Brunch is more than just a meal—it’s a vibe, a ritual, a weekend reward for making it through endless emails and meetings. Somewhere between breakfast and lunch (hence the name), it’s the ultimate leisurely feast that doesn’t rush you. Whether you’re sipping mimosas on a sunny patio or settling into a cozy booth with friends, a good brunch strikes a balance between comfort and indulgence. But what makes a brunch great? Let’s dig in.
In my humble opinion, the heart of any brunch lies in the menu. A good brunch offers something for every craving—think buttery stacks of pancakes, golden waffles with crisp fried chicken, oozy eggs Benedict, creamy avocado toast, fresh fruit, smoked salmon bagels and maybe a cheeky breakfast burger. The key is variety without being overwhelming, because you still have the rest of the day to get through and you don’t want to be bogged down.
Sweet dishes should feel like a treat, not a sugar overload, and savory options should be hearty but not heavy. Bonus points for fresh ingredients, thoughtful presentation and at least one standout dish that people rave about.
But let’s be honest: brunch and drinks go hand-in-hand. A great brunch spot knows how to mix a killer Bloody Mary, offers bottomless mimosas (or at least a solid prosecco option) and maybe even has a fun house cocktail.
For the non-alcoholic crowd, barista-level coffee, fresh-squeezed juices, matcha lattes and creative mocktails round out the experience. The drink menu should feel like part of the occasion, not an afterthought—like those “Rosé All Day” parties you see hotels hosting sometimes.
You can have the best food in town, but if the vibe is off, the magic’s lost. Brunch is social—people want to relax, laugh and catch up. That means cozy but not cramped seating, natural light (or soft lighting), music that complements the mood and staff who are chill but attentive.
Here in Orlando, outdoor seating is a win in cooler months, and a trendy aesthetic doesn’t hurt—plants, rustic tables or a well-thought-out décor scheme can make the difference between just eating and making memories. Venues can cool it on the fake plant walls with neon lights though and leave that crap on Pinterest.
But don’t just take my word for it (even though this is my column), I asked some local notables for their brunch tips and favorites and came up with an engaging list of some of the best local brunches, based on their opinions and my aforementioned qualifiers.
The Minnie Pearl, a buttermilk-fried chicken and waffle sandwich from Se7enBites. The Milk District eatery is known for its nostalgic comfort foods
SE7ENBITES
Gregory’s menu does not shy away from massive portions, regardless of how many bites you’re supposed to have, according to your doctor. Biscuits are the main star of several dishes here, including the 3 Little Pigs, which features a buttermilk biscuit, baked egg in ham, pimento cheese, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar chive grits and a healthy smothering of creamy thyme sausage gravy.
“I’m definitely a late bruncher, and simple is best,” says Santana. “There are too many great places in town, but if I were to stick close to my neighborhood in Audubon Park, I’d say The Osprey (Baldwin Park) and Santiago’s Bodega (Ivanhoe Village). I wish I could have tried Linda’s Winter Park Diner before they closed.”
Guests dine at Santiago’s Bodega in Ivanhoe Village.
SANTIAGO’S BODEGA
Santiago’s has established itself as one of the most popular brunches in The City Beautiful, with its tapas-style service and buffet. Brunch is $49.95 per adult, which includes access to an endless brunch buffet and bottomless mimosas and sangria for a two-hour window. You can also order some items a la carte if the buffet doesn’t cover all your bases. Standout brunch items include the certified Angus beef prime rib and the delicious hash brown casserole. Call ahead to ask about their seafood options.
“Before I moved to Indy, I came for a conference, and my colleague and I stumbled upon Cafe Patachou. We had the Broken Yolk on their homemade bread and went back each morning until we left. Later, I moved to Indy and learned the restaurant was founded by Martha Hoover, a highly regarded local chef and savvy business owner who is an amazing human and philanthropist. I moderated a Butler University panel she served on and have now visited her many different restaurants in Indy,” says Barnett.
When I pressed for something local, she went with a Winter Park classic that I have hit up more than a few times in the past, especially with visiting family and friends. I met George Takei and his partner there once too, before going to hear him speak at a Winter Park Institute event.
“I love Hamilton’s Kitchen at The Alfond Inn. I am partial to their Powerhouse Oatmeal, Avocado Toast, Greek Yogurt Parfait and grits. But my go-to brunch order is usually eggs, a potato-type product of any kind, or grits and a biscuit. As a Southerner, I take that part seriously—nothing worse than a not-worth-it biscuit,” she says.
