12 Best Brunch Restaurants in San Antonio

By Sara Branstetter | October 1, 2024

Brunch may just be the best meal there ever was because when it comes to brunch, rules are: there are no rules. It’s one of the simple joys in life, which is why we’re directing you to some of the all-time best brunch spots in San Antonio.

Here’s why brunch is so great: if you want breakfast, you can have breakfast. If you want lunch, you can have lunch. If you want a cocktail at 10 am, you can do just that. The sky’s the limit!

We eat it because it delights us. We brunch here in San Antonio because it’s just sheer fun (that’s right, we used “brunch” as a verb – rules are: there are no rules).

Brunch in San Antonio

When you are looking for a place to brunch in San Antonio, you are not without choices. From breakfast tacos to pancakes, from soups to salads, there is a little something out there for everyone. Whether you are a lazy Sunday brunch-goer or a midweek business brunch-goer, we have got you covered.

Below is a list of tried and true San Antonio brunch options (although there are many, many more!) found in and around the city. So, work up an appetite, grab some friends, and a mimosa and brunch your heart out!

ABOUT US

We’re Kelsey and Sara, two local foodies with a combined 29 years of eating in San Antonio, two travel books, and millions of blog readers. We adore local spots, rarely visit chain restaurants, and we aren't afraid to tell you the truth. After spending thousands of our own $$$ at hundreds of local hot spots, we're sharing the best with you.

12 Best Brunch Places In San Antonio

Nola Brunch and Beignets

To put it plainly, Nola is something special. Chef Peter Sypesteyn, New Orleans born and bred, has brought the delightful tastes of the Big Easy to the San Antonio brunch scene and the results are spectacular.

Nola recently increased its capacity with a move to a new location on Broadway that offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor shaded patio is pet friendly so it’s a great place to come relax with your favorite furry friend while enjoying delicious New Orleans cuisine with a bit of Texas flavor thrown in.

When we say enjoy, we mean enjoy. The food here is amazing. The beignets are certainly the star of the show and a must-have on any visit. My husband and I each swore we'd only eat one, but four beignets later, we were covered in powdered sugar and had no regrets. They are THAT GOOD.

We also enjoyed the Shrimp and Grits and the Nola Brunch plate with praline bacon - if bacon were a candy, this is EXACTLY what it would taste like.

Nola's new location offers a step up from the original as it has a small, but dedicated parking lot. Unfortunately it was full during my visit, but there was street parking across Broadway and just around the corner on E. Jones Ave.

WEBSITE | 1101 Broadway, Ste. 120, San Antonio, TX 78215

Cullum’s Attaboy

Cullum’s Attaboy has made the sizable leap from a little-known to one of San Antonio's best restaurants in a ridiculously short amount of time. And for good reason.

A Visit to James Beard Award Finalist, Cullum’s Attaboy

Bearing the same name as its popular food trailer, Cullum’s Attaboy took the plunge and moved to a brick and mortar in March of 2022 with a jazzy, vintage kind of vibe. Cullum’s menu reflects this character as it is largely a tribute to great meals from San Antonio restaurants that have long since closed.

As such, anyone eating here can expect some oldies, but goodies from longtime resident and chef, Chris Cullum.

While the menu itself is small, the food delivers a big time on flavor. Start with the 1915 Spudnut Donut, and then move on to the Baked Tomato French Toast with gruyere cheese and Hollandaise sauce. It is as good as it sounds!

If you are feeling a little fancy, Cullum has made sure to class up his breakfasts with lots of caviar options that can either be ordered a la carte or added to many of his entrees.

*Bonus: For a little more southern variety, head next door to Cullum’s older sister restaurant, Cullum’s Attagirl, on Saturday or Sunday for weekend brunch specialties which include chicken and waffles and funnel cake.

WEBSITE | 111 Kings Ct, San Antonio, TX 78212

Full Belly

Full Belly, one of the best places to eat in Stone Oak, has been serving up its seasonal American cuisine to enthusiastic north-side residents since early 2020. And now with a second location open in Olmos Park, Full Belly has more than made its mark among the best restaurants for brunch in San Antonio

The menu largely focuses on innovative takes on American breakfast and lunch standards and includes an extensive cocktail list that ranges from traditional mimosas and bloody marys to a number of house specialty drinks.

