No 9: Breakfast and lunch in Bratislava, Slovakia

One of the best places for breakfast and lunch in Bratislava is at No 9 od raňajok po olovrant

No 9 od raňajok po olovrant is a small brunch restaurant located on the outskirts of the Old Town of Bratislava, Slovakia. “Od raňajok po olovrant” is a Slovak phrase that translates to “from breakfast to lunch.”

And, as its name implies, the café serves an assortment of scratch-made breakfast and lunch items on their menu. To make things easier to follow along, I will refer to the restaurant as No 9 for the remainder of this post.

I stumbled upon No 9 by accident after arriving in Bratislava on a morning train from Budapest. It was early, so I walked around the deserted Old Town to see some of the sights of the city.

After walking aimlessly for about an hour, I stopped in front of a beautiful Catholic church known as the Church of St. Stephan. It was then where I noticed a small café across the street that looked interesting. Without looking up reviews or looking up the menu, I decided to walk inside.

No 9 Interior

Cozy, open dining room, No. 9, Bratislava, Slovakia — Cozy, open dining room

The interior of No 9 was warm, cozy, and inviting, making it the perfect reprieve on a cold winter day. Even though it was gray outside, large windows allowed plenty of natural light in while colorful lights hanging from the ceilings brightened up the space.

The décor of the restaurant was a blend of modern and industrial with a touch of rustic charm. You had concrete walls, wooden tables, and tile floors covered with rugs. Its minimalistic design gave the space a sleek and contemporary feel.

At the center of the restaurant was a large bar area where a lonely staff member was making drinks including coffee. Other than sounds of her preparing drinks, and music lightly playing in the background, the dining room was quiet.

No 9 Menu

The menu at No 9, Bratislava, Slovakia — The menu at No 9

The menu at No 9 was simple and straightforward with a single page. On the menu were five sections: Sweet, Eggs and Sausages, Toasts, Avocado, and Toasted Breads with Spreads. And under each section were only a few options, with all plates priced between 5,50€ ($5.97) and 8,90€ ($9.66).

Although the menu was small, it offered great choices and a little bit of everything from eggs benedict to banana oats porridge. And, plates seemed healthy and homemade, making it the perfect spot for a quick and affordable meal near Old Town.

Honest Bratislava’s Sausages and Scrambled Eggs

First up was the Honest Bratislava’s Sausages and Scrambled Eggs with horseradish, Dijon mustard, and fresh bread (5,50€ or about $5.97).

They say you eat with your eyes, and in this case, the scrambled eggs looked beautiful. While simple in appearance, the eggs were rich, buttery, and creamy. When I ate the eggs, they almost melted in my mouth. I enjoy eggs which are slightly runny, but I know that some people might not feel the same way.

As with the scrambled eggs, at first glance, the sausages looked simple. And, they were. But, looks can be deceiving. The sausages were actually quite tender and juicy with a smoky and salty flavor. While the skin was not as snappy as I would have liked, the sausage itself was not soft or soggy. Served alongside the sausages was a spicy horseradish and pungent mustard.

Also served on the side were two slices of bread. The bread, which tasted fresh baked, was airy and light. When I squeezed the fluffy bread, it sprang back into its original form. And, the crust of the bread was crispy and golden in color.

The final component of this dish was a fresh arugula salad topped with grapes. The arugula had a crisp, crunchy texture and a distinct peppery flavor. Coating the arugula was a light oil dressing. I enjoyed how the dressing complemented the bold flavors of the arugula and sweet grapes.

Avocado Breads with Eggs Benedict

Next up was the Avocado Breads with Eggs Benedict (7,90€ or about $8.57). This classic dish came with two poached eggs covered in hollandaise sauce on top of sliced bread covered in avocado. On the side was the same fresh arugula salad topped with grapes.

Close up of the Eggs Benedict, No 9, Bratislava, Slovakia — Close up of the Eggs Benedict

In my opinion, the two most important components of any eggs benedict dish are the poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. If the eggs are overcooked or the hollandaise sauce breaks, it can ruin the dish. Fortunately, this was not the case. Both poached eggs were cooked to perfection. When I cut into each with my knife, both exploded with a dark golden yolk, a sign of a fresh, likely organic egg.

The hollandaise sauce, which wasn’t too thick or thin, tasted homemade and had a buttery, tart flavor. I enjoyed the combination of the creamy hollandaise sauce and rich egg yolk as it flowed down over the bread below.

Spread over each piece of bread was a thick layer of avocado. The avocado spread, more of a guacamole, was fresh and added a creamy texture to each bite. As someone who is from California, I am used to fresh avocados. But for Slovakia, this was a pleasant surprise.

Hidden under the poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, and avocado was a thick slice of bread. As with the prior dish, the fresh baked bread was airy and light. And, the bread never became soggy or fell apart, even when covered in sauce, egg yolk, and avocado. Finishing off this plate were sliced cherry tomatoes which added a sweet, tart component along with a pop of color.

Service

The service at No 9 was prompt and friendly. There was only one server working in the front of the house, and she was handling a variety of tasks simultaneously. She greeted guests as they arrived, handed out menus, prepared drinks, and delivered food to tables. Despite having a lot on her plate, she remained efficient and professional.

While she was not always around, she was there when needed. Even with a small staff, my food arrived without any delay. While service at restaurants in Eastern Europe may not always be known for their efficiency or attentiveness, the service at No. 9 was great.

Conclusion

Bratislava is a small city. So, it may be difficult to find a wide selection of brunch options. And, this is how I stumbled upon No 9. Even on a cold, winter day, the restaurant was cozy and inviting. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, making it the perfect place to escape the cold outside.

While the menu at No 9 was small, both plates I tried were fresh, colorful, and delicious. I especially enjoyed the eggs benedict with its large poached eggs, homemade hollandaise, creamy avocado, and fresh bread. So, if you are looking for brunch near the Old Town of Bratislava, then No 9 is a great choice.