The Absolute Best Brunches in Phoenix

From classic French toast towers to huevos rancheros, this town offers a wide variety of brunch dishes and destinations.

There’s breakfast and there’s lunch. Then one day, someone came up with a bright idea to combine the two meals. The origins of the first brunch can be traced all the way back to late 19th-century England. And while some food historians are still chewing on where exactly brunch first originated, most of the evidence available today points Across the Pond. In fact, the weekend ritual we now revere as brunch didn’t make its stateside debut until the 1930s. But boy are we happy brunch made its way here all those years ago. Today, bottomless mimosas, saucy chilaquiles, flaky biscuits and savory gravy, cereal-topped baked goods, and noshable breakfast burritos that require two hands to consume are all synonyms with brunch. And we know exactly where you can find ‘em. And make sure to check out Phoenix's best restaurants for any time of day.

Little O’s Arcadia Market is among the latest eateries to debut in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood. The casual market-style restaurant was brought to life by the team behind O.H.S.O. and conveniently neighbors the Arcadia-based brewery along the Arizona Canal. Early risers can patron Little O’s drive-thru for fresh-brewed coffee and a spectacle of frosted donuts. And the brunch crowd can belly-up to a table under one of the many bright orange umbrellas that adorn the Little O’s open-air patio. Standouts plucked from the Little O’s brunch menu include a Belgian waffle chicken sandwich drizzled with spicy syrup and a breakfast pizza topped with sausage gravy, eggs, bacon crumbles, peppers and onions, and a medley of mixed cheeses. Thirsty? All brunch items come with your choice of monster mimosa or a 10-ounce draft for just a penny.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Otro Cafe

Phoenix
$$$$

Otro Cafe is the sister restaurant of the popular Gallo Blanco, a hip, family-run Mexican restaurant located in Downtown Phoenix. Positioned along 7th Street, Otro Cafe dishes out eats inspired by the Mexico City region, ranging from shrimp ceviche and queso fundido to vegan posole and barbacoa and eggs. Naturally, Otro serves up stellar drinks to match their brunch spread. Try the seasonal sangrias. Or, sip on a tequila-drenched Pisco or Palamoa. Otro offers indoor, outdoor, and bar seating and regularly has live music in the mornings to set the bunch vibe as you fork through your Mexican breakfast.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Geordie's Restaurant & Lounge
Photo courtesy of Geordie’s at The Wrigley Mansion

The Wrigley Mansion recently underwent a major renovation. And now hungry epicureans from across The Valley can experience one of the swankiest brunches in Phoenix at the historic hilltop property. The Wrigley Mansion is home to a trio of restaurants including Jamie’s Wine Bar, Christopher’s, and Geordie’s Restaurant where incredible views of the city, and brunch classics, are both on the menu. Staples such as forkable slow roasted prime rib, savory eggs Benedict, tasty Cordon Bleu hash, and decadent apple butter waffles round out the brunch menu at Geordie’s. And, don’t skip the Cava popsicles—take your pick from strawberry basil or mango passionfruit.

Available for Reservations

Ladera

Phoenix
$$$$

A parade of modern Mexican fare is what you can expect at Ladera. Come for the salsa-slathered barbacoa hash, girthy breakfast burritos, and drool-worthy huevos rancheros and stay for Ladera’s deep lineup of specialty cocktails; all of which are best enjoyed on the shaded, open-air patio. There’s a frozen mezcalada with your name on it. That’s right, mezcal-ada.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
The Golden Pineapple Craft Lounge
The Golden Pineapple | Photo by Lauren Topor Reichert

The Golden Pineapple’s uber lush tree-covered patio is just one of its main draws. While the outdoor seating situation is indeed primo, The Golden Pineapple has a lot more to offer, like new brunch specials every weekend, pineapple mimosas, hot chicken sandwiches, chilaquiles of the red and green variety, and an epic brunch wrap supreme stuffed with chorizo and all the fixings. Need to wash down that fiery chicken sammy? Consult The Golden Pineapple’s assortment of draft, canned, and bottled beer to put out that fire.

Available for Reservations

Breakfast B*tch

Downtown Phoenix
$$$$

Who doesn’t like a little profanity with their brunch, huh? Located in the center of Downtown Phoenix’s buzzy Roosevelt neighborhood and tucked inside of the hip Cambria Hotel is Breakfast Bitch; a breakfast-y joint (what else?) with a bit of a wild side. Standard breaky foods like pancakes, craveable biscuits and gravy, and classic steak and eggs complement boujee-er plates like the lobster cakes and ahi salad. Hungry for more? Roll through Pemberton PHX where you can find Breakfast Bitch slinging eats from their food truck alongside some other roving standouts.

Available for Reservations
El Chorro Lodge
Photo courtesy of El Chorro

El Chorro

Paradise Valley
$$$$

Arguably one of Arizona’s most scenic, and romantic, restaurants, El Chorro serves up a weekend brunch with an unbeatable panoramic view of nearby Camelback Mountain. Sure, you’ll take your Sunday brunch with a side of postcard-worthy desert scenery, but don’t miss the actual sides and starters, like El Chorro’s famous sticky buns—an entire basket of cinnamon roll goodness that’s all yours to relish over. When the table’s cleared, take some time to explore the scenic grounds. This historic property is brimming with bits and pieces of Arizona history and Western flair.

