Gone are the days of the idea of brunch conjuring images of chattering ladies, fine hats, exquisite china and erect pinky fingers. While tradition still honors Mom once each year, survey the masses and you’ll find people of all ages taking the opportunity to sleep in, recover and strategically choose a meal, or dare we say drink, that will comfortably help them transition back into the idea of Monday.
Food photo: Postino; Drink photo: Crescent Ballroom.
But where to go? Here’s just a smattering of downtown brunch hotspots we’ve turned to in such moments. Feel free to add your favorite, whether place, dish, drink or deal.
(This article was originally published July 20, 2012, written by Natalie Morris. The original compilation has been supplemented to reflect current brunch offerings in central Phoenix.)
DOWNTOWN
Carly’s Bistro
Head to Carly’s for lighter brunch classics like a lox plate or Greek egg sandwich. Or if you’re feeling a pit of emptiness in your stomach only food can fill, stuff yourself with a salmon and egg or prosciutto and egg sandwich. Feel like having something from south of the border? They’ve got a fix for that craving, too. Chow down on a delicious breakfast burrito filled with ham or chorizo. Here you’ll also find traditional brunch cocktails like Mimosas and Bloody Marys.
Served: Sundays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | carlysbistro.com
Crescent Ballroom
Enjoy some of your favorite brunch dishes on Crescent Ballroom’s balcony along with all your downtown friends. The menu features huevos rancheros, breakfast burritos, french toast and even more! Find house specialty drinks like “La Madre,” a drink with a kick that comes with a taquito garnish, a classic Mimosa or a “Shandy Colquhoun.” Here you can kick back with some delicious food while you take in the morning sun and very likely some great tunes.
Served: Sundays, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | crescentphx.com
FEZ on Central.
Fez on Central
Famous for their kisra, FEZ recommends sharing their egg, bacon and tomato brunch version of the herbed flat bread with a friend. If that’s just not quite enough for the both of you, we’re thinking their FEZ Breakfast Pasta filled with Linguiça sausage, peppadew peppers and parmesan cheese alongside an assortment of cocktails sounds like fun too.
Served: Saturday and Sunday at 10am | fezoncentral.com
larder + delta
Located inside DeSoto Central Market, brunch at the larder + delta is seasonal, locally sourced and constantly changing. Chef Stephen Jones likes to play around with local ingredients for his version of brunch. Brunch menus are posted on their Facebook or Instagram pages but if you’re up for a surprise, just pop in and see what’s on the menu that day.
Served: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
MATCH Cuisine and Cocktails
From the “Don’t Quiche Me on the Mouth” to “Bob’s Greek Fries,” MATCH (located inside the FOUND:RE Hotel) is serving up some classics with a flair. Enjoy two eggs any style or venture off and try the braised Korean rib lettuce wraps made with pickled carrots, gochujang aioli and more exotic sounding ingredients. Every dish here is globally inspired and made from locally sourced ingredients.
Served: Saturday and Sunday, 10:20 a.m. – 4:20 p.m. | matchphx.com
Matt’s Big Breakfast.
Matt’s Big Breakfast
We love this experience from beginning to end. Entering Matt’s is a throwback in time and the menu consistently keeps that promise. Try anything from The Hog and Chick to The Chop and Chick to simply a creamy bowl of steel-cut oatmeal complemented by a refillable cup of coffee sourced from Cave Creek. And though Matt’s doesn’t offer a special brunch menu, they are a downtown breakfast institution, so we couldn’t leave them off the list.
Served: Tuesday-Sunday 6:30am-2:30pm | mattsbigbreakfast.com
Mother Bunch
If you’re not ashamed to drink before noon, Mother Bunch is your brunch destination, since each dish is served with your choice of alcoholic beverage. Enjoy a different take on eggs benedict – here they add turkey or tri-tip – or just enjoy classic buttermilk pancakes. With all these savory options, there’s no way you’ll leave hungry.
Served: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | motherbunchbrew.com
The Vig
If you’re desperate for relief from a big night out, The Vig is the perfect place for you with a special section of the menu named “Hangover Help.” Leisurely sip $3 Mimosas or $4 Tito’s Vodkas and munch on a chorizo burro or a big bowl of pozole if you’re feeling more like lunch. The Vig – no matter which location you venture to – offers plenty of options to help cure that pesky hangover.
Served: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | thevig.us
MIDTOWN
Barrio Café.
Barrio Café
We’re skipping the mimosa here and going straight for the tequila. Barrio Café’s version of a Bloody Mary, Sangrita, may be just what one might need after a hard day’s night. Serve it up with Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza’s award-winning food and live music, like Barrio Café does, and the morning is set.
Served: Sunday, 11am-3pm | barriocafe.com
Nami
Nami views brunch as a mini-celebration, a time to relax. Here you can devour larger dishes such as the sage sausage hashsheesh – sage sausage hash, cheddar cheese, and hot salsa, among other ingredients – or the lighter fare vegan zeppoles – mini Italian donuts. Wash it all down with a “bloodless Mary” or a “mock mimosa sunrise,” if you’re in recovery mode.
Served: Sundays, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | tsoynami.com
Ocotillo
Whether your tooth desires something sweet, savory or light, Ocotillo is sure to have your taste. Enjoy Peruvian salmon ceviche, a breakfast chimichanga or their house brunch burger, made from short rib, brisket and sirloin, lettuce, cheddar, bacon and a fried egg. Just our description here is leaving us hungry.
Served: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. | ocotillophx.com
The Coronado
You can enjoy Coronado’s full menu any day of the week – breakfast is served all day! But on those weekends when you want something a little different, check out their brunch specials. Enjoy a jalapeno waffle or a grilled squash sandwich to quell your appetite.
Served: Sunday to Thursday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday to Saturday, 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. | thecoronadophx.com
UPTOWN
Postino on Central
The team known for their tasty assortment of crusty bread with various toppings has seamlessly transferred the idea to their brunch menu. Find artisan breads (country bread, grilled focaccia, ciabatta, marble rye) paired with our favorite morning indulgences like Italian ham, berry preserves, herbed butter, vanilla crème fraîche, gruyère cheese and more.
Served: Saturday and Sunday 9am-1pm | postinowinecafe.com
St. Francis
The best place to go with the most classic of choices is always the place that prides itself on ‘round the corner ingredient sourcing. St. Francis does and it shows in their American Breakfast. We suggest opting for their super-fluffy scrambled eggs and side of parmesan, sage and rosemary Fingerling Potatoes that arrive with lemon aioli and Mexican ketchup.
Served: Saturday 10am-2:30pm, Sunday 9am-2:30pm | stfrancisaz.com
Have a favorite brunch spot not listed here? Let us know!
