From Tex-Mex to Gravy-Smothered Biscuits, Here Are the Best Dallas Brunches

Contents herein: chicken and waffles, Tex-Mex brunch, short-rib chilaquiles.

When you mix up breakfast, lunch, dinner, and supper into Island of Dr. Moreau-worthy hybrids, you get some interesting: brupper, supfast, linner, dunch, dinfast. But brunch will forever reign supreme as the perfect blend of two great meals. Dallas chefs take brunch so seriously that it can be nearly impossible to decide where to fulfill your champagne wishes and hollandaise dreams. Luckily, we’re here to help. We eat a lot of brunch—a lot of brunch—so we’ve found some of the best brunch spots in Dallas, whether you’re looking for a brand-new brunch spot or an all-time classic. Start working up an appetite as you drool over our 21 favorites right now. You simply can’t go wrong.

Sadelle’s

Highland Park Village
$$$$

Famous for brunch in New York City, Sadelle’s made its way to Texas last year—complete with a wide variety of sliced fish and bagel towers served in a sophisticated setting worthy of something fancier than T-shirts and shorts. Of course, because they want to feel at home in Dallas, the Sadelle’s team has added a lineup of breakfast tacos to keep company with the omelets and memorably over-the-top caviar service. Even the Bloody Marys, Mimosas, and glasses of wine somehow feel more cosmopolitan here.

Available for Reservations
Malai Kitchen
Photo by Kevin Marple, courtesy of Malai Kitchen

Malai Kitchen

Multiple locations
$$$$

Thai and Vietnamese cuisines may not seem like they’d translate well to brunch, but doubt the deliciousness all you want. The food will convince you from the first bite. Awaiting your stamp of approval: Thai Eggs Benedict with coconut biscuits and Thai chili hollandaise, Congee with chicken and egg, and Banh Mi French Toast. Request those dishes in that exact order and you’ll have one of the best three-course meals imaginable. All-day Sunday happy hour is just a bonus.
How to book: Reserve via TableAgent.

El Bolero
Photo courtesy of El Bolero

El Bolero

Design District
$$$$

The secluded patio at this Design District favorite is an ideal way to pass some extended daylight hours this weekend. Start with a Bloody Maria or Green Michelada then get on with Barbacoa Hash and Masa Harina Churro Pancakes. Of course, you should always start every Tex-Mex meal with a huge bowl of Queso Blanco, and El Bolero delivers some of the ooey-gooeyest in town. (And it tastes great on eggs, to boot.)

Available for Reservations
Paradiso
Photo by Kelsey Foster, courtesy of Paradiso

Paradiso

Bishop Arts District
$$$$

With the music pumping and the dining room teeming with uproarious laughter, Paradiso excels in creating a party atmosphere. The courtyard patio wows too, so bring your friends and order up a show-stopping batch cocktail that serves four to six thirsty souls while deciding what you’d like to eat. Keep the sharing vibe going with the Everything Bagel Pizza, the Turkey and Avocado Benedict, and the Persian French Toast.

Available for Reservations

Beto & Son

Trinity Groves
$$$$

If you’re brunching for the ’Gram, few places give followers FOMO quite like Beto & Son, home to Insta-famous liquid nitrogen cocktails poured tableside for your pic-snapping pleasure. Cop a spot on one of the best patios in town, complete with both covered and uncovered areas, for your chance to dig into the Sunday-only brunch spread. And don’t forget to stock up on Carnitas and Green Chile Hash, Breakfast Tortas, and Hashbrown Poutine Brunch Bowls—whatever it takes to absorb all that gorgeous frosty liquor.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Available for Reservations

The Dream Cafe

Lakewood
$$$$

The game plan at this dual-location Dallas mainstay? Procure a bounty of Benedicts (traditional, grilled salmon, steak, or crab cakes), healthy options (but is that really brunch?), and their famous, fluffy Cloud Cakes made with ricotta and served with a side of real Vermont maple syrup. Get your fix any damn day of the week you please, because not everybody’s weekend falls on Saturday and Sunday.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Available for Reservations

Knox Bistro

Knox Street
$$$$

The. Best. Almond. Croissants. In. Dallas. Start with a few of those to share while you browse through options such as Salmon Gravlax Benedict, Dutch Baby Pancakes, Croque Monsieur, and Bacon and Egg Biscuits. Snag a seat on the patio for some next-level people watching as well-heeled brunch-goers mingle on the streets with Lulu Lemon-clad women and shirtless men wandering off the Katy Trail.

