Where to Boozy Brunch in MSP: A 'Hood-by-'Hood Guide

While waking up to hit brunch might not be the most appealing idea after a long night out on the town, sometimes a little "hair of the dog" is the best cure for that post-party-head-crusher you might just be rocking. Fortunately for you, we’re revisiting our list of boozy brunches and giving you all the latest in delicious places that are looking to help you cure what ales (pun intended).

Flickr/Tony Webster

Barbette

Uptown

This is another Uptown spot that rocks the brunch seven days a week featuring beautiful quiches, burgers, and a totally solid croque madame. They’ve also got a good selection of breakfast cocktails because what’s brunch without booze?

C C Club

Uptown

The legendary rock club opens at 8am every day, serves breakfast, and is so wonderfully dark that you can scarf their gloriously cheap whiskey and eggs without even realizing it's morning.

Nightingale

Uptown

They may be known for late-night eating, but on Sunday they will perk you up with a perfectly mixed michelada full of fresh lime juice, zesty pepper, and good ol’ Hamm’s beer.

Icehouse

Uptown

It's one of the best music venues in the Twin Cities, but it’s their brunch that really rocks: grab a savory eclair with pork belly & cheddar cheese for $10, and if you’re feeling frisky, a Col. Mustard -- cheap whiskey poured directly into your maw from a mustard bottle -- at the bar.

Heyday

Uptown

One of our favorites plays a pretty hard brunch game featuring delicious pannenkoeken, biscuits, and gravy with smoked butter, and bubble & squeak with parsnips and pickled beets. They also have one of the very best cocktail programs in town, so it’s wins all around.

Burch Steak

Uptown

This top shelf steak place has got a spectacular brunch menu featuring crab toast, congee, and an ‘Nduja Victor featuring grilled bread, ‘nduja spread, a soft cooked egg, and celery salad. They also have an entire list of various breakfast cocktails including 5 different bloody marys.

Bradstreet Neighborhood Craftshouse

Uptown

This place is primarily known for their cocktails, so you know they’ve got you covered there, but with brunch items like lamb belly hash, fried chicken & waffles, and tahini French toast they’re going to help kick off your weekend something solid.

The Lowry

Uptown

These guys open up at 6:30am every day, so brunching doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to weekends, and a lot of their breakfast items are available all day, so you don’t necessarily have to have your brunch limited by time constraints either. Also there’s a full bar and a great beer list.

World Street Kitchen

Uptown

Global flavors meet brunch at this popular Uptown location which offers dishes like the Southside, which comes with caramelized lamb belly with cheesy hash browns, secret sauce, basil, and two basted eggs, or the ‘PB&J’ French toast. They’ve also got your cocktails covered featuring a selection of great brunch themed cocktails like their Spiky Coffee or the WSK Mimosa which is a blend of caramelized orange juice, vanilla, sparkling wine, and bittercube bitters.

Libertine

Uptown

Three bloody marys, five varieties of mimosas, and several other breakfast based cocktails should help you get settled in for a nice pork belly steak, a breakfast steak burger, or a full on bacon chop. Also there are more traditional breakfast items, but seriously, bacon chop.

Coup d’etat

Uptown

If the idea of a Creole-inspired, all-you-can-eat brunch buffet is right up your ally, then check out the new brunches at this Uptown hotspot. $15 snags you the buffet and an additional $10 gets you bottomless beer or mimosas or $8 gets you their fancy bloody mary bar.

Muddy Waters

Uptown

Breakfast poutine? Breakfast pizza? Pigs in a waffle? These are all viable options and there are plenty of others to choose from along with an array of classic breakfast drinks to help you get your motor running.

Moto-i

Uptown

Oh, hell yeah! Japanese brunch? Ok, we'll bite. With offerings like a Benny Bun topped with fried poached eggs, candied miso bacon, miso béarnaise, and scallions or the steak & eggs with a daikon hash and house salad, it’s hard to go wrong. You can also get a sake-based bloody mary or mimosa.

