Brunch – it was never just a phase.
From the scrumptious food to the stiff drinks and the lively conversation to the laid-back vibes, brunch simply makes us feel good, and St. Louis is brimming with places to experience it.
Big Sky Cafe
In Webster Groves, Big Sky Cafe’s brunch will knock your socks off. Available on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., specialties range from fried eggs, sautéed asparagus and Ozark Forest mushrooms served over grilled Breadsmith sourdough to French toast bread pudding taken to another level with smoked bacon and toasted pecan butter. Other eggcellent choices include the Big Sky Benedict with English muffins, house-cured salmon, poached eggs, local horseradish hollandaise sauce and breakfast potatoes as well as the Gruyère and bacon omelet with roasted red pepper, fresh spinach and more smoked bacon on the side. To sweeten your meal, try the blueberry muffins with roasted walnut-maple butter.
Bowood by Niche
In a sun-soaked room surrounded by verdant plants from the adjoining nursery, you can savor brunch any day of the week. The season dictates the menu at Bowood by Niche, making every dining experience fresh and exciting. Right now, you can dig into cacio e pepe eggs, French toast bread pudding, kale and grain salad and a chicken club melt, among other delectable dishes. Add sides such as sourdough toast, breakfast potatoes and vegan sausage to your meal, and don’t sleep on the sweets from executive pastry chef Suji Shaw. Past highlights include apple-walnut scones, ginger-molasses cookies and pistachio-brown butter tea cakes. Gluten-free friends can also choose from a range of muffin flavors.
Brasserie by Niche
Serving French brasserie fare in the heart of the Central West End, Brasserie by Niche kindles stimulating conversation over luxurious courses. While the restaurant regularly draws couples on date nights, it’s also a fantastic place to get brunch with family or friends on Sunday. On the sweet side of the menu, you’ll find beignets paired with housemade fresh cheese and dried plum compote as well as brioche French toast with a smear of lemon curd. If you don’t have a sweet tooth in the morning, skip to savory plates, including croque madame (a ham and cheese sandwich with mornay sauce, egg and fries) or eggs en cocotte served with spinach, cream, bacon lardons and brioche toast.
Casa Don Alfonso
Easily one of the most gorgeous restaurant spaces in town, Casa Don Alfonso at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis features a massive open kitchen flanked by a copper ceiling and hand-painted tile backsplash made in Sorrento, Italy, and a striking display of 600 hand-blown glass wisteria leaves suspended over the main dining room. That same level of attention to detail is also evident in the restaurant’s breakfast buffet, where you can feast on avocado toast, custom omelets, fluffy pancakes, chicken-apple sausage, smoked salmon and chia pudding, among other morning favorites. Available on Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m., the elevated buffet is $45 a person. If you’re set on brunch in St. Louis, Casa Don Alfonso also offers a Sunday brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $52 a person. Buon appetito!
Chris’ Pancake & Dining
Proudly serving St. Louis for more than 35 years, Chris’ Pancake & Dining welcomes every guest as if they’re family. Here, you can enjoy brunch with your brood every day from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Alongside the must-try pancakes, dig into biscuits and gravy, country fried steak, shakshuka, a turkey Reuben, loaded hash browns, a crispy Buffalo chicken sandwich or cinnamon rolls. Remember – vacation calories don’t count. Satisfied and smiling, take a short drive to Forest Park where adventure awaits at free attractions such as the Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum and Saint Louis Zoo.
Florentin
A delicious destination in the Delmar Maker District, Florentin serves a vegetable-forward menu inspired by Israel’s iconic street foods, including shakshuka, borekas and falafel. Chef-owner Ben Poremba aptly named the restaurant after his favorite neighborhood in Tel Aviv, known for its bohemian residents, avant-garde restaurants, edgy markets and colorful street art. Decorated with vibrant area rugs, protective evil eyes and charming family photos, Florentin invites families and friends to gather for a leisurely meal, complete with shareables such as hummus, baba ghanoush, muhammara and the famous egg salad toast. On a tight schedule? Belly up to the bar for coffee, tea and pastries before your first stop of the day.
Grace Meat + Three
Known for its inventive Southern food, Grace Meat + Three was voted Best Fried Chicken in Missouri by Food Network. Patrons praise chef Rick Lewis’ mastery of the Southern delight, which stars in the fried chicken and heirloom corn waffles on the brunch menu. On Saturday and Sunday, you can order other brunch staples such as the Egg Rick Muffin, an amalgam of housemade sausage patties, white American cheese, sunny-side up egg, pepper jelly and a toasted English muffin, or the hot honey-chicken biscuit, which has the main ingredients right there in the name. And we highly recommend a handspun milkshake to quench your thirst. After you’ve eaten your fill, stroll among the vibrant murals of The Grove neighborhood.
