Oh the divisiveness of brunch. Scorned by some as a symbol of opulence, a vulgar display of excess in an increasingly inequitable world, this hearty late breakfast is adored by its devotees and has become increasingly popular across America. Often heavy with eggs and sauces, meats one would never think to deep fry, waffles invisible under piles of toppings, brunch is that single meal that holds one over until dinner.
More than just a meal, brunch is an experience; a license to wake up late and celebrate that tardiness with other late-risers. Many bars and dinner restaurants offer a weekend brunch menu of fare perfectly suited to ease the pains of a long night out, often serving bloody marys and mimosas on the side. Sunday mornings in cities everywhere, friends and families gather together to enjoy this most soothing of feasts. (Looking for a less pretentious breakfast? Here is the best diner in every state.)
24/7 Tempo has compiled the best brunch spots in every state, using reviews and rankings from a wide range of websites, including Yelp, Eater, Open Table, Time Out, The Infatuation, Thrillist, Thrillist, Food Network, Spoon University, and The Daily Meal, as well as numerous local and regional sites. Some places on the list don’t serve “brunch” per se, but offer hearty brunch-style breakfast menus on weekend mornings, and in some cases all day long every day.
Eggs Benedict appears on many of the menus, often with specialty additions like smoked brisket, avocados, or grilled asparagus. Local takes on chicken and waffles or biscuits and gravy are also common. New York City’s famous Balthazar brasserie offers pan-seared halibut and grilled trout along with french pastries and more traditional breakfast fare. Fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits can be seen on multiple brunch menus around the South. (Here are the 35 best restaurants in the South.)
Alabama: The Noble South
> Location: Mobile
Alaska: Snow City Cafe
> Location: Anchorage
Arizona: Indian Gardens Cafe & Market
> Location: Sedona
Arkansas: The Buttered Biscuit Moberly
> Location: Bentonville
California: MeeMa’s
> Location: Long Beach
Colorado: Cafe Miriam
> Location: Denver
Connecticut: The Engine Room
> Location: Mystic
Delaware: Legal Grounds Cafe
> Location: Wilmington
Florida: Max’s Table
> Location: Osprey
Georgia: South City Kitchen Midtown
> Location: Atlanta
Hawaii: Hawaiian Island Cafe
> Location: Waimanalo
Idaho: Fork
> Location: Boise
Illinois: Brunch Cafe Fox River Grove
> Location: Fox River Grove
Indiana: Runcible Spoon Cafe & Restaurant
> Location: Bloomington
Iowa: Americana
> Location: Des Moines
Kansas: Doo-Dah
> Location: Wichita
Kentucky: DV8 Kitchen
> Location: Lexington
Louisiana: Commander’s Palace
> Location: New Orleans
Maine: Coffee ME Up
> Location: Portland
Maryland: Iron Rooster
> Location: Annapolis
Massachusetts: Ellana’s Kitchen & More
> Location: Newton
Michigan: Rochester Brunch House
> Location: Rochester
Minnesota: Icehouse
> Location: Minneapolis
Mississippi: The Chimneys
> Location: Gulfport
Missouri: Hungry Hunter Restaurant
> Location: Branson
Montana: Jam!
> Location: Bozeman
Nebraska: Railcar Modern American Kitchen
> Location: Omaha
Nevada: Zenaida’s Cafe
> Location: Las Vegas
New Hampshire: The Bacon Barn
> Location: Londonderry
New Jersey: JJ’s Diner
> Location: Egg Harbor Township
New Mexico: Vick’s Vittles Country Kitchen
> Location: Albuquerque
New York: Balthazar
> Location: New York City
North Carolina: The Workman’s Friend
> Location: Charlotte
North Dakota: Darcy’s Cafe
> Location: Grand Forks
Ohio: Blueberry Cafe
> Location: Bellbrook
Oklahoma: Kitchen No. 324
> Location: Oklahoma City
Oregon: Kingsland Kitchen
> Location: Portland
Pennsylvania: Brunch
> Location: Conshohocken
Rhode Island: The Rhody Hen Cafe
> Location: Pawtucket
South Carolina: Long Island Cafe
> Location: Isle of Palms
South Dakota: Josiah’s Coffeehouse & Cafe
> Location: Sioux Falls
Tennessee: Monell’s Germantown
> Location: Nashville
Texas: Lamberts
> Location: Austin
Utah: Bambara
> Location: Salt Lake City
Vermont: Butler’s Pantry Breakfast
> Location: Stowe
Virginia: Brunch…
> Location: Richmond
Washington: Tibbitts @ Fern Hill
> Location: Tacoma
West Virginia: Terra Cafe
> Location: Morgantown
Wisconsin: Blue’s Egg
> Location: Milwaukee
Wyoming: Eggington’s
> Location: Casper