Is any meal lazier, or more pleasant, than brunch? Breakfast is for getting up and getting moving. Lunch is for fueling up to get back to work. Even dinner, with its social demands, can have its stresses. But brunch? Brunch is pure bliss.
From Southwestern-focused diners to classic greasy spoons, St. Louis has a brunch spot for everyone. Here are our favorites.
Bellwether
Each dish on the brunch menu at Bellwether evokes a classic, but with a twist, whether it's an unexpected flavor or a nod to nostalgia. Take the Cinnamon Toast Crunch French Toast, with fresh berries and maple praline. The bacon fried rice, with green onion, tamari, sesame oil and sesame seeds, is a satisfying fusion dish that packs a punch.
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1419 Carroll St., Lafayette Square, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-380-3086, thebellwetherstl.com
The Blue Duck
This spot serves brunch daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., making it a great weekday choice. The diverse menu ranges from eggs Benedict to French toast to burgers and falafel salad. Don't miss the chorizo breakfast bowl, with tater tots, chorizo, salsa verde, honey lime crema, three cheese sauce, Jack cheese, a fried egg and cilantro. Its bar is well known for NA cocktails, so if you'd like to skip the Mimosa, you'll still get to sip on something tasty.
2661 Sutton Blvd., Maplewood, Missouri, 314-769-9940, blueduckstl.com
Bowood by Niche

Bowood's blueberry coffee cake.
If you're looking for a casual brunch spot with an earthy, airy atmosphere, head to Bowood. You'll find Italian influence throughout the menu, whether it's the cacio e pepe eggs or the pork sandwich with ragu, fontina, giardiniera and chives. Be sure to ask your server about the day's selection of housemade pastries.
4605 Olive St., Central West End, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-454-6868, bowoodbyniche.com
Brasserie by Niche
In addition to stellar food from Gerard Craft's team, the restaurant's patio is great for dining al fresco and enjoying the bustling Central West End. True to its name, the brunch items at Brasserie are inspired by French cuisine. To that end, dishes like eggs Benedict and French toast are made with classic brioche. And if you’re looking for something unique, try the grapefruit brûlée or the Violet 75 cocktail.
4580 Laclede Ave., Central West End, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-454-0600, brasseriebyniche.com
Casa Don Alfonso
A breakfast buffet is a special thing; luckily, Casa Don Alfonso offers it on Saturdays until 10 a.m. and Sundays until 1 p.m. Visit the make-your-own omelet bar, enjoy housemade focaccia and fill your plate with eggs Benedict, chicken apple sausage and smashed potatoes. On Sundays, add endless Bellinis and Bloody Marys for another $50.
100 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton, Missouri, 314-719-1496, casadonalfonsostlouis.com (inside the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis)
Cinder House
Cinder House, Gerard Craft's wood-fired, Latin American-inspired restaurant perched atop Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, serves weekday breakfast and weekend brunch. In addition to a daily selection of pastries, dishes include blueberry pancakes with Missouri maple syrup and roasted avocado toast with aged sherry vinegar and candied pecans. Try a classic eggs Benedict or Cinder House's version, which comes with braised beef and breakfast potatoes.
Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, 999 N. Second St., Laclede's Landing, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-881-5759, cinderhousestl.com
Commonwealth
Located inside the Angad Arts Hotel, Commonwealth is open for breakfast daily. Dine on classics like a croque madame or eggs Benedict (available with smoked salmon, Canadian bacon or barbecue beef brisket). If your appetite can't be tamed, get Commonwealth's take on a full English: two fried eggs, sausage links, honey-cured bacon, heirloom cherry tomatoes and pearl oyster mushrooms.
634 N. Grand Blvd., Grand Center, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-405-3399, commonwealthstl.com
Crow's Nest