Lake & Irving

Uptown

While chicken & waffles or a Nutella French toast both might make excellent brunch options, check out the Hawaiian inspired kalua pork torta featuring duroc kalua pork, sourdough, guacamole, a poached egg, and chile japones. Along with the classic Bloody Mary and mimosa offerings they've got a bunch of other breakfasty cocktails to help you break out of your cocktail rut like the Mother's Little Helper or the Powers Up.

Nighthawks & Birdie

Nighthawks

South Minneapolis

One huevos rancheros dog coming right up! If that doesn’t sound like your thing, check out the chicken and waffles, the delicious eggs Bennie, or any one of their EIGHT varieties of pancake. While they don’t have a full bar, they make full use of the beers and wines that they carry by transforming them into delicious cocktails like the Sodak (pickled PBR with tomato juice), the Bellazza (strawberry & rhubarb cordial, zuccu amaro, and prosecco), or the Wide Eyed 2.0 (Big Watt cold-press, bonal, and long pepper).

Blackbird

South Minneapolis

If you’re adventurous, the veal sweetbreads Benedict or the banh mi might be the way to go, but if you’re looking for the more traditional, feel free to set yourself up with a fat breakfast burrito. You should also probably get a mimosa or if you’re not feeling bubbly, grab a Surly Coffee Bender.

Hola Arepa

South Minneapolis

Arepa’s for brunch? Sure. Especially when you’re pairing them with some of the most delicious cocktails in the city. You can also get their incredible fried chicken with cachapas (sweet corn pancakes) which gets served with a fried egg, bacon, and a chipotle-maple syrup that goes incredibly well with a crisp michelada!

The Craftsman

South Minneapolis

Featuring fresh baked scones of the day and delicious pork rillettes, this South Minneapolis restaurant always has the goods. You could also get their seasonal three egg omelet or the ciabatta French toast, but you should definitely get their signature bloody, which features a house-made mix with fresh horseradish, sambal, and beet-infused vodka.

Sonora Grill

South Minneapolis

Sometimes we need to spice up our brunch, and this is place to go in order to do just that. Their chilaquiles are top notch or you can get their hash browns, which come with chihuahua cheese, peppers, onions, two eggs & choice of meat. Of course you’ve gotta wash that down with something, so we suggest their Obregon margarita which is a mix of basil & serrano pepper infused Sauza Signature Blue Tequila, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar.

Le Town Talk

South Minneapolis

This spot is serving up delicious pastries, crepes, and a decedent madame Benedict made with smoked ham, Gruyere, dijon, béchamel, fried duck egg, and brown butter hollandaise. All of which pair beautifully with a variety of brunch cocktails like their El Diablo bloody mary or the Le Maple Classique, which is prosecco, maple bourbon, bitters, and sugar. You can also get a refillable mimosa for $10 with any entree purchase.

Tilia

South Minneapolis

If you didn’t know that you wanted a fried egg and mortadella sandwich, we’re telling you know that you do. The Ruben Benedict is also to die for as are the slow poached eggs in parmesan cream. They’ve also got one of the best tap selections in the Twin Cities or you can groove on an orange or, even better yet, a grapefruit mimosa!

Flickr/Tony Webster

Lush

Northeast Minneapolis

No one makes a cocktail like a gay bar, and the fact that this one serves a killer brunch alongside their $12 bottomless mimosas only makes us love them more. That Summertime patio does not hurt our feelings either.

Psycho Suzi’s

Northeast Minneapolis

The prettiest deck this side of the Mississippi River has some seriously strong tiki drinks and a stacked brunch. Build-your-own Bloodys are $7.95 and tropical mimosas are $6.95.

Elsie’s

Northeast Minneapolis

This spot melds the wonderful worlds of booze and bowling. On the weekends you can get egg-centric breakfasts starting at just $3, plus a full bar at which to spend all that money you just saved.

