When people think about the many things to do in the capital of the Bas Rhin, brunch in Strasbourg rarely comes to mind. Fortunately, for those who love lounging in the twilight zone between breakfast and lunch, Strasbourg has plenty of great options.
One thing to be mindful of when taking stock of the Strasbourgeois brunch landscape is that the French often conflate “brunch” with “big breakfast.”
There have been many times when I eagerly scanned a menu purporting to offer brunch only to be disappointed. In general, brunch in Strasbourg will be more expensive than a typical petit dejeuner, and the most popular places such as Madame Julia are always packed because they know that they hold the advantage in Strasbourg. Currently, the demand for brunch in Strasbourg far outstrips the city’s supply.
That said, while Madame Julia is a good option for brunch, it doesn’t make my personal list of favorites! Curious about which ones do? Let’s get into it!
Tips to enjoy brunch in Strasbourg
- Confirm that the restaurant is open and offers brunch on the day you would like to go: Most brunch places in Strasbourg only offer the meal on Saturdays and Sundays during a specific timeframe. Some restaurants only offer it on Saturdays, while others only offer it on Sundays. Take care to review the most up-to-date information on Google.
- Check the restaurant’s reservation policy: This ties in with the above recommendation. When at all possible, make a reservation, and do so as soon as possible, especially if you’re traveling to Strasbourg during high tourist seasons.
- Come prepared to wait: Slow French service is hardly endemic to brunch, yet it’s important to remember this if you’ve got the hangry gene. If you’re the type to start half-joking about “going back there to make it myself,” do yourself a favor and bring a small snack to tide you over.
Hey Mama
Hey Mama Strasbourg is my go-to when I want to indulge in a Strasbourg brunch.
Tucked into the city center right off of Place Saint Etienne, Hey Mama is where good food and good vibes merge into one memorable foodie affair.
I’m particularly smitten with the yellow wall and general interior aesthetic. It’s clear that it was very thoughtfully selected and the overall effect is magnifique.
Brunch-goers who take care to eat locally and have a taste for homemade will find an amazing blend of flavors to enjoy in the 100% homemade cuisine using fresh ingredients.
Of particular interest to parents seeking a place for brunch that can accommodate children in Strasbourg is Hey Mama’s children’s area.
On the other hand, remote and hybrid workers have the option of indulging in a coworking cafe option during the workweek. A coworking day pass is available for 20 euros and includes a delicious lunch inspired by African cuisine.
Finally, Hey Mama is first on this list because, unlike most French establishments, it is open seven days a week (!). One point of feedback about the establishment is that service is quite slow, so best not to show up starving.
On another positive note, though, the service is always warm and friendly. What’s more, the food is absolutely worth the wait. If you feel yourself losing out to your stomach, you can always indulge in a bite or two of a homemade cookie or brownie from the front area when you walk in.
Going to be in Strasbourg for some time? Be sure to follow @heymama.strasbourg on Instagram to check out the community events they host!
BCBG Café
When I was unhappily living in Montpellier, this was the restaurant I ate at before visiting the flat in which my fiancé and I now live. I vividly recall sitting on the little terrace with a plate of pancakes with fresh fruit and chantilly cream, sipping an americano, and willing the visit to go well.
As anyone who has tried knows, it felt nearly impossible to secure housing in Strasbourg when reaching out to owners à distance. Demand was and is too high for them to bother with virtual visits, so I took the initiative to visit in person.
Today, I am living in the apartment I envisioned moving into. We will be here for the foreseeable future until we’re ready for our next adventure.
So, to say that BCBG Café in Neudorf holds a special place in my heart would be an understatement. And, the fact that it was delicious was just a silver lining at the time.
Emotional ties aside, BCBG is also a great value for money
My favorites here are “Le Scandinave” for a savory option and “Pancakes Fruit Rouges” for a sweet option.
The prices reflect the fact that this place is tucked into a local neighborhood on the outskirts of Strasbourg, meaning that it truly feels like a local hidden gem. What’s more, the interior decor is soft and glowy, and the staff are really tolerant of my coming and working on my laptop, which I occasionally do on weekdays.
Sidebar – I only do this outside of meal hours, which I think is standard best practice when working remotely.
The playlist always makes me smile, too. It’s a loop of popular, easy-listening American songs from the early 2000s including “A Thousand Years,” by Christina Perri.
I strongly recommend making a reservation at least a few days in advance if you plan to brunch at BCBG over the weekend.
Nomad Café
Also located in Neudorf is a very cute coffee spot that features prominently on my list of the best places for coffee in Strasbourg. In addition to offering some delicious specialty coffee drinks, Nomad Café also does brunch on Saturdays.
In true French form, it is only available that one day because they’re closed on Sundays, and they don’t take reservations. Additionally, portions are perfect for me, which means that this probably isn’t going to satisfy folks with big appetites. That said, in my opinion, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more healthy and animal-friendly brunch option in Strasbourg.
Ownership prides itself on providing well-balanced and delicious meals that are also vegan, plant-based, and/or gluten-free. Specialty coffee orders such as lattes are taken with a question confirming that it’s okay if your specialty coffee is made with oat milk. If you prefer another type, you can ask, however, it has always impressed me how elegantly Nomad practices their values.
Although I would first recommend this place for its coffee and remote-working ambiance during late morning or late afternoons, their Saturday brunch left such an impression that, to me, it deserves to make this list.
Psst, have you heard about Le Petit Nomad?
If you’re staying in the city center and hiking out to Neudorf feels too far away, the owner recently opened a smaller location serving takeaway coffee right in the heart of Strasbourg! Although this won’t scratch your brunch itch, it might be just the thing to sip on while making the all-important decision of Where to Go for Brunch in Strasbourg?
Bonus brunches in Strasbourg
As the saying goes: Underpromise and overdeliver!
No quick-hits roundup of my favorite brunch places in Strasbourg is complete without a mention of Coffee Stub or Le Café Potager. These two separate places offer excellent varieties of fresh, homemade breakfast food items including quiche, granola, and sweet treats. Additionally, fresh juices and iced teas tend to be readily available, too. True coffee aficionados might lean towards Coffee Stub, while those who crave a wide variety of delicious brunch options might prefer Cafe Potager.
You might also like: The Best Pumpkin Spice Lattes in Strasbourg
Other places to have brunch in Strasbourg
Below is a quick list of other brunch options in Strasbourg that I have not personally tried, but either appear on other lists and look like places I would enjoy and endorse 🙂
- Pâtisserie Tonton Gâteau
- Bistrot et Chocolat
- Salon de thé Grand’Rue
- The Drunky Stork Social Club
- Graffalgar
- Brunch Flow Food Family
Have comments on any of these recommendations? See something missing from the list? Let me know in the comments!
