Brunch can be a bit of a tricky tramp, to be sure. When was the last time you were pumped to get to work on Sunday morning at 7 a.m. or earlier? One hung-over cook or sick busboy can set a whole restaurant’s rhythm off. In a city that never goes to sleep, opening the doors to the Sunday morning crowd doesn’t leave a lot of room for error.
Luckily, these tried-and-true brunch spots offer consistently smooth experiences and fantastic food to make what is clearly nature’s perfect meal all it’s cracked up to be.
Fonda San Miguel
With a name that’s almost synonymous with brunch, Fonda San Miguel lives up to a pretty sturdy reputation. For an hour or two, diners can step out of Austin into lush space where generations- old recipes meet modern, Central Mexico. A sure-shot for out-of-town guests, the Sunday brunch buffet is practically curated. Even after all these years, a Sunday morning at Fonda San Miguel is anything but ordinary. Treats for the mouth and eyes alike, complemented by beautifully appointed spaces, abound. From rich corn pudding to chicken in mole verde, each week’s repast showcases tasty old friends and lip-smacking new lovers. Brunch served Sunday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
TRACE
Thoughtful, renewable, and brilliant. Proudly perched in the W Austin, TRACE is the place for fashionable foraging with a mission to find and use regional, peak-of-season, sustainable ingredients. The food is fantastic, but don’t look for particularly innovative dishes. Instead, pay attention to the delightful difference impeccable ingredients can make. Brunch served Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Enoteca, Croque Madame. Photo courtesy of Paul Bardagjy.
Enoteca
If you’re looking for something sumptuous, you’re in luck (especially if you’re in the mood to slowly plow through a Croque Madame crowned with a perfectly drippy, gently cooked egg.) Whether you’re leaning toward polenta or pancakes, Enoteca’s brunch is particularly tasty. Brunch served Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Taverna, Brisket Hash and Bloody Mary.
It’s hard to beat an open and lively atmosphere and the ritual of sharing dollar mimosas with a table of increasingly hilarious friends, but the nicely stuffed breakfast calzone certainly ups the ante. Brunch served Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Still hungry?
Bounce back from Saturday night’s sins with delicious dishes that include breakfast enchiladas and a decadent Elvis-style Monte Cristo, complete with peanut butter, bacon, and banana.
Order the Morning Wood, two eggs any style with two classic sides and, of course, bacon.
Start with crab cakes and end with banana pecan pancakes.