Crow's Nest Slinger.
If you're looking for something a little more alternative than your typical brunch, Crow's Nest's Metal Brunch is the place to be. Available on the weekends, everything on the menu is metal-themed, from the "decappetizers" to the "Judas feasts." For a truly one-of-a-kind starter, order the deep-fried deviled eggs with bacon, pickles, tomato jam and maple Dijon. Vegetarians and vegans, fear not: There are plenty of menu options that are still hardcore, just without the meat or animal products.
7336 Manchester Road, Maplewood, Missouri, 314-781-0989, crowsneststl.com
Egg
Given its name, you can expect Egg to make some dang good eggs Benedict; variations include spinach and avocado or smoked pork belly. Owner Lassaad Jeliti hails from Tunisia, and his menu features globally inspired spins on classic dishes. Look for hashes, chakchouka, breakfast tacos and French toast.
Multiple locations, eggstl.com
Gather
Gather prides itself on being a welcoming space for community members to come together and nourish themselves. The BLTE, with eggs, bacon, greens tomato, garlic aïoli and housemade jam, is smoky, bright and creamy. Its beverage selection, with matcha lattes, cold brew and classic espresso drinks, is sure to give to provide your morning jolt.
1854A Russel Blvd., McKinley Heights, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-376-4235, gathercafestl.com
Grace Meat + Three
Where else can you find an Egg Rick Muffin than Grace Meat + Three? At the acclaimed Southern spot in the Grove, chef-owner Rick Lewis puts his own spin on the classic breakfast sandwich, with housemade sausage patties, a sunny-side-up duck egg, white American cheese and pepper jelly on a toasted English muffin. Other favorites include an heirloom corn waffle, cathead biscuits and gravy and brioche French toast with rotating toppings.
4270 Manchester Ave., The Grove, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-533-2700, stlgrace.com
Grand Pied

Grand Pied's beignets and sausage gravy.
On Morgan Ford in Tower Grove South, you'll find Grand Pied, a brunch spot with scratch-made comfort food. Whether it's po'boys from New Orleans or hot honey fried chicken sandwiches from Memphis, the menu finds inspiration in the rich culinary culture of the South. Be sure to note it's BYOB and open Thursdays through Sundays.
3137 Morgan Ford Road, Tower Grove South, St. Louis, Missouri, grandpied.com
Half & Half
If the line snaking around the door each Saturday and Sunday is any indication, the brunch at Half & Half just can’t be missed. Crowds pour in for dishes that focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, like breakfast fried rice, blackberry cheesecake-stuffed French toast and veggie hash. Standard brunch cocktails like Bloody Marys and Mimosas are on offer, but the coffee program is what really stands out. Several varieties are available from local roaster Blueprint Coffee and those in need of a caffeine fix can choose from the standard drip coffee, espresso, pour-over or cold brew.
8135 Maryland Ave., Clayton, Missouri, 314-725-0719, halfandhalfstl.com
Hatch'd STL

A selection of items from Hatch’d STL: waffle with blueberry compote, the Willmore omelet, Hot in Hurr skillet and blueberry pancakes.
Led by father-son duo Joshua and Paul Sturma, Hatch'd offers a homey vibe with fun twists on breakfast classics. Don't miss the pastrami hash with onion, red pepper and Swiss, served over ultra-crispy hash browns. Another fan favorite its the Cherokee Street Hustler omelet: chorizo, onion, jalapeño, green chile salsa, queso and pico de gallo.
6931 Gravois Ave., Princeton Heights, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-448-1642, hatchdstl.com
Juniper
John Perkins' Juniper adds a Southern accent to weekend brunch with dishes like eggs Benedict with smoked ham, chicken and waffles, quiche with mixed mushrooms and a fried chicken biscuit with red pepper jelly and smoked mayonnaise, but no meal is complete without a cinnamon roll. The restaurant hosts brunch on the weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
4101 Laclede Ave., Central West End, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-329-7696, junipereats.com
Katie's Pizza & Pasta Osteria
All the food here bears a heavy Italian influence, so you'll find plenty of pizza and pasta available even in the early hours. Must-have dishes include the fig and pancetta French toast and the arrabiata eggs. We wouldn't blame you for sticking to pizza, though – in particular, the potato pizza with fontina, onion and rosemary is standout.
Multiple locations, katiespizzaandpasta.com
Kingside Diner

Kingside Diner's waffles.
You can find an extravagant brunch from two different locations of Kingside Diner on any given day, whether you are looking to dine in or take something home. Kingside specializes in brunch, so you're not lost for options regardless if you're a sweet breakfast person or a savory one. Try one of the restaurant's specialties, like the veggie hash made with roasted sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, onion, garlic and eggs, or go extravagant with the strawberry shortcake French toast served with strawberries and a sweet cream filling.
Multiple locations, kingsidediner.com
Knead Bakehouse & Provisions
Knead Bakehouse has a variety of brunch items Tuesdays through Saturdays. The bakeshop offers a variety of doughuts and kolaches, both sweet and savory, plus a tasty selection of sandwiches fit for both breakfast and lunch. Don't miss out on the breakfast sandwich; a fried egg, cheese, tomato, lettuce, aïoli and herbs are served on a brioche sesame bun. Want a little extra protein? Order it with bacon or ham.
3467 Hampton Ave., Southampton, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-376-4361, kneadbakehouse.com
Latte Lounge + HG Eatery

