The Balkan brunch that has gone viral in Zaragoza: 550-gram 'plaxintas' and authentic Transylvanian tradition

The restaurant, located on Fuendejalón street, was created to bring a part of Romanian and Balkan gastronomy to Zaragoza and owes its name to one of the most typical recipes of the area: plaxintas, a very thin dough that is stretched by hand and baked every day in the establishment itself and that can be filled with both savory or sweet ingredients.

And their proposal is not only winning over the neighborhood residents, but also social media, where some of their promotional videos have garnered hundreds of thousands of views.

"The Balkans are eaten for breakfast here"

Plaxinta (placinta) - Breakfasts and brunch is a place specializing in Balkan gastronomy that focuses its proposal, as its name indicates, on brunch.

"The Balkans are served for breakfast here," the establishment proclaims on its website, describing its menu as "recipes that crossed the Carpathian Mountains and stayed in Zaragoza." But one dish on the menu undoubtedly takes center stage, and it's the one that gives the establishment its name.

Plaxinta is a traditional Romanian dish, especially associated with the Transylvania region. Its main characteristic is a thin, hand-kneaded dough that is then filled and baked. Each of these pastries, weighing around 550 grams, is "hand-stretched every morning" and can be filled with a wide variety of ingredients.

A different kind of brunch in Zaragoza

Among the savory options are roast chicken with mushrooms and mozzarella, chicken kebab, mici (spiced minced meat), smoked salami, chorizo, pulled pork, York ham, spinach with goat cheese, bacon and raisins, or homemade ratatouille with tuna.

And, for those with a sweet tooth, they have sweet options with flavors like apple and cinnamon, walnuts, almonds, different jams, cottage cheese and dill or chocolate with cookie and pistachio.

But what truly sets this establishment apart is its Balkan brunch. The idea isn't simply to offer the classic dishes of a modern brunch, but rather to present a combination inspired by traditional Carpathian breakfasts, designed for sharing and leisurely dining.

The platter includes smoked salami, chorizo, bacon, and pork shoulder, along with hard-boiled egg, feta-style white sheep's cheese, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, fresh onion, and bread. It comes with a glass of kefir and a complimentary shot of orujo (a type of Spanish pomace brandy). A larger version is also available for groups of four.

The menu is rounded out with offerings like the Plato Bandolero, made with roasted potato, paprika, smoked bacon, feta cheese, fresh onion, and yogurt sauce. You can also order a Romanian cheese board featuring telemea, cașcaval, smoked cașcaval, and burduf, accompanied by plum jam, prunes, and walnuts. Among the appetizers are options like eggplant zacuska, eggplant salad, mushroom salad, green bean salad, tuna salad, or bean hummus.

In addition, for those looking for more common options, the establishment also offers tomato and olive oil toast, slices of plaxinta, sponge cake, croissant... and in the drinks section there are specialty coffees such as the Spanish Latte, Cocoa Bomb, White Avalanche, Green Caprice or Golden Hazel.

Where to find Plaxinta: location, menu and opening hours

Plaxinta - Breakfast and Brunch is located at number 4 Fuendejalón Street, in the Jesús neighborhood of Zaragoza. The establishment also offers a daily menu from Tuesday to Friday, between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., consisting of salad or soup, a savory plaxinta (a type of pastry), a Balkan dessert, and a drink.

The proposal is designed to bring to the neighborhood a gastronomy that is unusual in Zaragoza, with recipes from Romania and the Balkans and preparations made by hand in the premises.