Brunch by the Sea: Sampling Mid-Morning Menus Across Avila’s Three Restaurants
If your ideal island morning starts slowly, Brunch by the Sea is one of the best ways to ease into the day at Avila Beach Hotel. Instead of rushing out the door or settling for a quick coffee, you can choose a setting that fits your mood: a beachside breakfast at The Pen Restaurant & Terrace, a relaxed late-morning stop at Schooner Bar, or a plan to stretch your day into an evening meal at Blues Restaurant.
For guests deciding where to enjoy a mid-morning meal, the key is knowing what each venue serves, when it opens, and what kind of atmosphere it offers. This guide walks you through Avila’s three restaurants, with a focus on timing, views, and the type of experience each spot creates.
What are Avila’s three restaurants, and which one is best for brunch?
Avila Beach Hotel offers three full-service restaurants plus casual bar venues. For brunch or a late first meal of the day, here is the short answer:
- The Pen Restaurant & Terrace is the best choice for a classic breakfast or brunch-style start.
- Schooner Bar works well for a later, more casual seaside bite from 10:00 onward.
- Blues Restaurant is not a brunch venue, but it rounds out the dining picture for guests planning their day around a leisurely morning and a waterfront dinner later on.
That combination makes it easy to shape your day around your appetite, schedule, and preferred view.
The Pen Restaurant & Terrace: The natural choice for brunch by the sea
When The Pen serves
The Pen Restaurant & Terrace is open daily for:
- Buffet breakfast: 07:00–10:30
- À-la-carte lunch and dinner until 22:00
If you are looking for the most direct answer to where to enjoy Brunch by the Sea, this is it. The breakfast hours and beachfront location make The Pen the clearest match for guests who want a true morning meal in a relaxed setting.
What the experience feels like
Located right by the beach, The Pen offers a serene dining experience with stunning ocean views. The setting suits early risers, slow starters, couples lingering over coffee, and families easing into the day together.
The overall dining style combines Caribbean-inspired cuisine, fresh seafood, and international fare, including American and European favorites, all prepared with local ingredients. That broader culinary range matters for brunch because it gives guests flexibility. Some mornings call for something light and fresh; others call for a more substantial plate before a day of swimming or exploring Willemstad.
Why choose The Pen for a late morning meal
The Pen stands out for guests who want:
- A proper buffet breakfast
- A beachfront table with a calm atmosphere
- A smooth transition from breakfast into lunch timing
- A menu style that blends local and international flavors
It is also a strong pick if you enjoy turning breakfast into a longer ritual. At a seaside resort, brunch is often less about the clock and more about the pace. The Pen fits that mood especially well.
A signature flavor to look for
The Pen serves fresh seafood and Caribbean-inspired dishes, including Avila’s famous traditional dish, "Keshi Yena." While many guests may not think of a local specialty when planning brunch, trying island flavors is often what turns a routine meal into a memorable part of the trip.
Schooner Bar: Casual late-morning bites right on the beach
When Schooner Bar serves
Schooner Bar serves lunch and dinner from 10:00–23:30 and hosts Happy Hour from 17:00–18:00.
That 10:00 opening time makes it especially useful for guests who miss the earlier breakfast window or simply prefer a lighter, later start. While it is not described as a breakfast venue, it is very much part of the Brunch by the Sea conversation because it opens at the exact point when many travelers begin thinking about their first real meal of the day.
What the setting is like
Schooner Bar is a relaxed, open-air beachfront spot. It is designed for easy, unhurried dining, with a laid-back Caribbean feel that suits guests coming straight from the beach, arriving in resort wear, or stopping for a casual bite before heading into town.
The venue is known for:
- Light bites
- Refreshing cocktails
- A casual menu featuring local snacks
- A laid-back Caribbean vibe
That makes Schooner Bar less of a formal brunch destination and more of a flexible late-morning option. If your idea of brunch is simple, social, and beach-adjacent, this can be the right choice.
Why choose Schooner Bar for a mid-morning meal
Choose Schooner Bar if you want:
- A later start beginning at 10:00
- A casual beach setting
- Light fare instead of a full breakfast spread
- An easy place to move from beach time to lunch
It is also a smart option for groups with mixed appetites. Some people may want a snack and coffee, while others are ready for a fuller lunch-style meal. A casual bar setting often makes that easier.
Blues Restaurant: Not brunch, but worth planning around
When Blues serves
Blues Restaurant is open for dinner only from 18:00–22:00 and is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Because Blues begins service in the evening, it is not a brunch venue. Still, it deserves a place in this guide because many guests build their day around a slow morning, relaxed beach time, and a special dinner later on.
What makes Blues different
Located directly on the water at Avila, Blues is known for:
- A one-of-a-kind waterfront dining experience at the end of the pier
- Fresh and colorful cuisine
- Mouthwatering seafood and international dishes
- A vibrant, laid-back atmosphere
- Live jazz performances on select evenings and popular live music on Thursdays
If The Pen is where your day begins and Schooner Bar fills the gap between beach and lunch, Blues is where the day can end on a high note.
