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These Are the Best Brunch Spots in the US

These Are the Best Brunch Spots in the US

Updated: by

Courtesy of the Red Rooster Harlem via Yelp

Balthazar

Courtesy of Balthazar via Yelp

Butcher's Union

Courtesy of Nichole K via Yelp

Commander's Palace

Courtesy of Louise M. via Yelp

Dahlia Lounge

Courtesy of Monica B. via Yelp

Engine Room

Courtesy of Carolina S. via Yelp

Fin Point Oyster Bar & Grille

Courtesy of Anna C. via Yelp

Fonda San Miguel

Courtesy of Tony C. via Yelp

Hash Kitchen

Courtesy of Mike H. via Yelp

The Inn at Shelburne Farms

Courtesy of Sara A. via Yelp

Kitchen No. 324

Courtesy of Poppy S. via Yelp

Lakeside

Courtesy of Karen K. via Yelp

Maple & Ash

Courtesy of Maple & Ash via Yelp

Niu Kitchen

Courtesy of Stavros M. via Yelp

The Noble South

Courtesy of The Noble South via Yelp

One Eleven at the Capital

Courtesy of Guido V. via Yelp

Red Rooster

Courtesy of the Red Rooster Harlem via Yelp

Republique

Courtesy of Republique via Yelp

R'evolution

Courtesy of Lindsay L. via Yelp

Somerset

Courtesy of Maya C. via Yelp

South City Kitchen

Courtesy of Sheena W. via Yelp

Succotash National Harbor

Courtesy of Heather W. via Yelp

The Surfing Pig

Courtesy of Jay D. via Yelp

Balthazar
Butcher's Union
Commander's Palace
Dahlia Lounge
Engine Room
Fin Point Oyster Bar & Grille
Fonda San Miguel
Hash Kitchen
The Inn at Shelburne Farms
Kitchen No. 324
Lakeside
Maple & Ash
Niu Kitchen
The Noble South
One Eleven at the Capital
Red Rooster
Republique
R'evolution
Somerset
South City Kitchen
Succotash National Harbor
The Surfing Pig

For as long as we can remember, there have always been three square meals per day, but it's rather well-known that on certain days, particularly on Sunday, we are often given the option for "brunch," that combination of breakfast and lunch that has come to represent a mealtime event, often lasting for hours and with servings of unlimited mimosas, bellinis, or bloody Mary's. But we didn't always have these options.

The term "brunch," used as a way of referring to a meal that isn't eaten in the morning or afternoon, but rather somewhere in the middle,  got its start in England in 1895 believed to have been invented by Guy Beringer. In his article titled, "Brunch: A Plea," which was published in the London publication "Hunters Weekly,"  Beringer not only wrote that this late social breakfast would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers, but he also suggested the addition of alcoholic beverages.

By the following year, brunch had come to America, referenced in an article published in the New Oxford News and Notes for Women as a "fad" of eating between breakfast and lunch. It didn't quite catch on though, having been a meal enjoyed by the wealthy until the 1930s when it began to be adopted by the middle class. It then expanded beyond and by the 1940s, everyone was partaking in the leisurely meal.

It wasn't until the 1990s that brunch really hit its stride, becoming a weekend staple offered worldwide. Although it was initially promoted as a time- and labor-saving opportunity for women because it meant they’d have one less meal to prepare on what should have been a day of rest, which is one reason why the meal has become so strongly associated with, among other occasions, Mother’s Day. Each May, many dutiful sons and daughters today seek out the best brunch spots to take their moms in every state.

Brunch has become such a popular meal that even many restaurants that don’t serve weekday lunch will fire up their ovens on Sunday (and sometimes also Saturday) morning. Each establishment has a somewhat different take on the weekend meal. Some restaurants offer short, focused menus, heavy on eggs and morning confections like pancakes, waffles, and French toast. Others propose dozens of choices, ranging from omelets and the inevitable eggs Benedict (the heraldic dish of American brunch) to burgers, pasta, and even steak.

Many brunches are all-American, with Southern classics being particularly popular. But of course, other cuisines are often represented on brunch menus, too, from French (croque monsieur, quiche), and Mexican (huevos rancheros, chilaquiles), to Asian (Japanese-style pancakes, kimchee fried rice), and much more. (If brunch isn't for you, maybe you should check out the best deli in every state.)

While these may not be the only excellent places to grab brunch around the country - there are probably hundreds that deserve to be hailed - they all undeniably deserve a place of honor on 24/7 Tempo’s list of the top brunch destinations in the U.S. (Hopefully none of these establishments will suffer an avocado shortage after a truck carrying 8 tons of the delectable key ingredient in many brunch dishes overturned in San Mateo.)

Here are the top brunch destinations in the U.S.

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