Hatch’d
Breakfast is anything but boring at Hatch’d. The South City “brunch nest” welcomes sunrise with happy hour. Yes, you read that right – start the day with $4 Bloody Mary’s and $5 mimosas served alongside inventive plates from father-and-son duo Joshua and Paul Sturma. Dig into a sizzling skillet of chorizo, onion, jalapeño, tomato and green chile salsa dubbed Hot in Hurr or take on the Vegan Nightmare, an indulgent omelet loaded with sausage, bacon, ham and American cheese. The griddle doesn’t disappoint either, churning out buttermilk pancakes, Belgian waffles and French toast topped with bananas, blueberries and chocolate chips. Bold, playful and, most importantly, Instagrammable, every bite is a wake-up call at Hatch’d.
Honey Bee’s Biscuits + Good Eats
Made fresh daily, the biscuits and gravy at Honey Bee’s Biscuits + Good Eats are some of the best on this side of the Mississippi. Choose sausage, mushroom or spicy sausage gravy to top the honey-glazed buns, or enjoy them with bacon, egg and cheese. Mike Shadwick, the brilliant baker who runs the brunch spot with his wife, Meredith, also whips up chocolate chip biscuits to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ivy Cafe
Slide into your weekend with the smooth sophistication of brunch at Ivy Cafe in downtown Clayton. Equal parts cozy and chic, the local restaurant adds artistic flair to every brunch plate. Pair sourdough French toast with freshly ground espresso or relish an artisan tartine with a breakfast cocktail. Dining with a group? Order fried Roma tomatoes, Parmesan truffle fries, beet chips with avocado dip and salmon skewers for the table. Whether soaking up the sun on the patio or hunkering down among lush indoor greenery, Ivy Cafe allows you to live your best brunch life.
Katie’s
Huge hazelnut sweet rolls. Decadent lemon-ricotta pancakes. Blood orange marmalade and prosciutto burrata. Hen of the woods frittata. Potato pizza with speck. Katie’s knows how to do brunch. At the location in Ballpark Village, take a break between bites to appreciate the restaurant’s interior design, grounded in stone but light as air. Art and artistry abound in the space, where every detail combines to make the dining experience magical.
Kingside Express
Kingside Express in the Delmar Loop – an evolution of Kingside Diner, its full-service counterpart with two locations in the area – offers limited seating for hearty meals of Cheddar drop biscuits, chicken and waffles, Kingside slingers, breakfast burritos and quinoa pancakes. If you want to go beyond breakfast, we recommend the King of Clubs, which layers ham, turkey, bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, sun-dried-tomato mayonnaise and pesto mayonnaise between toasted white bread. In a nod to its neighbor in the Central West End, the World Chess Hall of Fame, Kingside Express has lined the walls with decorative kings, queens, bishops and knights. Checkmate!
Knead Bakehouse + Provisions
Like dough in the oven, Knead Bakehouse + Provisions has risen, reaching the top of our list of favorite places to grab brunch in St. Louis. The community hub, owned and operated by AJ and Kirsten Brown, serves warm loaves of sourdough made from their 15-year-old sourdough starter, which they have literally taken on vacation – plus, decadent sourdough pastries, towering breakfast sandwiches, steamy soup bowls, bright, fresh salads and a variety of beverages to wash it all down. “There are a lot of great places to eat in St. Louis,” Kirsten says, “but if you’re looking for a best-of-the-Midwest experience, we encourage you to come [here]. Blueprint Coffee, Buttonwood Farm, Double Star Farms, Heartland Mill, Janie’s Mill, Kenrick’s Meats, Kern Meat Co., Ozark Mountain Creamery, Rolling Lawns Farm – the local purveyors that we use represent the best flavors of our region.” Want a taste of Knead Bakehouse + Provisions at home? The bakery ships across the country!
Miss Augusta
For panoramic views on the side of your scrambled eggs, take a Sunday brunch cruise aboard Miss Augusta, a 105-foot Skipperliner yacht, which departs from Klondike Park in Augusta, Missouri. As the boat journeys along the Missouri River, let the crew pamper you with goodies such as bacon, sausage, potatoes, fruit and assorted pastries. Depending on the season, you might spot wintering bald eagles, sun-soaked paddlers or fiery fall foliage outside the windows of the enclosed dining room.
