Brunch.  That one word conjures up a myriad of emotions and images.  Lazy Sundays.  Endless cups of coffee.  Long chats with friends.  Scrambled eggs.  Crispy bacon.  Freshly baked bread.  A leisurely weekend brunch is one of my guilty pleasures. So for the past nine months, I’ve been seeking out all the establishments in Daegu that I could find that do brunch.  Here is my selection of the 10 Best. 

1. Best for Food – Schoron

For foodies, Schoron offers the tastiest fare with the best quality ingredients. Their brunch menu includes an extensive selection from banana pancakes to Eggs Benedict.  My favorite is the New York Omelette delicately cooked to perfection with a mouthwatering filling of smoked salmon, capers and cream cheese served with a side salad and toasted wheat bread.  This is a small, but chic establishment, near Banwoldang Subway Station.  Take exit 23, head straight, turn right at the first major road and you’ll find it at the end.  Address: 7 Myeongnyun-ro 11- gil, Jung-gu.

2. Best for Atmosphere – Mansion5

Mansion5 is a sprawling cafe set in a traditionally styled Hanok building near to Dongseongro, but away from the bustle. This tranquil setting offers open picture windows that peer out unto a vast open courtyard and the wooden beam interior gives the place a cosy at home feel.  There are numerous nooks and hideaways to while away several hours, including a wall of two seater tables that have plug sockets right at table height for you to charge your electronic devices. The brunch menu is limited – only Eggs Benedict and a set option with a bit of everything – but they have an delicious range of baked goods and paninis. It’s a 5min walk from Jungangro Station (Line 1, Red), Exit #1. Nearest bus stop is Yangnyeongsi. Address: 28 Jungang-daero 79-gil, Jung-gu.

3. Best for Large Groups  – Woo’z

Woo’z offers several long eight seater tables – and even a private room – which are perfect for  groups of friends or club meetings. They have a small brunch selection, but be warned it isn’t served until after 11am! I opted for the scrambled eggs with sausages and bacon.  This was served with a fresh garden salad and a selection of three dips – sweet and sour, cream cheese and ranch. The other selections have a little more of a Korean slant with soups included in the set.  Woo’z is also a bakery, so there are plenty of pastries and baked goods to purchase as sharing starters or desserts. Located a five minute walk from Sincheon Station (Line 1, Red), Exit #5. Walk straight. Cross over the next major intersection and it is just there in front of you. Address: 2 Songna-ro 10-gil, Dong-gu.

4. Best for Baked Goods – Paris 16

Paris 16 has a great atmosphere with a chic eclectic decor – including a life-size white fiberglass horse with a lamp jutting out of its head – but the star of the show here is the French inspired bakery downstairs.  If  you can pry your taste buds away from the delicacies on offer, head to the 3rd floor where brunch awaits.  There is a selection of several set menus to choose from, some which come with a slice of cake.  The best part is that each menu is served with a small wooden board of freshly baked bread. My favorite is the spicy, cheese omelette. A 3 minute walk from Beomeo Station (Line 2, Green), Exit #1.  Head straight, cross over one road and you will find it. Address: 2383 Dalgubeol-daero, Suseong-gu.

5. Best for a Day Out – Whole Grain

If you want to combine brunch with an afternoon of culture, then head to Whole Grain. This gem of a cafe recently reopened after an extensive refurbishment. One of its best features is its covered outdoor terrace. Great for alfresco dining. On the menu you can find Eggs Benedict, French Toast, Shakshuka, and even a BLT Sandwich.  I opted for the classic brunch of scrambled eggs, mushrooms, sausage, bacon and tomato.  A short stroll away is Kim Kwang-seok Mural Alleyway.  This pedestrian avenue is lined with street art honoring the late Korean singer.  Additionally, there is music streaming, cute little shops and some arcade games.  A great option for an afternoon date on a nice day.  A 10 minute walk from KNU Hospital Subway Station (Line 2, Green), Exit #3. Head straight and turn right at the first road.  Address: 18 Dongdeok-ro, 14-gil, 41952.

6. Best for the Digital Nomad – G’Day Cafe

As the name suggests, this cafe has an Australian inspired theme from the names of the dishes to the Sydney Harbour decor upstairs. I’m drawn to this cafe for its more authentic Western menu. My dish of choice is the Melbourne Brunch, served with a fried egg, sunny side up, mushrooms in a with a creamy white sauce, two slices of toasted bread and a fresh spinach salad tossed in balsamic vinegar.  Also on the menu are ‘jaffles’ with fillings ranging from avocado to Nutella. The upstairs area is great for setting up your laptop and working for a few hours afterwards, especially as the owner offers you a second cup of coffee on the house. The coffee by the way is in my opinion the best on offer of any of the brunch cafes in my list.  Smooth and well balanced.  It is a little hard to find, but is worth the trek and remains my most frequented brunch spot.  I’m here most Saturdays and Sundays! A 10 minute walk from Beomeo Station Exit #1. Address: 980-9 Suseongdong 4(sa)-ga, Suseong-gu

7. Best place to Take a Date – Tumtree Project

Located near the romantic Suseong Lake in southeast Daegu, Tumtree is an uber chic establishment that would be great for impressing a date.  The brunch menu is very limited, but refreshingly different than most cafes in Daegu.  No odd shaped hot dogs on the menu here!  I choose the avocado toast with poached egg, which was mouthwateringly delicious. Also on the menu was a cream cheese sandwich on rye bread topped with honey and nuts.  For coffee snobs, there are two options of single origin beans to choose from. Address: 138, Yonghak-ro, Suseong-gu

8. Best if you are Hungover – Lazy Dinner

If you are missing your greasy American diner, then head here.  It’s not an elegant affair, but if you need to soak up the effects from the night before this is a great choice. My breakfast consisted of scrambled eggs, bagel with cream cheese, bacon and hash brown.  As an added bonus, the interior is full of American memorabilia to make you feel right at home. Located in the downtown area.  Address: 23-3 Bongsan-dong, Jung-gu

9. Best if you are Homesick – Hami Mama’s

After trying dozens of brunch places in Daegu, I started to feel like most offered a boring variation on a set theme of scrambled eggs, hot dog like sausage and toast with the dreaded Korean side salad.  So I was excited beyond belief to venture out to Hami Mami’s to try what I consider traditional American brunch fare – biscuits and gravy. The combo dish was served with a side of eggs (cooked your way), and a choice of bacon or sausage. It didn’t taste quite like home, but where else in Daegu can you tuck into biscuits and gravy. Also on the menu is a breakfast burrito, stuffed French toast, an American omelette, and the HamiMami’s Breakfast served with homemade has browns and sausage. Located by exit #4 of Camp Walker. Take the 349 bus from Banwaldong Subway and get off at Palace Hotel. Head straight towards the major intersection and then veer right. Address: 1413-4, Bongdeok 3dong, Nam-Gu

10. BEST for Early Risers and Special Occasions – Novotel Sunday Brunch

Weekend brunch is from 7.00 to 10.30 and costs a hefty 30,800W, but it is one of the few places you can indulge in brunch in Daegu before 11am! I’ll confess, I’ve never managed to get my lazy backside up early enough to check this place out, but I will.  One day.  Even though it is an all you can eat buffet, maybe it is best saved for a special occasion – like if you are stuck in Daegu on Christmas Day.  At the Novotel Downtown.  Address: 611 Gukchaebosang-ro, Munhwa-dong, Jung-gu

If you’ve have another recommendations, please do drop a note in the comments box!  I’m always looking for a new place to indulge.