Categories: Restaurants

St. Louis Brunch Places

Author: Erin Callier

 Whoever first concocted the idea of combining breakfast and lunch into one glorious hodgepodge of a meal deserves an award, or at least a big plate of home fries. Without a doubt, Sunday brunch puts a delicious spin on the most important meal of the day, and turns it into the most indulgent meal of the week. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply taking advantage of having a socially acceptable cocktail before noon, many St. Louis eateries offer mouth-watering Sunday brunches that simultaneously satisfy any hollandaise or Bloody Mary cravings.

It stands to reason that where there is a revolving restaurant, there is also a magnificent view. The Top of the Riverfront at the Millenium Hotel Downtown (314-241-3191, 200 S. 4 th St.) sits nearly thirty stories above St. Louis and offers a stunning panorama of “The Gateway to the West.” However, sight is not the only sense indulged at this rotating buffet. With over 100 items to choose from, including meat carving, seafood, omelet, and dessert stations, an experience at the Top is sure to leave you spinning. Reservations are highly recommended.

The inviting tri-level courtyard at Norton’s Café (314-436-0828, 808 Geyer Ave.) in Soulard provides a casual brunch experience within one of St. Louis’s most historic and eclectic neighborhoods. Their affordable off-the-menu brunch includes traditional favorites like biscuits and gravy, steak and eggs, and The Slinger (an almost literally heart-stopping combination of eggs, potatoes, chili, and cheese). The warm surroundings continue inside Norton’s where exposed brick and a fireplace in each room are perfect accompaniments to the hearty fare.

Located in the charmingly antiquated Lafayette Square neighborhood SqWires Restaurant and Market ( 314-865-3522, 1415 S. 18th St) serves American dishes in a wonderfully renovated Victorian factory. The large off-the-menu brunch coupled with its cool architectural elements keep St. Louis foodies coming back for more.

Situated in the Grand South Grand neighborhood, adjacent to Tower Grove Park, is the small and eclectic vegetarian eatery, Mokabe’s (314-865-2009, 3606 Arsenal St.). The all-you-can-eat buffet offers a wide variety of baked goods, egg-based and egg-substitute dishes, and fresh, seasonal selections like vegetable polenta. At Mokabe’s they understand that a meal is not complete without the proper libations, and offer seasonal beverages and a great range of coffees and teas.

Owned and operated by a couple from the neighborhood, Al Smith’s Feasting Fox (314-352-3500, 4200 South Grand Boulevard) could very well be set on a warm street in the heart of Bavaria. Feast on traditional German dishes like potato pancakes and hearty sausages and apple strudel you don’t often find west of the Danube.

For those hungry for good food and culture, Puck’s at the Saint Louis Art Museum (314-721-0072, One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park) is a feast for the eyes and palette. Part of culinary celebrity Wolfgang Puck’s empire, Puck’s dining room overlooks the museum’s Sculpture Terrace, enhancing the restaurant’s serene elegance. The pricey yet artful buffet includes hand-carved roast beef, chinois chicken salad, Belgian waffles, made-to-order omelets, and a mouthwatering assortment of fresh, homemade desserts.

In culinary terms, melange means a blend of spices. The location of the restaurant Melange (314-361-8883, 512 N. Euclid Ave.) means a blend of people, as well. In the heart of the casually chic Central West End, Melange is more of an adult hotspot when the sun goes down, but the weekend brunch is a perfect place to people-watch for the whole family. The large and in-demand Dutch Baby pancake, in which an egg based batter and berries are cooked in a skillet before being finished off in the oven, is a favorite and warrants the wait. Reservations are highly recommended.

For a quintessentially laidback St. Louis dining experience, partake in the buffet at Duff's Restaurant (314-361-0522, 392 N Euclid Ave.) also located in the Central West End. A local favorite, reservations are needed if you want to treat yourself to Duff’s beef-tip, mushroom, onion, and Swiss omelet (essentially a Philly cheesesteak in omelet form) or their eggs Benedict with a Creole kick.

