In Search of the Brunch-Worthy

The quest for a quality brunch in Accra is an ongoing palava where hopes and (western) dreams rarely match up to African reality. Strangely, Accra seems a city made for the delectable combination of breakfast and lunch whose name evokes the very essence of lazy Saturdays and Sundays where hours can be taken to eat a slow sweet and savoury feast that includes alcoholic beverages wrapped up like fruity breakfast juices. All this is, of course, decidedly un-African as Ghanaians typically favour either savoury foods for breakfast or a simple tea and bread and egg combination that is wholly unbrunchworthy. Accra can be a sleepy city on weekend afternoons, save for the occasional market here and there, and in the quest for brunch, the struggle is real. Here is a summation of all the top five spots that are either, pseudo brunch worthy, semi brunch worthy and brunch worthy indeed.

Labadi Beach Hotel - the main perpertrators of the pseudo brunch, who advertise a pricey and extravagant Sunday Brunch which, for lack of eggs, french toast and general breakfast foods of any kind is definitely not a brunch but a lunch. A solid three course buffet lunch with animals roasting on spits. Don’t be fooled.

Sai Wine and Champagne Cafe - Advertises a ‘brunch’ menu consisting of a few large plates (including the Royal Brunch). Semi brunch worthy, and the location is quirky and nice.

Cafe Kwae - This little spot is doing its best for brunch worthiness indeed. Extended Sunday opening hours, a varied menu encompassing the sweet, savoury, veggie and alcoholic. Expect it to be busy.

Villa Monticello - On the borderline of semi brunch, their menu almost makes it to the brunch worthy but falls short due to the paucity of items, although the chicken, waffles and eggs are a nice touch. A stunning location (poolside is lovely), more than makes up for it.

Burger and Relish - The burger bar is making Sunday their jam with their introduction of their Sunday brunch menu between 10am and 4pm. Definitley brunch worthy: bottomless bellinis, stuffed french toast and chorizo and avocado to name a few items.