Brunch by Neighborhood
Our 9 favorite brunch spots on South Lamar Boulevard
SoLa is a laid-back corridor dotted with many trendy dining destinations, some of which are fixing up fine brunches for the weekend crowd. These South Lamar restaurants serve a diverse range of creative cuisines and traditional treats. Best yet, some of our favorite picks offer outdoor seating, just in time for the patio weather.
Odd Duck
Known for its locavore, from-scratch approach, this popular eatery dishes up an ever-changing menu of unconventional brunch items. Odd Duck showcases seasonal farm vegetables and adventurous meats such as pig face, duck bolognese and goat. Don’t miss the in-house baked goods, unusual craft brews, and cocktails made with freshly squeezed juices.
Olivia
This light-filled, garden-to-table restaurant is a longtime brunch favorite for many locals. The seasonal menu features a variety of modern Southern fare with a playful spin. Popular staples include the shrimp and grits with housemade barbecue sauce, and the Macdaddy with mustard-glazed pork belly and eggs on English muffin. For $30, diners can mix their own mimosas at the table with a bottle of bubbly and three fresh-squeezed juices.
Henri's
While artisanal cheese is the emphasis at this cozy spot, the simple brunch items are also approachable and bright. Brunchers can kick off their meal with a cheese and cured meats board and a pint of local beer, followed by gourmet sandwiches such as the parrano (a gooey grilled cheese with caramelized onions and roasted tomato on sourdough) or the fried egg croissant sandwich with prosciutto. Venison hash and brioche French toast round out the weekend menu.
Red's Porch
Familiar comfort dishes like chicken 'n' waffles, steak and eggs, and migas make up the brunch menu at this relaxed hangout. A large list of straight-forward and refreshing cocktails like the mint julep and salty dog quench thirst alongside Texas draft beers. Just for fun, wrap up the meal with New Orleans beignets, dusted with powdered sugar.
aRoma
This spacious Italian kitchen and bar serves up frittatas and hearty mains on Sundays. The wood-fired trout with pesto and handmade fettuccine is one of the more ambitious entrées. Other revamped brunch eats such as hazelnut pancakes with warm Nutella and Frangelico liqueur cream, and eggs Florentine are also solid choices. As a bonus, the small plates come with complimentary housemade pastries.
Barlata
If you’re seeking something beyond eggs Benedict and omelets, the tapas bar's Spanish brunch should be a good fit. Barlata specializes in Spanish tortillas, filled with ingredients such as chorizo, potato and Manchego cheese. They also dish up select tapas and paellas, including the famed arros negre with seafood and squid ink. The bar also stirs up spirit-forward classic cocktails with a twist.
Gourdough's
There’s no need to climb out of bed early — brunch runs until 5 pm on weekends here. This donut-centric joint's downright indulgent plates can cure the meanest hangover. Aptly named Drunken Hunk, for one, is a platter loaded with bacon-wrapped meatloaf, potato pancakes, fried egg, housemade candied jalapeños, all on top of a hot donut, drizzled with a bourbon barbecue sauce. Wash it all down with an Americano or craft beer.
Matt’s El Rancho
It would almost be a crime to not include this iconic family-operated mainstay. Expect unapologetically classic Tex-Mex grub such as build-your-own breakfast tacos, huevos rancheros, migas and fajita omelets. Kick back on the expansive patio with a margarita, michelada or Matt’s spicy Truly Texas bloody Mary.
Hyde Park Bar & Grill
Technically not on South Lamar (the south location sits at 4521 Westgate Blvd.), this long-running restaurant emphasizes comfort fare cooked from scratch for the whole family. Customary weekend eats like pancakes, omelets and Belgian waffles are obvious go-tos but the entire regular menu is also available. Insiders know to add a side of buttermilk-battered fries. As for drinks, Hyde Park Bar & Grill offers $3 brunch cocktails, wines by the glass (with many bottles priced under $30) and a large selection of Texas beers.