A trip to France isn’t always in the cards, but at Café Bicyclette you can indulge in some petit dejeuner and enjoy the vibe of a French cafe – right here in Edmonton. According to front of house manager Daniel Damer, the layout of the patio is designed in the shape of a semi-circular greek theatron, providing lots of space for dining al fresco – with a touch of drama. Enjoy a croissant and cup of coffee, and if you happen to stop by on a Sunday, pick up a few things at the Grand Marche farmers’ market after brunch.
8627 91 St., 587-524-8090, cafebicyclette.ca
The Sugarbowl is a Garneau staple, so be forewarned – you’ll likely have to wait to snag a seat on the popular patio, but it’s worth it. The menu is concise but well executed. The SugarBowl Benny offers a twist on the brunch classic by incorporating grilled corn bread and béchamel sauce, while carnivores will love the sweet and savoury combo in the chicken and waffles. The small square footage of the patio means it’s a tight squeeze, but brushing elbows with your neighbour just adds to the friendly atmosphere. Plus, then you’ll have another individual to help devour one of the legendary cinnamon buns – they’re best shared between three or four people.
10922 88 Ave., 780-433-8369, thesugarbowl.org
If you’re a devoted carnivore looking to dine al fresco, MEAT might be the perfect patio for you. The brunch menu features many gut-busting options, such as the beef brisket benny – a buttermilk biscuit served with juicy brisket, caramelized onions, house-made hollandaise and hash browns. And, for those who prefer the sweeter side of the brunch menu, the peaches and cream waffles are the perfect combination of crisp crumble topping, bourbon peach compote and whipped cream. Stay in the southern spirit and finish your meal with a bourbon Caesar while people-watching the Whyte Avenue crowd – it is the weekend, after all.
8216 104 St., 587-520-6338, meatfordinner.com
From the outside, the Highlevel Diner may not look like much, but it’s an Edmonton institution. Brunch starts at 8:30 am, and you’ll usually find a line snaking out the door and down the side of the building, so your best shot at scoring a table is to wake up early. The menu is filled with classics such as eggs benedict, omelettes, blueberry buttermilk pancakes, and house-roasted granola with fresh fruit. Caffeine addicts will love the super-sized bowl latte, while those looking for a fruitier start to the day might enjoy a smoothie or mimosa – all of which taste best served up on the patio with a view of busy 109 Street.
10912 88 Ave., 780-433-0993, highleveldiner.com