A few menu standouts include the Melty Cheesy Thang, Pecan Pie French Toast, and the Barbacoa Poutine.

WEBSITE | Multiple locations

La Panadería

This is San Antonio, and we must have our conchas! Enter, La Panadería. Open since 2014 and now with three locations across the city, La Panadería expertly delivers on Mexican bread culture to the greater San Antonio area. Because of this, a visit to La Panadería is one of the best things to do in San Antonio.

Owners and brothers, José and David Cáceres got their start selling their mother’s fresh bread on the streets of Mexico City. After taking over her business and running a successful operation in Mexico for years, they moved to San Antonio to share their talents and bread culture on the US side of the border.

Since opening in 2014, La Panadería has received multiple national recognitions for what they are doing in the world of bread and brunch.

The menu, as you might expect, is bread-heavy and includes a wide selection of pan dulces (sweet bread and pastries), breakfast sandwiches, and tortas. But you can also get soups, salads, and desserts.

Try ordering a vanilla or chocolate concha and pair it with their traditional Mexican hot chocolate. Or give one of their many tarts a try - I liked the tiramisu tart.

If you’re not feeling something sweet, order one of their specialty tortas (I like the Hawaiana or Chicken Milanese) or build your own with your choice of one of their scratch-made bread – the sourdough, in particular, is divine.

WEBSITE | Multiple locations

Guenther House

At the Guenther House, one of the best places to eat in Southtown and the picturesque King William District, you don’t just get brunch, you get a piece of Texas history. The building which now houses a restaurant, gift shop, and museum, was originally a family home and mill that dates back to 1859. It is among the oldest homes in the King William neighborhood and is stunning.

Guests to the Guenther House can wander the lovely gardens, enjoy the view of the San Antonio river, or stroll through the museum which houses antiques from the life of the Guenther House.

Once inside the restaurant, guests can take in the beautiful stained glass and beveled glass while they dine on some of the best brunch food in Alamo city.

The Guenther house serves breakfast dishes all day and lunch dishes from 10:30am to closing. I recommend trying the Sweet Cream Waffles, or the Champagne Chicken Enchiladas if you are there for lunch. Add a side of bacon to whatever you get as it is perfectly thick and savory.

Once you’ve finished, you can head up to the store to buy the sweet cream cake mix and champagne-flavored chicken gravy mix, because you’re going to want to eat them again. And soon.

The Guenther House is open for brunch Wednesday-Sunday from 8am to 2pm. They do not take reservations and typically run a pretty substantial waitlist, but you can hop on the waitlist online (a relatively new addition) before heading to the restaurant. See the website for details.

WEBSITE | 205 E Guenther St, San Antonio, TX 78204

Box Street All Day

If brunch vibes are just as important to you as brunch food, Box Street All Day may be the place for you.

Popular San Antonio food truck and catering company, Box Street Social, put down roots in Hemisfair Park in early 2022 and began offering a brunch all-day menu (hence the new name) that has quickly become a favorite of locals and tourists alike. A second location followed at La Cantera and Box Street is now a household brunch name.

Box Street goes the extra mile in its design concept to deliver on the entire brunch package of attractive ambiance and enticing food. The "pretty in pink" outdoor/indoor spaces set the perfect vibe for a relaxed, yet enticing brunch experience.

From the rose gold utensils to the pink striped umbrellas that shade the outdoor patio, Box Street has managed to strike a great balance between all the brunch feels and quality brunch foods.

10 Best Restaurants Near The Alamo: Local Favorites

For a highlight of their breakfast, try the Box Street Brekky. Or if you have a sweet tooth, their specialty donuts or cereal-milk waffles (for real!) are the way to go.

Whatever you order, pair it with the visually exquisite and delightfully refreshing Hibiscus Sparkler – it’s pink, just like everything else at Box Street. And clearly, pink works.

