The early bird gets the worm, but the late riser gets something even better … brunch in Orlando! Though Americans didn’t invent the lazy and luxurious weekend meal, brunch is now a deeply cherished pastime in our culture.
With so many establishments around the city now jumping on the trendy brunch bandwagon, we wanted to find the best new best places to grab brunch in Orlando. It was a challenging, mimosa-infused job, but someone had to do it. What we discovered on our leisurely, late-morning quest is that Orlando boasts some truly exceptional brunch experiences when you’re clever enough to look in unexpected places.
Best Mimosas and Bloody Marys: Hamilton’s Kitchen
Essential to a divine brunch experience is a perfectly prepared late morning cocktail. Hamilton’s Kitchen, at The Alfond Inn in Winter Park, offers a fun “Build Your Own” spin on the beloved brunch beverage classics: Mimosas and Bloody Marys. For $5 each (or $20 bottomless), create your own uniquely ideal libation choosing from an astounding 34 Bloody Mary ingredients or tinker with 6 fresh Mimosa juice options (hint: guava and pineapple are fantastic together).
To compliment your cocktail, Hamilton’s Kitchen offers an a-la-carte menu of hearty, traditional brunch items (ranging from $12 – $17) that lean more toward the savory side than sweet. Delicious middle ground is found in the Chicken and Waffles with Bourbon Maple Syrup, which is both sweet, crisp and tender. For dessert, the Butterscotch Pudding topped with homemade toffee is downright heavenly.
Hamilton’s Kitchen boasts the most family-friendly ambiance of the four brunch spots we visited. The space is bright and cozy, made to feel like an upscale version of your grandmother’s kitchen with farm tables and country chairs, as well as hearth brick framing your view of the open kitchen. Live acoustic jazz music on Sundays makes the meal feel extra special. Brunch at Hamilton’s Kitchen is served both Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Reservations required.
Best Flavors: Kasa Tapas
If you’re craving classic brunch items elevated with an adventurous new twist, Kasa Tapas is the spot! For $30 per person (which includes bottomless mimosas), Kasa offers more than 30 intriguing buffet items, as well as six separate a la carte options ($12 – $22). Though the selections seem typical at first glance, where Kasa Tapas really shines is in delighting you with curious and surprising flavors and textures. From Miso Praline Bacon and Seafood Mac’n’Cheese, to 5 Spice French Toast and Ginger Maple Syrup, every bite at Kasa Tapas is delicious and downright fun.
The ambiance is lively, as well. Bustling and loud with friendly servers, Kasa is a stylish, modern spot to meet up with friends to laugh and chat. And with food this good, it’s no wonder. The above-mentioned items are absolute winners, as is the Huevos Rancheros (with puffy crisp corn tostadas, chorizo black beans, three eggs any style, ranchero salsa, cilantro, and sour cream) and the Steak & Eggs (with a house-made chimichurri that is phenomenal). Top off your meal with Mimosas, Bloody Marys, or Sangria. Kasa Tapas serves brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Reservations recommended.
Best Variety: The Boheme
Offering a more artistic and upscale atmosphere to accompany its brunch experience, The Boheme restaurant (housed in downtown’s Grand Bohemian Hotel) is an ideal destination for a truly leisurely late-morning meal or a romantic brunch date. Everything about this establishment feels special. Definitely a bit pricier than the other brunch spots ($45/adults, including bottomless mimosas, and $15/children), The Boheme discerns itself from the others by offering unexpected variety and quality at every level, from the eclectic and colorful art adorning the walls to the sumptuous, uncommon food options creatively presented and masterfully prepared.
Brunch at The Boheme is served in the hotel Rotunda, accompanied by live jazz musicians, and includes seven a la carte menu items as well as multiple buffet stations: Traditional American breakfast favorites, a waffle station, custom omelets, an antipasti display, a seafood and shellfish bar, prime rib carving station, a seasonal chef’s special display, and, lastly, a dazzling arrangement of petite, oh-so-pretty desserts. There is truly “something for everyone” in this nuanced, beautifully presented buffet.
Notable items include the Boheme Benedict (made utterly unforgettable with the unexpected addition of subtly sweet lingonberry sauce), the Vegetarian Heirloom Tomatoes, and the Kessler Krab Cakes. Also, traditional mimosas are made to perfection here. Doing “the classics” with elegant aplomb is signature to The Boheme brunch experience. The Boheme serves brunch on Sundays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Reservations required.
Best Overall Brunch: Teak Neighborhood Grill
Tucked away in a quiet corner of MetroWest, Teak Neighborhood Grill hosts a brunch experience that is impressive and unexpected on every level, from the location (every other day of the week Teak is an off-the-beaten-path bustling burger joint and sports bar), to the affordable prices ($9 – $14 for most items), to the fabulous food. This brunch experience is worth having (and repeating)!
Perfectly nailing the balance of savory and sweet that all great brunch dishes are known for, Teak’s Monte Teako is a must try (brioche French toast sandwiching two fried over medium eggs, mozzarella cheese and angry orchard onion jam, dusted with powdered sugar). Other impressive dishes include the soul food worthy Smokey Scramble (smoked bacon, smoked gouda, smoked ham, all tossed with fresh scrambled eggs and shredded mozzarella) and the Crazy FrenchMan (brioche French toast rolled in crushed cinnamon toast crunch cereal). Ordering multiple items and sharing everything is strongly encouraged.
Teak also offers a broad range of brunch beverages, including mimosas, bellinis and a creative menu of signature and build-your-own Bloody Marys. The vibe is casual, reasonably family-friendly with a rustic-industrial interior and expansive shaded outdoor patio. Teak Neighborhood Grill serves brunch both Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Reservations encouraged.