Special Report

50 Best Places for Breakfast and Brunch

Photo by Yunique C. via Yelp JJā€™s Diner > Location: Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey > Outdoor dining: No > Curbside pickup or delivery: No Photo by Adrienne H. via Yelp Early to Rise > Location: San Francisco, California >…

By 247patrick
Published May 25, 2021, 12:00pm ET Ā· 6 min read

© Photo by CafĆ© Miriam via Yelp

Scholars tell us that the word ā€œbrunchā€ was originally a slang term used at Englandā€™s Oxford University, first recorded in a newspaper article in 1895 (ā€œWhen a man makes lunch his first meal of the day it becomes ā€˜brunchā€™ā€). It wasnā€™t until the 1930s, though, that the word ā€” and the concept ā€” started to become popular in the U.S.

The biggest brunch occasion of the year for American restaurants, Motherā€™s Day, has recently passed (in pre-pandemic times, eateries typically served the meal to something like 25 million adults on that holiday). Brunch is always popular, though ā€” so much so that what was originally a Sundays-only affair now extends to Saturdays and holidays, and in some cases has become a daily specialty.

The line between breakfast and brunch isnā€™t necessarily well-defined, of course. Does a hearty breakfast (eggs Benedict or chilaquiles, say) eaten at 9 a.m. count as breakfast or brunch? What about a bowl of oatmeal and some toast at noon? (Youā€™ll be surprised at what people eat for breakfast around the world.)

Itā€™s probably best not to worry about the distinction between the two meals, and to acknowledge that either can encompass a wide range of foods.Ā 

Click here to see the 50 best places for breakfast and brunch

To identify the 50 best brunch spots in the U.S, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the ranking of best brunch spots on the Official Yelp Blog, which based their choices on average score and volume of reviews for restaurants in the ā€œBreakfast and Brunchā€ category. All establishments listed had a passing health score as of April 16, 2021, and all were open on Sundays as of that date. Yelp limited restaurants to a maximum of three in any one metro area in the interests of geographic diversity. Information on outdoor dining and curbside pick-up is also from Yelp. Note that because of constantly changing regulations and restaurant policies concerning COVID-19, these details may be out of date and should be verified.

24/7 Tempo has drawn a list of 50 top places for breakfast and brunch around the country. Some will satisfy the traditional idea of brunch as a leisurely sit-down meal with a wide choice of dishes (many of them egg-based) and perhaps generous servings of mimosas or bloody Marys. Others are diner-casual, but with noteworthy versions of diner food; still others specialize in tacos or crĆŖpes or breakfast sandwiches. (If those last items are your favorite, consider the best breakfast sandwich in every state everyone should try.)

Breakfast or brunch, fancy or plain, however, all of these are well worth waking up for.

Photo by Callie K. via Yelp

Comfort CafƩ
> Location: San Antonio, Texas
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Steven R. via Yelp

Porque No Tacos
> Location: Oakland, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes

Photo by Rohlin A. via Yelp

Tim is Making Great Coffee
> Location: San Juan Capistrano, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by James Patterson P. via Yelp

Little France Coffee & Bakery
> Location: Mission Viejo, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes

Photo by The Crepe Shop via Yelp

The CrĆŖpe Shop
> Location: Chicago, Illinois
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes

Photo by Jess A. via Yelp

Uncle Afā€™s
> Location: Agoura Hills, California
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes

Photo by Errol M. via Yelp

Grannyā€™s Tacos
> Location: Austin, Texas
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes

Photo by CafƩ Miriam via Yelp

CafƩ Miriam
> Location: Denver, Colorado
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Ramon L. via Yelp

Frogtown Gourmet Tacos
> Location: Los Angeles, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Erik L. via Yelp

Las MaƱanitas
> Location: Fresno, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes

Photo by Brittney H. via Yelp

The Modern Tea Room
> Location: Lancaster, California
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Yonas H. via Yelp

Shewhat
> Location: Oakland, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes

Photo by Seda H. via Yelp

Cesarina
> Location: San Diego, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Sarah M. via Yelp

Sonoma Wine Shop & La Bodega Kitchen
> Location: Sebastopol, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Wendy L. via Yelp

Three Borders Brunch & Grill
> Location: Los Angeles, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes

Photo by Martine K. via Yelp

Claryā€™s Corner Cafe
> Location: Lake Worth, Florida
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes

Photo by Ashley M. via Yelp

Guajiros Miami Eatery
> Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Chris R. via Yelp

Gypsea CrĆŖpes
> Location: Panama City Beach, Florida
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Megan H. via Yelp

Chaupain Bakery
> Location: Laguna Hills, California
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Jay K. via Yelp

Fernandez Restaurant
> Location: San Diego, California
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Cristen T. via Yelp

Coffee ME Up
> Location: Portland, Maine
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Sophia C. via Yelp

CafƩ Porche and Snowbar
> Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Catrina CafƩ via Yelp

Catrina CafƩ
> Location: Seal Beach, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Melissa H. via Yelp

Missyā€™s Main Street CafĆ©
> Location: Rockaway, New Jersey
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Eunhae H. via Yelp

Steel Cup CafƩ
> Location: Long Beach, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes

Photo by Toni C. via Yelp

Butlerā€™s Pantry Breakfast
> Location: Stowe, Vermont
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Jonathan E. via Yelp

Barista Del Barrio
> Location: Tucson, Arizona
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Hold Fast Kitchen and Spirits via Yelp

Hold Fast Kitchen and Spirits
> Location: New York, New York
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes

Photo by Igor P. via Yelp

Mandyā€™s Breakfast House
> Location: Sonora, California
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by The Hidden Kitchen via Yelp

The Hidden Kitchen
> Location: Cambria, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Alexander J. via Yelp

Fatimaā€™s CafĆ©
> Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Rena A. via Yelp

The Alcove
> Location: Sunnyside, New York
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes

Photo by Phyllis M. via Yelp

Worth Takeaway
> Location: Mesa, Arizona
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Falon M. via Yelp

Tibbitts @ Fern Hill
> Location: Tacoma, Washington
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Lynde Cole W. via Yelp

Heat Da Spot
> Location: Washington, District of Columbia
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes

Photo by Magno P. via Yelp

MeeMaā€™s
> Location: Long Beach, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Ethan G. via Yelp

San Pedroā€™s
> Location: Dallas, Texas
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Veronica N. via Yelp

Indian Gardens CafƩ & Market
> Location: Sedona, Arizona
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Saulo S. via Yelp

Zenaidaā€™s CafĆ©
> Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Samantha P. via Yelp

DV8 Kitchen
> Location: Lexington, Kentucky
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes

Photo by Yunique C. via Yelp

JJā€™s Diner
> Location: Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Adrienne H. via Yelp

Early to Rise
> Location: San Francisco, California
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Glen A. via Yelp

Hawaiian Island CafƩ
> Location: Waimanalo, Hawaii
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Melissa S. via Yelp

Shark Bite
> Location: Navarre, Florida
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Sara J. via Yelp

The Baker
> Location: New Bedford, Massachusetts
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Laurel L. via Yelp

Hungry Hunter Restaurant
> Location: Branson, Missouri
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Rich Pura A. via Yelp

Legal Grounds CafƩ
> Location: Wilmington, Delaware
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Kamille H. via Yelp

Maxā€™s Table
> Location: Osprey, Florida
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Sam D. via Yelp

The Nook Eatery
> Location: New Rochelle, New York
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Photo by Ellana's Kitchen & More via Yelp

Ellanaā€™s Kitchen & More
> Location: Newton, Massachusetts
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

247patrick
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