Who doesn’t love a good brunch? Here’s our list of some of our favorite brunch spots across the country:
CALIFORNIA
THE IVY • LOS ANGELES, CA
113 North Robertson Boulevard
Was the first thing you thought of is “celebrity central?” We get it. We thought that, too. But there’s a reason why The Ivy is so regularly frequented by A-Listers: the place is delicious. From the food to the decor, we cannot get enough of it. You know you’re in for a perfect Sunday when upon entering the restaurant, the very attentive staff welcomes you with a complimentary glass of champagne. Sure, some say The Ivy is for basic starstruck tourists, but if excellent service, amazing crab eggs benedict and a burger to DIE for makes us basic, we are 100% down for the count.
FLORIDA
CECCONI’S • MIAMI, FL
4385 Collins Avenue
So we’ve been a littttle obsessed with Miami lately… but it’s only because Miami is the best. If you’re going big in Miami, you must make a stop at Cecconi’s for their insane Saturday and Sunday brunch feasts in the garden. The restaurant offers a $45 per person brunch buffet (which includes one mimosa, but you can opt for bottomless for an additional charge!) with everything you could imagine. Tip: take an Uber to avoid the valet – there’s no public parking!
ROUX • TAMPA, FL
4205 S. MacDill Avenue – Tampa
From its handcrafted bourbon cocktails to its freshly fried beignets, Roux bring the French Quarter to Tampa, and their Creole-based cuisine makes for one awesome brunch. Roux’s got a great atmosphere, friendly staff and very fair prices – but their weekend happy hour is the real kicker. From 9 am to 5 pm every Saturday and Sunday you can get $1 oysters; 1/2 off draft beers, wines by the glass and select appetizers; and buy one get one mimosas and bloody marys. WHAT! We recommend the bread pudding with bourbon butterscotch sauce (pictured below), the chicken and waffles and crawfish hash (pictured below).
ILLINOIS
BEATRIX (RIVER NORTH) • CHICAGO, IL
519 N. Clark Street – Chicago
Beatrix welcomes diners of all dietary restrictions. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, paleo, gluten-free or just plain old omnivorous, you are guaranteed to find something delicious on their menu. You cannot go wrong with the cauliflower grits and eggs, green enchiladas or light and fluffy lemon pancakes. Beatrix has a great cocktail (check out that mouthwatering blueberry Tom Collins pictured below) and mocktail list, as well as fresh-pressed juices.
LOUISIANA
SALON BY SUCRE • NEW ORLEANS, LA
622 Conti Street – New Orleans
Salon by Sucre originally started as a bakery, so let that thought sink in as you envision their brunch potential. Freshly baked rose madeleines, beautiful macarons, melt-in-your-mouth eclairs… and those are just the desserts! The daily brunch menu boasts authentic Creole dishes such as croque benedict (pictured below), lovely seasonal frittatas and steak and egg poutine. Famous for their afternoon tea, Salon features a variety of tea-based cocktails and we strongly recommend the champagne cocktails. The environment makes this spot even cuter with their fresh flowers, clean white marble counter tops and lovely lighting.
NEW YORK
JACK’S WIFE FREDA • NEW YORK CITY, NY
50 Carmine Street – New York City
It seems like this place is on the tip of every New Yorker’s tongue. Mediterranean/Israeli breakfast foods are a rare find, so when we heard of Jack’s Wife Freda and their green shakshuka (pictured below), we were totally signed up. The homey atmosphere and vibrantly colored dishes are simply the best. Jack’s Wife Freda is a small, unpretentious cafe with locations in Soho and the West Village and is known to be a hipster-haven. We’re obsessed with the eggs benny (with potato latkes, smoked salmon and beet hollandaise – pictured below), the green shakshuka and poached eggs with grilled tomato and haloumi.
OHIO
DANTE NEXT DOOR • CLEVELAND, OH
2247 Professor Avenue – Cleveland
If you say “breakfast pizza,” we come running. Dante Next Door is a traditional wood-fired pizza place that cranks out some not-so-traditional concoctions, like the Everything Bagel and Lox Pizza with house-cured salmon, hard-boiled egg, capers, dill and cream cheese, or the Pasta Carbonara Fritatta (pictured below). The fun fusion of classic Italian food and breakfast fare make this place inventive and exciting.
OTTO’S • CINCINNATI, OH/COVINGTON, KY
521 Main Street – Covington
Although this is technically located in Kentucky, it is a five minute drive over the bridge from Cincinnati. We were in Cincinnati for a wedding and heard that Otto’s was the place to go, so we made the quick trip and it was so worth it. The laid-back tempo and friendly manner of the staff with the restaurant’s awesome art display makes for a very relaxing brunch. We did the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer (a must for anyone who goes here – pictured below), eggs benedict and – the best part – a huge pour of Pappy Van Winkle 21-year bourbon for just $50 a glass. If you’re a Pappy fan, then you know how inexpensive this is! A definite gem in this little town.
PENNSYLVANIA
TALULA’S GARDEN • PHILADELPHIA, PA
210 W. Washington Square – Philadelphia
Best known for their beautiful outdoor garden dining space, Talula’s Garden is a MUST for brunch if you are in Philadelphia during the spring or summer. The restaurant boasts all organic, locally grown produce and its cocktail list is inventive and playful with drinks like “The Butcher” (a spicy bloody with pickled green beans) and “The Hitchhiker” (a pear mojito). We recommend ordering the cheese plate or the little ricotta doughnuts (pictured below) to start. The rest of the menu is quite seasonal, but we promise you can’t go wrong! Tip: Make a reservation several weeks in advance and make a note to be seated in the garden! Garden seating is first come, first serve.
TENNESSEE
PINEWOOD SOCIAL • NASHVILLE, TN
Brunch and entertainment? Score! Pinewood Social created a space that joins social activities with food, so naturally, this place is awesome. The space offers a little bit of everything. For entertainment, you can check out the vintage bowling lanes, bocce ball areas or the pool (yes – we said pool!). Regarding food, Pinewood Social has a coffee shop, a full bar, an indoor dining room and outdoor eating area… and everything is DELICIOUS. All in all, this place is cool and definitely needs to be on your brunching radar!
WASHINGTON, D.C.
URBANA • WASHINGTON, D.C.
2121 P Street NW – Washington, D.C.
If you’re looking for a boozy brunch, look no further: Urbana does $15 refillable bellinis. Located in D.C.’s DuPont Circle, we went to this trendy Italian spot on a recommendation from a friend on a rainy Saturday and left very full and thoroughly buzzed. The main draw here is definitely the drink special as the rest of the menu has a rather basic take on brunch – eggs benedict, smoked salmon, Nutella French toast – but sometimes, that’s just what you need!
