Best New Brunches

Where to brunch now: 11 exciting new options to make the weekend memorable

Football season has ended, which means millions of Americans have been deprived of games to watch on Saturdays and Sundays. The time could be occupied in any number of productive ways, but those new year's resolutions to exercise or explore museums have probably started to fade by now.

People could try to catch up on Netflix — we recommend tearing through David Chang's new series Ugly Delicious or sci-fi noir Altered Carbon — but even that gets old eventually. Instead of living life solely on the couch, why not embrace brunch? The midday weekend repast can get a little lost in the shuffle of fall activities, but Houston restaurants are offering a number of tempting new options.

This options runs the gamut from new dishes at one of Houston's best restaurants to bars stretching their culinary muscles to two different French options. Whether gathering with a group of friends for a special occasion or just trying to ease the pain of last night's bad decisions, these establishments should have something for just about every occasion.

Better Luck Tomorrow
The kitchen at Bobby Heugel and Justin Yu’s bar in The Heights really shines on the weekends. Highlights include the light, airy yeast doughnuts, the spicy matzo ball soup, and the hangover hashbrowns that are topped with beef gravy, cheese, and shallots. Cocktail options are extensive, but the tomatillo bloody mary is particularly can’t miss. The imminent return of patio weather makes the prospect of staying for another bottle of rose seem particularly pleasant. Served Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3:30 pm.
544 Yale St.

Night Heron
Agricole Hospitality’s newly opened Montrose hotspot takes a global approach to its brunch offerings. Keep things Southern with the black pepper honey biscuits — so peppery they’re reminiscent of Coltivare’s celebrated black pepper spaghetti — eat globally with Middle Eastern shakshuka, Chinese-inspired jasmine rice congee, or roasted pepper taquitos with tomatillo salsa, or satisfy Bennigan’s nostalgia with a monte cristo (stuffed with Revival Market ham, natch). A Bloody Mary is available, of course, but the Vampiro — a tequila, beet, and carrot combo inspired by beloved Montrose cafe La Guadalupana — will start any weekend right. Served Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3:30 pm.
1601 W. Main St.; 713-527-8010

Willie G’s
The recently-relocated seafood institution offers a plethora of choices on its brunch menu: four Benedicts, four omelets, and breakfast favorites like pancakes, French toast, and a croque monsieur. That’s in addition to whole fish, shellfish, and shareable plates that make up a majority of its lunch and dinner offerings. Cocktail options include staples like a bloody Mary and a mimosa as well as both a kir and a kir royale (the royale swaps pinot grigio for sparkling wine). Now that the winter chill seems to have ebbed, Willie G’s spacious patio should make for a pleasant place to linger over every bite. Served Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm.
1640 West Loop South; 713-840-7190

Maison Pucha Bistro
Experience chef Manuel Pucha’s flair for all things eggs at this recently-opened Heights bistro. Egg lovers have options like the quiche of the day, free range frittata, and eggs Benedict, while the ovaphobic may opt for mussels and fries, French toast (duh), or a crab cake. A few items from the lunch and dinner show up, too, including Pucha’s signature Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche. Mimosas, three different bellinis, and a bloody mary offer boozy supplements to the extensive wine list. Served Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm.
1001 Studewood St.; 713-637-4976

The Pass & Provisions
It may have taken five years, but chefs Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan have finally started serving brunch on Sundays. Most of Provisions weekday lunch is available — don’t miss the pizza with red wine-fennel salumi and mushroom — along with brunch specific items like biscuits and gravy, smoked chicken and Swiss chard omelette, and short rib hash with sunny side up eggs.

For those in search of something different, try the venison and egg dosa, which offers a thin, crispy batter and creamy yogurt topping. Whichever day one dines, the restaurant offers a full selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. Served Saturday from 11 am to 2:30 pm and Sunday from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.
807 Taft St.; 713-628-9020

Leeland House
This Southern-inspired neighborhood bistro keeps things classic. Choose from options like shrimp and grits, creme brulee French toast, and brisket hash with cheddar cheese and a fried egg. Sandwiches and salads are also available for those who want a more lunch-style option. Sip wine, beer, or mimosas before continuing the day next door at Around the Corner. Served Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 3 pm.
2119 Leeland St.; 713-505-1538

Lucienne
Celebrate the weekend at this stylish restaurant in downtown’s recently-opened Hotel Alessandra. Chef Jose Hernandez offers all the familiar egg dishes — two omelets, two Benedicts, and even a savory cheese souffle — as well as French toast, a vanilla bean waffle, and steak and eggs. Items from the lunch and dinner menu like lamb tartare, Cobb salad, and paella are also available. Served Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 2:30 pm.
1070 Dallas St.; 713-242-8555

Hay Merchant
The Montrose craft beer staple rolled out a new brunch menu that's a collaboration between chef-owner Chris Shepherd, One Fifth chef de cuisine Nick Fine, and Underbelly sous chef Greg Peters. Bananas Foster pancakes and the Korean fried chicken bowl are both tempting options, but the BLT — made with fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese — has emerged as a new signature item. While the tap wall remains one of Houston's best, the recent introduction of cocktails gives the beverage options even more diversity. Served Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm.
1100 Westheimer Rd.; 713-528-9805

