In the last decade or so, weekend brunch has become almost as much of a culinary outing as a nice dinner. There are restaurants devoted to brunch, many high end restaurants have brunch menus and if they don’t, they’re missing out. In Cleveland, we have endless options when it comes to brunch. These are some of our favorite brunch spots in Cleveland right now.

Barroco Grill Multiple Locations What began as a diminutive Latin-themed cafe dispensing crisp, corny arepas has developed into an ambitious, wide-ranging and spirited restaurant on both sides of town. Given the eatery’s propensity to broaden our culinary horizons, it’s no surprise that weekend brunches come with a side of discovery. On weekends here you’ll get to know — and love — cachapas, Venezuelan-style sweet corn pancakes stuffed with cheese, braised beef or bacon and eggs. The brunch menu also offers build-your-own egg plates with Colombian sides like rice and beans, crunchy tostones, or soft, sweet plantains. Credit: Scene Archives
Brewnuts 6501 Detroit Ave., Cleveland Brewnuts might not technically “serve brunch,” but they do sell donuts and coffee, which is about as close to the ideal breakfast as one can get. This Detroit Shoreway donut bar serves up delicious drip and espresso-based coffees from local legend Phoenix Coffee. You can also tuck into a hot cocoa or a soothing hot toddy to pair with your mocha-glazed fry cake, salted caramel donut with pecans, or rum-soaked pina colada confection. Ah, who are we kidding? Skip the java and knock back a few pints of a local IPA and call it a morning. Credit: Scene Archives
Cleveland Vegan 17112 Detroit Ave., Lakewood Vegans love brunch too, we assume. Good thing for them there’s Cleveland Vegan, a pioneer in the meat-free dining scene. Saying “no” to bacon, sausage, ham, Scrapple … (sorry, we got carried away) has never been easier thanks to this Lakewood eatery, where guests enjoy a savory three-course breakfast for around $20. Start with a bagel and a schmear before moving on to avocado toast or cheesy mashed potato cakes. Cap it all off with housemade biscuits with pepper gravy or a creative shitake Benedict. To drink, there’s coffee, tea and fresh fruit smoothies. Credit: Photo via clevelandvegancateringandcafe/Instagram
Le Petit Triangle Cafe 1881 Fulton Rd., Cleveland This little French-inspired spot is an Ohio City jewel, a hidden lair with a locals-only vibe that truly is “easy like Sunday morning.” Kickstart your day with a frothy cappuccino — or a glass of champagne — and peruse the European influenced menu. Crepes, like the ham and d’Affinois, are always a great idea, but so too are fluffy omelets, sunny quiches and tangy lemon curd French toast. If you’re feeling more “unch” than “br,” dig into a salad Nicoise with salmon, egg, potato and olives or the roast chicken sandwich, an airy croissant layered with meat, goat cheese and mango chutney. Credit: Scene archives
Lucky’s Café 777 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland Perennial Best of Cleveland “Best Brunch” winner, Lucky’s Cafe cleans up annually thanks in large part to chef Heather Haviland’s heavenly cheddar-scallion biscuits with scrambled eggs and sausage gravy, a category killer if ever there was one. Bleary-eyed diners also flock to this Tremont coffee house for honey-coated granola, gingerbread waffles topped with maple-roasted apples, breakfast burritos stuffed with scrambled eggs, and the ever-famous Shipwreck, a dizzying mish-mosh of eggs, hash browns, bacon and cheddar. Hit up Lucky’s during the week for the same great food; there’s no rule that says brunch can only happen on weekends. Credit: Scene Archives
Big Al’s Diner 12600 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland Big Al’s doesn’t do brunch. It does breakfast all day. No booze. No flowers. No frippery. But whatever you call it, the results are the same: heart-warming plates of diner-style fare that are guaranteed to set you right. Folks go gaga over the satellite dish-size pancakes but we can’t seem to pry ourselves away from the biscuits and gravy, a pair of multilayered dough cakes drowning in sausage-studded gravy, gilded with a pair of over-easy eggs, and sided by a mountain of onion-laced hash browns. Our No. 2 is the corned beef hash, with sauteed potatoes and peppers also topped with a pair of huevos. A makeover has given this classic Larchmere spot a fresh new look. Credit: Scene Archives
