The start of 2021 may have been rough, but at least we still have brunch.
There’s something about eating between the hours of 10am and 3pm on a Saturday and Sunday that make eggs and bacon taste so much better, and especially when they’re made by expert chefs. Brunch is still one of America’s greatest past times, and Cleveland does brunch like no other. We’ve gathered some of the best brunch spots in Cleveland for pancakes, eggs, bacon, and lots of booze to wash it down with.
1. Beerhead Bar Brewery
Looking for great views, great beer, and a Saturday and Sunday brunch special? Then you’re in the right place at Beerhead. Saturday and Sunday until 2pm you can come and get your fix of eggs, bacon, not to mention home-crafted brew. From the breakfast pie, which is their rendition of a pizza topped with your typical breakfast fare to their French toast plate made on thick slabs of Texas toast and covered with maple syrup and bacon. They also offer Bloody Marys and a deal on mimosas ($7 dollars for the first one and every refill afterwards is only $3 so long as you order a minimum of $9 worth of food.)
Where: 1156 W. 11th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
2. The Black Pig Cleveland
Black Pig is making some creative choices with their brunch menu, which is exactly why they made this list. We’d guess that anything with ‘Black Pig’ in the title is a smart choice, like their Black Pig Benedict. It has all of the typical ingredients of a classic Benedict, but the Black Pig version also adds pate. They’ve also got a smoked mushroom toast with leeks, coriander, taleggio cheese, and an egg that sounds delicious. And do us a favor and don’t leave without trying their homemade Bloody Marys.
Where: 2801 Bridge Ave Cleveland, OH 44113
3. Collision Bend Brewing Company
The brunch menu at Collision Bend is innovative as it is comforting, plus the views of the river make this an excellent choice. The Shrimp and Grits sit beside a breakfast Chimichanga on the menu, in between other delicious takes on classic brunch dishes like the Cookies and Cream Pancakes and the Steak Benediction, which is their take on an Eggs Benedict but with flank steak. They’ve also got booze–Bloody Marys, Mimosas where you can pick your own fruit juice, and a rotating sangria. For now, they’re temporarily closed but will be reopening in March.
Where: 1250 Old River Road Cleveland, Ohio 44113
4. Southside
The Southside gets a special mention for their delicious food and extravagant Bloody Marys. Not for the faint of heart, the Mother Mary at Southside is 27oz of homemade Bloody Mary mix and vodka and topped with celery, a fried pickle, a hard boiled egg, fried mozzarella, a bacon-grilled cheese, cucumber, tomato, olives, a breakfast pierogi, and a jalapeño popper all for $25. They also have some tamer Bloody Marys on the menu as well as summary cocktails perfect to go along side a Sunday brunch filled with dishes like Chicken & Waffles and French toast.
Where: 2207 W. 11th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
5. Luckys Cafe
Lucky’s might not have booze, but its as popular brunch spot for its incredibly tasty food. They’ve got a special weekend menu–available on Saturdays and Sundays from 9-2pm–filled with speciality brunch fare. From dishes on the healthier side, like the Bruleed Steel Cut Oats topped with an egg baked with spinach, parmesan, and cream, to their infamous Cheddar Scallion Biscuits. These biscuits have been featured on Food Network not once, but twice for “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” and “The Best Thing I Ever Ate,” so you know they’re good. They’re served with scrambled eggs, sausage gravy, hash browns and grapes. Get ’em while they’re hot.
Where: 777 Starkweather Cleveland, OH 44113
6. Dante Next Door
Dante Next Door is a spin off of Dante Tremont that does brunch and lunch hours only. From 10:30am-3pm, you can get hot and fresh servings of dishes like salmon or crab cake eggs Benedict. In the mood for pasta? Try the pasta carbonara frittata made with spaghetti, pancetta, eggs, and parmesan cheese. Can’t decide between sweet and savory? They’ve also got a breakfast dish that combines both–a fresh waffle topped with a sunny side up egg.
Where: 2247 Professor Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
7. Landmark Smoke House
Eggs and bacon are a classic brunch combo, but what about brisket and eggs? Or pulled pork with your breakfast? Landmark Smokehouse has a ton of different brunch options made with their house-smoked meats. They’ve also got typical stacks of pancakes you can top with Ohio maple syrup and honey butter.
Where: 11637 Clifton Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44102
8. 8. Astoria
Astoria’s a bit different from these other brunch spots, but that doesn’t make it any less good. Their menu is totally global, with dishes like the Tortilla Espanola Poutine inspired by Spain or their Souvlaki-style Lamb with eggs, which is a clear nod to Greece. Astoria’s typically a market that serves up charcuterie boards, so they’ve added one of these to the brunch menu that’s filled with their hand-selected varieties of meets and cheeses.
Where: 5417 Detroit Ave. Cleveland, OH, 44102
9. Barrio Tacos
Barrio Tacos is serving up their brunch menu at 11am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays with sweet and savory Mexican cuisine. The cinnamon-sugar Donut Hoyos are a fan favorite, and come with a Mexican hot chocolate dipping sauce. They’ve also got three types of brunch tacos–the crispy camerone taco, the BBT taco, and the cowboy taco–. Don’t forget to wash it all down with a Loaded Mimosa that comes in a variety of fruit flavors.
Where: 2466 Fairmount Blvd. Cleveland Heights, OH 44106
10. Hi and Dry
Last but not least, Hi and Dry is known for their brunch and bowling deal. Guests get one free game of bowling after they buy a brunch entree. They offer stuffed pancakes in a variety of flavors–banana foster, walnut apple pie, very berry, or the OG–and their Texas toast with eggs nested inside with a side of bacon. Vegans can join in on the fun too because Hi and Dry also offers an impossible burger on their brunch menu.
Where: 2221 Professor Ave. Cleveland, OH 44133