There are three things New Orleans locals can’t live without: beads, beverages and brunch. Whether you’ve had a long night out or you’re on the prowl to do some day drinking, the New Orleans brunch scene is especially friendly to those looking to eat and drink big. Extended brunch hours, bottomless mimosas and build your own Bloody Mary bars are appearing at lots of popular restaurants in town. Here are some great places to accompany your brunch with some drinks, New Orleans-style.
Best New Orleans Restaurants for Brunch and Mid-Morning Cocktails
1. The Country Club – On Louisa Street in the Bywater lives this beautiful Italianate cottage that offers poolside lounging, a sauna, Jacuzzi, cabana bar and delicious food and drinks. Gather a group of friends to indulge in menu items like Chicken and Waffles and Fried Green Tomato Benedict as well as $10 bottomless mimosas. The always-popular drag brunches are now held twice each month on the first Saturday and third Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. Brunch Hours: Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
2. Apolline – This renovated double shotgun cottage on Magazine Street is equipped with its own kitchen garden and features dishes like Eggs Apolline — a Belgian waffle topped with Andouille sausage, crawfish, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Enjoy bottomless mimosas for $14 or Deluxe Bloody Marys with two shots of vodka, house mix, boiled shrimp, spicy beans, cherry tomatoes, celery, lemon and lime for $12. Brunch Hours: Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
3. Katie’s – You’ll be treated like family at this Mid-City eatery, serving up the goods since 1984. Try their famous veal grillades and grits or lemon-ricotta pancakes and wash it all down with bottomless mimosas, Bloody Marys or Sangria for $15. Katie’s also has brandy milk punch, Irish coffees, Pimm’s cups and other delicious cocktails to fit your fancy. Brunch Hours: Sunday only from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
4. Elizabeth’s – This quirky Bywater joint is known for its big portions and Dr. Bob artwork covered walls. Sip on house-made cocktails like Bloody Marys, “Ghetto Fabulous” Mimosas, or their “Corpse Reviver” made from Gin, Cointreau, Lillet, Lemon Juice, and a Herbsaint rinse. Make your own mimosas by purchasing your choice of three bottles of bubbly ranging from $21-$37. Daily specials like Softshell Crab with Creole Sauce, Grits and Poached Eggs are sure to hit the spot. Brunch Hours: Saturday & Sunday from 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
5. Booty’s – This hip Bywater restaurant stakes its claim on serving up popular street-food inspired dishes from all over the world. The menu is always changing but for brunch you can expect to see Japanese ramen soup and Spanish migas alongside things like Belgian waffles and Italian lemon ricotta beignets. Just don’t leave without trying the “Rope Swing,” which is a smoky, tangy cocktail made from Gin, Vermouth, Grapefruit, and Cava. Brunch Hours: Saturday & Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
6. Atchafalaya – Quickly becoming Uptown’s hottest brunch spot for live music, great food and a build your own Bloody Mary bar with more fixins than you can even fit in your glass. Indulge in the popular “Boudreaux” breakfast of two sunny-side up eggs, alligator sausage, jalapeno cornbread, Crystal potatoes and Creole Hollandaise. And Atchafalaya is one of the only places open for brunch during the week! Brunch Hours: Monday, Thursday & Friday from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
7. Ruby Slipper – With four locations and a brunch menu that’s served all day, it’s no wonder that this ode to the famous quote “There’s no place like home,” is one of New Orleans’ favorite places to dine. Order up some Croque Madame, Bananas Foster Pain Perdu, or Eggs Coubion with thin-fried catfish, French bread, eggs, artichokes, spinach and tasso, finished with a Creole tomato courtbouillon sauce. Double mimosas and bellinis for $10 and Bloody Marys and brandy milk punch for $6. Brunch Hours: Saturday 8:00. a.m.-2:00 p.m. and Sunday 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
8. Pizza Domenica – Chef Alon Shaya has created some delicious new brunch specials at the recently opened sister restaurant to Domenica on Magazine Street in Uptown. How about hot, oven-baked biscuits covered in country gravy with prosciutto? Or the Shakshuka, a popular Israeli dish of eggs baked in a spicy tomato sauce, served with fresh pita. There’s also bacon, egg and cheese pizza, $15 pitchers of mimosas and a house-made Bloody Mary in the works (with house-made pickled veggies!). All brunch items are available in addition to the regular menu. Brunch Hours: Saturday & Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
9. Horn’s – Owners of the popular breakfast joint Slim Goodies on Magazine Street have managed to create yet another awesome breakfast spot – this time in the Marigny. The menu features popular Slim Goodies dishes, like the Guatemalan with black beans, eggs, avocado, sour cream, salsa, fried plantains and warm tortillas. The sweet potato waffle with spicy chicken wings is a Horn’s exclusive, as well as a Tequila Sunrise, the house special cocktail made with homemade grenadine. Breakfast/Brunch Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. daily.
10. Broussard’s – It doesn’t even have to be the weekend for you to enjoy brunch at Broussard’s. Stop in and enjoy Creole food favorites along with house specialties like BBQ Shrimp & Grits or the Bronzed Redfish. Bottomless mimosas or rosé are just $12 with the purchase of an entrée… count us in! Brunch Hours: Friday – Monday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
