By Metro Times Staff via Detroit Metro
Nothing says spring has sprung quite like brunch. Sure, you can technically brunch in the fall and winter, but it’s just something about putting on your finest attire and strutting down the streets of Detroit, Birmingham, and Ferndale that makes us feel worthy of our own VH1 or Bravo reality show.
What makes a good brunch? That depends on who you ask, but I think we can all agree that we look for three things: good food, good drinks, and a good time.
These Detroit area restaurants get down on the weekend brunch.
PJ's Lager House
1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-4668; pjslagerhouse.com
Though they're known for being a lowkey rock 'n' roll venue, PJ’s Lager House also hosts a killer brunch during weekend daylight hours. The bar is a haven for vegetarians and vegans, who often come in seeking the tofu scramble, vegan biscuits and gravy, or tempeh Reuben, as well as other scrumptious menu items like po'boys, corned beef hash, and burgers. What would brunch be without cocktails? PJ's offers cocktails like the Gold Rush, Hot Toddy, and a Detroit-made classic, Last Word. Oh, they also have bottomless mimosas to-go, because brunch is not for quitters.
Photo via PJ's Lager House/Facebook
Avenue Brunch House
22075 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-757-7366; avenuebrunchhousedearborn.com
We’re going to warn you now, there will definitely be a wait if you go on the weekend, but the wait is absolutely worth it. Dearborn’s Avenue Brunch House offers a variety of menu items that doesn’t necessarily put their menu in one brunch genre. You can get a Greek omelet, beignets, Southern biscuits and gravy, loaded fries, and so much more.
Photo via Google Maps
Ivy Kitchen & Cocktails
9215 E. Jefferson, Detroit; 313-332-0607; ivykc.com
Cocktails is in the name and it certainly is a part of Ivy Kitchen’s game. Maybe try the Hennessy Jalapiña, a drink made with Hennessy, jalapeño, and pineapple juice, or if you’re not the drinking type, but want the experience, maybe try the Shirley Ginger.
Photo via Google Maps
Social Kitchen
225 E. Maple Rd., Birmingham; 248-594-4200; socialkitchenandbar.com
Chicken and waffles are a brunch favorite, but at Social Kitchen, it’s more than a brunchtime entree — it’s also a cocktail. Social takes what we know about a typical old fashioned and elevates it by adding crispy fried chicken and a waffle biscuit.
Photo via Google Maps
Joe Louis Southern Kitchen
3100 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-788-8338; joelouissouthernkitchen.com
Joe Louis Southern Kitchen surely is a knockout when it comes to Southern breakfast staples.The restaurant features classics like, buttermilk biscuits, croquettes and rice, shrimp and grits, country fried steak, and much more.
Photo via Joe Louis Southern Kitchen/Facebook
Trust Cocktails & Shareables
205 W. Congress St., Detroit; 313-300-2750; nightclubtrust.com/sunday-brunch
OK, so hear us out, the only thing better than brunch is a day party, and the only thing better than a day party, is both brunch and a day party at the same time. That’s what Trust offers, it elevates the brunch experience by turning everyone’s favorite meal into an early day clubbing experience.
Photo via Trust Brunch / Instagram
Madam
298 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-283-4200; daxtonhotel.com/food-drink
It’s Ma-DAHM, and it’s one of the latest brunch spots to open up in metro Detroit. Located inside Birmingham’s Daxton Hotel, this new restaurant offers a luxe brunching experience.
Photo via Google Maps
MI.MOSA
23360 Farmington Rd., Farmington; 248-957-8119; mimosafarmington.com
You can never go wrong with a mimosa flight and at Farmington’s MI.Mosa, you can mix and match any of their 12 mimosa offerings to create your own custom flight.
Photo via Google Maps
The Emory
22700 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-546-8202; theemoryferndale.com
Three words: Bloody Mary Bar. If drunk tomato soup is your cocktail of choice, you’ll love building your own custom bloody mary at The Emory.
Photo via Google Maps
Public House
241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-733-4905; publichouseferndale.com
Public House offers cocktails, mocktails, and everything in between. What’s particularly cool? Public House has a vegan brunch menu that is just as full and plentiful as its regular menu, so our meatless friends aren’t limited to pancakes.
Photo via Google Maps
The Hudson Cafe
1241 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-237-1000; hudson-cafe.com
If you had only thought of Hudson Cafe as a place where power breakfasters sealed deals between waffles, you can forgive yourself. The menu has it all: From "red velvet" pancakes to specialty coffees and baked goods to all things French, eggy, or Benedict. They also offer avocado toast, salmon croquettes, spiced tofu, and Huevos Rancheros. Damn, we're getting hungry.