WEBSITE | Multiple locations

Magnolia Pancake Haus

If your brunch hankering involves pancakes, then drop what you’re doing, and head straight to the Magnolia Pancake Haus. Their doors originally opened in 2000 and within 6 years they had outgrown their space and moved to a larger facility to accommodate the throngs of pancake lovers streaming in for a short stack.

Today, they have three locations and are a San Antonio brunch fixture.

Previously featured on a 2012 episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri, what sets the Magnolia Pancake Haus apart is their attention to quality.

Everything is top-notch, and it is the reason they have received several awards and recognitions over the years (including being voted San Antonio's best breakfast) that line the inside of their building.

When it comes to what to eat, ordering pancakes is a no-brainer. These are, quite simply, some of the best pancakes in San Antonio.

If you like simple and straightforward, go with the blueberry pancakes. They were the BEST blueberry pancakes I have ever put in my mouth. Nothing unusual, just straight-up delicious, fluffy pancakes FILLED with tart blueberries.

I also recommend one of the “haus” favorites, corned beef hash, which took years to perfect, and which left Guy Fieri so speechless all he could do was hug the chef. In our minds, any brunch food that makes you want to hug someone is brunch food worth having.

WEBSITE | Multiple locations

Comfort Café

Comfort Café, one of the most unique dining experiences in San Antonio, does brunch, but also so much more than brunch (though they do brunch exceptionally well, as evidenced by being voted the #1 brunch spot in the USA by Yelp in 2021).

As a division of SerenityStar, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides a sober living environment for families recovering from addictions, Comfort Café provides jobs and financial support for the ongoing mission of the organization. Guests to Comfort Café are encouraged to pay what they can and 100% of the proceeds go directly to the program.

Comfort Cafe's menu has a number of breakfast dishes, as well as lunch offerings including salads, sandwiches, and pasta. For savory offerings, try one of their Scrambler specials or one of their creative takes on eggs benedict.

If sweets are calling your name, I have three words for you - stuffed French toast. Portions are huge so come hungry and take home your leftovers to enjoy later.

Comfort Café has two locations and is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 8am - 4pm. Waits can get really long, but you can hop on the waitlist ahead of time on their website or Yelp and plan your arrival accordingly.

Payment is by cash or checks only (no credit cards) and there is an ATM on site. Suggested prices start at $15/entree.

WEBSITE | Multiple locations

The Hayden

It’s a New York City diner, it’s a Jewish deli, it’s a San Antonio eatery – it’s all of those things and it does them very well. Recently featured on an episode of Food Paradise on the Cooking Channel, The Hayden, now with two locations in SA, has found its stride in comfort food for all different palettes and preferences.

The Hayden Brunch restaurant in San Antonio

Those who have visited a NYC Jewish deli will likely recognize a number of their menu offerings including bagels and lox, latkes, and a number of traditional (and some not so traditional) deli-style sandwiches.

But they have stepped outside the box with a few offerings including my favorite, the Chicken Biscuit – a matzo crusted, crispy fried chicken breast, pimento cheese, pickled onion, and jalapeño jam, all on a cheddar biscuit. There’s only one thing I can say about food like that - Mazel tov!

*Honorable mention: SA is also home to another fantastic NYC diner, Max & Louie’s New York Diner. If you happen to be on the north central side of town, stop in and take a look at their enormous menu.

There is only one word to adequately describe their food and that is BIG. So come hungry and plan to bring a to-go box, or two, home with you.

WEBSITE | Multiple locations

Blush Cocktails and Eats

Blush Cocktails and Eats opened their doors in March of 2023, bringing to Southtown a whole host of brand new dishes and baked goods.

Located in what was formerly the comedy club, Blush’s renovation now boasts a charming and super-cute aesthetic with brightly colored, floral wallpaper, dark green paneled walls, and original hardwood flooring.

The attached bakery with scratch-made pastries and outdoor dining patio, round out the restaurant, making Blush the whole package when it comes to brunching in SA.

