Brunch. What is it about the meal that makes us love it so? It's the perfect way to wind down from the week although certainly not limited to the weekends. It's the most amazing combination of breakfast and lunch favorites and an enjoyable time spent with friends and family. We're in luck too, because the Valley has plenty of great brunch spots to suit all tastes, from traditional to fusion, vegan and plant based options to unlimited mimosas and make-your-own Bloody Marys. Here are a few to get you started.
If you're looking for a bit of a party atmosphere with decadent food and the Bloody Mary bar of your dreams, look no further than Hash Kitchen. The DJ playings the hits in the background just adds to the fun. Make your own Bloody Mary with the more than 50 craft toppings available or get the Cereal Shooter Flight or the White Claw Disco Ball if you're with a group of friends. Food-wise, you can't go wrong with the S'mores Pancakes and the Hangover Short Rib Hash. Hash Kitchen has locations in Chandler, Phoenix and Scottsdale; www.hashkitchen.com.
Brothers Adam and Jon Schlegel opened the first Snooze A.M. Brewery in Denver in 2006, and the beloved breakfast and brunch chain is still going strong. There are locations now in six states, and Arizona is home to seven of them. The brothers intended for Snooze to have a family feel, and there's really something for everyone on the menu. The Pancake Flight is perfect for getting a taste of the different specialities they serve like the Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes and the Sweet Potato Pancakes. The Spuds Deluxe is a delicious heaping portion of hash browns topped with melted cheese, scallions and your choices of eggs and two enhancements. For drinks, try the Bone Broth Bloody if you want something unique, the Rosé Sangria or the Mimosa with your choice of juice. Snooze A.M. Brewery has locations in Gilbert, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson; www.snoozeeatery.com.
You don't have to be a vegan to love (and crave) Pomegranate Cafe. Known for its indulgent, homemade pastries and desserts and comfort food classics, Pomegranate Cafe also has an incredible brunch. Although the menu is entirely vegan, there is the option to order eggs at brunch or a tofu scramble. Try the Lumberjack Biscuits & Gravy with apple sage sausage, the Breakfast Burrito or the daily pancakes. Brunch is served until 2 p.m. every day and all day on Sunday. Pomegranate Cafe is located at 4025 E Chandler Boulevard, #28, Phoenix; 480.706.7472; www.pomegranatecafe.com.
With brunch in its name, you would think Brunch & Sip would hit it out of the park for brunch, and it definitely delivers. The restaurant recently opened up in Arcadia and prides itself on dishes with a lot of soul and heart and an attention to detail. Order the Green Chili Pork Chilaquiles with house-made tortilla chips or the Chicken Biscuit that's served with a folded egg, turkey bacon and turkey sausage gravy. On the sweet side, the Peach Cobbler French Toast gets rave reviews, and for the sip portion, there's a Mimosa Flight and a PB&J Old Fashion if you want something a little stronger. Brunch & Sip is located at 3950 E Indian School Road, Phoenix; 602.675.1459; www.brunchnsip.com.
We're thankful Prep & Pastry has made its way to the Valley from Tucson. From the freshly baked daily pastries to the full-flavored sweet and savory dishes, plant driven options and more, the restaurant really excels at brunch. Once you have the Monte Cristo with pineapple-jalapeño mascarpone on brioche there's no going back, and the same goes for the Cast Iron Duck Confit. For something healthier, get the Oven Roasted Sweet Potato Hash. For drinks, you can make your own Mimosa or choose one of their 8 combinations including the Mimosa Du Jour or grab a Coffee Stout beer. Prep & Pastry has locations in Scottsdale and Tucson; www.prepandpastry.com
Daily Dose Kitchen and Bar is a casual place with an extensive menu full of big flavors. If you're nursing a hangover, get the aptly named The Hangover Sandwich or the huge platter of Breakfast Nachos. The Turkey Sausage and Polenta Bowl is delicious, and so is the Tempeh Burrito. Save room for drinks as well, which Daily Dose is just as known for. The Bee Keeper is a coffee concoction with honey, almond roca and vanilla bean, and then there's the spiked coffee drinks like the Cinnamon Chata. Get the Sangria too in glass or pitcher form. Daily Dose Kitchen and Bar has locations in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe; www.dailydosegrill.com
The Fresh Strawberry Scones at Arcadia Farms Café bring us back every time along with the beautiful garden patios in the front and back of the restaurant and the upscale atmosphere. They've got brunch majorly down, including a Brunch Board served with assorted cheeses, nuts and fruit and more. Then there's the Goat Cheese and Mushroom Tart, Signature Strawberry Chicken Salad and Peach French Toast Casserole. Drink-wise, get the Southern Peach Iced Tea or one of the Champagne Bar selections like the Mango Sparkler. Arcadia Farms Café is located at 7014 E 1st Avenue Scottsdale; 480.941.5665; www.arcadiafarmscafe.com
Chelsea's Kitchen has a patio perfect for relaxing and enjoying a leisurely brunch. Served on the weekends, locals and out-of-towners alike stop in for Southwestern favorites like the Huevos Rancheros and Short Rib Hash. On the sweeter side are the Lemon Ricotta Hotcakes. Also, order the Skillet Corn Bread With Green Chiles before it sells out for the day. For drinks, the Mimosa Bottle Service is a good deal. Pick any bottle of bubbly and get half off, and then choose between orange, grapefruit and cranberry juice. Chelsea's Kitchen is located at 5040 N 40th Street. Phoenix; 602.957.2555; www.chelseaskitchenaz.com
Fàme Caffe is a super cute spot with a mix of New American flavors. Fàme means hungry in Italy and Northern Spain, so make sure you are when you step inside, and expect a line out the door most of the time. The Croque Madame, Frenchie Toast and Parisian Omelet will make you think you're in France, while the Tres Breakfast Tacos and the Breakfast Wrap have Mexican influences. The Seasonal Sangria and Bellini are delicious. Fàme Caffe is located at 4700 N Central Avenue, Phoenix; 602.314.4660; www.famecaffe.com
Photo Credit: The Mission
The Mission serves excellent lunch and dinner but is very known for its brunch. First, you'll notice your surroundings — old world charm with modern touches like the beautiful chandeliers. Then, it's the food — fresh Guacamole, Grilled Chicken and Charred Tomatillo Chilaquiles and the Cinnamon Pecan Waffles particularly stand out. To sip, you'll want a Mission Mary or Mimosa, and save room for the Pumpkin Bread Pudding. The Mission has locations in Phoenix or Scottsdale; www.themissionaz.com
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