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By Darla Guillen Gilthorpe
You’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but, in Houston, we say it’s best to wait a few hours, add some cocktails and have a proper brunch instead. A boozy breakfast is the best way to cure what ails you and there’s nothing better than gathering a big group of friends and heading over to Montrose, River Oaks or any other lively Houston neighborhood for a carafe of mimosas or bellinis and a stack of pancakes. While in search for the best brunch in Houston, we came across many worthy contenders listed below. Bon Appetit!
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a'Bouzy
Curator’s Pick
You might guess from the name, this place has an abundance of boozy brunch offerings. On weekends, this River Oaks brunch combines high-end ingredients with fun twists like Honey & Sriracha Salmon or corned-beef brisket hash with pickled jalapeño. If you’re seeking something less ritzy and more indulgent, you’ll find it here, too. There's almost always a lively crowd on the expansive covered patio that sits just on Westheimer, making it ideal for people watching in Houston. Inside, glass bubbles cascade from the ceiling, complementing the name and staple ingredient here: champagne.
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Backstreet Cafe
Curator’s Pick
Looking for the best Houston brunch? Backstreet Cafe has one of the best menus for weekend brunch near River Oaks. Named a 2022 Houston Chronicle Best Of The Best Houston Brunch finalist, Backstreet Cafe is an institution built with Southern flare. This restaurant is situated in a classic 1930’s house, making every dining experience cozy and intimate. Their menu is a combination of Southern, Cajun, Asian, Creole, and Hispanic influences; one taste of the grilled peach flatbread, migas, or roasted oysters will make you glad you got out of bed and into their dining room!
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Bludorn
Curator’s Pick
One of Houston’s most popular dinner destinations — located in the space that once housed Pass & Provisions — offers a Houston brunch to rival its dinner service. Stop in for Sunday brunch for a no-holds-barred meal that might include a seafood tower, chermoula (think of this as a North African chimichurri) octopus, foie gras, and squash soup. Not everything's so fancy at this Montrose/Midtown restaurant: omelets, blueberry pancakes, cinnamon buns, and churros are also on offer if you're seeking something heartier. Prepare to valet park or get there with enough time to find street parking.
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Bosscat Kitchen & Libations
Curator’s Pick
You can't go wrong with a Houston brunch that offers seven different morning cocktails, including the staple carafes of mimosas. As for bites, the menu ranges from healthy to artery-clogging. Overnight oats, avocado toast and a veggie omelet are available for those seeking healthier fare. If you're looking to pamper yourself with something a little less wholesome, choose from the donut burger, Fruity Pebbles French toast, or apple cheesecake-topped waffle. On a gorgeous day, expect Bosscat to open its indoor dining room to the patio and you’ll feel a splendid midday breeze as you dine. Brunch is served on weekends only.
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Harvest Kitchen and Bakery
Curator’s Pick
Harvest Kitchen and Bakery is a local spot for Houston Brunch in Katy. Their all-day menu features Keto-friendly versions of brunch staples, in addition to traditional brunch and lunch items — including vegetarian and vegan options. Harvest is the Houston Chronicle’s 2022 Best of The Best Houston Brunch winner, and rightfully so — their vast and varied menu offers modern comfort food, fresh-baked artisan breads, and fresh baked goods. Behave yourself with a yogurt & granola fruit bowl, or depending on what you did the night before, the fried goat cheese waffle may be just the remedy you need!
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Hungry Like The Wolf
Curator’s Pick
Dig out the old cassette player and prepare for a '80s themed Sunday Houston brunch at this Washington Corridor restaurant. As the name might imply, it's all things '80s here: neon decor, Tetris wallpaper, and music videos. The menu consists of your standard brunch staples, most with fun themed names — think Pretty in Pink toast and Purple Rain pancakes. While some kitschy places can sometimes offer more atmosphere than good food, this Houston brunch spot boasts favorable critiques on most platforms, including 4-stars with nearly 140 reviews on Yelp.
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Phil & Derek's Restaurant
Curator’s Pick
This might be the only Houston brunch to serve up lobster and waffles, crawfish spring rolls, and a jambalaya breakfast along with traditional boozy midday beverages. The Cajun-inspired spot sometimes offers bottomless mimosas and while that’s not always a guarantee, brunching with a lively atmosphere is. For those seeking an al fresco brunch, ask to be seated in the spacious outdoor patio, which is partially covered and has large fans for warmer days. Brunch at this Third Ward eatery is served only on weekends, making it one of the busier and most popular brunch spots in H-Town.
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Rainbow Lodge
Curator’s Pick
Sunday brunchers: don't worry about coming into this longstanding Houston institution and skipping the smoked-duck gumbo; it’s on the brunch menu along with many of its dinner favorites. This rustic Houston brunch is available on Sundays only but if not for the food, the scenery is worth planning ahead to secure a sought-after reservation. Even in the peak of summer, each table is equipped with a battery-powered fan. If we haven’t convinced you yet that this is a great place for brunch in Houston, mimosas are priced at just $2 each. Great ambience plus $2 mimosas equals amazing brunch.
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Snooze A.M. Eatery
Curator’s Pick
This Denver-based breakfast chain incorporates locally-sourced ingredients in its hearty Houston brunch dishes. Snooze is popular for its extensive menu, which includes the Chile Verde Benny, a slow-cooked pulled pork over green-chile-slathered tortillas with a poached egg. On the drinks menu are coffee cocktails, like the Cafe Negroni, made with gin, espresso, aperol, and orange. The traditional favorites, including mimosas and bloody marys, round out the cocktail list. With seven locations in Greater Houston, including locations in Katy, The Woodlands, and Webster, if you’re looking for a great Houston brunch near you, it’s easy to wake up with Snooze.
Get directions (6 locations)
- Montrose3217 Montrose Blvd Suite 100, Houston, TX 77006
713-574-6655 - Galleria5000 Westheimer Rd Suite 120, Houston, TX 77056
281-810-6130 - Heights718 W 18th St, Houston, TX 77008
346-237-9150 - Memorial600 W Sam Houston Pkwy N #500, Houston, TX 77024
713-470-4586 - Katy23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd K100, Katy, TX 77494
281-394-7780 - Webster820 Bay Area Blvd Suite 100, Webster, TX 77598
346-230-4883
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Tiny Boxwoods
Curator’s Pick
While the French countryside-inspired interior is romantic and sweet, Houston brunch crowds often choose to enjoy the outdoor patio instead. It has a view of the garden-like nursery – owned by the same people – which is just on the other side of a scenic grass plane. Ivy-lined walls and bottomless mimosas are a nice Sunday brunch requirement. If you’ve had your fill of boozy breakfasts and are seeking a little pick-me-up, we’d suggest ordering an Undertow — a shot of coffee that folds condensed milk-tasting sweetness into your sips. Brunch is hosted on Saturdays and Sundays.
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Weights + Measures
Curator’s Pick
With a cocktail list as extensive as the food menu, you can bet on Weights + Measures to provide a lively brunch atmosphere in its minimalist, modern interior. This Midtown outpost may also be one of the most diverse Houston brunches, with everything from oysters and egg truffle toast to crispy pork belly Benedict, chilaquiles, and steak with eggs. Its bakeshop treats and pizzas, both Houston-famous, are also available during brunch. Brunch starts at 8 a.m. and finishes at 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
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