Latte Lounge's shrimp and grits.
Latte Lounge was our 2022 Feast 50 Award Winner for Best New Restaurant, and once you eat there, you'll understand why. Its all-day brunch menu offers plenty of Southern comfort favorites, including shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy and chicken and waffles. Be sure to try its Lamb and Eggs: The meat is marinated overnight and then broiled for a tender, deeply savory breakfast.
2617 Washington Ave., Suite A, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-833-3087, llhgstl.com
Living Room Coffee & Kitchen
Sometimes, life calls for a working brunch. If that's the case, Living Room is a great spot to fuel up while you make your way through your to-do list. In addition to its iconic Workday Sandwich, don't miss the cheesy scone – a salty, crispy marvel. The coffee menu here is also on point – the dirty chai is the perfect combo of spicy and sweet.
2810 Sutton Blvd., Maplewood, Missouri, 314-899-0173, livingroomstl.com
Mama 2's Biscuits
If your brunch experience has to include biscuits, Tower Grove South's Mama 2's is the place to go. Not only does it offer a biscuit and gravy flight with your choice of three gravies, but it also has eight biscuit sandwiches on the menu. Our pick is the Whistle Stop: fried green tomato, thick-cut bacon, lettuce and sriracha aïoli.
3151 Morgan Ford Road, Tower Grove South, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-772-9800, mama2sbiscuits.com
Milque Toast

The S'mores Toast at Milque Toast.
Avocado toast is a brunch classic, but explore the full world of loaded toasts at Milque Toast. Go sweet with the s'mores toast or go savory with the Alpine Apple: apples poached in white wine and mustard on Pan Cubano with Swiss and crema. The menu is seasonal and rotates frequently, so you never know what will be available next.
2212 S. Jefferson Ave., Fox Park, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-833-0085, milquetoastbar.net
MoKaBe's Coffeehouse
Open six days a week from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., MoKaBe’s Coffeehouse is usually crammed with students, young professionals and neighborhood residents alike. When the weather's good, kick back on the patio with a cup of quality java and a savory sandwich, such as the Veggie Reuben, piled high with tomatoes and sauerkraut or the Portabella smothered with grilled onion, smoked Provolone and vegan pesto. Plenty of breakfast items are also vegan-friendly; treat yourself to a vegan burrito with scrambled tofu, vegan sausage and grilled chiles topped with salsa and guac, or keep things sweet with the brioche French toast.
3606 Arsenal St., St. Louis, Missouri, 314-865-2009, mokabescoffeehouse.com
Nadine's Hash House
The motto of Nadine's Hash House is "you can't get food like this in Paris;" take one look at the menu and you'll understand why. Fuel up on hearty diner-style fare, including omelets, slingers and breakfast plates. The hidden gem of the menu is the classic diner tamales: three tamales with chili, cheddar cheese and onions, served with two eggs your way.
1802 S. Broadway, Soulard, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-802-8021, nadineshashhouse.com
Polite Society
Polite Society offers a chef-driven menu in a quirky yet upscale setting. The menu changes seasonally – the standout for the winter menu is the osso bucco hash: wine-braised pork, poached eggs, potatoes, Cipollini onions, peppers and port wine demi glace. Its craft cocktail menu is also worth a look. For a refreshing, herbal option, try the Strawberry Manilow: gin; strawberry, balsamic and mint shrub, Cocchi Americano and lemon juice.
1923 Park Ave., Lafayette Park, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-325-2553, politesocietystl.com
Rooster

Rooster.
Rooster, a bustling downtown breakfast-and-lunch spot, also has a second, more spacious location on South Grand. There's a huge roster of crêpes here: The Mo. Made Sausage – with summer sausage, roasted apple, caramelized onion and white cheddar – is a delightful combo of sweet and savory. To get your caffeine fix, order the Turkish iced coffee, which combines espresso, honey, almond milk, cardamom and orange blossom.
Multiple locations, roosterstl.com
Russell's
At the two locations, you'll find a brunch menu including buttermilk biscuits and gravy, quiche, a breakfast flatbread with thick-cut bacon, a sweet breakfast bread pudding or French toast with lemon curd. Our favorite? The breakfast burrito with cilantro, braised pork shoulder, sharp white cheddar, pickled green chiles and chipotle aïoli.
Multiple locations, russellscafe.com
Simply Delicious