The South Side 2207 West 11th St., Cleveland Wait, that clock can’t be right. You mean to tell me that we’ve been rolling clear through till sunrise? Birds don’t lie, bro. Birds don’t lie. If you can somehow manage to make it to 10:30 a.m., you’re golden, because that’s when the South Side in Tremont starts pouring its legendary Bloody Marys (including the overstuffed Mother Mary, a one-stop drink/meal stuffed and skewered with everything but the kitchen sink) and dishing out its heavenly chicken and waffles. Of course, when it comes to mopping up last night’s mess, nothing does the job better than fresh-baked buttermilk biscuits buried beneath creamy sausage gravy. Also on tap: bennies, enchiladas, frittatas and more. Credit: Scene ArchivesPhoto by Emanuel Wallace
West Side Market Cafe 1979 West 25th St., Cleveland Most folks breeze right by this cafe en route to the main event — shoppng at the West Side Market ­—but that’s foolish. For starters, there are Bloody Marys inside waiting for you. And second, the food is always reliable, consistent and affordable. One thin Lincoln nets a diner a square breakfast of two eggs any style, home fries and toast. For a couple bucks more a shopper can grab the eggs Benedict or huevos rancheros, a Latin stack of tortillas, refried beans, fried eggs, queso fresco and ranchero sauce. If you’re in a hurry to head next door, order the fried egg sandwich to go, a soft roll stuffed with a fried egg, spicy bacon and cheese. The doors open bright and early for those in search of the worm. Credit: Scene Archives
Beachland Ballroom and Tavern 15711 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland You know and love this east-side concert club for its unbridled devotion to hosting the world’s best musicians, but did you know that they also make a mean chilaquile? The come-as-you-are vibe and the live DJ combine to make this “rockin’ brunch” one of the illest, chillest in town. Start with a kicky chapula cocktail, a south-of-the-border eye-opener of tequila, orange juice and sour cherry, a fired-up coffee drink, or any one of six different takes on the Bloody Mary. Those chilaquiles consist of crunchy tortilla chips topped with chicken (or beans), over-easy eggs and queso fresco. A 180-degree departure from those are the potato latkes with lox and applesauce. People rightly adore the fried chicken and waffles, buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy, and the sturdy corned beef hash and eggs. Credit: Scene Archives
Astoria Cafe and Market 5417 Detroit Ave., Cleveland Sunday brunch at Astoria is every bit as pleasant as lunch on Tuesday and dinner on Thursday. Given the cafe and marketplace’s Mediterranean bent, it’s no surprise to see the menu populated with items like Tortilla Espanola, the frittata-like pie fortified with potato and onion. Here, it’s capped with a poached egg and hollandaise sauce because why not? I’ve been absolutely obsessed with the gyro omelet ever since typing those two words, and I’m pretty certain that the duck confit hash and eggs is in my immediate future. If you haven’t yet popped into this sunny spot, we recommend you remedy that forthwith. Credit: Photo via stashstyle/Facebook
Tommy’s 1824 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights Since 1972, hippies with the munchies have been beating feet to Tommy’s for wholesome fare that runs the gamut from Middle Eastern falafel to Middle American tuna salad. In the a.m. it’s all about the pancakes, waffles, French toast, omelets and “breakfast creations” that range from humdrum to downright wacky. The Crudley, por exemplo, consists of scrambled eggs, ham, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, green peppers and cheese, while the Elsie is a triple-decker sandwich saddled with two fried eggs, bacon, cheese, peanut butter (what?!) and mayo. Be sure to tack on an order of hash browns and an old-fashioned milkshake, the breakfast beverage of winners. Credit: Scene Archives
Collision Bend Brewery 1250 Old River Rd., Cleveland Have brunch on the river courtesy of Collison Bend, the year-old brewery from Zack Bruell and company. In addition to the regular lengthy menu, diners have a choice of a half-dozen breakfast-themed items to enjoy alongside those watery views. Eggs in Purgatory — eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce — is showered with feta and accompanied by grilled flatbread for soaking up all that angry gravy. The tantalizing French Toast Bake consists of brioche layers intermingled with sweet cream cheese, berries, Nutella, egg custard and vanilla maple bourbon syrup. A knife-and-fork-style Breakfast Pizza is weighed down with house-cured bacon, caramelized onions, tomato, mozzarella, cheddar and a sunny egg. A list of boilermakers pairs house brews with compatible shots of booze. Credit: Scene Archives