Red Stag

Northeast Minneapolis

Northeast’s premier supper club also offers up a hell of a brunch featuring a wide variety of savory and sweet options. You can also get their signature bloody mary or a ‘Wakeup Beer,’ which is a glass of stout with a shot of espresso.

Northeast Social

Northeast Minneapolis

Social's offering a healthy of variety of classic breakfast options including omelettes, breakfast sandwiches, and Benedicts. You can also opt for something a little more adventurous like their taco omelette or the Social Skillet, which comes with a leg of duck confit, American fries, and braising jus. Beer & wine is the name of the drinking game here, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have yourself a fantastic mimosa.

Eli’s NE

Northeast Minneapolis

You know that you’ve always wanted to have a turducken benedict, and now you can. You can also have a nice brunch penne and wash it down with any one of their signature cocktails, craft pours, or maybe just a nice glass of breakfast wine.

The Sample Room

Northeast Minneapolis

This is a great little spot right on the river where you can have a delicious trout Benedict or their house-made corned beef hash. Cleanse your palate with a mimosa made from fresh squeezed orange or their house made zesty bloody mary.

Jax Café

Northeast Minneapolis

You can never go wrong with a full on Sunday brunch buffet, and this old-school Northeast spot is a great place to do just that. Made to order omelets, fresh Benedicts, blinis, and two fresh carved meat options will surely go well with a breakfast Manhattan.

Betty Danger’s Country Club

Northeast Minneapolis

If you’ve always wanted to brunch at spot with its own ferris wheel, this is the place for you. Offerings include special brunch tacos, a jalapeño mac & cheese, and a hash with braised beef. Take it all in with a tequila sunrise while you’re at it.

Smack Shack MPLS

Smack Shack

Downtown Minneapolis

Seafood brunches are good brunches. And there’s no better place to get the hook than at this Downtown lobster chapel. Their French Quarter-style brunch features a crab Benedict, an andouille Benedict, and soft scramble eggs with lobster for the win. It’s probably a good idea to get yourself a hurricane to go along with the food as well.

The Local

Downtown Minneapolis

Everybody loves a bit of Irish in the morning, so grab yourself a Jameson and order up their brunch buffet which features a hearty spread of classic brunch items. It also comes with a complimentary bloody mary, mimosa, or screwdriver in case that Jameson just isn’t enough on its own.

Hell’s Kitchen

Downtown Minneapolis

No breakfast list is complete without mentioning these guys. Their powerful Bloody Marys will satisfy your darkest cravings and the sausage bread proves that there are no rules in hell.

Aster Cafe

Downtown Minneapolis

Whether you’re coming for skyline views or weekend brunch, you’ll want to stay for the booze-infused teas. An $8 Lemon Rickey tastes like Summer feels and pairs perfectly with the Minnesota malted waffle.

Triple Rock Social Club

Downtown Minneapolis

Punk-rock-vegan-fare-meets-tattooed-meat heaven: beginning the weekend at Triple Rock Social Club is always a wise decision. Plus, their award-winning Bloody Marys are only $5.50.

Republic

Downtown Minneapolis

A bar for the people by the people... who want the freedom to build their own badass Bloody Mary every weekend from 10am-2pm.

Ike's Food and Cocktails

Downtown Minneapolis

Weekend brunch at this purposefully timeless eat/drinkery includes The Weekender, a 20oz. Bloody Mary topped with things like American cheese, shrimp, and a smoked spicy beef stick, as well as... ugh, vegetables.

Spoon & Stable

Downtown Minneapolis

Downtown’s hottest new restaurant is also rocking the brunch scene hard. Start with a few raw oysters and a sturgeon tartine and then move along to a spinach and caramelized onion quiche or the red wine poached eggs. Of course the pastries are all amazing and you can take it all down with any of their incredible cocktails, including the Coffee 43 which features cold-press coffee, Licor 43, tequila, and cream.