Photo via The Hudson Cafe/Facebook
PJ's Lager House
1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-4668; pjslagerhouse.com
Though they're known for being a lowkey rock 'n' roll venue, PJ’s Lager House also hosts a killer brunch during weekend daylight hours. The bar is a haven for vegetarians and vegans, who often come in seeking the tofu scramble, vegan biscuits and gravy, or tempeh Reuben, as well as other scrumptious menu items like po'boys, corned beef hash, and burgers. What would brunch be without cocktails? PJ's offers cocktails like the Gold Rush, Hot Toddy, and a Detroit-made classic, Last Word. Oh, they also have bottomless mimosas to-go, because brunch is not for quitters.
Photo via PJ's Lager House/Facebook
Selden Standard
3921 Second Ave., Detroit; 313-438-5055; seldenstandard.com
Selden Standard offers a seasonal, shared plate experience. The restaurant has a wood-fired oven and sources from local farms, and the feel of the interior is rustic and casual. Check out their website to find their regularly updated brunch menu items like beet salad, smoked potatoes, oysters, fried squid sandwich, frittata, mushroom melt, and elevated buttermilk pancakes, which comes with apples, pecan butter, and cinnamon whipped cream.
Photo via Selden Standard/Facebook
Rose’s Fine Foods and Wine
10551 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-822-2729; rosesfinefood.com
One of Detroit's favorite little — and we do mean little — brunch hideaways is Rose's Fine Foods and Wine. Though they may not be offering in-door dining (no, really, the place is small and in a pre-pandemic world, people wait hours to get their Rose's brunch on), nor are they offering their full menu for pickup, they do have a selection of cakes, artisanal baked goods, wine to-go, and some brunch faves. Rose's carryout menu includes quiche, capicola sausage sandwiches, pesto paninis, lemon poppyseed cake, maple syrup donut, rose pistachio snowball, egg custard tart, and vegan date orange pop tarts.
Photo via Rose's Fine Foods/Facebook
Le Petit Déjeuner
6470 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-725-0257; facebook.com/lepetitbreakfast
Since opening in 2015, Le Petit Déjeuner has graduated from a pop-up on the TV Lounge stage to having its own brick and mortar brunch haven. The restaurant, founded by Tina Motley, offers family-style dining breakfast forward spot, with an emphasis on the classics. There are crepes, one of which is chocolate and is filled with ricotta cheese and raspberry drizzle, as well as French Toast, waffles, pancakes, and create-your-own omelets.
Photo via Google Maps
Folk
1701 Trumbull, Detroit; 313-742-2672; folkdetroit.com
This “brekky” and lunch eaterie is locally sourced (when possible) and organic, humane, and sustainably conscious. Since opening in 2018, Folk has expanded its offerings to include an artisanal market and, since the pandemic, they've scaled back on their take-out brunch offerings but still include some decadent eats like the waffle sandwich, gluten-free quiche, matcha-citrus cake, and cinnamon rolls. After you're done stuffing your face, stuff your pantry with their curated selection of grocery items, wine, and dry goods.
Photo via Folk/Facebook
Cafe Muse
418 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-544-4749 cafemuseroyaloak.com
Cafe Muse isn’t kidding around. The Royal Oak stalwart offers decadent brunch treats like stuffed French toast with mascarpone, exotic mushroom scramble, ricotta and lemon pancakes, homemade mac and cheese, vegan burgers, seafood cheddar grits, and all of the bacon. If you’re looking to feel fancy and eat a delectable meal, there’s an opportunity for both here.
Photo via Cafe Muse/Facebook
Grey Ghost
47 Watson St., Detroit; 313-262-6534; greyghostdetroit.com
There's nothing spooky about this upscale yet approachable steakhouse and cocktail bar's brunch offerings. Grey Ghost's mixologists are eager to create about 20 different cocktails for diners to pair with their fun and fresh brunch offerings, which include cinnamon rolls, toaster strudels, Philly steak, cheese grits, baklava pancakes, quiche stroganoff, pizza benny's, and cornbread waffles.
Photo via Grey Ghost/Facebook
The Whitney
4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-5700; thewhitney.com
The historic castle-like building along Woodward Avenue in Midtown also houses one of the city’s more upscale dining experiences — and The Whitney even dazzles for brunch. Billed as a “three-course mansion brunch,” The Whitney offers some light bites in the first course like granola, berry, and yogurt parfait, and some luxe options for entree like Napa Valley king crab scramble and prime rib hash. As for desserts, taste a trio of mini pastries, white chocolate and strawberry torte, or the award-winning carrot cake.
