Houston’s boozy brunch scene is a boisterous, unapologetic celebration of day-drinking with a side of indulgence. Trade in quiet, serene mornings for a fun-filled day of mimosa flights, spicy Bloody Marys, and cocktails as colorful and spirited as the people you’re brunching with.
Whether you’re craving something simple like avocado toast or a heartier plate like fried chicken and waffles or breakfast enchiladas, Houston’s liveliest brunch spots know how to satisfy while keeping the energy up. These are the Houston brunch spots bringing the drinks, the vibes, and the energy.
Fielding’s Steak
The River Oaks restaurant recently had a rebrand to focus on steaks, but its weekend brunch is here to stay. The brunch menu is available Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes dishes like a lobster tostada, Nashville hot chicken and waffle, and a chimichurri steak. It also elevates the mid day dining experience with an extensive selection of brunch cocktails including a breakfast martini; an eggs, bourbon and bacon Bloody Mary; and a hazelnut carajillo. 3750 Westheimer Rd., Houston, fieldings.com
Toca Madera
Brunch at Toca Madera is a sultry, high-energy affair, with dim lighting, deep house beats from a live DJ, and a crowd that knows how to dress to impress. The restaurant, located in the Allan Lifestyle Pavilion off of Buffalo Bayou, blends Mexican flavors with a see-and-be-seen atmosphere. Start the morning with the Bloody Mary experience, prepared tableside to guests’ preference. Go the savory route with breakfast enchiladas filled with barbacoa, or if you have a sweet tooth, the tres leches French toast. For a little bit of everything, consider the brunch tower, and stay and enjoy the atmosphere. The brunch energy intensifies as the day wears on. 1755 Allen Pkwy., Houston, tocamadera.com
Mexican Sugar
Mexican Sugar’s brunch is the vibrant, colorful affair your weekend needs. This lively Regent Square spot serves up morning staples with Mexican flavors, like cajeta French toast, vanilla cinnamon pancakes with ancho maple syrup and brunch quesadillas built on jalapeno tortillas. There are a variety of margaritas, cocktails and agave flights serving as the perfect brunch companion. 3505 W. Dallas St., Houston, mexicansugarcocina.com
Sophie
This two-story hot spot in the Montrose Collective gives major French Riviera vibes. Take to the breezy outdoor terrace and enjoy an extended brunch on weekends that runs until 4 p.m. DJs that spin pulsing beats, well-appointed cocktails that arrive with pretty garnishes, and dishes like croque madame and pain perdu make weekend brunch feel like a luxe European escape. 910 Westheimer Rd., Houston, sophiehtx.com
Traveler’s Table
Traveler’s Table always delivers a lively, transportive vibe—especially during its weekend brunch, served Friday through Sunday. Tropical mimosas, rum-forward cocktails, and brunch cocktail flights set the tone, while globally inspired dishes like duck chilaquiles and jerk chicken and waffles keep things interesting. Think of it as brunch with a built-in sense of discovery and exploration. 520 Westheimer Rd., Houston, travelerstable.com
Cuchara
From the colorful murals splashed across the walls to the clinking of palomas and mezcal cocktails on the patio, Cuchara pulses with big Mexico City energy. Owner Ana Beaven and her female-led culinary team have crafted a love letter to CDMX cuisine, with dishes like chilaquiles verdes that arrive swimming in tangy tomatillo sauce; and the pambazo, an indulgent take on a breakfast sandwich featuring bread fried in guajillo. 214 Fairview St., Houston, cuchararestaurant.com
Best Regards
Weekends are filled with live DJ sets, cocktails and food at this woman-owned bar and lounge in the Heights. The recently debuted brunch menu features avocado toast, an egg white carne asada omelet, and more indulgent dishes like fried chicken and beignets. Build your own bloody Mary or mimosa carafe, or choose from signature brunch cocktails. Join every second Sunday of the month and experience its “Second Sundays” series, when there are drink and brunch specials inspired by a particular sunny destination. 222 W. 11 St., Houston, bestregardshou.com
Toulouse Café & Bar
A coveted table on the expansive patio at this French Belgian bistro in River Oaks District is a prime spot for people watching during weekend brunch. The see-and-be seen crowd nosh on dishes like crab cake benedict and quiche Lorraine while they sip on Rosé—bottles are half priced during brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Live music starts at 1 p.m. and on Sundays the party continues with a live DJ at 4 p.m. 4444 Westheimer Rd., Houston, toulousecafeandbar.com