Pier W 12700 Lake Ave., Lakewood If you don’t think of Pier W when you think of brunch, you’re doing it wrong. Despite being precariously perched on a precipice overlooking Lake Erie, this Lakewood landmark has survived for more than 50 years thanks to spotless seafood, professional service and those dramatic views. Sunday’s grand brunch buffet is old school meets new, with sparkling raw bar selections like shrimp and oysters joining poached Atlantic salmon and smoked salmon with all the accoutrements. A carving station turns out thin-sliced roast sirloin — with horseradish cream and au jus, of course — and staples like eggs Benedict, breakfast meats, and green and fresh-fruit salads are on hand and plentiful. Credit: Scene Archives
Flour 34205 Chagrin Blvd., Moreland Hills Flour’s star of the Sunday brunch — the eggs Benedict — nearly ruins diners for all other versions. Maybe it’s the crisp-edged English muffin, or the thick but supple slice of mortadella; not to be overlooked are the perfectly poached eggs and the creamy, decadent hollandaise. This attractive suburban bistro always manages to fluff our sails, even after a long, rough night. Diners can go simple with a fluffy veggie frittata or whole hog with a sausage pizza. We prefer the breakfast pie, thin, crisp and dotted with spinach, feta, sunny-side-up eggs and sweet and sour peperonata. Credit: Photo via Flour Restaurant/Facebook
El Carnicero 16918 Detroit Ave., Lakewood Desayuno, as they in Mexico, is the most important meal of the day. As one might expect, the folks at El C give brunch a Latin flair, which is the most delicious flair of all if you ask us. Taking its name from the cryptozoological wonder that is the “goat sucker,” the Chupacabra cocktail is a blood-red lid lifter made with bacon-infused vodka, spicy tomato juice and a rim dusting of chile-lime salt. You can’t go wrong with the huevos rancheros, but consider taking the blue corn breakfast enchiladas for a spin. Inside the blue corn tortillas is tender ancho chile-braised beef brisket, scrambled eggs, black beans and Chihuahua cheese. Savory, corny griddle cakes are paired with Mexican Coke-glazed bacon, while Las Gachas is a comforting porridge of cheesy grits topped with shredded mole-braised lamb and sunny-side-up eggs. Don’t forget the churros! Credit: Scene Archives
Blue Door Cafe and Bakery 1970 State Rd., Cuyahoga Falls Given that bread and breakfast are closely intertwined, it’s always wise to brunch at a bakery. And when that bakery is the Blue Door Cafe, all the better. Whenever we have plans that take us south of the turnpike, we begin our travels early enough to stop here for an exceptional meal. Decanters of French-press coffee give way to summery mimosas. Any item that includes house-made English muffins or fresh-baked croissants is a win, as is the Croque Madame, a sandwich-like meal with rosemary-scented ham, gruyere and eggs dripping with lush bechamel. Chicken and waffles gets an upgrade thanks to pepper-brined fried chicken, jalapeno-and-cheddar waffles, bourbon butter and housemade hot sauce. Credit: Photo via gin_norikolmt/Instagram
Lemon Falls 95 North Main St., Chagrin Falls Cute as a button — and not much larger, to be honest — Lemon Falls is a cheery ray of sunshine in the heart of the Village. From quick-serve pastries like muffins, scones and Russian tea biscuits to full breakfasts, this New England-style gourmet market is as convenient as it is on trend. Pop in on a Saturday morning and enjoy a mug of cappuccino or chai latte and a plate of poached eggs with prosciutto and Parmesan. A fried egg sandwich consists of two eggs, bacon, tomato and gruyere on an airy brioche bun. Before you leave, grab some housemade granola for later in the week. Credit: Photo via rootedhomedesign/Instagram
Adega 2017 East Ninth St., Cleveland Weekend brunch is the ultimate relaxation, and no one knows how to take a load off quite like the coastal Europeans of Spain, Italy, Greece and France. Adega’s modern Mediterranean cuisine taps into that leisurely vibe with dishes like iberico Benedicts, lamb burgers, veal cutlet breakfast sammies and Spanish chorizo croque madames. Adega also has one of the best Bloody Mary bars around and, most importantly, starts serving them up at 9 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, which is a blessing for everyone who just can’t wait till 11 to get the weekend started right. Credit: Scene Archives
Landmark Smokehouse 11637 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland This so-called “fine-casual” arrangement satisfies our desire for unfussy efficiency without stooping to the level of steam-table chow. Sure, guests order and pay at the counter, help themselves to condiments, and seat themselves, but the food on the other end of that transaction is every bit as good as that found in a traditional sit-down cafe. Also included in the bargain are alcoholic beverages, well-composed plates, real tableware and utensils, and an attractive dining room in which to enjoy them. During brunch, find Landmark’s outstanding Montreal smoked brisket in hashes and latkes, diner-style breakfasts, burritos, and satisfying rice bowls with options of chicken and salmon. Credit: Photo by Douglas Trattner