Photo via The Whitney/Facebook
Honest John's
488 Selden St., Detroit; 313-832-5646; honestjohnsdetroit.com
One of the functions of brunch is to aid in reducing the effects of a hangover by getting you so drunk again that you basically cancel out the hangover you would have had. One of the best places to drink, brunch, and drink some more is Honest John's. This relaxed Cass Corridor bar offers an affordable brunch for the laid-back diner looking to nom on some pancakes, sandwiches, or omelettes. There’s also a breakfast burrito, vegan options, and a variety of quesadillas, and hearty sandwiches. If you’re craving something sweet, try the Fruity Pebbles French Toast.
Photo via Honest John's/Facebook
Kuzzo's Chicken and Waffles
19345 Livernois, Detroit; 313-861-0229; kuzzoschickenandwaffles.com
It's a stroke of genius, right? You take a breakfast item like waffles and mix it with a hearty dinner item like three pieces of golden-fried chicken. Then add two eggs made to order and creamy grits: That's the "What Up, Doe?" plate. But the other half of the fun of brunch at Kuzzos is being able to order shrimp and grits or salmon croquettes. The full bar means you can try pairing the spicy marinated and grilled chicken wings with Diamond Falls Sparkling Pink Moscato.
Photo via Kuzzo's Chicken and Waffles/Facebook
The Fly Trap
22950 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-399-5150; theflytrapferndale.com
The name of this Ferndale mainstay could not be more misleading as The Fly Trap is actually a quirky brunch lover's dream spot and not, like, an exterminator business. The Fly Trap takes breakfast and brunch faves and serves them with a twist. Take Green Eggs and Ham, a rumble of eggs with roasted poblano pesto, Jack cheese, and seared City Ham. Or, for those with a sweet tooth, the gingerbread waffle, served with sauteed apples, cherries, and cinnamon syrup. They also have a variety of salads, sandwiches, and “other stuff” including fried rice, crab cakes, milkshakes, and all the coffee. They also have daily and weekly soup, milkshake, muffin, and entree specials.
Photo via Google Maps
O.W.L.
27302 Woodward Ave. #0927, Royal Oak; 248-808-6244; owlwoodward.com
This chic all day fast-casual diner in Royal Oak delivers on brunch big time as it's at the heart of its eclectic menu which offers everything from cilantro potatoes and Texas toast, chicken fried chicken and gravy, chili chilaquiles, chorizo sausage egg sandwich, avocado toast, jackfruit tacos, dry rub wings, and curly cheese fries. And what would a diner be without coffee? We would hate to find out and at O.W.L., you don't have to.
Photo via Google Maps
Clique
1326 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-259-0922; thecliquediner.com
Real ones know that waiting in the crowded vestibule to eat at this popular, finger-lickin' greasy spoon is part of the experience. Clique is small and mighty and boasts one of the best breakfast/brunch menus within city limits. They've got skillets, hot cakes, a whole selection of scrambled egg dishes, as well as omelettes and house classics like Delmonico steak with eggs, The Big Clique, and catfish with eggs. Perhaps the greatest thing about Clique Diner's menu is that you can get tiny lil' flapjacks in place of toast with, like, anything. Dreams can come true.
Photo via Clique Restaurant Detroit /Facebook
Dime Store
719 Griswold St. #180, Detroit; 313-962-9106; eatdimestore.com
Since opening in downtown Detroit in 2014, Dime Store has remained one of the hottest brunch tickets in town thanks to its eclectic menu of brunchy goodness. Known for its selection of eggs Benedict, including a cold-smoked salmon, cheesesteak, and a general tso's chicken version, Dime Store also has a variety of hashes (the duck bop is made with housemade-confit duck leg and Korean BBQ sauce) as well as sweet stuff like peach cobbler French toast and malted Belgian waffles.
Photo via Dime Store /Facebook
San Morello
1400 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-209-4700; sanmorello.com
While there is not technically a dress code to dine at San Morello, consider leaving the sweatpants at home (but still wear pants or other non-undergarment bottoms) because brunch just went from sloppy to classy. San Morello, located within the Shinola Hotel in Downtown Detroit, offers high-quality Italian food from Andrew Carmellini, a James Beard Award-winning chef. The brunch menu offers cold-pressed juices, wood-fired pizza, breakfast spaghetti, and eggs al forno.
