Whoever said breakfast is the most important meal of the day clearly hadn’t experienced brunch. After all, a weekend without the mid-morning meets mid-afternoon meal just isn’t really a weekend.
So, we put together a hot list of some of the bucket-list brunches you just have to eat (and drink). Of course, you’ll probably be frequenting these spots on more than one occasion, so you can order all of the decadence your heart desires.
And, rest assured: The booziness at these places is on point, too.
Keep in mind: We mainly kept to Houston proper here, rather than venturing to the suburbs. But, we know, we know... there’s a host of delicious ways to indulge there, too.
The Kitchen at The Dunlavy
Where: 3422 Allen Pkwy.
@dunlavyhoustonNot only do the chandeliers have star quality, the glass tree-house dining room overlooking Buffalo Bayou Park is pure magic — which makes The Kitchen at The Dunlavy a delicious and Insta-good place to go to for Sunday brunch.
@dcpartnersusa
B&B Butchers & Restaurant
Where: 1814 Washington Ave.
@bbbutchersMeat gets top billing here — naturally. But, the enormous brunch menu has something for everyone, including five different kinds of benedicts along with burgers and filets, homemade waffles topped with apple crisp and bacon crumble, plus monkey bread, coconut-crusted French toast stuffed with strawberry cream cheese, and pretty pancakes for any meat-freers.
Beaver’s
Where: 6025 Westheimer Rd.
@beavershtxJust call it a “dam” good brunch — one that’s heavy on big, bold, wake-you-up eats like award-winning barbecue and brisket tacos, between-the-buns goodness, and a smoky take on benedict with skillet corn bread and pulled pork. If that’s not enough, you can practically make a meal of the Beaver Mary cocktails, as they come topped with candied bacon, pickled green beans, okra, cucumber, carrots, cheese, and olives.
Bosscat Kitchen & Libations
Where: 4310 Westheimer Rd.
@bosscatkitchenTwo words: Donut burger. That is all. Well, it’s actually not because there’s also Fruity Pebbles French toast, Nutella s’mores pancakes, and all other manner of crazy-good indulgences here.
State of Grace
Where: 3258 Westheimer Rd.
@stateofgracetxComfort food reigns supreme at this place that offers up traditional favorites served with a modern, Gulf Coast kick. Tuck into a hearth-baked Dutch baby with whipped cream, some crawfish hushpuppies, and warm cinnamon rolls, or go with classic gumbo with saltines, steak and eggs, and the mushroom and kimchi bowl.
a'Bouzy
Where: 2300 Westheimer Rd.
@abouzyhtxBubbles are the best at this champagne-fueled concept with an expansive list of more than 250 varieties, priced from $12 to $2,000-plus. And, the champagne dreams continue with the brunch menu that includes champagne-buttermilk-fried chicken and waffles.
@ducksntigers13
FM Kitchen & Bar
Where: 1112 Shepherd Dr.
@fmkitchenandbarHere, you can start the day pretty sweetly with a “breakfast” dessert shake; have extraordinary chicken and waffles; or keep it simple but oh-so-yummy with the biggest bacon and biscuit sammie you’ve seen. (Their slab of avocado toast is legit, too.)
Weights and Measures
Where: 2808 Caroline St.
@wmhtxForget the PSL. The s’mores latte is everything you could dream of and more at this café. Of course, you’ll want to cuddle up to the rest of the brunch menu. Get the breakfast pizza that’s made onsite in the Dough Room. Or, for a salty and sweet endeavor, fried chicken gets served with cake donuts and maple-hazelnut syrup.
@chewston_texas
Melange Creperie
Where: 711 Heights Blvd. #B
@dawnpdarnellThe mélange a trois is a crepe filled with three ingredients. And, you should have one at this chic spot that is ideal for brunch — not only because of its pink-tinged, Parisian-inspired, Pinterest-worthy décor, but also because you can have the best of both sweet and savory worlds with their decadent crepe action.
@nomnomhouState Fare
Where: 947 Gessner, Ste. B190
@statefarehtxBrunch goals: Crushed. Cranked-up comfort classics meet fried “fair” food. So, that means stacked-high chili cheeseburgers commune with Mac Daddy mac ‘n’ cheese, wider-than-your-plate pancakes get topped with deep-fried chicken, and there's also the sexiest elote-topped avocado toast you’ve ever seen. And, that barely scratches the surface of the insane menu. The brunch cocktails occupy a whole page, too, with Bloody Mary flights, mimosa flights, craft cocktails, and frozen drinks like margs, lavender lemonade with vodka, and rum-spiked ocean water.