Medium Rare
At dinner, Medium Rare located in the Mix development in Midtown, does one thing and one thing only: steak frites. But during brunch, available on Saturday and Sunday, you’ll find a few other options such as a breakfast sandwich and French Toast. The all-inclusive brunch deal for $34.95 includes your choice of appetizer and entrée, and unlimited cocktails (choose from mimosas, Bloody Marys or Screwdrivers). Coffee, soda and juice are also options if you’re the designated driver. 3201 Louisiana St., Houston, mediumrarerestaurant.com
Brasserie 19
This River Oaks staple is synonymous with brunch and Sunday Funday. On weekends, you’ll find both the main dining room and the patio filled with guests dining on French-inspired dishes such as quiche, seafood croissant, and smoked salmon benedict. There are monthly events, including Le Brunch de funk, with live DJs and drink specials, but every weekend is prime time for people watching with a mimosa or Bloody Mary in hand. 1962 West Gray St., Houston, brasserie19.com
93 Til
The Montrose record bar and restaurant’s laidback vibe is set by the welcoming ambiance and the curated playlists and live DJs. While music is at the forefront, the food is never an afterthought—and that includes during weekend brunch. The brunch menu, available Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., is soul warming, featuring biscuits drenched in house-made sausage gravy; a buttermilk brined chicken sandwich with pickles and cabbage slaw; and pho-zole, with chicken and hominy and all the requisite pho toppings. Wash it down with a signature brunch cocktail such as a Lychee French 75 or Cafe Libre. 1601 W. Main, Houston, 93-til.com
Piggy’s Kitchen & Bar
If you’re looking for a patio party with cold craft beer, mimosa specials ($5 classic, $8 frozen or $20 carafes), and hearty brunch fare then Piggy’s in River Oaks is your weekend getaway. Available Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the menu includes breakfast hash with sausage and country gravy, smoked brisket migas and buttermilk brined chicken fried steak. Resident DJ Melodic supplies the music for the backyard hang every weekend starting at noon. 3412 Lamar St., Houston, piggyskitchen.com
Boheme
Weekends are a drag at this Montrose bar where your brunch buffet comes with a side of games and a performance. Play unlimited bingo hosted by Houston drag queens, and enjoy a show on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ($35 per person), while Sunday is an all out fun day from 10:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., with two showtimes and a live DJ ($45 per person). Call a sitter because this one is exclusively for the 21 and up crowd. 307 Fairview St., Houston, barboheme.com
Leeland House
You don’t have to wait until the weekend for brunch at this EaDo neighborhood restaurant. Breakfast and brunch starts at 8 a.m. daily. Grab a latte or matcha to start, and then opt for all day breakfast dishes such as shrimp and grits, avocado toast, or brisket hash with slow-cooked brisket from J-Bar-M BBQ. The patio beckons for you to stay awhile on Saturday and Sunday when the sun is shining and live DJs spin from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It wouldn’t be brunch without cocktails and Leeland House offers a selection of brunch cocktails along with mimosas, sangria, and espresso martinis. 2119 Leeland St., Houston, leelandhousehtx.com
a’Bouzy
This River Oaks hangout never disappoints when it comes to a boozy weekend. Brunch classics include smoked salmon omelette, French toast, corned beef hash, and shrimp and grits. Go with a seasonal brunch cocktail, or build your own mimosa with a bottle of champagne (popped open with a spirited shout of a’Bouzy!) and juices of your choice. 2300 Westheimer Rd., Houston, abouzy.com
Lucille’s
Brunch starts on Fridays at Lucille’s, chef Chris Williams’s ode to Southern cuisine in the heart of the Museum District. Grab a seat on the lush patio where there’s often a live band playing on Saturday and Sundays. Start with fried green tomatoes and the signature chili biscuits. Follow up with comforting catfish and grits, or an oxtail omelette. The croissant bread pudding is also not to be missed. Get a mimosa carafe, and stay awhile. 5512 La Branch St., Houston, lucilleshouston.net