Helen in the Heights
The Heights spinoff of the acclaimed Rice Village restaurant puts a Greek spin on traditional brunch dishes. That means options like shrimp and grits seasoned with caper-scented tomato sauce and feta, semolina pancakes with spiced honey syrup and Greek yogurt, and a Benedict served over crispy phyllo. Milk punch, made with the Greek spirit Metaxa and rye whiskey, ensures a tasty start to the meal. Served Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm.
1111 Studewood St.; 832-582-7146

Relish Restaurant and Bar
The River Oaks neighborhood restaurant introduced a brunch menu in November. Options skew classic — think chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, and eggs Benedict — but chef/owner Dustin Teague’s crew ensures the execution is consistently solid. Those looking for something a little lighter may opt for a couple of breakfast tacos or one of three salads. Mimosa bottle service, which is a choice of one of three champagnes paired with carafes of orange juice, strawberry basil juice, and blood orange lime juice, round out the experience. Served Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm.
2810 Westheimer Rd.; 713-599-1960

Goodnight Charlie’s
This Montrose honky tonk doesn’t technically serve brunch, but it does offer “High Noon” every Sunday. Food options include three of its popular dinner tacos (cheesesteak, cochinita pibil, and chicken mole verde) alongside two breakfast tacos (egg with radish and butter or egg with chorizo, potato, and salsa), all of which are served on their housemade corn tortillas. Pair them with beer, spirits, or any of the bar’s highball-style cocktails.
2531 Kuester St.; 832-986-5151

Goodnight Charlie's egg tacos may a daytime appearance at High Noon.

Photo by Ralph Smith Studios

Goodnight Charlie's egg tacos may a daytime appearance at High Noon.

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Coming soon to Fredericksburg

Houston restaurant vet serves up Roman-style eatery in the Hill Country

Photo courtesy of Bottega Salaria

Valerio Lombardozzi is opening Bottega Salaria in the former home of La Bergerie.

Valerio Lombardozzi’s culinary career has taken him to the world’s finest kitchens, including restaurants owned by icons like Alain Ducasse, Giorgio Locatelli, and Joël Robuchon. In Houston, he led La Table and Tavola, where he earned a reputation for being one of the city's most engaging front of the house personalities.

But his latest project might be his biggest accomplishment yet. The hospitality veteran is opening Bottega Salaria, a homey Italian osteria and artisan market, in the former home of La Bergerie at 312 E Austin St in his adopted home of Fredericksburg.

Lombardozzi says the restaurant, expected to arrive in winter 2026, fills a gap in the Hill Country dining scene, but, more importantly, it's a reflection of his personal history and time spent working at his family’s restaurant in Rome.

“[It’s about] where I grew up, how I grew up, and how I eat,” he shares.

The three-concept experience is inspired by Italy’s Via Salaria, the ancient route Italians used to transport salt from the Adriatic Sea to Rome. The menu acts as a sort of travelogue, borrowing from the different cultures along the road, and the way village fishermen and shepherds ate.

Lombardozzi is quick to say he didn’t want to open a chef-driven restaurant. Instead, the osteria will serve traditional Roman staples such as cacio e pepe, amatriciana, carbonara, saltimbocca with sage and prosciutto, and branzino carved tableside.

“I was one of the last to be exposed to the old generation of professionals who knew how to carve elegantly for the guests,” he says.

The adjacent bottega will stay open during restaurant hours, offering fresh pasta made on-site, house-made sauces, imported Italian pantry items, cheeses, salumi, breads, and biscotti. Patrons will be able to shop for individual items or put together custom gift baskets.

Outdoors, La Fraschetteria will debut a new hospitality experience in the U.S. The self-guided experience invites diners to grab wine directly from garden shelves, gather a spread of meats, cheeses, bread, or pasta, and linger around long communal tables lit by string lights.

Keeping the chit-chat going will be a thoughtful beverage program anchored by a primarily Italian wine list and imported beer. Lombardozzi says the cocktail menu might be a surprise, offering only gin and tonics, spritzes, and negronis. The latter has been made into a game where diners roll dice to determine the evening's combination of gin, vermouth, and bitters.

After dinner, guests can select an amaro from a rolling cart, sip grappa and limoncello, or sip a neat whiskey.

Lombardozzi shares that he wants Bottega Salaria to be just as comfortable for Fredericksburg locals as it is for destination travelers. Beyond daily service, Bottega Salaria plans community events such as garden wine nights with live music, Sunday movie nights, and hands-on cooking classes.

The space is designed for ease with a warm palette combining olive green and pomegranate reds. The decor blends heritage and modernity, bringing in objects like antique mirrors, plates, custom-made lamps, and even old tablecloths and curtains for an Old World feel.

"We’re not just opening a restaurant,” Lombardozzi says. “We’re creating a gathering place. A home for everyone who loves Italian food, culture, and the joy of sharing a meal with others.”

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