Available for Reservations
The Vig
The Vig | Photo courtesy of Studio Alcott

The Vig

Multiple locations
$$$$

The Vig has solidly established itself as a boozy hotspot for the brunch crowd. And with multiple locations across The Valley, your next brunch outing is never too far away. The menu combines the classics with regionally inspired dishes like benedict rancheros, chorizo-stuffed burritos, and poached Mexican shrimp cocktails dressed up with a medley of cilantro, avocado, cucumber, and tomatoes. A section of the menu is dedicated to day drinks that include a cold brew old fashioned and a bevy of tequila-kissed libations. And of course, there are plenty of mimosas, of the cranberry, grapefruit, orange, and pineapple varieties, to go around. With its spacious patios and lots of room for yard games like cornhole and bocce, this brunch playground may just turn into your next regular weekend hangout.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
O.H.S.O. Brewery
Photo courtesy of O.H.S.O.

O.H.S.O.

Multiple locations
$$$$

Brunch is best enjoyed with friends. Especially when those friends have four legs and bushy tails. This brewery and nano-distillery has a reputation as one of the friendliest dog-friendly dining outposts around town. Its casual, laid back vibe and shaded outdoor patio make a more-than-ideal scene to sip seasonal craft beers while noshing your way through a plate of cereal-covered French toast. After the bill comes, snag a complimentary gourmet treat for your doggo on the way out.

Available for Reservations
Chelsea's Kitchen
Photo courtesy of Chelsea's Kitchen

Part of the imitable LGO family of restaurants, Chelsea’s Kitchen enlivens the senses with its on-site smoke yard, rotisserie grill, regionally sourced and taste bud-tantalizing cuisines, and picture-perfect outdoor patio. Put your pinkies up and sip your way through a hoard of bubbly (because, brunch!) and spirits. And savor every single bite of Chelsea’s acclaimed green chile burger. Perhaps you’d rather go all in on a platter of vegetarian tacos where locally-sourced veggies are the stars of the show, good for you! There’s nothing not worth ordering here, really.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Culinary Dropout
Photo courtesy of Culinary Dropout

Culinary Dropout

Multiple locations
$$$$

Your parents probably told you not to play with your food. Forget that. Culinary Dropout encourages you to bring out your playful side with their assemblage of yard games, live music performances, yoga classes, and of course, those dippable soft pretzels and provolone fondue. Culinary Dropout’s expansive indoor-outdoor spaces mean that there’s plenty of room for social distancing, but you’ll definitely want to get close to a plate of their legendary fried chicken or if you’re sweet tooth is calling, the carmely bread pudding French toast.

Available for Reservations
Windsor
Photo courtesy of Windsor

Windsor

Uptown Phoenix
$$$$

Comfort foods including homemade cinnamon rolls drizzled with a drool-inducing vanilla glaze and southern-style, from-scratch cheddar biscuits with sausage gravy come standard at this buzzy Uptown brunch spot. Sure to absolutely win over Bloody Mary fans, Windsor’s rolling bar cart is stocked with all of the spices, fancy salts, yummy pickles, and fresh garnishes you could possibly dream up. And, for the craft beer crowd, order up a pitcher of locally-brewed beer for five bucks; it’s an unbeatable deal if you’re looking to extend your brunch into the lazy, late afternoon hours.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Ocotillo
Photo courtesy of Ocotillo

Ocotillo

Midtown Phoenix
$$$$

Bring your appetite to Ocotillo where brunch-goers can get their fill of sweet dishes like iron skillet pancakes dusted with powdered sugar and savory plates like the smoked brisket atop a delicious bed of parmy polenta. Ocotillo’s seasonally-inspired menu is complemented by a carefully-curated list of spirits that come together to make some epic brunchy drinks. And mimosas made with fresh citrus are available by the glass or pitcher to keep your thirsty palate quenched.

Available for Reservations
Hula's Modern Tiki
Hula's Modern Tiki | Photo by Lauren Topor Reichert

Hula's Modern Tiki

Multiple locations
$$$$

Brunch gets a tiki twist at Hula’s Modern Tiki. Hula’s dishes out a wave of tropical-inspired brunch eats like the traditional island specialty loco moco, ahi eggs benedict, and a signature hangover hash. When the rum calls, belly-up to the bar or kickback on the patio with a Mai Tai. And if you really want to go all out, order a shareable rum-drenched scorpion or flaming volcano bowl and drink up all those island vibes.

Available for Reservations
Lauren Topor Reichert is a Phoenix-based multimedia storyteller, photographer, and content creator. Her work has been featured in travel guides, national publications, and the social feeds of some stellar local restaurants. Follow her around Arizona, and beyond, on Instagram @hungryinphoenix.