Brunch in St. Louis ranges from all-day griddle rooms to chef-driven weekend menus across the south side and Clayton. Half & Half in Clayton pairs a focused coffee program with scratch cooking from flat-iron hash to blueberry pancakes, while Egg in Benton Park plates a Tunisian and Mexican-inspired menu and Southwest Diner serves New Mexican breakfast in a small Dogtown room.
$$$$BrunchSouth County
The Laclede Station Courtesy Diner runs the same 24-hour griddle as the Hampton branch, slinging chili-and-egg slingers and breakfast in a red-vinyl room.
OrderThe slinger and breakfast all day
TipSame slinger, same round-the-clock hours as the Hampton location. It draws the post-bar crowd from Affton and Webster.
$$$$BrunchDowntown
Chef Cassy Vires's Washington Avenue brunch spot builds its menu around specialty crepes and European comfort plates, with a second South Grand branch.
OrderA savoury crepe and a Bloody Mary.
TipThe savoury crepes and the breakfast cocktails are the orders. Weekend mornings draw a wait, so go early.
$$$$BrunchClayton
Mike Randolph's Clayton brunch room pairs a focused coffee programme with scratch cooking, from flat-iron hash to blueberry pancakes. The grown-up brunch.
OrderBlueberry pancakes cooked in bacon fat.
TipAsk for the pancakes cooked in bacon fat, a house move. Long weekend waits, so put your name down and walk Clayton.
$$$$BrunchBenton Park
Lassaad Jeliti's Egg plates a Tunisian and Mexican-inspired brunch in Benton Park, from shakshuka to spiced scrambles, a break from standard pancake fare.
OrderShakshuka and the Tunisian-spiced plates.
TipThe shakshuka and the North-African-spiced dishes set it apart. A second location runs in Midtown on Locust.
$$$$BrunchDogtown
Since 2012, Southwest Diner has served New Mexican breakfast in a small Dogtown room, known for cornmeal pancakes, green-chile huevos and house biscuits.
OrderHuevos rancheros with red and green chile.
TipOrder the chile Christmas-style, red and green. The cornmeal pancakes are the local cult order; expect a weekend wait.
$$$$BrunchBenton Park
A century-old house turned all-day breakfast cafe, Benton Park Cafe plates omelets, breakfast pizza and eggs Benedict in cosy south-side rooms.
OrderBreakfast pizza or eggs Benedict.
TipThe breakfast pizza is a local quirk worth trying. Weekend mornings fill the warren of rooms, so go early.
$$$$BrunchTower Grove South
The South Grand branch of Rooster pours the same crepe-led European brunch as downtown, a roomy spot among the international restaurants of Tower Grove South.
OrderA sweet crepe and a brunch cocktail.
TipIt is roomier than the downtown branch and on the South Grand strip. The crepes and breakfast cocktails are the orders.
$$$$BrunchMaplewood
The Crow's Nest in Maplewood runs heavy-metal-themed weekend brunches with refined bar food, pinball and a back patio, a quirky alternative brunch.
OrderThe brunch burger and a Bloody Mary.
TipThe themed brunches and pinball set the mood; come for the burger and a cocktail. The patio is the prize in warm months.
$$$$BrunchGrand Center
A hand-painted Art Deco room in Grand Center, The Fountain on Locust pairs brunch sandwiches and salads with ice-cream martinis and big sundaes.
OrderAn ice cream martini with a sandwich.
TipThe ice cream martinis are the signature, even at brunch. A good stop before a Grand Center matinee.