There are few things more luxurious than a weekend brunch – that leisurely outing between breakfast and lunch which makes for the most Instagrammable of dishes… and the best part of all – the only scenario in which it’s socially acceptable to drink alcohol before noon!

Combine that with a magnificent 19^th century palace and its incredible gardens, and you’ve got another level of luxury altogether.

Here in Malta, we’re blessed with the ability to dine al fresco throughout most of the year, and while we do have a wonderful variety of outdoor dining options, there’s something very special about the gardens at Palazzo Parisio. Expertly manicured lawns and sprawling blooms make for an exceptional backdrop, and the beautifully laid out tables set the scene for an experience that’s just a cut above the rest.

The Palazzo’s Luna Restaurant is known for its excellent breakfast and brunch options, and being a team of dedicated foodies, a few of the GuideMeMalta ladies and I headed over to try it out for ourselves.

With the autumn sun shining overhead, we relished the excuse to get a little dressed up (it’s not every day you dine at a palace after all) and made our way to our garden table. Once presented with the menus, we pored over all the options, eager to sample four different dishes.

After some deliberation, Lexi, our digital marketing strategist, chose a classic Eggs Benedict set on and English crumpet with bacon and Hollandaise sauce, while writer Jill swapped the bacon for salmon, going for the Eggs Royale.

Adding a veggie option to the mix, my choice of Eggs Florentine completed the egg trifecta, while Raisa, our digital media manager went for homemade pancakes with butter and maple syrup.

The dishes arrived, and the first thing we noted was the beautiful presentation – which is to be expected, after all! The perfectly poached eggs on Lexi, Jill and my plates jiggled over their respective breakfast towers, and Raisa’s pancakes came with a wonderful assortment of toppings. Slipping our knives into the eggs produced the finest of egg yolk porn three times over (yep, this stuff is definitely made for Instagram), and the sounds of appreciation across the table were all the approval the wait staff needed!

The bacon in the Eggs Benedict was crisped to perfection, and we all agreed that the Hollandaise sauce was “absolutely perfect”. As Jill tucked into her Eggs Royale, she noted the ideal salmon to egg ratio, unable to resist adding “I’m in heaven!”

I loved the addition of spinach and asparagus in my Eggs Florentine, making for a light yet elevated dish, while Raisa described her pancakes as light and fluffy, with just the right amount of sweetness – she also enjoyed a good drizzle of maple syrup, because well, who wouldn’t?

It all ended too soon, amid hearty laughter, animated anecdotes and of course, exceptional food. Looking back, I can say that brunch within Palazzo Parisio’s gardens forms the ideal blend of relaxation and luxury, making for an excellent spot for a meal among friends who like a little excuse to get dressed up on a sunny weekend morning. We certainly did, and I have a sneaky feeling, it won’t be our last!

Inigo Taylor