Following our story on the best classic restaurants that stand the test of time, our USA TODAY Network Florida team of food writers rose a bit earlier to find our favorite brunch spots across the Sunshine State.
From a yurt setup in Jacksonville to a posh, Champagne-fueled spread in Palm Beach and farm-fresh favorites in Fort Myers, these destinations deliver standout dining and drinking options worth planning your weekend around.
Whether you’re chasing seafood-loaded benedicts, over-the-top French toast or a perfectly poured mimosa, this curated list from our USA TODAY Network journalists living, working — and most definitely dining — in communities across the state highlights the spots that locals love and visitors should not miss.
Come hungry — and maybe plan a nap after.
Agapi Bistro + Garden
Details: 555 Scenic Highway, Pensacola; 850-813-5683; myagapi.com
Tucked away in the quiet East Pensacola Heights neighborhood of Pensacola is a hidden culinary jewel, Agapi (named after the Greek word for love), which is as captivating inside as its striking royal-blue exterior. There is no right or wrong way to do Agapi brunch, whether you want to load up on interesting tapas-style small plates to share—crispy oyster sliders or fried green tomatoes —that showcase the flavors of the region, or go with a more traditional entree. Agapi offers chef-curated vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes with unique flavor profiles. They also have plenty of fresh seafood on the menu if you’re craving coastal flavors, such as their loaded seafood omelet, lobster roll, or bayou crab benedict. Brunch only runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, so be sure to snag a reservation. — Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal
The Baker’s Table
Details: 4154 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach; 386-423-6656, thebakerstablensb.com
From the seafood kitchens of Wilmington, Delaware, to the sun-soaked shores of New Smyrna Beach, skilled chefs Jaime and Jeanette Quintana will soon celebrate a decade of The Baker’s Table — tucked into an unassuming shopping plaza, where it quietly resets expectations from the moment each plate hits your table.
The local restaurant is a known favorite for white cloth dinners, though its brunch spread carries the same polished, chef-driven feel. The menu isn’t sprawling, but it travels — from crisp smoked salmon latkes and pillowy stuffed French toast to fluffy quiche Lorraine, pressed Cubans and even basil ricotta gnocchi. Mimosas arrive generously poured, while freshly baked pastries — often warm cinnamon-sugar, old-fashioned maple blueberry, or limoncello doughnuts — are a must before you leave and worth saving room for. — Helena Perray, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
Blossom & Brie
Details: 8250 Nalle Grade Road, North Fort Myers; 239-385-0415; blossomandbrie.com
While it’s always a good time to visit this North Fort Myers farm-to-table wonder, weekend brunch is an extraordinary time to go. Many menu items — all rich in flavor, color and textures — are from the farm, including salads, benedicts, and the best-selling huevos rancheros. The farm-fresh quiche with mixed-berry salad of field greens, and the burgers made from grass-fed & finished beef patties are glorious, too. We’ve never come across a brunch item we wouldn’t order again. The open-air venue overlooks the picturesque 100-acre farm, and there are always farm animals (like Blossom, a donkey, and Brie, a dairy cow) waiting to greet you. We couldn’t love it more. — Robyn George, The News-Press
Brevardian Riverfront
Details: 2459 Pineapple Ave., Melbourne; 321-600-4030; brevardianriverfront.com
This foodie destination delivers a Sunday brunch that feels unmistakably Space Coast, pairing polished cuisine with sweeping views of the Indian River. The vibe walks an easy line between refined and relaxed.
Backed by attentive service and one of Melbourne’s most scenic dining rooms, the brunch menu leans into classic Florida flavors with a rotating, seasonally driven lineup. Fresh seafood shines in dishes like cornbread crab cakes and a well-executed grouper Benedict, joined by elevated takes on familiar brunch staples. A solid cocktail program rounds things out, featuring everything from classic mimosas to signature brunch pours. — Amber Olesen, FLORIDA TODAY
Canopy Road Cafe
Details: Canopy Road Cafe has six locations in Tallahassee
At Canopy Road Cafe you can anticipate “a taste of Florida comfort” in every bite. The Florida State alums and partners Brad Buckenheimer and David Raney — who you may also recognize from other Tallahassee operations like Lemon & Thyme in Midtown — started the breakfast eatery in a 1,700 square foot space on North Monroe Street. They are now at a dozen locations in the Sunshine State each offering pastries, handhelds, house favorites, toasts, omelets, skillets, sandwiches, benedicts and more. One of their more popular dishes includes the “Steak N’ Egg Wrap,” made with shaved steak that is mixed with scrambled eggs, grilled onions, and mushrooms, then stuffed in a warm tortilla with melted cheddar, provolone cheese, and chipotle aioli ($16). — Kyla Sanford
The Circle at The Breakers, Palm Beach
Details: 1 S. County Road, Palm Beach, 561-290-0104, thebreakers.com
Sunday brunch at The Breakers Palm Beach is less a meal than a ritual, staged inside the resort’s storied Circle dining room beneath a frescoed ceiling. As Champagne flows throughout the afternoon, the experience unfolds as a meticulously run buffet built on scale and restraint.
Seafood towers anchor the room, with unlimited seasonal stone crab claws and chilled lobster setting a high bar. A dedicated caviar station, a rarity even among luxury brunches, further distinguishes the lineup. Elsewhere, chefs prepare made-to-order omelets and eggs Benedict, carving stations rotate seasonally, and the impressive pastry lineup invites lingering. What elevates the experience is control. Dishes are replenished constantly, service moves smoothly, and nothing feels rushed or overwhelming.
