From pillowy soft, savory biscuits to fluffy pancakes topped with delicious syrup, brunch in Norfolk never disappoints. No matter what your taste buds are craving, these popular brunch spots have all the essentials. Gather your brunch squad and get ready to dig in!
Downtown
Brick Anchor Brew House
Those looking for a more boozier brunch with a Southern twist can head to Brick Anchor Brew House. They have three different types of Bloody Marys on their menu as well as a mimosa flight. Their offerings range from traditional omelettes and buttermilk pancakes to spicy Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffles and scrumptious Cajun Parmesan Cheese Shrimp and Grits.
Cafe Milo
Tucked within the NEON Arts District, enjoy a mimosa at Cafe Milo alongside their Savory Hash – a gluten-free smash up of potato, sweet and salty bacon, bell peppers, onions, mustard greens and egg, topped with Red Eye gravy. Vegan and Vegetarian options are also available, including Avocado Toast – avocado drizzled with Green Goddess dressing, topped with pickled onion, radish and field greens on top of Sourdough toast. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday.
Cork and Co. Wine and Martini Bar
Why be limited to Sunday brunches when you could enjoy brunch six days a week? At Cork and Co. you can, with their delicious brunch menu available Tuesday through Sunday, and we are not complaining! The menu is filled with distinctive brunch items like their Down South Benedict – buttermilk golden fried chicken breast on an english muffin, topped with two poached eggs and finished with jalapeno hollandaise. The food is delicious, but it’s their Grande Mimosas that will keep you coming back for more.
Grain
Every Sunday, locals and visitors alike flock to the fifth floor of 100 Granby Street to enjoy the rooftop brunch at Grain. The incredible views of the waterfront, paired with an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet will make for a picture perfect Sunday brunch. Enjoy specialties like fresh oysters and made-to-order omelets and tacos. Brunch is offered only on Saturday and Sunday.
Four Eleven York
Arguably the classiest of brunches in Norfolk, Four Eleven York knows how to whip up some fabulous dishes. From classic French Toast, made with housemade brioche and topped with maple syrup, to their Fried Oyster Benedict which has Wicked Salt oysters and crispy bok choy served an english muffin with hollandaise, you will not be disappointed with anything you order.
Brunch cocktails are traditional in concept but have unique flares of flavor thrown into each to spice it up. A favorite is an orange crush Man-mosa – orange infused vodka, gin, lime juice, orange juice and prosecco, topped with orange blossom water. Spoiler alert, they give out complimentary fresh baked flavored donuts upon ordering. The flavors are constantly changing and range from blackberry glazed to peachy donuts, made with Blue Bee Cider’s Peach Madness – like a dessert Bellini! Don’t worry, our taste buds are watering too.
Omar’s Carriage House
Originally an 1840s carriage house, Omar’s is located along the cobblestone streets of the historic Freemason District and serves up classic dishes such as Egg Benedict, Pancakes and more. One item that you can only find at Omar’s is their Crepe Bretonne — a French dish with ham, gruyere, spinach and mushrooms with béchamel, breakfast potatoes and fresh fruit.
Press 626 Cafe and Wine Bar
Wine isn’t the only thing that Press 626 does well, their brunch is just as wonderful, with so many tasty options it makes it hard to decide what to order. You’ll find exquisite dishes like their Cast Iron Skillet Veggie Frittata, Croque Madame, Dark Chocolate and Brie French Toast and R’s Duck Confit and Sweet Potato Hash. Brunch is offered on Saturday and Sunday.
Chelsea
Smartmouth Brewery’s Second Sunday Jazz Brunch
Looking for an atypical sit-down brunch? Smartmouth Brewery’s monthly Jazz Brunch hosts food trucks, pop-up coffee vendors and live jazz musicians to help set the relaxed vibe for your Sunday morning. Every other month they host a Vegan brunch catered by Desmond’s Island Soul Grill. Forget the bacon and dive into one of their Vegan dishes like their Escovitch Krabcakes and Coconut Grits – seared Crab Cake made with chickpeas, hearts of palm and sauteed vegetables over creamy coconut grits, topped with a spicy pickled vegetable medley.
Ocean View and East Beach
Stony’s Dockside Bar and Grille
Brunch with a view! Stony’s is owned and operated by Chef Stony and Laura Johnson and is located in the neighborhood of East Ocean View, offering complete views of the East Beach Marina. Their brunch menu offers typical dishes like Cinnamon French Toast and eggs benedict, but they also have Southern classics like scrumptious Shrimp and Grits and, of course, Chicken and Waffles. We know bloody marys and mimosas are a must at any proper brunch, but try a local favorite cocktail that rivals the mimosa, the Orange Crush. This cocktail has orange juice, Sprite and flavored vodka making it a perfect mimosa substitute.
Railroad District
Handsome Biscuit
While this isn’t your typical brunch outing, you can ask any local for a brunch recommendation and we can guarantee that Handsome Biscuit is at the top of their list. This trendy biscuit shop popped up in 2013 and has been slinging the best breakfast sandwiches ever since. Stating the obvious here: they specialize in biscuit sandwiches, like fried chicken biscuits, pulled pork biscuits and more. Their more breakfast-forward biscuit, the Hot Betty (fried egg with seared greens, garlic and topped with their specialty Lupo hot sauce), can be paired with their crispy hashbrowns to really tie in the brunch vibe. It’s common for Handsome Biscuit to have a line out the door, but the wait is well worth it.
Toast
Toast, located in the Railroad District, is known very well for there, uh, toast. This isn’t your average slice of bread; Toast makes their bread in-house and tops them with everything under the sun. For a healthier brunch option choose their Eggs Italia – soft boiled eggs with kale, roasted veggies, Vegan bolognese, parmesan and toast – or dive into their French Toast – BP bread pudding made with brioche, cinnamon, eggs and cream served with maple syrup and whipped Nutella cream. Brunch is offered Friday through Sunday.