The best brunch in Miami, from garden patios to fancy hotels and breezy waterfronts

I have yet to encounter a more quintessentially Miami brunch spot than La Mar, which pairs amazing waterfront and skyline views with a decadent spread that highlights the bold Latin flavors of Miami. Aside from executive chef Diego Oka's excellent Peruvian Nikkei-inspired buffet, the brunch includes a full entree from the dinner menu and also a whimsical tower of desserts delivered tableside. Yes, it's a splurge but one that is worth every cent.

When is it? Sunday 12:30 to 5pm

Time Out tip: There are a few brunch packages to choose from, but the $135 option includes a fun selection of endless pours, including the house specialty pisco sour, a fresh, foamy cocktail that'll get your Sunday started right.

The Design District has become a go-to for what I like to call a lightly buzzed weekend shopping trip. The idea is to get just lubricated enough to pull the trigger on that splurge purchase but not so sloshed that the kind shop clerk starts giving you concerned looks. The best way to achieve said buzz is, obv, stopping for brunch first—and the best brunch in the Design District is Michael's Genuine. James Beard-winning chef Michael Schwartz helped spearhead farm-to-table, seasonally-driven cuisine in Miami, so expect his namesake restaurant's brunch menu to be filled with elevated classics like benedicts, steak and eggs and quickes prepared with locally sourced produce and organic heritage breed eggs.

When is it? Sunday 11am to 3pm

Time Out tip: For a lighter brunch, stick with a smattering of all-day snacks like the "bahn mi" shrimp toast and deviled eggs, which pair just as well with brunch cocktails like the Kimchi Bloody Mary or the curative Literally Good, made with mezcal, ginger and turmeric. 

This neighborhood gem is nestled inside a cozy house on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami's Upper East Side. The quaint, friendly eatery specializes in new American cuisine with a twist. For brunch, sharing is the way to go: Start with the steak and egg served with house potatoes and a Brazilian vinaigrette salsa, then move on to stuffed brioche French toast with guava and whipped cream cheese. Willing to go halfsies on either dish? This relationship will go the distance.

When is it? Friday through Sunday noon to 5pm

Time Out tip: Pinch is a safe space if your brunch journey involves getting low-key lit: Bottomless mimosas will set you back just $25—just know that this is not one of those Miami spots where the meal ends with dancing on tables.

At Jaya, the tables spread out in a charming open-air courtyard surrounding the pool. On Sundays, there’s a jazz band on a stage right there in the middle of the water. You’ll see people in their best flowy dresses and sports jackets. The food, from executive chef Vijayudu Veena, is far from the standard fare, with everything from Indian to Indonesian, and was recently updated to include Peking duck and grilled-to-order stations. The drinks are, of course, endless: The $105 price includes free-flowing rośe and a spritz bar.

When is it? Saturday and Sunday 11:15am to 3:30pm (the Saturday Rosé Brunch features a DJ and the drink specials)

Time Out tip: It might be on the beach, but Jaya adheres to a "casual elegant" dress code, so be sure to swap out your sandals and trunks for a blazer and button-down, my dudes.

The menu at Doya in Wynwood stays the same no matter the time of day, but since it's a lineup of delicious, seasonal Mediterranean classics conceived by chef Erhan Kostepen (formerly of Mandolin Aegean Bistro), this spot can be relied upon for a solid brunch outing any day of the week. The world is your oyster with a veritable rainbow of hot and cold mezze to choose from, depending on your mood and hunger level. I'm partial to the tomato salad, spicy yogurt and beetroot hummus from the colds, and the zucchini and spinach pancake, grilled tiger prawns and manti from the hots. The cocktails here are equally as fresh, with plenty of fun N/A options, too.

When is it? Daily from noon to close

Time Out tip: If you're brunching with a group, consider ordering the Doya Grill Board ($110), a feast consisting of lamb chops, kofte, chicken thigh, baby wings, sucuk, adana and fries that's a great value and easy choice when the table can't seem to agree on anything.