Dinerbar on Clifton 11801 Clifton Blvd., Lakewood Loyal fans of the original Diner on Clifton, which operated for 17 years just 160 meters away from the new Dinerbar on Clifton, will quickly observe how much has changed. But they will also appreciate how much has stayed the same. And they’re packing them in on weekends for brunch, thanks to full bar service and reliable breakfast fare served all day. Well-made corned beef hash ($9.95) is delicious any time of day, especially when it features fat and salty chunks of meat, tender potatoes and sweet sauteed onions beneath a roof of over-easy eggs. The dish is joined by a handful of other egg dishes that can be ordered clear up till close. Items such as French toast, pancakes and eggs Benedict are reserved for mornings and weekend brunch only. One of the brightest storylines at Dinerbar is the sweets program, overseen by pastry chef Annabella Andricks. A glass-fronted display case taunts guests with mile-high salted caramel cheesecakes, giant swirled Ho-Hos and rainbow-colored “funfetti” cakes fit for a unicorn. Credit: Scene Archives
Ohio Pie Co. 1315 1/2 Pearl Rd., Brunswick and 19565 Detroit Rd., Rocky River Qualities like a thin-but-not-too-thin crust, subtly sweet sauce, edge-to-edge cheese, and square-cut round pie combine to form Ohio-style pie, christened and now being dished up by the Ohio Pie Co. in Brunswick. Leftover pizza for breakfast is a trusty weekend remedy, but why settle for day-old when you can nab fresh pie early Saturday and Sunday mornings designed specifically for the occasion. Weekend mornings usher in a roster of brunch pies starring toppings like bacon, egg and potato on an everything-bagel-seasoning-style crust with a cream cheese white sauce. Credit: Scene Archives
Borderline Cafe 18508 Detroit Ave., Lakewood Nothing but breakfast served sunny side up Wednesday through Sunday at this popular West End café. Huge stuffed omelets, chewy buttermilk pancakes, and breakfast burritos are freshly prepared and restorative in nature. Don’t be put off by the line out the door; it just proves that people have good taste. Photo via Borderline Cafe/Facebook Credit: Scene Archives
Dante Next Door 2247 Professor Ave., Cleveland Everything Dante Boccuzzi touches turns to gold so it’s no surprise that his breakfast spot is a success. They’re only open on Sundays right now but the food is so good that it had to be on this list. Credit: Scene Archives
Larder 1455 West 29th St., Cleveland At its heart, Larder, which was recently nominated for a James Beard award, is a Jewish deli, with matzo ball soup, thick pastrami sandwiches, and flaky fruit-filled rugelach. But their weekend brunch offerings are so good that we had to include it here. Credit: Scene Archives
Luxe Kitchen & Lounge 6605 Detroit Ave., Cleveland Before there was Toast, Brewnuts, Spice, Astoria, XYZ Tavern and sweet, Sweet Moses there was Luxe Kitchen, an early speculator in the then up-and-coming neighborhood of Detroit Shoreway. When it opened a little over a decade ago, the oh-so-haute bistro joined area mainstays like Rincon Criollo, Happy Dog, Latitude 41 and Gypsy Beans, which perhaps was the first piece on the chessboard of this so-called urban renaissance. Since opening day there have been ups and downs, chefs shifts and menu re-dos – even ownership tweaks – but throughout it all, the restaurant has managed to remain an anchor in this dynamic arts-fueled district, especially when it comes to their awesome brunch. Credit: Scene Archives
Fat Cats 2061 West 10th St., Cleveland This cool Tremont spot is in a converted house that includes a lava lounge. Their dinner options are fancy takes on classic comfort food, which matches their sleek atmosphere. Spots book up quickly, especially on weekends. Credit: Scene Archives
Rowley Inn 1104 Rowley Ave., Cleveland “Would recommend Rowley Inn in Tremont and Riverwood Cafe in Lakewood,” BigProfesionalGuy, “Rowley Inn has a ghost pepper wing that will rival a bunch of the hotter wings you’ve had in your life,” MileXend Credit: @TheRowleyInn/Instagram
XYZ The Tavern 6419 Detroit Ave., Cleveland Westsiders looking for their early booze-egg combo fix head over to XYZ Tavern on Saturdays and Sundays. XYZ is the earliest open brunch spot on our list, open from 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This place offers everything from eggs benedict to chicken and waffles. With your meal, their popular house made bloody marys and mimosas with fresh squeezed OJ are a must taste. Credit: Scene Archives