Available for Reservations

El Vecino Tex Mex

Lake Highlands
$$$$

Venture to this spot for Huevos Rancheros, Steak Fajitas and Eggs, Chilaquiles, and one of the most perfect breakfast-lunch hybrids ever: the Omelete de Enchilada. This masterpiece features a three-egg omelet wrapped around a beef, cheese, or chicken enchilada—all topped with tomatillo sauce, chili con carne, or chili con queso. It’s a Texas-sized entree for a Texas-sized appetite and provides nice padding for several rounds of $6 brunch cocktails.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Haywire
Photo courtesy of Haywire

Haywire

Plano; Uptown
$$$$

The massive, newly updated covered patio at the Uptown location has become a preferred hangout in recent months because it combines the best of all worlds: fresh air, shade, and climate control year-round. Request to sit in the converted Shasta travel trailer for a unique twist on semi-private dining. Then commence with Kolaches and Queso or the Chef’s “Favorite 4” (queso blanco, crispy elk tacos, fried green tomatoes, and onion rings) and a refreshing Amarillo By Morning (their take on a Tequila Sunrise). For mains, order up the Short Rib Chilaquiles, Steak and Eggs (featuring A Bar N Wagyu!), and the Pecan Brown Butter Pancakes.
How to book: Reserve via Haywire’s website.

Available for Reservations

Encina

Bishop Arts District
$$$$

Comfort food reigns supreme at this popular Oak Cliff neighborhood resto. Blue Corn Pancakes, Breakfast Flatbread, and Skillet Quiche all represent fantastic additions to your Sunday brunch table, alongside a thirst-quenching round of Everything Spice Bloody Marys crafted everything bagel-infused vodka and bleu cheese-stuffed olives.

Available for Reservations

The Meddlesome Moth

Design District
$$$$

Dine beneath this institution’s famous stained glass windows and stare down an onslaught of Sticky Buns, French Toast Sandwiches, and the ever-popular Mother-Child Reunion featuring fried chicken, scrambled eggs, grits, and jalapeño gravy every weekend. And the same as during lunch and dinner, you can always ask your server to pair each dish with one of their 40+ beers on tap for a nice change from mimosas.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Available for Reservations
Snowbird
Photo courtesy of Snowbird

Snowbird

Frisco
$$$$

It might be blazing hot outside, but you can still capture that après-ski state of mind with fun friends, strong drinks, and great food. The chic vibe of the multi-level space sets the stage for playfully named dishes including Fri’Your Ttatas, Benedict’ed to You, Gettin’ Berry Toasty, and You’re the Steak to My Eggs. The shareable Rosé All Day cocktail brings pink joy to a group. Or keep your drinks to yourself with a shishito-infused vodka Bloody Mary or Lychee Martini.

Available for Reservations

Meso Maya Downtown

Multiple locations
$$$$

Brunch takes over here every Saturday and Sunday until 3 pm, with standouts like Mexican-style French Toast, Chilaquiles Verdes, and Chorizo and Egg Tacos plus a variety of mouthwatering Margaritas including avocado and pineapple and spicy serrano berry topping the list. Thankfully for those ordering brunch to-go, guacamole by the quart is also most definitely a thing.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Available for Reservations

Ida Claire

Addison
$$$$

Comfort foods galore await at this Addison staple bursting at the seams with southern hospitality and whimsical charm. It should go without saying, but opt for Ida’s Biscuits and drench them in bacon gravy or housemade jam to stop the tummy rumbles before moving on down the list. Chicken Fried Ribeye with sunny side eggs, Fried Green Tomato Benedict, and Chicken and Waffle platters will satisfy your weekly allowance of deep-fried goodness while providing a solid base for enjoying a trio of large-format cocktails: Hurricane, Strawberry Fields, and Blueberry Mule.

