Charlotte is a city that brunches. And not only do we brunch, but we brunch well, especially with the newly passed Brunch Bill that allows restaurants and bars to start serving alcohol at 10am on Sundays. You no longer have to wait for the clock to strike noon to order that mimosa, bloody mary, or breakfast stout with your eggs ranchero. Here are some top picks for best brunch spots in Charlotte sorted by style.
Brewery – Legion Brewing
Breweries are all the hype in Charlotte, so it would only make sense that one of the best brunch options in town can be found in a brewery. Stop by Legion Brewing on a Sunday for brunch and you’ll be taken aback by the smell of bacon smoking in the background. The menu changes regularly based on what’s seasonally available. Pair your brunch with either a Carolina Sparkle Party Berliner Weisse for a mimosa-ish beer or a Dark Intentions Breakfast Stout brewed with local molasses, Pure Intentions coffee, and cocoa nibs.
Twitter: @LegionBrewing
Swanky – 5Church
Looking for brunch a little more on the upscale side? Then check out 5Church – you know, of Top Chef’s Jamie Lynch notoriety. Like 5Church’s dinner menu, their brunch menu is no ordinary brunch. Jamie Lynch and his team serve up creative dishes like a lamb burger heaping with red onion marmalade, gorgonzola, and arugula and a fresh buttermilk biscuit towering with wild mushrooms, asparagus, truffle cream, and a sunny side up egg. If traditional breakfast dishes are more your jam, then choose from options like their Belgian waffles or applewood bacon omelet.
Twitter: @5ChurchCLT
People Watching – Vivace
Whether it’s the young and the beautiful jogging by along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway or the same lot making their way home from the night before, Vivace offers some excellent Sunday morning people watching. They also offer patio skyline views of Uptown Charlotte and the best price fixe brunch deal in the Queen City. Twenty-five dollars gets you a two-course brunch and either a bloody mary or a mimosa. Roasted strawberry parfait or braised short rib hash anyone?
Twitter: @VivaceCharlotte
French Inspired – Café Monte
Take a trip to Paris with brunch at Café Monte. Unlike most restaurants that only offer brunch menus on the weekends, Café Monte offers theirs seven days a week. But doesn’t brunch taste better on the weekends anyway? Popular menu items include the French country breakfast with eggs, country bacon, or sausage, skillet potatoes, and toast; smoked salmon benedict with spinach and hollandaise; and a selection of sweet and savory crepes. Café Monte offers a full coffee bar along with a selection of beer, wine, and spirits.
Twitter: @CafeMonteBistro
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Best Kept Secret – The Liberty
Brunch waits at Tupelo Honey can extend up to an hour or two. Yet, across the parking lot is one of Charlotte’s best kept secrets when it comes to brunch —The Liberty. The gastropub features a brunch menu that leans towards the British side with items like the English Breakfast on a Bun served with bangers, two eggs, apple smoked bacon, mushrooms, arugula, tomatoes, and brioche with baked beans on the side. Known for their burgers, the London Burger —bacon, cheddar, steak sauce, and aioli— is another customer favorite. Wash it all down with a proper stout.
Twitter: @TheLiberty
Hip Hop – Little Spoon
At Little Spoon breakfast is served with a side of hip-hop, because what doesn’t go better with the brunch than some classic R. Kelly lyrics. That’s why it’s called the Freakin’ Weekend menu. You’re about to have you some fun with dishes that change seasonally like cinnamon toast brulee, chicken biscuit with a garlic aioli, and their famous #BEC sandwich —a runny egg, bacon, and white cheddar on a grilled roll. They also serve up plenty of libations to get your head grooving to the tunes.
Twitter: @LittleSpoonCLT
Sometimes it’s also fun to host brunch in your own apartment. Here’s a tasty recipe to get you started: Farmers Market Peach and Almond Crostata.