Cane Rosso
Where: The Heights, 1835 N. Shepherd Dr.; Montrose, 4306 Yoakum Blvd.
@itsnothouitsmePizza night is perfect here. But, weekend brunch is where it’s really at, especially with Cap’n Crunch waffles drizzled with condensed milk syrup, carbonara benedict, breakfast taco pizza, and other uniquely delicious spins on breakfast-y faves.
@houstonfoodfinderBetter Luck Tomorrow
Where: 544 Yale St.
@bltomorrowIf you prefer to drink your brunch, then go to BLT. It’s a craft cocktail haven — and that starts early on the weekends with morning-ish drinks made right (the garibaldi, rhubarb Collins, and the tomatillo bloody are the ways to go), along with sassy takes on comfort food like their infamous spaghetti sandwich, custard French toast with angostura crème fraiche and apple jelly, and hangover hash browns with cheese and beef gravy.
@marriedwdinner
Tiny Boxwood’s
Where: 3614 W. Alabama St.
@tinyboxwoodsBreak bread at this sweet eatery on the grounds of Thompson + Hanson nursey. The outdoor garden space is delightful, and so is its weekend brunch with sunny-side-up-topped breakfast pizzas, homemade pastry boards, and even a ribeye and brisket burger with lucky sauce.
@thedishhoustonField & Tides
Where: 705 E. 11th St.
@fieldandtidesThis place puts all other “everything bagels” to shame by topping theirs with crispy porchetta, tomato, arugula, and a fried over-easy egg. The kitchen sink burrito with barbacoa and guajillo gravy, Mexican chorizo scotch eggs, and pancakes of the day are pretty solid, too.
Backstreet Café
Where: 1103 S. Shepherd Dr.
@backstreetcafeSunday brunch is pretty much an institution here. The café, which is housed in a ’30s-era house in River Oaks, is famous for it. And, it’s the perfect place to cozy up to Gulf Coast beignets with shrimp, crab, and andouille sausage, fried chicken and biscuits, and the signature Backstreet benedict with cheddar chive biscuits from James Beard award-winning chef Hugo Ortega. If you’re more of a sweet person, the chocolate-orange brioche buns are a must along with the brioche French toast with Nutella. Yum.
@lunchinwithlindzBrennan’s
Where: 3300 Smith St.
@brennanshoustonWith NOLA swagger, Brennan’s puts a kick in brunch with their Texas Creole-inspired menu. Naturally, that means their beignets with Cafe au Lait Anglaise are mandatory. Other Southern faves include turtle soup, smoked pork belly and pimiento cheese grits, and alligator skillet hash.
Bloom & Bee
Where: Post Oak Hotel, 1600 W. Loop S
@bloom_and_beeThis enchanting, light-filled haven is reminiscent of a lush garden filled with gorgeous blooms and the brunch menu matches that fresh, natural opulence. Sustainable, locally sourced ingredients are prioritized in the ample menu that includes any and all of the brunch favorites you could want — with a number of healthful options, too.
Liberty Kitchen at the Tree House
Where: 963 Bunker Hill Rd.
@liberty_kitchen_treehouseembedded via
They celebrate life, liberty, and happiness here — and the notion that everything is bigger in Texas. Just take one look at the Bacon Jam Bloody Mary, and you'll understand. The red velvet waffles with Dixie fried chicken and the white chocolate raspberry bread pudding French toast with bacon jam are on another level, too. Other Gulf Coast-influenced modern comfort food include the “Placerville Fry Omelet” stuffed with smoked bacon and fried oysters and B. Bollinger Breakfast Fried Rice, with all the meat plus hints of the tropics thanks to pineapple.
Osso & Kristalla
Where: 1515 Texas St.
@ossokristallaFor a taste of Italy by mid-morning, this glossy, contemporary trattoria from Astros owner Jim Crane is the answer. Wood-fired pizzettas, chicken parmesan sandwiches, rigatoni and meatballs, and strawberry waffles get top billing as do the mimosas, nitro martinis, bellinis, and frozen limoncellos.
@txtravelerchicRevival Market
Where: 550 Heights Blvd.
@the_bake_happeningembedded via
It’s BYOB, but that shouldn’t dissuade you from brunchin’ it up here. In fact, they have a rainbow of juices just begging for a dash of bubbles. Add to that, an all-day breakfast-y menu with pastries galore, lattes, French toast, and more, and you will certainly be revived.
@revivalmarket
Present Company
Where: 1318 Westheimer Rd.
