It’s the late morning meal that inspires you to linger over Bloody Marys or another round of mimosas. And at these three Charlotte restaurants — already hot spots for their other meal offerings — you can now find enticing brunch dishes that are the best kind of wake up calls.
Bar Cocoa
This sleek restaurant, located on the first floor of the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte is dedicated to all things chocolate, from peanut chocolate tarts to the classic s’more. But its three-course weekend brunch features plenty of seasonally inspired savory options, too. Summer selections such as crab cake eggs benedict topped with a creamy béarnaise sauce or shrimp and grits in a tasso ham gravy are as decadent as they sound. And while brunch comes with coffee or tea, you’ll want to count calories elsewhere and go the nostalgic route with a warm mug of the creamy hot chocolate topped with an oversized housemade marshmallow.
Part butcher shop, part wine store, part restaurant, this convivial new South Charlotte bistro offers a sun-soaked dining area and patio, both perfect for its Sunday morning brunches. Meat is the restaurant’s specialty, so indulge in sophisticated versions of diner-style dishes such as corned beef hash or the New York strip with fried eggs. The farm-to-table spot’s craft cocktail selection means you’ll want to wash it all down with one of the housemade Bellinis or a spicy Sriracha Bloody Mary.
Fern, Flavors From the Garden
Veggie lovers flock to this cheery café where all dishes are either vegetarian or vegan, but artisanal creativity and flavor still reign. Start the weekend brunch with an order of the daily assortment of house-made muffins and jams, served warm and perfect for sharing. Then dig into reinterpreted classics like a quinoa and spinach benedict with a crunchy quinoa and chickpea cake topped in sautéed spinach and hollandaise sauce. And to round out this filling entrée, a poached farm egg or marinated tofu are welcomed sides.
