Scholars tell us that the word “brunch” was originally a slang term used at England’s Oxford University, first recorded in a newspaper article in 1895 (“When a man makes lunch his first meal of the day it becomes ‘brunch’”). It wasn’t until the 1930s, though, that the word — and the concept — started to become popular in the U.S.
The biggest brunch occasion of the year for American restaurants, Mother’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 — 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 isn’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? (You’ll be surprised at what people eat for breakfast around the world.)
It’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.
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 “Breakfast and Brunch” 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Note that because of constantly changing regulations and restaurant policies concerning COVID-19, these details may be out of date and should be verified.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 crêpes 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.
Source: Photo by Callie K. via Yelp
Comfort Café
> Location: San Antonio, Texas
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Steven R. via Yelp
Porque No Tacos
> Location: Oakland, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes
Source: Photo by Rohlin A. via Yelp
Tim is Making Great Coffee
> Location: San Juan Capistrano, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by James Patterson P. via Yelp
Little France Coffee & Bakery
> Location: Mission Viejo, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes
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Source: Photo by The Crepe Shop via Yelp
The Crêpe Shop
> Location: Chicago, Illinois
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes
Source: Photo by Jess A. via Yelp
Uncle Af’s
> Location: Agoura Hills, California
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes
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Source: Photo by Errol M. via Yelp
Granny’s Tacos
> Location: Austin, Texas
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes
24/7 Wall St.Source: Photo by Café Miriam via Yelp
Café Miriam
> Location: Denver, Colorado
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by Ramon L. via Yelp
Frogtown Gourmet Tacos
> Location: Los Angeles, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Erik L. via Yelp
Las Mañanitas
> Location: Fresno, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes
Source: Photo by Brittney H. via Yelp
The Modern Tea Room
> Location: Lancaster, California
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Yonas H. via Yelp
Shewhat
> Location: Oakland, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Photo by Seda H. via Yelp
Cesarina
> Location: San Diego, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by Sarah M. via Yelp
Sonoma Wine Shop & La Bodega Kitchen
> Location: Sebastopol, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Wendy L. via Yelp
Three Borders Brunch & Grill
> Location: Los Angeles, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes
Source: Photo by Martine K. via Yelp
Clary’s Corner Cafe
> Location: Lake Worth, Florida
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes
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Source: Photo by Ashley M. via Yelp
Guajiros Miami Eatery
> Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by Chris R. via Yelp
Gypsea Crêpes
> Location: Panama City Beach, Florida
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by Megan H. via Yelp
Chaupain Bakery
> Location: Laguna Hills, California
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Jay K. via Yelp
Fernandez Restaurant
> Location: San Diego, California
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by Cristen T. via Yelp
Coffee ME Up
> Location: Portland, Maine
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Sophia C. via Yelp
Café Porche and Snowbar
> Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Photo by Catrina Café via Yelp
Catrina Café
> Location: Seal Beach, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by Melissa H. via Yelp
Missy’s Main Street Café
> Location: Rockaway, New Jersey
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Eunhae H. via Yelp
Steel Cup Café
> Location: Long Beach, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes
Source: Photo by Toni C. via Yelp
Butler’s Pantry Breakfast
> Location: Stowe, Vermont
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Jonathan E. via Yelp
Barista Del Barrio
> Location: Tucson, Arizona
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: 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
Source: Photo by Igor P. via Yelp
Mandy’s Breakfast House
> Location: Sonora, California
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by The Hidden Kitchen via Yelp
The Hidden Kitchen
> Location: Cambria, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by Alexander J. via Yelp
Fatima’s Café
> Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Rena A. via Yelp
The Alcove
> Location: Sunnyside, New York
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes
Source: Photo by Phyllis M. via Yelp
Worth Takeaway
> Location: Mesa, Arizona
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by Falon M. via Yelp
Tibbitts @ Fern Hill
> Location: Tacoma, Washington
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Lynde Cole W. via Yelp
Heat Da Spot
> Location: Washington, District of Columbia
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes
Source: Photo by Magno P. via Yelp
MeeMa’s
> Location: Long Beach, California
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Ethan G. via Yelp
San Pedro’s
> Location: Dallas, Texas
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by Veronica N. via Yelp
Indian Gardens Café & Market
> Location: Sedona, Arizona
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by Saulo S. via Yelp
Zenaida’s Café
> Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Samantha P. via Yelp
DV8 Kitchen
> Location: Lexington, Kentucky
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: Yes
Source: Photo by Yunique C. via Yelp
JJ’s Diner
> Location: Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Adrienne H. via Yelp
Early to Rise
> Location: San Francisco, California
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by Glen A. via Yelp
Hawaiian Island Café
> Location: Waimanalo, Hawaii
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by Melissa S. via Yelp
Shark Bite
> Location: Navarre, Florida
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Sara J. via Yelp
The Baker
> Location: New Bedford, Massachusetts
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by Laurel L. via Yelp
Hungry Hunter Restaurant
> Location: Branson, Missouri
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Rich Pura A. via Yelp
Legal Grounds Café
> Location: Wilmington, Delaware
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by Kamille H. via Yelp
Max’s Table
> Location: Osprey, Florida
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
Source: Photo by Sam D. via Yelp
The Nook Eatery
> Location: New Rochelle, New York
> Outdoor dining: No
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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Source: Photo by Ellana's Kitchen & More via Yelp
Ellana’s Kitchen & More
> Location: Newton, Massachusetts
> Outdoor dining: Yes
> Curbside pickup or delivery: No
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