The Classic Eggs Benedict at Hamilton’s Kitchen is made with Canadian bacon and hollandaise and is served with skillet potatoes with onions and peppers.
HAMILTON’S KITCHEN
The Alfond Inn is a beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of Winter Park that is owned by Rollins College (my alma mater). It has a AAA Four Diamond Rating, an extensive modern art collection (because it’s an extension of the Rollins Museum of Art) and profits raised are directed to the Alfond Scholars program, which offers full scholarships to deserving students (which I wish I could have applied to that when I was serving tables to pay for night school at Hamilton Holt).
The vibe is trendy and wealthy and a little Miami. They have lots of seating outside in the gorgeous, manicured courtyard, but the inside is super cute, with plenty of large tables for big parties.
After the brunch crowd is long gone, Hamilton’s has leaned into a la carte life, which is fine by me because that means saner portions. They just launched a bunch of new vegan options like a Smoked BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich (jackfruit has a chicken-like consistency and loves sauce), but don’t sleep on the Jumbo Lump Crab and Asparagus Omelette or the side of pecan bacon.
“My favorite brunch item, for any meal of the day, is for sure steak and eggs. My go-to brunch order always lands me a spicy Bloody Mary, and if it’s breakfast time, the dish must have sunny-side-up eggs too. The runny yolk is the best part, acting as both a flavor-enhancer and additional sauce to any plate. My favorite spots to grab brunch in Central Florida are Canvas in Lake Nona and The Monroe downtown. I want to send some love to Sweet Mama’s too, a local diner in Lake Nona,” says Goolia.
Latte art at Lake Nona’s Canvas Restaurant & Market.
CANVAS RESTAURANT & MARKET
Lake Nona is an enigma. It is a private planned community that looks like a downtown was dropped in a cow field by a UFO. Lake Nona’s parent company, the Tavistock Company, has emphasized density, public art and good food in its ongoing growth strategy. Canvas is one of its landmark properties, sitting on the shores of a small, amoeba-like lakefront that serves up a friendly, cool breeze with its award-winning food and drinks.
The brunch has the regular staples like crab cake Benedict, buttermilk pancakes and Julia’s favorite steak and eggs, but also some items feel a little more California than Florida tourist corridor, like coconut overnight oats and caramelized onion and gruyere frittatas. Ask them about their award-winning coffee service, too, while you’re there.
Discover amazing mocktails at The Monroe in Creative Village.
THE MONROE
Located on the bottom floor of The Julian Apartments in Creative Village, The Monroe is a gorgeous flagship restaurant by Good Salt Group that features a backyard patio, a daytime coffee bar, a main dining room and a posh little lounge/study area. Everything is a little Southern-inspired, and the name is a nod to Orlando’s first Black doctor and civil rights leader, Dr. William Monroe Wells.
I’ve done some damage at this brunch before and I’m still thinking about their Jalapeno Popper Deviled Eggs, the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Salad and the Smoked Salmon Bagel. And of course, like Julia said, the Steak and Eggs does not disappoint, with a nice dollop of chimichurri.
“My favorite brunch spot would definitely be Briarpatch in Winter Park. It’s always a busy spot, but worth the wait. On season, though, I can cook a pretty good breakfast burrito. That and avocado toast are my weekend go-tos when I’m cooking,” says Bird.
Tyler Bird of the Orlando Solar Bears loves Briarpatch (above and below) to fuel up on the weekends between matches.
BRIARPATCH
This restaurant, with its iconic yellow awning, is one of the best-loved brunch spots in the region. It’s been serving contemporary American dishes since 1980 and changes its menu to showcase seasonal Florida ingredients. The menu can range from simple to extravagant, with bowls of oatmeal alongside ciabatta sandwiches piled high with crimini mushrooms.
Their omelettes and scrambles are served with heirloom stone-ground grits or home fries and toast, giving a greasy spoon vibe but served in a tony, pinkies-up fashion. And while I think Bird’s choice of avocado toast is solid, as they use an awesome Sullivan Street multigrain bread as the base, there’s just something infinitely more satisfying in the Breakfast Torta Sandwich, which has short rib meat braised in chilis and onions, with cheesy scrambled eggs, aioli and shredded lettuce on a soft, pillowy ciabatta bun. But I’m not a professional model/athlete.
Back to The Best Brunches in Central Florida 