Available for Reservations
Ramble Room
Photo courtesy of The Ramble Room

Ramble Room

Snider Plaza
$$$$

From the team behind North Dallas and Park Cities favorites TJ’s Seafood Market and Escondido Tex-Mex, Ramble Room didn’t waste any time before launching a Saturday and Sunday brunch menu. Highlights include house-baked cinnamon rolls, Apple Pie French toast, Avocado Prosciutto Benedict, and Corned Beef Hash featuring sunny eggs and sourdough toast. The White Lotus rum cocktail, meanwhile, brings tropical vibes that add to the festive vacation vibes of brunch.

Available for Reservations

Norma's Cafe

Multiple locations
$$$$

While chic open-air seating, see-and-be-seen crowds, and free-flowing booze dominate the brunch scene in Dallas, sometimes there’s nothing better than good old-fashioned diner standards, and Norma’s proudly fills that gap. The hallmark Chicken Fried Steak comes paired with eggs for a shining example of breakfast-meets-lunch ingenuity, and because you can access the entire menu all day, every day both in-person and for takeout and delivery, brunch can happen whenever and wherever you please.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Roy G’s

Oak Lawn
$$$$

Located right at “The Crossroads” of attractions in Dallas’ LGBTQ entertainment district, Roy G’s (named for the mnemonic device for remembering the colors of the Pride flag) offers a lively scene for locals and visitors to kick off their Sunday Fundays (or Sassy Saturdays) with some much-needed carb-loading. The Champagne Tower always gets the conversation flowing before diving into the fried chicken-laden Henny Benny (or three other Benedicts) or the hearty Breakfast Rajas Burger. And as with any meal here, pair anything with a huge order of OG Cheese Fries.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Oddfellows

Bishop Arts District
$$$$

Kickstart your morning (or early afternoon) at this Bishop Arts District attraction by working your way through Bread Pudding French Toast, Brisket Hash, and Croque Madame Benedicts. Best of all, you can order single pancakes for a little something sweet without facing a sugar overload. Grab a seat on the patio for superb people-watching and a little Vitamin D to go with the Vitamin C you’re getting from all those fizzy Mimosas.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
TJ's Seafood Market
Photo courtesy of TJ's Seafood Market

TJ's Seafood Market

Preston/Royal
$$$$

The five-item brunch menu at TJ’s brings together a perfect mix of sweet and savory items. Challah French Toast, Smoked Salmon Bagels, Lake Austin Migas, Smoked Salmon Fritattas, and Classic Bacon and Eggs make it easy to choose a standard brunch item and still have room for something from the raw bar (oysters here are always a best bet) while sipping on a Jumbo Bloody Mary or TJ’s White Mimosa.

Available for Reservations

Commons Club

Design District
$$$$

It might be blazing hot outside, but you can still capture that après-ski state of mind with fun friends, strong drinks, and great food. The chic vibe of the multi-level space sets the stage for playfully named dishes including Fri’Your Ttatas, Benedict’ed to You, Gettin’ Berry Toasty, and You’re the Steak to My Eggs. The shareable Rosé All Day cocktail brings pink joy to a group. Or keep your drinks to yourself with a shishito-infused vodka Bloody Mary or Lychee Martini.

Available for Reservations

Yardbird

Uptown
$$$$

With views of Klyde Warren Park and the downtown skyline, Yardbird is perfectly positioned to be a primo sunny Sunday brunch spot. Southern-style gems include the Chicken & Egg Sandwich, Chicken & Waffles with spiced watermelon and sharp cheddar waffles, and the Yardbird Cinnamon Roll. Drinks mirror the deep-south-fried charm with a perfect-for-porch-sittin’ Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade or a Southern Peach, a sweet tea cocktail with a real kick.

Available for Reservations
Steven Lindsey loves to explore, whether it’s sampling the best restaurants around Dallas-Fort Worth, hot air ballooning over the Arizona desert, or climbing a pyramid in Mexico. He contributes to Thrillist and a variety of online and print publications. He also founded Travel Like An Adult. His latest venture, The Spa Daddy, offers a man’s perspective on spa and wellness across the globe.