends from 9am to 2pm, 5pm to 9pm

9. Camerino Bungalobar

What better way to start the day than brunch in Zaragoza in the park? If you want another dining option for a Saturday morning, Camerino is the first establishment you see when you walk towards Plaza de los Sitios. 

Their breakfast sandwiches are typically Spanish and savoury, and I particularly like their take on avocado toast. 

Fresh avo on a bed of mayonnaise, topped with chia seeds. Who knew avocado and mayo go so well together? Their fresh orange juice is not to be missed either. 

Although it’s on the pricier side overall, the food is worth it, considering that it comes with a gorgeous view. Camerino Bungalobar menu. 

When it’s too cold to have breakfast outdoors, Garbo, their sister establishment, offers similarly great selections for breakfast and brunch. Check out the Garbo Gentlebar menu.

Price range: €10 to €15 for food, coffee and a glass of orange juice

Opening hours: Everyday from 10am to 10pm

10. Cafés El Criollo (Criollo Coffee Store)

Coffee beans are El Criollo’s speciality. As it’s a well-known coffee distributor in the city, you might have sampled their coffee beans in other cafés whilst in town. 

The constantly whirring coffee machines might not make it the best place for a coffee meet-up, but their perfectly roasted beans are the main reason that Maños (Spanish word for Zaragozans) keep coming back to them.

Most come for a quick coffee-to-go, but some patrons stay for their sweet pastries and cakes. I’d personally like to give their croissant a la plancha (toasted) with butter and peach jam a shout out. The flaky, buttery and crispy croissant pairs amazingly well with the jam and butter. It’s the perfect light bite, if you ask me.

Besides the usual takeaway coffees, they also have a range of ‘gourmet’ coffee on their menu if you’re planning on splashing out. El Criollo menu.

Price range: €5 to €10 (if you get a slice of cake with your order)

Opening hours: Tuesdays to Fridays from 8am to 9pm, Saturdays from 9am to 9pm, Sundays from 10am to 1:30pm; 5pm to 9pm.

Closed on Mondays.

11. Puffin’s Kitchen

Puffin’s is THE place to have your Saturday brunch, as they have plenty of options! Food choices range from jamon and pan con tomate to brunch staples like eggs Benedict and English-style fry-up.

It was the first brunch I had when I first moved here. We tried their royale Benedict (with salmon) and fry-up, and I think they were pretty tasty for the price.

Bring some friends with you if you want to try everything, because they have a variety of options, including vegetarian ones. Puffin’s menu.

Price range: Breakfast for about €6 to €8, whereas brunch might set you back between €12 to €15 (including a drink)

Opening hours: Tuesdays to Thursdays from 8am to 4:30pm, Fridays from 8am to 11pm, Saturdays from 9:30am to 11:30pm

Closed on Sundays and Mondays

12. Veintiuno Coffee

Thinking about coffee and cake? Veintiuno is the place to go. It’s a short walk from the University of Zaragoza (Unizar), so it’s no surprise that the cafe is so popular among students, especially throughout the academic year. 

Besides their good coffee, the cafe also offers a selection of yummy cakes. Chocolate Guinness Cake, Jungly Cheesecake (possibly seasonal) and their frutos rojos cake (with sweet and sour berries) are just some of the freshly baked choices on offer.

I highly recommend their pastrami Benedict for brunch. They also have a range of savoury toasts and wraps for a delightful midday meal. A slice of their delectable cake can be the cherry on top for your brunch.  

A star from their dessert display is their Raspberry Financier, so head over in the morning to grab it before they sell out. Veintiuno brunch menu.

If you only want their heavenly baked goods, they have a separate bakery a few doors down from the cafe.

Price range: €7 to €10

Opening hours: Mondays from 8am to 9pm, Tuesdays to Fridays from 7am to 9pm, Weekends from 8am to 9pm

13. VIPS

You might not think of going to VIPS for brunch, since it’s a chain restaurant; however, I think they deserve to be on the list of brunch in Zaragoza, thanks to their breakfast-brunch menu. The catch is that it’s only available until 12:30pm. So, if you’re an early riser, this one’s for you.

They have pancakes, waffles and toast, as well as a full English breakfast! You can either have each dish on its own or get it as part of their brunch menu if you’re extra hungry. VIPS menu.

Besides brunch, they serve a wide range of choices for lunch and dinner — from salads to sandwiches and burgers — their huge portions never disappoint their loyal diners.

Price range: €15 to €20

Opening hours: Everyday from 9am to 11pm

Whilst I continue with my jentacular excursions, you can share your brunch experiences from any of these cafés.