Marin

Downtown Minneapolis

Located right in the heart of downtown, this place is offering things like baked eggs with lobster, lemon ricotta pancakes, and a garlic crab Benedicts. While they have a variety of healthy, non-alcoholic drinking options, they’ve also got a classic bloody mary and a seasonal mimosa.

Red Cow

Downtown Minneapolis

While they might be best known for their burgers, their brunch menu features things like a breakfast chimichanga, smoked salmon toast, or red velvet pancakes. They've also got an excellent selection of craft beers and a full bar.

Eli’s Downtown

Downtown Minneapolis

The downtown branch offers a selection of brunch classics along with a variety of weekend specific specials, and they’ve got all your favorite morning cocktails including bloodies, mimosas, and a little Baileys Irish coffee.

Saint Dinette

Saint Dinette

St. Paul

The Strip Club’s little sister is doing a pretty fantastic brunch, with things like a sope with morcilla (blood sausage), avocado, pickled onion, and a fried egg as well as biscuits and gravy with andouille sausage, a soft cooked egg, and green onion. You can also get yourself a side of potato latkes or green chorizo, just make sure to give their cocktails a try (Pro tip: get the Orange Julio).

Amsterdam Bar and Hall

St. Paul

Given the name of this place, it only makes perfect sense that their brunch involves a hash bar, although theirs is more of the edibles-made-of-savory-meat-and-vegetable hash rather than the 420 sort, plus $5 Bloody Marys.

Wild Onion

St. Paul

This beloved drinking spot in St. Paul doesn’t stop just because it’s morning: from 10am-3pm on Saturday and Sunday they have a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar and $3 mimosas.

Patrick McGovern’s

St. Paul

MSP's best year-round patio also has $3.75 Bloody Marys and screwdrivers from 10am-2pm.

Meritage

St. Paul

Try their cold seafood tower. It won't steer you wrong. They’re also rocking the classic eggs en cocotte with melted leaks, mushrooms & parmesan, and a delicious lobster & grits. As for drinks, they’ve got a number of fancy champagne cocktails, and how can you say no to that?

Tongue in Cheek

St. Paul

Poached eggs with shrimp and grits, pork belly hash, and a perfectly cooked cheeseburger topped with a fried egg are all extremely viable brunch options, especially when paired with their house bloody mary that's made with horseradish vodka, clam juice, and house-made bloody mix.

The Strip Club Meat & Fish

St. Paul

Good luck not ordering the entire brunch menu because everything here is top notch. Try a pork carnitas Benedict, some sourdough French toast, or the bucatini with shrimp and scrambled eggs. You’re also obviously going to have to order their ‘haus’ made doughnut as you have a run at their amazing cocktail menu.

Ward 6

St. Paul

Hashes, benedicts, and burgers are aplenty and you can also get yourself a nice order of chilaquiles. They also have a nice menu of fancy adult milkshake, and we fully support boozy milkshakes for breakfast.

WA Frost and Company

St. Paul

These guys know how to tow the brunch line, offering a clear cut variety of both breakfast and lunch options including a daily omelet or a nice bouillabaisse. They’ve also got a really superb selection of cheeses which could pair well with any number of fancy wines. If wine isn’t your deal, fear not. They’ve got a full bar.

Moscow on the Hill

St. Paul

Did somebody say blintzes? I hope so because they sure would go well with vodka. They’ve also got something called kasha, which is a traditional Russian style porridge. Also, vodka.

Happy Gnome

St. Paul

Ah yes. Beer for breakfast. If you’re looking for a little bit more substance than just a beer, try out their Hot Brown, a play on a Kentucky classic featuring Sriracha-bacon mornay, turkey, cheddar, prosciutto, tomatoes, and a sunny side-up egg. Legend has it that they also have a fancy bloody mary bar.

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Keane Amdahl is a veteran Twin Cities food writer that all too often struggles to wake up from brunch, although the promise of booze always helps. Follow his sluggish antics on Twitter @Foodstoned.