Also in the heart of the Central West End is the always funky and always delicious Wild Flower Restaurant (314-367-9888, 4590 Laclede). Wild Flower meets the high standards of its neighboring C.W.E. eateries with outdoor seating that is prime for people-gazing, a casually gourmet cuisine that promises to be a party for the palette, and a cello/keyboard duo to top off the relaxing atmosphere.

The unfailingly sophisticated Café Balaban (314-361-8085, 405 N Euclid) has called the Central West End home for over thirty years. The quality of Café Balaban’s service and selection undoubtedly sets the neighborhood’s high standard when it comes to dining. Whether you choose the Eggs Madison (a salmon version of Eggs Benedict) or the Corned Beef Hash with Poached Eggs and Hollandaise, you will be delightfully satisfied.

If you’re interested in a bit of shopping after your meal, or a stroll down one of St. Louis’s hippest boulevards, brunch at Brandt’s Café (314-727-3663, 6525 Delmar Boulevard) in the Loop. You can usually count on some type of live music while you dive into the diverse buffet. Brandt’s promises a good time as you munch on a bit of peel-and-eat shrimp or spanakopita and observe the consummately cool community that is University City.

Jimmy's Cafe on the Park (314-725-8585, 706 DeMun Avenue) is oh-so St. Louis with its understated, not overly intimidating elegance and flawless cuisine. Sophisticated takes on breakfast favorites, like a Tenderloin Benedict, the Crablette, and savory Chicken Crepes accompany Jimmy’s polished, yet unpretentious, service and a generous kid’s menu.

Travel about twenty miles south of St. Louis and you’ll find yourself at The Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery (636-464-3128, 6166 2 nd) in delightfully quaint Kimmswick. The Blue Owl doesn’t offer “brunch”, but serves a down-home breakfast with biscuits and gravy, hotcakes, and quiches from 10-11:30, lunch all day, and a delectable selection of desserts. The Blue Owl’s charm and cuisine have even caught the attention of the Food Network, and will be featured on the new show “Two For The Road” starring Paula Deen’s two sons.

Go west of the city and taste the consistently delightful fare at Yia Yia’s (636-537-9991, 15601 Olive Blvd, Chesterfield). Greek for Grandmother, Yia Yia’s atmosphere and menu provide a modern, old-world feel coupled with impeccable flavor. The buffet-style Sunday brunch has all the usual breakfast staples, as well as delicious salmon, shrimp, pasta, and Yia Yia’s inventive oven-bake pizzas.

The Cheesecake Factory (Saint Louis Galleria & Chesterfield Mall) may very well be a chain restaurant, and the name might imply exactly what most people come for, but the rest of the menu at this conventional tourist destination definitely compares to its sinful cheesecake. Some offerings from their small Sunday brunch menu are three different takes on eggs Benedict and a grilled brioche with sautéed apples and sinful crème fraiche (served in conjunction with the entirety of the restaurant’s expansive menu).

And, of course, there is always The Ritz. The Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis(314-863-6300, 100 Carondelet Plaza) provides exactly what patrons have come to expect from the famously grand hotel. Tradition. Elegance. Everything you could ever ask for. The pricey buffet includes shrimp, sushi, crab legs, prime rib, pasta, made-to-order omelets, an impressive array of desserts, and much, much more.

Check out places of interest near St. Louis Brunch Places:

Brandt's Market & Cafe
6525 Delmar Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63108

Warmly inviting, this cozy cafe offers a diverse menu that includes many vegetarian selections. Indoor and outdoor dining is available with live music nightly. You can usually count on some type of live music while you dive into the diverse Sunday brunch buffet. Brandt’s promises a good time as you munch on a bit of peel-and-eat shrimp or spanakopita and observe the consummately cool community that is University City.>

Duff's
392 N. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108

Fine dining in a casual atmosphere with an eclectic menu that changes seasonally. A local favorite for Sunday brunch, reservations are needed if you want to treat yourself to Duff’s beef-tip, mushroom, onion, and Swiss omelet (essentially a Philly cheesesteak in omelet form) or their eggs Benedict with a Creole kick.