At $195 per person, plus tax and service charge, it is indulgent by design. For travelers seeking a classic Florida brunch defined by abundance, polish and tradition, The Breakers remains in a league of its own. — Diana Biederman, The Palm Beach Post
The District SPR
Details: 2026 Walnut St., Jacksonville, (904) 955-1861, thedistrictspr.com
How does brunch in a yurt sound? The District SPR offers indoor seating, outdoor seating and seating in a pair of tent-like yurts. Throw in bottomless mimosas and you can see why they draw big brunch crowds every week. Try the Maple Bacon Deviled Eggs, Croque Madame, Bread Pudding French Toast or your choice of three Seafood & Grits dishes. Brunch is served Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Tom Szaroleta, The Florida Times-Union
Donovan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
Details: 7440 US-1 N, St. Augustine, FL 32095 (Palencia); 904-829-0000; donovansirishpubfl.weebly.com
Looking for a unique brunch spot in St. Augustine? Try St. Augustine’s Donovan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant now celebrating National Brunch Month with a brand-new Irish brunch touting flavors from the homeland.
The popular mainstay has a jam-packed menu filled with savory classics, including Irish rashers, traditional back bacon cut from the back or shoulder of the pig, prized for its thick meaty texture. Other choices include sausages, eggs, plus black and white pudding.
Donovan’s brunch menu also includes baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, corned beef hash, biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles and Irish soda bread. And let’s not forget bottomless mimosas, Irish coffee and brunch cocktails.
Brunch is served Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Lucia Viti, The St. Augustine Record
The Hacienda Champagne Brunch at Mission Resort + Club
Details: 10400 State Road 48, Howey-In-The-Hills; 352-324-3101, missionresortandclub.com
Swap crowded beach strip hangouts and downtown parking headaches for the verdant, serene landscape and shady oaks of the Mission Resort and Club, a Spanish Colonial oasis in hilly, waterfront-scenic Lake County. The Mission has a few restaurants and tons of golf and amenities, including its Hacienda restaurant, where the Champagne brunch is as popular with the locals as the hotel’s historic trappings and sweeping greens are with the golfers.
Nestled in Howey-in-the-Hills (once a citrus industry capital), the Mission Resort is like a storybook come to life, replete with Spanish moss and red-tiled roofs. The Hacienda brunch buffet is no less majestic. Made-to-order omelets, fluffy pancakes, authentic Belgian waffles and other breakfast staples offer decadent sustenance with a view. — Julie Garisto, Daily Commercial
The Rooster
Details: 600 Goodlette-Frank Road, No. 101, Naples; 239-228-5973; theroosternaples.com
The Rooster isn’t just a SWFL favorite ― it’s a Guy Fieri favorite. The Food Network TV legend visited the Naples brunch spot a little over a year ago for an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” and tried the Texas Ruben (sliced brisket on marble rye with jalapeno coleslaw, heat cheese, sriracha, and fries) and the Almond Crunchy Grouper.
The last time I visited the Rooster, I tried the deliciously decadent banana brûlée French toast with Cap’n Crunch oat crust and bourbon brown sugar banana caramel. It’s the ultimate option for someone with a sweet tooth.
The Rooster’s menu is constantly evolving with new seasonal specials, so there’s always something fresh to try. If it’s good enough for the mayor of Flavortown, it’s good enough for me! ― Kendall Little, Naples Daily News
Sauvage
Details: 254 W. Central Ave., Winter Haven; 863-229-5977; www.sauvagewh.com
No reservations are needed for the funky, upbeat jungle pub Sauvage, which now offers a Sunday brunch menu. There’s something about the jungle prints mixed with upscale‑casual dining that creates a slightly surreal experience, while the food and drinks emphasize eco‑friendly and sustainable practices.
The brunch menu draws Polynesian inspiration, with highlights such as Hawaiian French toast featuring grilled pineapple and sweet guava cream cheese. For a more savory option, the Loco Moco includes a prime rib steak burger served over jasmine rice, with brown gravy and a fried egg. Be prepared, as dishes emerge from the kitchen as they’re ready rather than arriving by table, and don’t overlook the bar’s extensive selection of uniquely and playfully named cocktails. — Sara-Megan Walsh, The Ledger
Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille
Info: 4860 Steve Spurrier Way, Gainesville; 352-500-4422; spurriers.com
For a brunch buffet built to feed a crowd, Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille delivers. The restaurant owned by former University of Florida football coach Steve Spurrier offers its expansive buffet Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The spread includes breakfast staples like eggs, bacon and sausage, along with heartier options such as Shrimp and Grits, Chicken & Wuerffels — a nod to former UF quarterback Danny Wuerffel — and Wagyu Beef Sliders. Guests will also find fruit, salads, pasta and a sweet finish. The buffet costs $35 for adults and $17 for children 12 and under, with unlimited mimosas or Bloody Marys available for $22, or both for $26. — Alan Festo, Gainesville Sun
State Street Eating House + Cocktails
Details: 1533 State St., Sarasota; 941-951-1533; statestreetsrq.com
Sunday brunch at State Street Eating House + Cocktails in downtown Sarasota — served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — is loved by locals and tourists alike. Cocktails are consistently on point, from creative brunch specialties to the restaurant’s standout take on the British bramble, and they pair perfectly with an array of creative American comfort food. Consider the standout steak and eggs, featuring quality beef served over fresh peppers, onions, crispy potatoes and wild mushrooms, all elevated by a vibrant swirl of salsa verde. — Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Best brunch restaurants in Florida worth the weekend splurge
Reporting by Wade Tatangelo, Diana Biederman, Amber Olesen, Kyla A Sanford, Robyn George, Helena Perray, Alan Festo, Kendall Little, Sara-Megan Walsh, Brittany Misencik, Lucia Viti, Julie Garisto and Tom Szaroleta, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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