The essential Detroit-area brunches you should have tried by now

By Metro Times editorial staff and Alex Washington on Fri, Mar 31, 2023 at 1:57 pm

Nothing says spring has sprung quite like brunch. Sure, you can technically brunch in the fall and winter, but it’s just something about putting on your finest attire and strutting down the streets of Detroit, Birmingham, and Ferndale that makes us feel worthy of our own VH1 or Bravo reality show.

What makes a good brunch? That depends on who you ask, but I think we can all agree that we look for three things: good food, good drinks, and a good time.

These Detroit area restaurants get down on the weekend brunch.

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The Breakfast Club/Facebook

The Breakfast Club

30600 John R. Rd., Madison Heights; 248-307-9090; facebook.com/breakfastmadison

Don't you forget about this Madison Heights mainstay which is totally dedicated to breakfast, lunch, and, yes, brunch. Breakfast Club (the restaurant, not the coming of age '80s film) offers fresh garden salads, hot grilled sandwiches, quesadillas, breakfast sandwiches, crepes, hash, bennys, skillet omelets, and sweet mains like creme brulee French Toast and salted caramel pecan pancakes.

Avenue Brunch House/Facebook

Avenue Brunch House

22075 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-757-7366; avenuebrunchhousedearborn.com

We’re going to warn you now, there will definitely be a wait if you go on the weekend, but the wait is absolutely worth it. Dearborn’s Avenue Brunch House offers a variety of menu items that doesn’t necessarily put their menu in one brunch genre. You can get a Greek omelet, beignets, Southern biscuits and gravy, loaded fries, and so much more.

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Mi.Mosa/Facebook

MI.MOSA

23360 Farmington Rd., Farmington; 248-957-8119; mimosafarmington.com

You can never go wrong with a mimosa flight and at Farmington’s MI.Mosa, you can mix and match any of their 12 mimosa offerings to create your own custom flight.

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Metro Times File Photo

AlTayeb Restaurant

15010 W. Warren Ave. Suite 111, Dearborn; 313-633-1752; altayeb-restaurant.business.site

If you've never dabbled in Lebanese breakfast, look no further than the AlTayeb mini chain which specializes in staples like creamy foul, mshawasheh, fatteh, all of which are served with fresh pita bread. Oh, and if you were wondering, the name means "delicious" in Lebanese, so there you have it.

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Dime Store/Facebook

Dime Store

719 Griswold St. #180, Detroit; 313-962-9106; eatdimestore.com

Since opening in downtown Detroit in 2014, Dime Store has remained one of the hottest brunch tickets in town thanks to its eclectic menu of brunchy goodness. Known for its selection of eggs Benedict, including a cold-smoked salmon, cheesesteak, and a general tso's chicken version, Dime Store also has a variety of hashes (the duck bop is made with housemade-confit duck leg and Korean BBQ sauce) as well as sweet stuff like peach cobbler French toast and malted Belgian waffles.

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Bobcat Bonnie's/Facebook

Bobcat Bonnies

1800 Michigan Ave., Detroit | 240 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-677-0258 | 1800 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-1383 | 118 Sycamore St., Wyandotte; 734-530-1806 | 17330 Hall Rd., Clinton Twp.; 586-221-4313; | 200 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-879-0663; bobcatbonnies.com

We don't know who Bonnie is but, as evidenced by this casual fun fare local chain of eateries, she must know something about brunch because at Bobcat Bonnie's, brunch is king, er, queen. Among some favorite items, the Biscuit sandwich, little stack pancakes, Captain Crunch French Toast, tomato tartine, eggs Benedict, lots of tots (including Tatchos which is nachos made with tater tots) lots of bowls, burgers, sammys, and booze — lots of bloody booze.

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Public House/Facebook

Public House

241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-733-4905; publichouseferndale.com

Public House offers cocktails, mocktails, and everything in between. What’s particularly cool? Public House has a vegan brunch menu that is just as full and plentiful as its regular menu, so our meatless friends aren’t limited to pancakes.

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Parc/Facebook

Parc

800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-922-7272; parcdetroit.com

A huge part of the brunch scene in any city is just being at brunch (good food and booze are just bonuses, if we're being honest). Since opening in 2017, Downtown Detroit's Parc has been an upscale must brunch hotspot. Not only is it in the center of downtown overlooking Campus Martius, but it's got a killer menu. Among some of the brunch menu highlights are Bloody Mary oysters, griddled cinnamon rolls, smoked salmon omelet, chicken meatball shakshuka, and a Wagyu Burger, appropriately called the Ultimate Brunch Burger with double cheese, crispy potato cake, bacon, fried egg, chile bearnaise, tomato jam, on an onion brioche bun. Oh, and they have craft cocktails, duh.

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Cafe Muse/Facebook

Cafe Muse

418 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-544-4749 cafemuseroyaloak.com

Cafe Muse isn't kidding around. The Royal Oak stalwart offers decadent brunch treats like stuffed French toast with mascarpone, exotic mushroom scramble, ricotta and lemon pancakes, homemade mac and cheese, vegan burgers, seafood cheddar grits, and all of the bacon. If you're looking to feel fancy and eat a delectable meal, there's an opportunity for both here.