Toast 1365 West 65th., Cleveland Toast in Gordon Square called it a day on April 3 after 11 years in the neighborhood. Owner Jillian Davis told Scene: “It’s not bittersweet — it’s bitter mostly. Operating a full-service restaurant is not as fun as it used to be.” The neighborhood wine bar and restaurant was beloved for its down-to-earth vibe, personal service, unique wines and seasonal small plates and entrees. Davis mentioned staffing challenges and changing dining habits as some of the reasons behind her decision to close. Credit: Scene Archives
Juneberry 3900 Lorain Ave., Cleveland There is a silver lining to the 2019 closure of Jack Flaps, a popular breakfast diner in Ohio City. Chef Karen Small took the space over and finally opened a diner of her own after much anticipation. The bustling cafe serves breakfast-all-day and lunch items until the early afternoon. Small, who is also in the process of a new concept at the recently closed Flying Fig (2523 Market Ave.,) in the same neighborhood was motivated to grab the space because of what she believes is a gap in the marketplace. Juneberry features an all-day breakfast and lunch menu largely inspired by the chef’s decade spent living outside of Athens, Ohio. Credit: Scene Archives
The Last Page 100 Park Ave. Ste. 128, Orange Village Within a tsunami of fast-casual monotony, The Last Page at Pinecrest is a welcome detour. This modern-day supper club offers an immersive, upscale experience, from the luxuriously appointed waiting area to the grand bar in the rear of the drama-filled dining room. A lengthy menu avoids categorization of any kind, presenting instead a blitz of appealing items that lean on various cultures and cuisines. Credit: Scene Archives
17 River Grille 17 River St., Chagrin Falls Located overlooking the waterfalls of the Chagrin River in quaint downtown Chagrin Falls, Jekyll’s Kitchen turned into 17 River in 2020. Owned by veteran restaurateur Rick Doody, founder of Brio and Bravo, 17 River not only has beautiful views but also the food to match and is a gorgeously designed restaurant. The highlights of their brunch menu include a steak eggs Benedict, chicken and waffles and a sourdough French toast. Credit: Scene Archives
Yonder 3859 Superior Ave., Cleveland The folks behind the fast-growing Boiler 65 concept opened Yonder last fall in the two-story brick building in Midtown formerly home to La Bodega and Angie’s Soul Café. This updated breakfast and lunch place offers counter service and some dine-in seating. On offer are creative breakfast sandwiches and brunch dishes, some of which are jazzed up with funky additions like Fruity Pebbles. Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene Archives
The Spot on Lakeshore 7272 Lakeshore Blvd., Mentor Veteran chef Zachary Bond opened this spot in Mentor in 2021 and quickly turned it into one of the better brunch spots in town. In addition to all the classics, The Spot serves up items like breakfast sandwiches, eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy, three-egg omelets and platters containing eggs, meat, home fries and toast – Bond also whips up avocado toast, eggs in purgatory and a half dozen skillets starring redskin potatoes with various toppings. Those are joined by specialties like steak and eggs and country-fried chicken and waffles with black pepper gravy, creme brulee french toast and tiramisu pancakes. Credit: Scene Archives
The Sleepy Rooster 5120 Chillicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls In early 2021, Craig and Sarah Fitzgerald opened The Sleepy Rooster in Chagrin Falls. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu Institute in Pittsburgh, Craig worked in fine dining restaurants in Pittsburgh and Florida. At Sleepy Rooster he focuses on top-flight breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes like fresh-baked biscuits and gravy, goetta and eggs, avocado toast and fried bologna sandwiches. Credit: Scene Archives
Martha on The Fly 1200 W. 76th St., Cleveland Chef Ryan Beck launched Martha Pie on the Fly, a social media-propelled cottage food biz, while working at the Plum. Since launching in November, Martha pies like vanilla bean custard, apple crumble, and smoky pumpkin and sweet potato have been flying off the virtual shelves, says Beck. What’s next is a quick-serve breakfast concept called Martha on the Fly. The operation will take over Good Company from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays during the weekends of March 27, April 3 and April 10 (with others possible). Orders are placed and paid for online and picked up in Battery Park. The approachable menu features various egg and cheese sandwiches on house-baked Scotch rolls. Some star house-cured and smoked bacon, house-made beef bologna, and homemade pork sausage patties. Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene Archives