Tired the same old brunch? So are we. So we compiled a list of brunch options in St. Paul, one for every letter of the alphabet, for a few fresh ideas. Whether you go dragging your feet with the king or queen of all hangovers, or are simply starving when you wake up in the weekend AM, this list is the ultimate challenge.
The St. Paul A-Z Brunch Challenge
A
Augustine’s Bar & Bakery for classic brunch options, and an excellent bakery for fresh, warm pastries so necessary after a night on the town
B
Buttered Tin for amazing breakfast items like Huevos Racheros Eggs Benedict, Bananas Foster French Toast, and of course, something from their famed pastry case
C
Cook St. Paul for Korean-inspired comfort food like yellow bean pancakes and short rib Eggs Benedict
D
Day by Day Cafe to dine in a fairy tale-esque restaurant and enjoy East Coast-style brunch. The patio is a must while the weather is still warm
E
Egg and I restaurant after a trip on the Green Line (it’s just a hop, skip, and jump away from Westgate Station)
F
French Hen on Cathedral Hill for European-style brunch and crazy good mimosas
G
Great Waters Brewing Company for Kegs ($3 beers), Pegs (intense games of cribbage), and Eggs (self-explanatory). $3 Bloodies, Mimosas, and Screwdrivers are on the menu as well
H
Heirloom for “modern farmhouse cuisine”
I
Iced (glazed/frosted) donuts at Mojo Monkey
J
Juice made fresh and hearty at Truce St. Paul
K
Key’s Cafe for breakfast in the newly-remodeled (and now with a full bar) location in downtown St. Paul
L
Louisiana Cafe for soul-hugging brunch staples made with a Cajun twist
M
Meritage for a luxurious brunch in a French bistro (and fresh-squeezed orange juice. And oysters.)
N
Neighborhood Cafe for big-plate breakfasts in a cozy setting at the up-and-coming intersection of Snelling and Selby
O
Omelettes at Coffee Cup. Some of the very best comfort food in St. Paul (or anywhere else for that matter) can be found at this North End institution
P
Public Kitchen and Bar for New American fare in an old American building
Q
Quiche at Cafe Latte is flaky, delicious and available (in limted amounts) on Saturday and Sunday only
R
Red Cow‘s breakfast burger is worth the trip alone, but pancake trios, breakfast burritos, and some of the very best bacon and eggs are also available
S
Saint Dinette for a mix of French-inspired North American cuisine. Added bonus: They’ll store your farmer’s market groceries for you while you dine
T
Tongue In Cheek for one of the most creative brunch menus, and their teasers: small bites of pork belly, salmon gravlax, and so much more
U
Uptowner Cafe for greasy-spoon classics in a small-town diner setting
V
Vegetarian brunch at Pizza Luce. The beloved pizza chain is known for taking care of it’s fauna-free diners. Breakfast burritos and Eggs Florentine can be vegetarian (and even vegan), as well as items like the tofu scramble
W
Ward 6 for cross-cultural brunch classics, from corned beef hash to chilaquiles
X
XXX-rated brunch in St. Paul? Not quite. But we do have Amsterdam, with their “hash bar” and boozy cocktails, served proudly beneath their “XXX” flag (the flag of Amsterdam, of course), which will certainly keep you satisfied in the meantime
Y
Yarusso Brothers for Sunday Italian Brunch in a gangster-era restaurant
Z
‘Za at Big River Pizza: the menu offers breakfast pizzas (!) covered in eggs and bacon jam and leeks and other locally-sourced proteins and produce
