Brunch doesn’t have to be boring or happen only once a week, either. Here are a few restaurants worth your reservation.
by Asha Ellison
Grits. Eggs. Bacon. Wait a week, then repeat? I think not. With so many mid-morning and midday meal options in Charlotte, you owe it to yourself to nosh more. Not sure where to start? As a longtime breakfast-food aficionado and self-proclaimed “Brunch Queen,” I’ve put together a guide to take the guesswork out of finding bold and unique brunch combinations in the Queen City.
So, let’s do brunch!
El Puro Cuban Restaurant | Madison Park
Take a trip to pre-revolutionary Cuba with brunch at El Puro. With a covered patio, bar and dining room replicating life in 1950s Havana, the popular family-owned restaurant serves fashion, glamour and classic dishes with a twist. The classic 1955 Ford Crown Victoria plus live entertainment provide a perfect photo op for those who wish to savor the moment.
What to order: Tres leches pancakes, anyone? This vegetarian-friendly brunch specialty is a fan favorite with dulce de leche, condensed milk and candied walnuts. If you’re not a fan of sweet entrees (and it is sweet), add a breakfast bowl with a sunny side-up egg, rice, black beans, maduros (fried plantains), plus your choice of protein to balance your meal. Pairs well with a mimosa or cafecito martini (vodka, Cuban espresso, coffee liqueur, crema and salted caramel).
Brunch is served: Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Little Mama’s Italian | SouthPark
Pasta and Parms for breakfast would almost sound like a fairy tale if Little Mama’s didn’t exist. In Italian culture, everything is centered on family so this is ideal for a shared culinary experience. Bring your family, friends or neighbors to indulge in the fresh mozzarella bar while soaking up rays in the sunroom or basking in the ambience of a vintage Italian American restaurant.
What to order: Three words: Giant cinnamon roll. The ooey-gooey brunch pastry is served warm with cream cheese frosting on top. Pair it with the Eggs in Purgatorio for good measure: Organic chickpeas and zucchini are braised in a Calabrian chili-spiked tomato stew, then topped with Romano and two poached eggs.
Brunch is served: Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the SouthPark location only.
ROOTS Cafe | South End
For the health-conscious eater, ROOTS Cafe serves hearty, wholesome dishes that will fuel and fill you up. Whether you dine on the small patio or score a table inside, you can expect fresh, locally sourced ingredients that will satisfy your hunger and nourish your spirit.
What to order: The breakfast burrito is a crowd-pleaser with sweet potato hash, a fried egg, green chile pinto beans, cheese and garlic-chili aioli. Add a protein to the delicious wrap if you want to beef it up, but the beans are plenty. You also can’t go wrong with the crispy tostada: shredded chicken in adobo sauce, pinto beans, tomatoes, an egg over easy and sour cream. Wash it down with a delectable chai latte and save room for a slice of the Roman breakfast cake. The sponge cake is made with citrus and preserved local berries and topped with a citrus oleo — so it’s basically fruit, right?
Brunch is served: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sea Grill | Uptown
For a luxury brunch experience, add Sea Grill to the top of your list. The high-end coastal vibes are simply unmatched at this Queen City Quarter gem that serves brunch daily. Voted an OpenTable Diners’ Choice in 2024, Sea Grill offers the best of the deep blue sea with stellar cocktails to boot.
What to order: Sea Grill offers one of the top shrimp-and-grits dishes in town, complete with shrimp, blue crab meat, grits, bell pepper, celery and onion in a creamy sauce. Or opt for the lobster roll: a heap of lemony lobster meat served in a buttered roll with french fries. Pairs well with the Sea Grill Signature Mimosa, which is similar to a French 75.
Brunch is served: Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and Friday-Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Crunkleton | Elizabeth
A North Carolina staple, The Crunkleton is known for excellence in customer service, expertly crafted cocktails and open-hearth, live-fire cooking. The same culinary prowess that dazzles on weekdays shines just as bright for brunch. Grab a seat at the bar, in the dining room or on the all-season patio — a memorable brunch experience is a bite and sip away.
What to order: The Brunch Tomahawk: The 42-ounce certified Angus bone-in ribeye is served with biscuits and gravy, fingerling potatoes, and four sunny side-up eggs for $180. Start with a fruit bowl for the table and end the meal with the Crunkleton’s famous beignets drenched in Pure Intentions nitro-brew icing. Pairs well with a bourbon bramble (bourbon, orange blossom, marasca cherry paste and lemon) or espresso martini.
Brunch is served: Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. SP