Photo via San Morello/Facebook
Parc
800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-922-7272; parcdetroit.com
A huge part of the brunch scene in any city is just being at brunch (good food and booze are just bonuses, if we're being honest). Since opening in 2017, Downtown Detroit's Parc has been an upscale must brunch hotspot. Not only is it in the center of downtown overlooking Campus Martius, but it's got a killer menu. Among some of the brunch menu highlights are Bloody Mary oysters, griddled cinnamon rolls, smoked salmon omelet, chicken meatball shakshuka, and a Wagyu Burger, appropriately called the Ultimate Brunch Burger with double cheese, crispy potato cake, bacon, fried egg, chile bearnaise, tomato jam, on an onion brioche bun. Oh, and they have craft cocktails, duh.
Photo via Parc/Facebook
AlTayeb Restaurant
15010 W. Warren Ave. Suite 111, Dearborn; 313-633-1752; altayeb-restaurant.business.site
If you've never dabbled in Lebanese breakfast, look no further than the AlTayeb mini chain which specializes in staples like creamy foul, mshawasheh, fatteh, all of which are served with fresh pita bread. Oh, and if you were wondering, the name means “delicious” in Lebanese, so there you have it.
Photo via Google Maps
Bobcat Bonnies
1800 Michigan Ave., Detroit | 240 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-677-0258 | 1800 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-1383 | 118 Sycamore St., Wyandotte; 734-530-1806 | 17330 Hall Rd., Clinton Twp.; 586-221-4313; | 200 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-879-0663; bobcatbonnies.com
We don't know who Bonnie is but, as evidenced by this casual fun fare local chain of eateries, she must know something about brunch because at Bobcat Bonnie's, brunch is king, er, queen. Among some favorite items, the Biscuit sandwich, little stack pancakes, Captain Crunch French Toast, tomato tartine, eggs Benedict, lots of tots (including Tatchos which is nachos made with tater tots) lots of bowls, burgers, sammys, and booze — lots of bloody booze.
Photo via Bobcat Bonnies/Facebook
The Breakfast Club
30600 John R. Rd., Madison Heights; 248-307-9090; facebook.com/breakfastmadison
Don't you forget about this Madison Heights mainstay which is totally dedicated to breakfast, lunch, and, yes, brunch. Breakfast Club (the restaurant, not the coming of age '80s film) offers fresh garden salads, hot grilled sandwiches, quesadillas, breakfast sandwiches, crepes, hash, bennys, skillet omelets, and sweet mains like creme brulee French Toast and salted caramel pecan pancakes.
Photo via The Breakfast Club/Facebook
Toast
23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale | 203 Pierce St., Birmingham; eatattoast.com
The Ferndale location has logged in about 15 years now, perfecting a gastropub vibe. and Toast's Birmingham location has also become a fixture, especially famed for the Friday-through-Sunday specials that add a bit of gourmet flair to the offerings. The full bar includes cocktails made with Crackalacka Cold Brew, that ridiculously delicious high-potency coffee with the nitro push, as well as a variety of Bloody Marys and margaritas. To help soak that up, dive into their biscuits and gravy, avocado toast, cinnamon rolls, gourmet omelets, Fat Elvis French Toast, Cider Mill Pancakes, NY Cheesecake Waffles, Bacon-Fried Rice, Trashy Hashy, Huevos Rancheros, Bennys, and breakfast burritos. If we attempted to list everything delicious Toast offers we might be typing until the next brunch rolls around. Rolls ... cinnamon .... rolls.
Photo via Toast/Facebook
The Whistle Stop
501 S. Eton St., Birmingham | 24060 Woodward Ave., Pleasant Ridge; whistlestopdiners.com
All aboard the brunch train, y'all. This cute and popular pair of brunch spots offers comfort food until 3 p.m., in other words, breakfast, lunch, and brunch, including omelettes and scrambles, egg dishes, Eggs Benedict, breakfast sandwiches, skillets, and griddle faves like coffee cake pancakes, Cinnamon Roll French Toast, and potato latkes.
Photo via The Whistle Stop/Facebook
The Morrie
511 S. Main St., Royal Oak | 260 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; themorrie.com
You can have the pleasure of listening to live music while you brunch at the Morrie. This quintessential neighborhood spot offers American bar cuisine and lovingly made cocktails. Popular items include the smoked cheddar biscuits and chorizo gravy, spicy kale shakshuka, and the Nashville hot chicken and waffle stack.
Photo via The Morrie/Facebook
