Vienna Brunch : Brickmakers Pub & Kitchen Review
Brickmakers Pub & Kitchen is my latest favourite brunch spot for cosy winter brunch in Vienna.If you want somewhere to go with a bunch of friends, or even just a solo pick-me-up brunch treat (yes I've done that and yes it is awesome to brunch with a book solo #noshame) then check out these delights from Brickmakers pub and kitchen.Look at that menu - how was I ever going to resist Brickmakers for brunch? There is an egg with a monocle and a moustache. There are hipster beards in plain sight, there is a love story between Benedict and Florentine (geddit?) I was doomed from the start to fall for this place.Better known as a brilliant Irish style pub where you can trial a huge number of craft beers and ciders, I of course, came to Brickmakers Pub & Kitchen for the brunch.We came for the healthy muesli, the hangover-recovery eggs hollandaise (a rarity on Vienna menus and reason enough to visit here regularly!)We came for the ever-so-slightly-ridiculous but delicious hot dog brunch served in plastic tray plates.And of course, we came for the avocado on toast with egg. Always.Even alone on a cold and rainy Saturday morning, popping into Brickmakers for a hearty bowl of porridge and decent flat white coffee - thank god it's becoming a thing in Vienna - Brickmakers hits the spot. Getting a table here is a bit of a battle so definitely recommend you book ahead!
Brickmakers I love you, but you're bringing me down.
The one thing that kills me about this place is the service. I thought it was maybe just hit and miss the first three times we went, but having returned a number of times, it has to be said - service is not great...yet. Which is such a shame - the food is incredible! The setting is cosy! The menu jokes are on point!I say 'yet' as I sincerely hope we have been really unlucky in our multiple visits. This isn't just the normal Viennese hilariously grumpy service that may be rude but at least gets your orders right - this was just awkwardly not great service.
- We've had waitresses who didn't know what a melange was (In Vienna. A melange. The most basic of Viennese coffee orders).
- We've had an entire table not receive the correct coffee or food orders despite multiple clarifications
- We've had 3 to 4 waitresses serving a table of 6 and still not received the correct drinks after more than half an hour waiting on a separate occasion to the above.
- We've had someone serve us who didn't understand a word of German (I understand it's an English-speaking pub and appreciate that, but to not understand a single word? In the country where you are living? Even with my shoddy German I can follow 'Danke & 'Bitte').
- We've stood awkwardly in their 'entrance area' waiting to be seated and had 3 different people tell us to continue waiting but none seemed to be communicating with each other or checking if tables were availble.
I've worked hospitality - and I get it. Once-off understaffing, busy days, big groups, all of those things can throw out your service standards. I'm pretty patient with this stuff, but even for someone as easygoing as this Aussie, it is a bit disappointing. The bar staff, when I have been there in the evenings are an exception - super friendly and chatty, very happy to help. But so far for brunch, Brickmakers service has yet to live up to the extremely high standards that their food and atmosphere set.Because oh my god you guys, the food. I forgive them everything because their food is beyond belief delicious.
I've shown you some of the brunch delights here, but for dinner Brickmakers has excellent, Michelin star quality food whipped up by chef Peter Zinter. Think BBQ smokehouse Beef Brisket, Pulled Pork, Baby-Back Ribs and the most mouth-watering Mac & Cheese you've ever dreamed of. Should you be looking for a fun casual night out over a few relaxed drinks, Brickmakers is the place.As for brunch, I'm a fan - and I will 100% be back over the next few months with friends to hopefully see the service live up to the ridiculously good food. Because this is easily one of my favourite places to enjoy hung over brunch with friends in Vienna.
Have you tried Brickmakers Pub & Kitchen for brunch? Let me know about your experience in the comments!
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