Blush’s menu offers a solid mix of brunch items and lunch items, as well as a number of cocktails, wines, and beers - if you want boozy, Blush is all about it. To get a feel for their food, I went both savory and sweet with an order of their King Williams Benedict and their Créme Brulee French Toast.

The benedict defied convention by replacing the traditional ham with sous vide short ribs and the english muffin with toasted focaccia. Topped with hollandaise and a tangy sharpness from the infused vinegar and the benedict JUST. PLAIN. WORKED.

Creme Brûlée French toast at Blush San Antonio

The french toast was equally unique and delicious, featuring a créme Anglaise stuffed brioche, fresh berries, brown-butter crumble, and wild honey. It truly tasted as if pillowy-eggy french toast had been coated in creme brulee and then was perfectly caramelized. No complaints here.

WEBSITE | 713 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78205

Full Goods Diner

This classic, all-day diner, and one of the best places to eat at the Historic Pearl Brewery, is a great brunch option for guests of the Hotel Emma or for anyone looking for scratch-made pastries and unique takes on traditional breakfast dishes.

Where To Eat at the Pearl Brewery Historic District

The menu includes breakfast, lunch, and cocktail options with a blend of Mexican and US flavors. Everything is made in-house and utilizes seasonal ingredients.

I'm a big fan of Full Goods Diner's Chicken & Biscuit with tangy, spicy honey and mouthwatering sausage gravy. But I also enjoyed Ruvin's Breakfast and their Migas. So far, so good, so order what you want. I have no reason to think any of it won't be up to snuff.

Whatever you order, just add a pastry on the side. Pastries are made in-house daily and options vary all the time.

If you only have room for one, the answer is the seasonal, homemade Pop-tart. Flavors are wild and unique, the pastry is flaky and buttery, and it will be the perfect add-on to your brunch. Or perhaps even the star itself.

WEBSITE | 200 E. Grayson St, Ste. 120, San Antonio, TX 78215

Jardín

With a few years and a few concept changes under its belt, Jardín at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, appears to have found its stride. A little bit breakfast, a little bit lunch, and a little bit Mediterranean. A lot delicious.

Chef Jason Dady, owner of Two Bros BBQ, has designed a restaurant that is a true extension of its home in the Botanical Gardens. It's open, light, airy, and lovely - the perfect place for a peaceful brunch. I mean, just check out the outdoor seating area - it's gorgeous! And I could actually hear the bees buzzing around the flowers. That's just about perfect.

And as good as the location is, it's the food that makes a trip here worth it. Chef Dady has done a great job of inserting Mediterranean flavors and ingredients into a standard Texas brunch menu, without turning Jardín into a total Turkish breakfast restaurant.

I absolutely loved the Two Bros BBQ Smoked Brisket Hash and the Breakfast Brioche Sammy. But what really surprised me was the grilled cheese sandwich with goat cheese and a tangy tomato jam. It was a great appetizer with a solid balance of tastes and textures.

As with any good restaurant, one visit wasn't enough and I need to get back to try the Mediterranean mezze selections and the Tiramisu Pancakes. A little savory and a little sweet - exactly what you want out of brunch.

WEBSITE | 555 Funston Place, San Antonio, TX 78209

A Few More San Antonio Brunch Options

The restaurants listed above are all dedicated brunch restaurants. But there are a few other restaurants with weekend brunch menus that are definitely worth a visit next time you're craving brunch on a Saturday or Sunday.

I recommend a visit to Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, Meadow, Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery, or Cappy's Restaurant. You can’t go wrong with any of these options, that is unless you simply don’t go at all.

Finally, if Tex-Mex is what your heart is craving, San Antonio has a little something for you on nearly every street corner. Breakfast tacos. Full stop.

Go check out Tacos N Salsa and sample their heart-stopping tortillas and freshly made salsas. Make a visit to Garcia's Mexican Food for a brisket taco that will change your life. Or stop into Pete's Tako House for some huevos rancheros. For more great breakfast taco and Tex-Mex recommendations, head here.

Happy brunching, San Antonio!