@presentcompanyhtxembedded via
You might not think of going to this kitschy bar for brunch, but the Sunday Funday vibes are strong . Tatchos may sound like a made-up thing, but the crispy tater tots topped with salsa verde, queso fresco, avocado, and a fried egg are deliciously real. There’s also an ample selection of breakfast tacos and pizzas to fit any craving — and to go with their blackberry mimosa carafe.
@anajuarezhtx
Night Heron
Where: 1601 W. Main St.
@fooodeeliciousDespite this place’s ironic name, it's a solid choice for daytime. The brunch cocktails like the Vampiro (agave, beet, carrot, orange, and lime) and the Painkiller (rum, sherry, coconut cream, pineapple, and orange) are worth the trip alone. But, you’ll also want to get the honey chicken biscuits, turmeric chicken frites, and spiced cherry bread with caramelized figs. No matter what you order up, you can be assured it’s going to be sassy, creative, and eye-opening.
@nightheronhtx
Vibrant
Where: 1931 Fairview St.
@alison__wuIn a sea of brunch indulgences, sometimes you need a break. That’s where this Montrose restaurant comes in. Vibrant is about celebrating wellbeing and wonderful food at the same time. They also create foods that are gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, and non GMO.
Coconut chia pudding comes with caramelized banana, cacao nib buckwheat crumble, and almond butter drizzle; savory and sweet toasts are crafted with house-made teff bread; buckwheat pancakes are topped with raw coconut yogurt, raw granola crumble, lavender maple syrup, and cornflower petals; and the grains and green bowl is the green stuff made of dreams. In this case, being a health nut is looking pretty darn good.
@in.tasty
@keepitpurely
@esabol911The Grove
Where: 1611 Lamar St.
@grovehoustonThis unique urban dining experience at Discovery Green has indoor-outdoor environments and beautiful food to match. The Sunday brunch buffet is as stellar as the views with an emphasis on farm-to-table fare.
Morningstar
Where: 4721 Main St.
@morningstarhouThis next-gen donut shop doesn’t do standard fried dough. First of all, flavors rotate regularly but could include matcha, triple raspberry, strawberry shortcake, caramel, and so many others. Second of all, they’re made from scratch using real ingredients and none of that hydrogenated stuff. Of course, they have a full brunch, menu, too, if you don't want donuts (you probably do, though).
Paper Co.
Where: 1100 Elder St.
@bayoucityfoodieCoffee shops that serve brunch are always a good idea. But, this one has an even better reason to visit: All profits go towards providing for and feeding the Houston homeless community.
@atxfoodchronicles
@jen__cassKarbach Restaurant + Patio
Where: 2032 Karbach St.
@karbachfoodForget the bloody Marys. If your idea of brunch is an ice-cold beer, then sidle up to Karbach Brewing for a beermosa along with frittatas with Karbach bacon, steak and eggs, and crab cake benedict.
Kitchen 713
Where: 4601 Washington Ave., Ste. 130
@bestfoodhoustonInternationally influenced soul food… it just sounds good. And, it is at this place where brunch means decadent standouts like oxtail grilled cheese, tres leches pancakes, pecan pie French toast, and made-to-order fried chicken dinner. There’s a morning slut burger, too. No comment.
@klavergne21Helen in the Heights
Where: 1111 Studewood St., Ste. B
@helen.heightsGo Greek with this gourmet brunch that introduces a delicious, homestyle Mediterranean twist with baked feta, phyllo cheese pie, fresh salads, fluffy semolina pancakes, flavorful gyros and souvlaki, and more. Cocktails like Metaxa Milk Punch, apricot brunch punch, and Samos Gin Fizz with lemon sherbet and cream keep it interesting, too.
La Table
Where: 1800 Post Oak Blvd., #6110
@latablehoustonThe orange blossom brioche French toast with almond crust, whipped cream, and berries is almost as posh as the interiors of this chic spot, where the mid-morning menu also boasts all the pastries, croque madames (or monsieurs), hanger steak, and even super-gourmet Akaushi cheeseburgers.
@julesluxe
@yeseulandPondicheri
Where: 2800 Kirby Dr., Ste. B132
@pondicheriSpice it up with Pondicheri’s enticing, contemporary play on traditional Indian dishes. The all-day breakfast menu includes a little bit of this and that like masala eggs, saag paneer omelets, morning thali with potato cake, chickpea fritters, and dosa (fermented ragi, rice and lentil crêpes). Of course, the onsite Bake Lab always has sweet treats, too. And, many of the dishes are gluten-free and vegan.