Jimmy's Cafe and Bistro
706 Demun Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63105

The park to which Jimmy's is referring is not, in fact, Forest Park, but is just a short walk from its western limits. Jimmy's is one of St. Louis's consistently delicious restaurants, offering gourmet cuisine in an unpretentiously nice atmosphere. Jimmy's serves a unique take on lunch, mouthwatering dinners, and an outstanding Sunday brunch.

Jimmy's on the Park
706 De Mun Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105

The park to which Jimmy's is referring is not, in fact, Forest Park, but is just a short walk from its western limits. Jimmy's is one of St. Louis's consistently delicious restaurants, offering gourmet cuisine in an unpretentiously nice atmosphere. Jimmy's serves a unique take on lunch, mouthwatering dinners, and an outstanding Sunday brunch. For more information or reservations, call 314-725-8585 or visit www.jimmyscafe.com.

Melange
512 N. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108

Enjoy brunch or dinner with a creative menu that varies from panko lobster to southern style breakfasts.

Norton's Cafe
808 Geyer Ave, St Louis, MO 63104

Norton's Cafe provides a warm and cozy dinning atmosphere in historic Soulard. The Café is known for award-winning American, Creole, and Cajun cuisine. It features cozy fireside dining throughout, plus a large New Orleans-style courtyard is available during the summer months. Sunday brunch is offered from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Puck's
Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, MO 63110

Puck's is St. Louis's branch of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck's culinary empire. Overlooking the Art Museum's Sculpture Terrace, Puck's serves inspired and artful cuisine for lunch, Friday dinner, and Sunday brunch. Puck's is a can't-miss for Park-goers who enjoy a special touch of gourmet with their sightseeing.  For reservations, call 314-655-5490.

Puck's Café
1 Fine Arts Dr., St. Louis, MO 63110

For a quicker, but still delicious fix, try lunch at Puck's Café in the lower level of the Art Museum. Serving a variety of soups, unique salads, and creative sandwiches in a more casual setting, Puck's Café is a great place to stop and reenergize before taking in more of what Forest Park has to offer.

Puck's in the Art Museum
1 Fine Arts Dr., St. Louis, MO 63110

Puck's is St. Louis's branch of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck's culinary empire. Overlooking the Art Museum's Sculpture Terrace, Puck's serves inspired and artful cuisine for lunch, Friday dinner, and Sunday brunch. Puck's is a can't-miss for Park-goers who enjoy a special touch of gourmet with their sightseeing. For reservations, callPuck's is St. Louis's branch of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck's culinary empire. Overlooking the Art Museum's Sculpture Terrace, Puck's serves inspired and artful cuisine for lunch, Friday dinner, and Sunday brunch. Puck's is a can't-miss for Park-goers who enjoy a special touch of gourmet with their sightseeing. For reservations, call 314-655-5490.

SqWires
1415 S. 18th Street, St. Louis, MO 63104

A carefully prepared seasonal menu, historic atmosphere and ongoing entertainment makes for an evening of merriment in the Lafayette Square neighborhood. The large off-the-menu brunch coupled with its cool architectural elements keep St. Louis foodies coming back for more.

The Blue Owl Rest. & Bakery
6116 Second St., Kimmswick, MO 63053

Homestyle cooking featuring hearty breakfasts, country-style lunches, and fabulous, award-winning desserts as featured on the Food Network with Jamie and Bobby Deen on "Road Tasted" and "Paula's Party" with Paula Deen making the famous "Levee High Apple Pie" with Caramel pecan topping. Menu selections include homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, quiche, croissants, and delicious home-cooked meals served in a quaint and charming atmosphere. Open 10-3:00 Tuesday through Friday, 10-5:00 Saturday & Sunday. Closed Monday.

Yia Yia's Eurocafe
15601 Olive Street Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017

The Repertory Theater of St. Louis
130 Edgar Road, St. Louis, MO 63119

This St. Louis theater company is on a mission to bring high quality theater to the city for audiences of all ages. Performances suit a wide array of tastes; the company's line-up includes all types of theater from musicals to psycological murder mystery to comedy to experimental theater.