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San Morello/Facebook

San Morello

1400 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-209-4700; sanmorello.com

While there is not technically a dress code to dine at San Morello, consider leaving the sweatpants at home (but still wear pants or other non-undergarment bottoms) because brunch just went from sloppy to classy. San Morello, located within the Shinola Hotel in Downtown Detroit, offers high-quality Italian food from Andrew Carmellini, a James Beard Award-winning chef. The brunch menu offers cold-pressed juices, wood-fired pizza, breakfast spaghetti, and eggs al forno.

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Honest Johns/Facebook

Honest Johns

488 Selden St., Detroit; 313-832-5646; honestjohnsdetroit.com

One of the functions of brunch is to aid in reducing the effects of a hangover by getting you so drunk again that you basically cancel out the hangover you would have had. One of the best places to drink, brunch, and drink some more is Honest John's. This relaxed Cass Corridor bar offers an affordable brunch for the laid-back diner looking to nom on some pancakes, sandwiches, or omelettes. There's also a breakfast burrito, vegan options, and a variety of quesadillas, and hearty sandwiches. If you're craving something sweet, try the Fruity Pebbles French Toast.

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Folk/Facebook

Folk

1701 Trumbull, Detroit; 313-742-2672; folkdetroit.com

This breakfast and lunch eaterie is locally sourced (when possible) and organic, humane, and sustainably conscious. Since opening in 2018, Folk has expanded its offerings to include an artisanal market and, since the pandemic, they've scaled back on their take-out brunch offerings but still include some decadent eats like the waffle sandwich, gluten-free quiche, matcha-citrus cake, and cinnamon rolls. After you're done stuffing your face, stuff your pantry with their curated selection of grocery items, wine, and dry goods.

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Le Petit Dejeuner/Facebook

Le Petit Dejeuner

6470 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-725-0257; facebook.com/lepetitbreakfast

Since opening in 2015, Le Petit Dejeuner has graduated from a pop-up on the TV Lounge stage to having its own brick and mortar brunch haven. The restaurant, founded by Tina Motley, offers family-style dining breakfast forward spot, with an emphasis on the classics. There are crepes, one of which is chocolate and is filled with ricotta cheese and raspberry drizzle, as well as French Toast, waffles, pancakes, and create-your-own omelets.

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Cornbread Restaurant & Bar/Facebook

Cornbread Restaurant & Bar

29852 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-208-1680; cornbreadsoulfood.com

In business since 1997 and previously known as Beans & Cornbread, in 2021 the soul food spot rebranded as Cornbread Restaurant & Bar and moved down the street. The soul food menu largely remains the same, as does the restaurant's commitment to honoring Black history in its decor.

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The Emory/Facebook

The Emory

22700 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-546-8202; theemoryferndale.com

Three words: Bloody Mary Bar. If drunk tomato soup is your cocktail of choice, you’ll love building your own custom bloody mary at The Emory.

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Madam/Facebook

Madam

298 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-283-4200; daxtonhotel.com/food-drink

It’s Ma-DAHM, and it’s one of the latest brunch spots to open up in metro Detroit. Located inside Birmingham’s Daxton Hotel, this new restaurant offers a luxe brunching experience.

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Joe Louis Southern Kitchen/Facebook

Joe Louis Southern Kitchen

3100 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-788-8338; joelouissouthernkitchen.com

Joe Louis Southern Kitchen surely is a knockout when it comes to Southern breakfast staples.The restaurant features classics like, buttermilk biscuits, croquettes and rice, shrimp and grits, country fried steak, and much more.

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Social Kitchen/Facebook

Social Kitchen

225 E. Maple Rd., Birmingham; 248-594-4200; socialkitchenandbar.com

Chicken and waffles are a brunch favorite, but at Social Kitchen, it’s more than a brunchtime entree — it’s also a cocktail. Social takes what we know about a typical old fashioned and elevates it by adding crispy fried chicken and a waffle biscuit.

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Ivy Kitchen & Cocktails/Facebook

Ivy Kitchen & Cocktails

9215 E. Jefferson, Detroit; 313-332-0607; ivykc.com

Cocktails is in the name and it certainly is a part of Ivy Kitchen’s game. Maybe try the Hennessy Jalapiña, a drink made with Hennessy, jalapeño, and pineapple juice, or if you’re not the drinking type, but want the experience, maybe try the Shirley Ginger.

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Toast/Facebook

Toast

23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale | 203 Pierce St., Birmingham; eatattoast.com

The Ferndale location has logged in about 15 years now, perfecting a gastropub vibe. and Toast's Birmingham location has also become a fixture, especially famed for the Friday-through-Sunday specials that add a bit of gourmet flair to the offerings. The full bar includes cocktails made with Crackalacka Cold Brew, that ridiculously delicious high-potency coffee with the nitro push, as well as a variety of Bloody Marys and margaritas. To help soak that up, dive into their biscuits and gravy, avocado toast, cinnamon rolls, gourmet omelets, Fat Elvis French Toast, Cider Mill Pancakes, NY Cheesecake Waffles, Bacon-Fried Rice, Trashy Hashy, Huevos Rancheros, Bennys, and breakfast burritos. If we attempted to list everything delicious Toast offers we might be typing until the next brunch rolls around. Rolls ... cinnamon .... rolls.

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