Molly’s in Soulard
With one of the most charming year-round patios in St. Louis, Molly’s in Soulard is a weekend destination for brunch lovers and cocktail enthusiasts alike. Saturdays and Sundays come alive with boozy options that invite guests to sip, savor and soak up the mischievous spirit of Soulard. Craft your own Bloody Mary with all the fixings or toss back an Irish breakfast shot – bacon garnish included. When you’re ready for more sustenance, staples such as the Southwest breakfast bowl and the French toast bake satisfy every craving, while the more adventurous might venture into Cajun fried deviled eggs or delightfully unexpected alligator Rangoons. By the end, Molly’s will leave you wondering if brunch could ever be this fun again.
Polite Society
With exposed red brick and soft natural light, Polite Society offers a polished yet welcoming setting for brunch in Lafayette Square. For a tasty snapshot of the menu, imagine chorizo-avocado benedict, osso buco hash and butter pecan French toast. It’s an ideal spot for a leisurely morning steeped in neighborhood history. To wrap up the experience, meander past the nearby Painted Ladies, a row of meticulously restored 150-year-old Victorian mansions doused in vibrant hues of yellow, salmon, green, blue and purple.
Rooster
A beloved brunch spot with locations in downtown St. Louis and on South Grand Boulevard, Rooster dishes out sweet crêpes, flavorful scrambles and boozy cocktails. Have you ever heard of a slinger? Inexplicably linked to St. Louis, the iconic dish defies the limits of what can be literally slung together on a plate and still taste good. Traditionally made with potato, egg, chili, cheese and protein, some people see a hot mess; others find that the slinger satisfies not only their cravings but also their souls. We’ll say this: Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! Rooster serves four different slingers, including a vegan version.
Songbird
Great mornings start with great ingredients, and at Songbird in Tower Grove South, local sourcing influences how the team cooks, connects and serves. Seasonal flavors take center stage, but one standout never misses: a sprouted grain English muffin stacked with a Buttonwood Farm chicken sausage patty, Rustic Roots Sanctuary eggs, Bee Simple microgreens, pickled red onion and brown butter aïoli. The result is a thoughtful balance of richness and freshness, comfort and nourishment.
SqWires Restaurant & Market
Housed in an elegantly renovated Victorian factory in Lafayette Square, SqWires Restaurant & Market specializes in American cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients – so brunch is a given. Available on Saturday and Sunday, breakfast plates include a smoked brisket hash, salmon bagel board and truffle tofu skillet. Lunch plates such as baked onion soup, chicken salad and vegetable lasagna are equally delicious. Whichever direction you choose, round out your experience with bottomless mimosas.
The Clover and the Bee
Bringing you fresh food in a chic setting, this neighborhood café has everything you want for brunch. If you’re committed to breakfast, try the stone-ground grits with Cheddar, poached eggs, tomato ragù and crusty bread; the labneh granola bowl with marcona almond granola and seasonal fruit; or the breakfast burrito with avocado, eggs, black beans, pico de gallo, hash browns and Chihuahua cheese in a flour tortilla – and save room for a flight of cream puffs! If the “unch” in “brunch” calls to you, consider the shaved Brussels sprout salad; the shaved rib eye sandwich; or the farro bowl with chicken, red onion, jalapeño, pistachio pesto and peach vinaigrette. Brunch is available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and depending on the day, you can snag sweet treats such as banana-chocolate chip muffins, blackberry Danishes, cookie butter blondies and hot fudge sundae pop-tarts.
The Mud House
Thanks to The Mud House, you can have brunch any day of the week from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Start with coffee or tea and then take your pick of food items, which range from a Belgian waffle with strawberry compote and mascarpone to avocado toast with pickled red onion and radish to black bean chili with Cheddar and sour cream. After you’re finished, peruse Cherokee Antique Row, which offers six blocks of independently owned and operated establishments, including antique shops, art galleries and specialty stores.
Winslow’s Table
Chock-full of goodies – think Mexican chocolate galettes, sweet potato pie pop-tarts, salted caramel monkey bread, goat cheese cookies and lemon-ginger scones – the pastry case at Winslow’s Table beckons. After you load up on treats, check out the irresistible dishes on the breakfast and lunch menus. We’re partial to the Half & Half, which allows you to choose between seasonal soups, salads and sandwiches. During your visit, peruse artisanal pantry goods from Midwest makers as well as curated gifts that you can take home to family and friends.
For more dining experiences in St. Louis, check our culinary guide.
