Mother’s Day is May 14 this year, the perfect time to get together with your family and celebrate the moms that made everything possible. And, what a better time of the day to do it than brunch? There are so many places in New Orleans with fantastic brunch menus, but we’ve compiled a list of a select few to help you make a decision. Happy Mother’s Day!
Ruby Slipper Cafe
The Ruby Slipper Cafe is so passionate about brunch that its motto is “That Brunch Life.” For starters, you’ll have to make a hard choice between the French Toast Bites, Pig Candy Bacon Bites, Fried Green Tomatoes, Loaded Tots, and the Seasonal Beignets (though there is no shame in ordering several). If you love eggs for breakfast, look no further than the “Bennies” on the menu; if you can’t choose just one unique twist on Eggs Benedict, you can go with The Peacemaker and pick two! There is an Eggs & Omelets menu as well, and, of course, plenty of options for pancake and French toast lovers. Some of Ruby Slipper’s specialties include: Breakfast Tacos, Migas (Tex-Mex scrambled eggs), and The Trifecta (which includes samples of Eggs Cochon, Chicken St. Charles, and Bayou Shrimp Benedicts).
Atchafalaya Restaurant
Set in a creole cottage in a New Orleans neighborhood, Atchafalaya Restaurant is an elegant and rustic local gem. Its famous brunch menu includes Tuscan Eggs, Duck Hash, and Smoked Chili Gulf Fish, but more traditional brunch eaters can select from Chicken & Waffles, Lowcountry Shrimp & Grits, and Huevos Rancheros. You can also order King Cake Waffles, Creole Country Boudin, biscuits, eggs, and more à la carte!
Monty’s on the Square
Visit Monty’s on the Square for an authentic New Orleans brunch experience in Jackson Square. The Roasted Red Pepper Cheese Bites look like a tempting appetizer to start with! Monty’s also offers some unique, Louisiana-coded dishes such as King Cake Beignets, a Brunch Po’boy, Jambalaya Omelettes, and Sweet Cream Pancakes. There is a Kids’ Menu for the little ones in your party as well.
The Court of Two Sisters
The iconic Court of Two Sisters has a live jazz band seven days a week during brunch time. Its Breakfast Classics include scrambled eggs, hash browns, grits & grillades, and more. You can also select from the New Orleans Favorites menu: chicken & sausage gumbo, red beans & rice, shrimp etouffee, corn macque choux, and turtle soup au sherry. The Lunch Lagniappe menu, dessert menu, and salad bar are available as well for brunch-goers.
Junior’s on Harrison
Make Junior’s on Harrison your next Sunday brunch destination! Your table can snack on Truffle Parmesan French Fries while considering one of the Handhelds (how about the Breakfast Burrito or the Gail’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich?). For something heartier, there is the All-American Breakfast, along with entrees such as the Smoked Salmon Bagel, Country Fried Steak, and the Harrison Ave Benedict. There are plenty of brunch and specialty cocktails for the adults to choose from as well, and, of course, all kinds of coffee.
Sala Nola
Another popular brunch spot in town is Sala Nola. Its menu starts with delicious Benedicts: traditional; crab cakes; smoked salmon; and eggs Sardou, Pontchartrain, and Blackstone. Its omelette menu features Crawfish Saute, Crab & Bacon, the Farmer’s Omelette, and more. You have an extensive house specials menu to peruse as well: savory fish tacos, sweet French toast, fresh seared tuna salad–oh my!
Cane & Table
Cane & Table offers local flavors with a Caribbean twist–the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a more offbeat brunch menu. Both the dinner and brunch menus are seasonal, so you’re up for a new treat each season. Its small plates currently include Biscuit & Jam, Shaved Vegetable Salad, Pork Skins, and Tostones, while the entrees include (but are not limited to) the Frita Cubano, Dulce de Leche French Toast, and the Brunch Rundown which comes with fried drum, lump crab, coconut curry, and coconut grits.
Jimmy J’s Cafe
The funkiest cafe in New Orleans is Jimmy J’s Cafe! Since breakfast is perfect at any time of the day, breakfast items are available all day at Jimmy J’s. Try one of the Jimmy’s Favorites such as the smoked salmon bagel or the Blueberry Brandy Glazed French Toast. Other unique spins on French toast include Shrimp and Garlic Aioli French Toast and Banana Bread French Toast. Eggs-for-breakfast enthusiasts have a lot to choose from: N’awlins Eggs Ranchero, Crab Cake Benedict, Three Meat Omelette, and more. Whether you want something savory or something sweet, Jimmy J’s has it on its menu!
Stanley of New Orleans
Another all-day breakfast spot is Stanley of New Orleans. Its pancakes come with vanilla ice cream, to which you can add bananas, blueberries, and/or toasted walnuts. You should also highly consider the Breakfast Seafood Platter, Bananas Foster French Toast, Eggs Stanley, and Omelet Sandwich. Those looking for lunch have a list of tasty soups, salads, and sandwiches to choose from (how about a Shrimp and Oyster Poor Boy Combo with a side of filet gumbo?), so everyone will be satisfied at Stanley of New Orleans.
Willa Jean
Willa Jean offers the perfect chic brunch cafe experience with unique, Southern-inspired dishes. Start with the grilled banana bread and make your way over to the Biscuit Situation, where you may have to choose between the Fried Chicken + Tabasco Honey, Bacon + Sunny Side Up + Pimento Cheese, or the Jam + Butter (along with a few others). Its brunch plates look even tastier, from the WJ brunch burger, to the WJ granola, to the crawfish roll, and to the BBQ shrimp toast and beyond.