Quick answer
Brunch brings together breakfast and lunch: a late-morning meal, later than breakfast and earlier than lunch, enjoyed without rushing. It mixes sweet and savory, almost always with good coffee, and fits the weekend perfectly.
The full plan, with specialty coffee and a table to linger at? Live brunch in Medellín at General, in the heart of the city.
There is a meal that is neither breakfast nor lunch, that you enjoy without watching the clock and that turned the weekend morning into a plan in its own right: brunch. If you ever saw “brunch” on a menu and were not quite sure what to expect, here we explain it simply, no beating around the bush.
In these lines you will understand what brunch is, where the word came from, what time it makes sense and what it usually includes. And if you feel like trying it, the best way is to do it calmly and with good coffee: at General we make brunch in Medellín a plan to stay for, not one to rush out of.
What is brunch, in simple words?
Brunch is the union of two English words: breakfast and lunch. The name says it all: it is a meal that sits right in the middle, later than breakfast and earlier than lunch, taking the best of both.
The underlying idea is not just the timing, but the attitude. Brunch is enjoyed without rushing: you sit down, order something to drink, the food arrives little by little and the conversation stretches on. It is not a quick stop between errands, it is the plan itself. That is why it fits weekends so well, when nobody wants to look at the clock.
Unlike the classic breakfast (which tends to be quick and at home), brunch was born to go out, share a table and take your time. It is as sweet as it is savory, as light or as hearty as you want, and it almost always comes with good coffee.
The origin of brunch
The word first appeared in the late 19th century in England. It is attributed to a writer named Guy Beringer, who in 1895 proposed replacing the heavy Sunday lunch with a later, more relaxed meal that combined breakfast and lunch. His argument was very weekend-minded: that way people could sleep a little more and arrive at the table in a better mood.
The idea crossed the Atlantic and in the United States it became a custom. Hotels and restaurants in the big cities adopted the weekend brunch as a social occasion, and over the years it became what we know today: long tables, dishes to share, mimosas and after-meal chats that never end.
From there it spread all over the world. In Medellín, brunch found fertile ground in the coffee culture: a city where specialty coffee and the love of getting together go hand in hand made brunch a natural plan for Saturday and Sunday.
What time is brunch
There is no strict rule, but brunch is usually served in a comfortable window from late morning toward midday:
- Mid-morning (around 10:00 a.m.) The classic moment, ideal if you woke up relaxed and want to start the day eating well.
- Near midday (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) The most popular point, perfect for gathering with friends or family without it being a rushed breakfast or a formal lunch.
- Early afternoon On a long plan, brunch can stretch out and serve as the only big meal of the day.
The advantage of brunch is precisely that flexibility: it does not force you to get up early or eat early. It is the meal for anyone who wants to enjoy the weekend at their own pace.
Secure your table for the weekend
The best Saturday and Sunday slots fill up fast. Book in advance and arrive to enjoy without rushing.
Book your tableWhat does a brunch include?
A good brunch plays with variety. There is no single menu, but you will almost always find a mix of sweet and savory, something hot and something fresh, and of course, a good drink. These are the usual stars:
The savory
- Eggs in all their forms: scrambled, poached, benedict or in an omelet. They tend to be the heart of brunch.
- Toasts and breads: from avocado toast to sourdough bread with toppings.
- Hot dishes: something heartier for those who arrive with a lunch-sized appetite.
The sweet
- Pancakes, waffles and french toast: almost a symbol of brunch, with fruit, honey or butter.
- Pastries and baked goods: croissants, muffins and options to nibble between dishes.
- Fresh fruit and bowls: to balance the table with something light.
To drink
- Specialty coffee: the essential companion. A good espresso or a pour-over completely changes the experience.
- Juices and fresh drinks: freshly squeezed orange, lemonades and seasonal options.
- Brunch cocktails: the classic mimosas and other light drinks, if the plan calls for celebrating.
The charm is in building your own combination: a savory dish, something sweet to finish and the coffee you like. At General we take special care of that part, because we believe a brunch without good coffee is only half done.
Craving a good brunch?
Specialty coffee, sweet and savory and a table made to linger at. Live brunch in Medellín with us.
Book your tableWhy did brunch become a plan?
Brunch did not grow just because of the food. It grew because it answers something we look for on weekends: to pause, gather and treat ourselves without guilt. It is a plan that works just as well for a date, a get-together with friends, a relaxed birthday or simply for yourself with a book and a coffee.
It also suits everyone: there are light and hearty options, sweet and savory, for the early riser and for the late sleeper. That versatility is what keeps it relevant more than a century after someone thought of combining two meals into one.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between breakfast and brunch?
Breakfast is the first meal of the day, usually early and rather quick. Brunch is served later (between mid-morning and midday), mixes breakfast and lunch dishes, and is enjoyed calmly as a social plan. In short: brunch is a breakfast that takes its time and stretches toward lunch.
What time is best to go for brunch?
The most common window runs from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you want calm, arrive early; if you want atmosphere, midday tends to be the liveliest moment. On weekends it is best to book to secure a table.
What do you drink at a brunch?
Specialty coffee is king, joined by natural juices, lemonades and, if the plan calls for it, light cocktails like a mimosa. The drink is a central part of the experience, not a mere sidekick.
Is brunch sweet or savory?
Both. The beauty of brunch is combining: you can start with something savory (some eggs, a toast) and finish with something sweet, like pancakes or a pastry. You build the table to your taste.
En resumen
Brunch is, above all, a way to enjoy the weekend without rushing: a late-morning meal that unites breakfast and lunch, mixes sweet and savory and comes with good coffee. Now that you know what it is, where it comes from and what it includes, all that is left is to live it. At General we are waiting for you with specialty coffee and a table made to linger at.