How Blues fits a brunch-focused itinerary
A mid-morning dining plan does not have to stop at noon. Guests often enjoy pairing:
- Breakfast at The Pen
- A beach afternoon or a casual stop at Schooner Bar
- Dinner at Blues Restaurant
That creates a full dining day without ever feeling rushed.
Comparing Avila’s three restaurants for brunch-style planning
Here is a quick side-by-side overview.
| Venue | Meal periods | Hours | Best for | Setting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Pen Restaurant & Terrace | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Breakfast 07:00–10:30; lunch and dinner until 22:00 | Full breakfast, brunch-style mornings, ocean-view dining | Beachfront, serene, ocean views |
| Schooner Bar | Lunch, dinner | 10:00–23:30 | Late-morning bites, casual meals, beach drinks | Open-air, beachfront, laid-back |
| Blues Restaurant | Dinner | 18:00–22:00; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays | Evening dining after a slow morning | Waterfront at the end of the pier, vibrant atmosphere |
How to choose the right brunch by the sea experience
Choose The Pen if you want a true brunch feel
The Pen is the strongest option if you want a meal that feels closest to traditional brunch. It covers the full breakfast window, offers beachfront seating, and brings together local and international flavors in a calm setting.
This is the best fit for:
- Couples who want a scenic breakfast
- Guests who enjoy a more complete morning meal
- Travelers who like to start the day before heading out
Choose Schooner Bar if you start your day later
If you prefer to sleep in, swim first, or keep things informal, Schooner Bar is the better match. It opens at 10:00, right when breakfast transitions into a more flexible late-morning meal.
This is ideal for:
- Guests who miss early breakfast hours
- Beachgoers wanting a simple bite close to the water
- Anyone who prefers a casual, open-air setting
Save Blues for later
Blues is best viewed as part of the full Avila dining experience rather than a brunch stop. It complements a leisurely day beautifully, especially for guests who want dinner with atmosphere, seafood, and live music energy.
Practical tips for planning brunch by the sea at Avila
To make the most of Brunch by the Sea, keep these practical tips in mind:
1. Match the venue to your morning pace
- For an earlier, fuller meal, head to The Pen Restaurant & Terrace.
- For a later and more casual start, choose Schooner Bar.
2. Think beyond the plate
At Avila, the setting is part of the experience. Ocean views, beachfront seating, and open-air dining can shape the mood just as much as the menu.
3. Plan your full dining day
A relaxed morning can flow naturally into lunch, beach time, and dinner. If you enjoy mapping out meals in advance, Avila’s restaurant lineup makes it easy.
4. Consider meal plans and add-ons
For guests who want a more seamless stay, meal plans and add-ons offer a hassle-free dining experience with a wide selection of Caribbean and international cuisine at the hotel’s beachfront restaurants.
5. Leave room for a special evening
If brunch is the start of a celebratory day, Avila also offers a signature private Dinner on the Beach, available by advance reservation.
More dining experiences to explore during your stay
A brunch-focused morning often leads guests to explore more of what Avila offers across the day. Related dining experiences worth considering include:
- The Pen Restaurant & Terrace for lunch or dinner after breakfast
- Blues Restaurant for waterfront evening dining and live jazz on select evenings
- Schooner Bar for cocktails, local snacks, and a beachfront Happy Hour from 17:00–18:00
- Dinner on the Beach for a more private dining moment by advance reservation
- Meal Plans & Add-ons for a simpler, more flexible food-and-drink schedule during your stay
Why brunch by the sea works so well at Avila
Great brunch is about more than timing. It is about atmosphere, choice, and the ability to let the morning unfold naturally. Avila’s dining lineup supports that beautifully by giving guests distinct options instead of a one-size-fits-all routine.
The Pen Restaurant & Terrace offers the most direct brunch-style experience with breakfast hours, ocean views, and a calm beachfront setting. Schooner Bar picks up where breakfast leaves off, with a casual late-morning alternative right on the beach. Blues Restaurant completes the picture by giving guests a memorable way to continue the day into the evening.
Conclusion: Start your day your way
If you are planning Brunch by the Sea at Avila Beach Hotel, start with the experience you want most. Choose The Pen Restaurant & Terrace for a classic breakfast in a serene oceanfront setting, or head to Schooner Bar for a later, more casual beachfront bite. Then, if you want to turn a relaxed morning into a full day of dining, reserve your evening for Blues Restaurant or explore other dining options across the property.
Whether you rise early or prefer a slow start, Avila makes it easy to enjoy your first meal of the day with sea views, island flavor, and a setting that invites you to linger. Explore the hotel’s restaurants, meal plans, and dining experiences to plan your perfect seaside morning.