Twin Cities' Best Brunch

Brunch in the Twin Cities is a competitive sport. We take our eggs seriously.

You can land at Holman's Table with a mimosa and a side of airshow, or you can queue up at Highland Grill for legendary oatmeal pancakes next to a family arguing about hockey. This list runs from pork belly biscuits at Hope to a ten-dollar andouille plate that beats half the downtown menus.

One place even helped me with my hot meal. I didn't ask.

Read on.

Modern Times

Highlights
Free coffee and donuts
Fast outdoor seating
Kind and prompt staff
Hot meal assistance

Modern Times gets the basics right, which is more than most places manage. Free coffee and donuts while you wait? That is a smart move. The outdoor seating is fast, and the staff is kind without hovering. They even helped with a hot meal when I needed it. I did not ask. They just did. It is not a fancy brunch. It is a good one. That counts for a lot. I left feeling like I had been taken care of. No complaints. Just a steady, reliable start to the day. I would return, but I might bring my own napkins.

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Golden Thyme Restaurant & Bar

Highlights
Southern food done right
Jambalayas worth the trip
Staff knows their menu
Come hungry, leave happy
Family friendly and warm

Golden Thyme does Southern food without the fuss. The jambalayas are worth the drive across town. The staff knows the menu, which is rare. They can tell you what is spicy and what is not. Come hungry. You will leave happy. The place feels warm and family friendly, like a kitchen you already know. Nothing pretentious here. Just good cooking and honest portions. I had a plate that could have fed two. I did not share. The gumbo had depth, the rice was right. This is the kind of brunch that makes you want to nap.

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Holman's Table

Highlights
Airstrip views while dining
Unbreaded walleye done right
Mimosas built for sharing
Pastry chef’s banana bread
Prompt, unrushed service

Holman's Table has an odd selling point: airplanes. You sit, you eat, you watch them land. It works. The unbreaded walleye is a revelation. Finally, someone lets the fish taste like fish. The mimosas come built for sharing, though I did not share. The banana bread from the pastry chef is dense and sweet. Service is prompt but never rushed. You can linger. You should linger. The view is better than most art. Airstrip views, good food, no pretension. That is a rare combination. I will be back for the walleye.

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Key West Bistro

Highlights
Beachy, happy corner vibe
Friendly, accommodating service
Sweet Cuban coffee done right
Authentic Tampa-style pork sandwich
Great value for the price

Key West Bistro is a happy corner of the city. The vibe is beachy, but not in a fake way. The Cuban coffee is sweet and strong, done right. The Tampa-style pork sandwich is authentic. I have had worse in Florida. The staff is friendly and accommodating, even when I asked for extra pickles. Value is excellent. You get a lot for what you pay. It is not a fancy brunch. It is a good one. I left with a full stomach and a lighter wallet. That is the best kind of math.

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Hope Breakfast Bar - St. Paul

Highlights
Seasonal menu surprises delight
Pork belly biscuit shines
Spacious patio seating available
Strawberry matcha stands out
Service fast and friendly

Hope Breakfast Bar in St. Paul keeps surprising me. The menu changes with the seasons, and that is smart. The pork belly biscuit is a standout. Rich, salty, with a soft biscuit. The strawberry matcha is a bright note. Service is fast and friendly, which helps on a busy morning. The patio is spacious. I sat outside and did not want to leave. The vibe is upbeat without being loud. I tried something new and it worked. That is the point of brunch. To be delighted. This place does that.

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Neighborhood Cafe

Highlights
Perfectly spiced andouille sausage
Crispy hash browns done right
Friendly service, great value
Bike parking out front
Affordable under fifteen dollars

Neighborhood Cafe is a no-nonsense brunch. The andouille sausage is perfectly spiced. The hash browns are crispy, not soggy. That detail matters. Service is friendly, and the prices are under fifteen dollars. You can get out of here for less than a movie ticket. There is bike parking out front, which is a nice touch. I ordered, I ate, I left happy. It is not a destination. It is a neighborhood joint done right. I appreciate that. No lines, no hype. Just good food. I will be back.

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Silver Fern

Highlights
Fresh, flavorful vegetable sandwiches
Creative seasonal coffee flights
Inviting, cozy atmosphere
Attentive, friendly service

Silver Fern has a quiet confidence. The vegetable sandwiches are fresh and flavorful. I did not miss the meat. The coffee flights are creative and seasonal. One was citrusy, another had spice. They know what they are doing. The atmosphere is cozy without being dark. The staff is attentive but not hovering. I sat by the window and watched the street. The food came at a good pace. Brunch should feel like this. Unhurried, warm, and satisfying. The sandwich had a crunch. The coffee had a kick. I left with a plan to return.

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Longfellow Grill

Highlights
Burgers rank among best
Lobster bisque comforts deeply
Avocado toast with eggs
Friendly vibe, attentive service
Worth returning to explore

Longfellow Grill does a few things very well. The burgers rank among the best in the city. The lobster bisque is a deep comfort on a cold morning. Avocado toast with eggs is a simple pleasure, done right. The vibe is friendly, the service attentive. I did not want to leave. The place has a lot of menu, so you will need multiple visits. That is fine. I have already planned my next trip. The burger was juicy, the bun held up. This is a brunch that makes you forget your phone. That says a lot.

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Highland Grill

Highlights
Worth the weekend wait
Oatmeal pancakes are legendary
Big menu, tough choices
Comfortable diner atmosphere
Accommodating for dietary needs

Highland Grill is worth the weekend wait. The oatmeal pancakes are legendary, and they live up to the hype. Fluffy, slightly sweet, with a good texture. The menu is big, which makes it hard to choose. That is a good problem. The diner atmosphere is comfortable, no frills. They accommodate dietary needs without a fuss. I asked for gluten-free, they said yes. The pancakes came out right. The coffee was hot. The staff moved fast. It is a classic. No wonder people line up. I will line up too.

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Red Cow 50th & France

Highlights
Service worth returning for
Fresh, delicious appetizers
Champagne Chicken pasta standout
Modern classic, dim atmosphere
Mushroom burger redefines expectations

Red Cow 50th & France feels like a modern classic. The atmosphere is dim, which is unusual for brunch. It works. The appetizers are fresh and delicious. The Champagne Chicken pasta is a standout. The mushroom burger redefines expectations. I had it with a side of fries. The service is worth returning for. They were attentive without being intrusive. The place has a moody vibe that suits a slow morning. I lingered over coffee. The chicken was tender, the pasta creamy. This is a brunch with a little drama. I recommend it.

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Twin Cities 400 Tavern

Highlights
Berry salad shines
French dip excellent
Leah’s curds impress

Twin Cities 400 Tavern is a solid stop. The berry salad shines. Fresh, not too sweet, with a good dressing. The French dip is excellent, the beef rare and the bread crusty. Leah's curds are impressive. They are crispy and ooze cheese. The service is quick, the prices fair. It is a tavern, so the vibe is relaxed. I sat at the bar and ate. No complaints. The salad was bright, the dip was hearty. This is a place you can count on. I will be back for the curds.

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The Bungalow Club

Highlights
Burger tender and flavorful
Dashi broth truly drinkable
Ricotta dumplings were clutch
Staff courteous and attentive
Olive oil cake tempts return

The Bungalow Club has a few surprises. The burger is tender and flavorful, with a good char. The dashi broth is truly drinkable, which is not true of most broths. The ricotta dumplings were clutch, soft and rich. The staff is courteous and attentive. They kept my water full without me asking. The olive oil cake tempts me to return. I did not have it, but I thought about it the whole ride home. The meal felt refined without being stiff. This is a brunch that respects the craft. I was impressed.

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