Simply Delicious' Papas bravas, or diced fried potatoes tossed in chimichurri sauce and topped with feta, cilantro and crème fraiche.
From the team behind 4 Hens Creole Kitchen, Simply Delicious focuses on scratch-made comfort food. Share an app like the Fried Art: cornmeal-battered fried avocado served with chipotle ranch. If you're bringing a big appetite to the table, the Sunday Funday Burger is sure to satisfy: angus beef with American and cheddar cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, over-easy eggs with hot honey and house mayo.
1115 Pine St., St. Louis, Missouri, 314-802-7287, simplydeliciousstl.com
Songbird
Songbird offers a creative and delicious brunch menu for takeout out of its Forest Park Southeast restaurant. The menu is anchored by The Combo (three slices of aged white cheddar on toasted sourdough with three slices of applewood-smoked bacon and a fried farm egg). Other options include a mushroom and kale frittata and a breakfast tamale with Cotija cheese, stewed black beans, cilantro crema and a fried egg.
4476 Chouteau Ave., Forest Park Southeast, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-781-4344, songbirdstl.com
Southwest Diner

Located on the corner of Southwest Avenue and Abbott Place, just a stone’s throw from Maplewood, Missouri, this popular brunch spot features traditional diner items with Tex-Mex flair. Featuring everything from buttermilk-cornmeal pancakes to carne adovada (red chile-braised pork shoulder), Southwest Diner has something for everyone. While there are plenty of delicious options, we recommend Jonathan's Famous Fiery Scramble: a generous platter of spicy, cheesy scrambled eggs, sausage or bacon, home fries and toast.
6803 Southwest Ave., St. Louis, Missouri, 314-260-7244, southwestdinerstl.com
SqWires Restaurant
SqWires serves breakfast Wednesday through Friday from 8 to 10:30 a.m. and weekend brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to classics like eggs Benedict, this spot offers shrimp and grits, veggie lasagna and a vegan truffle tofu skillet. Add bottomless Mimosas for $28 per person.
1415 S. 18th St., Lafayette Square, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-865-3522, sqwires.com
Tree House Restaurant
Specializing in vegetarian and vegan cuisine, the restaurant offers an amazing weekend brunch menu that caters to specific diets, but offers such creative food that even the most carnivorous of diets will leave satisfied. Signature dishes include pancakes, a chorizo scramble and truly incredible biscuits and gravy. And for those who need a little pick-me-up in the morning, Tree House offers unique cocktails like a Tipsy Dirty Chai and a kimchi Bloody Mary.
3177 S. Grand Blvd., South Grand, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-696-2100, treehousestl.com
Turn
Turn describes itself as "health-centered American comfort food;" for brunch, that translates to a vegetable-forward menu with dishes like falafel salad and avocado toast. Don't miss the arepa, a grilled corn cake served with chorizo, over-easy eggs, avocado, Cheddar and chile verde.
3224 Locust St., Grand Center, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-240-5157, turnstl.com
Winslow's Table

Winslow’s pancakes.
Even though Winslow's Table has seen a lot of change in the past few years, it has consistently remained a place to grab a great brunch. Try the overnight oats or the shakshuka, or go for something more classic like the fluffy buttermilk berry pancakes.
7213 Delmar Blvd., University City, Missouri, 314-725-7559, winslowstable.com
Yellowbelly
For a brunch that transports you to the tropics (minus the airfare), head to Yellowbelly. The Central West End rum bar and island-inspired restaurant serves a brunch menu including a pork belly breakfast sandwich, fried chicken and French toast and the standout lobster enchiladas. The rum-focused cocktail menu features plenty of heavy hitters (the eponymous Yellowbelly with turmeric and ginger falernum is always a good bet), but we also like the Spicy Mezcal Bloody Mary is a fun take on a classic.
4659 Lindell Blvd., Central West End, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-499-1509, yellowbellystl.com
Yolklore

Yolklore.
This fast-casual spot specializes in creating breakfast classics with a fun twist, such as the Yolklore Smash Burger (housemade ciabatta, smashed patty, bacon, bacon aïoli, medium egg, cheddar, pickles) or the Dippers (six small pancakes served with syrup for dunking). Nothing striking your fancy? You can also build your own breakfast sandwich. Start with a bread (ciabatta, biscuit or whole wheat), pick your protein (egg, bacon, pork sausage, turkey chorizo or falafel) and then a topping (Cheddar, jalapeño ranch, devil sauce, creamy avocado or lemon-herb goat cheese).
8958 Watson Road, Crestwood, Missouri, 314-270-8538, yolklore.com