Major Food Group’s buzzy brunch spot balances a can’t-go-wrong menu with the vibe everyone needs for that cure-the-hangover meal. That includes the Instagrammable bagel tower with artfully arranged smoked fish salads, lox and sliced cucumbers and tomatoes. A stack of bagels is served alongside it. There are plenty of lunch-y items, like salads and oversized deli sandwiches, but the breakfast classics are where it's at. From cheese blintzes and custardy french toast to blueberry pancakes, there's something sweet to satisfy every type of early morning dessert craving.

When is it? Weekdays 10am to 3pm, weekends 9am to 3pm

Time Out tip: There's a second Miami Sadelle's location in the Design District, though it's much smaller and the vibe doesn't quite compare to its Coconut Grove counterpart.

Krüs Kitchen is the airy, light-filled loft suspended above Los Félix, Coconut Grove's Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant. For brunch, chef Sebastian Vargas calls on his experience working at Michelin-starred restaurants like Osteria Francescana in Italy and Eleven Madison Park in New York to create bright, flavorful dishes like an egg sandwich with truffle gribiche, avocado, pickled onions and bottarga. Cofounder Josh Hackler takes command of Krüs Wine, a natural, organic and biodynamic program based on seasonality with a focus on the industry's up-and-coming tastemakers and innovators.

When is it? Saturday and Sunday 11am to 3pm

Time Out tip: If you'd rather enjoy the Coconut Grove people-watching out on the sidewalk, snag a table downstairs at Los Felix, which serves up an excellent and equally as inventive menu of Mexican fare under the shady tree canopy.

The aesthetic of Contessa is like if Sofia Coppola and Wes Anderson co-directed a satirical family drama set in 18th-century Italy. So, obviously, an ideal setting for a lavish brunch with the girlies! Contessa's menu of Italian classics is elevated by high-quality ingredients, like the daily imported burrata served in a chunky pomodorini sauce. The avocado bruschetta is a refreshing riff on a staple brunch dish, topped with almonds, tomato and basil. 

When is it? Saturday and Sunday 11:30am to 2pm

Time Out tip: Highlights from the dinner menu are also available during the day, like the lobster capellini and the veal Milanese.

Danny Serfer’s diner serves delicious hangover-curing, comfort food. There’s the usual “eggy stuff” and “sweet stuff,” like a bacon-egg-and-cheese burrito the size of your head. Blue Collar’s famous dry-aged cheeseburger is always on the menu and is always a good idea.

When is it? Saturday and Sunday 11:30am to 3pm

Time Out tip: Blue Collar recently relocated to a larger space just across the street from its cozy longtime location. The new spot is just as charming, with a larger outdoor terrace perfect for posting up before or after the Legion Park Farmer's Market a few steps away.

The Viet-Miami spot is constantly reinventing itself and its menu, especially brunch, which changes often and never ceases to surprise and amaze me. For its latest offering, Phuc Yea reimagines French toast by serving up crispy croissants with a bourbon custard and a banh mi with lemongrass fried chicken, herbage and sriracha aioli. 

When is it? Sunday noon to 3pm

Time Out tip: The Sancocho-style pho, offered only during Sunday brunch, is an instant hangover cure—and if that doesn't work, the $35 bottomless bellinis, Tropimosas, Bloody Mary's and Maria's should do the trick.

When the day calls for casual beachside elegance, look no further than brunch at the Lido Restaurant at the Four Seasons in Surfside. The coastal Italian-inspired menu features fare as light and airy as the restaurant itself, like the yellowtail crudo in an "Amalfi" lemon dressing and the branzino is a briny pantesca sauce. On Sundays, graze from the brunch buffet for $105.

When is it? Daily noon to 2:45pm

Time Out tip: There's an option to dine inside, which is beautiful, but if the sun's out, I ask for a seat on the breezy terrace with views of the Surf Club's pristine grounds and the ocean just beyond.

Eileen Andrade's speakeasy-style ode to the Cuban dishes of her grandmother, Amelia's 1931, serves a spot-on brunch on Sundays. The Cuban Croque Madame is like the classic French dish married a Cuban dude, with ham croquetas on grilled sourdough, melty gruyere and a sunny side-up egg. The Timba Pancakes add sweetened condensed milk, toasted coconut and guava marmalade. And the Braised Lechon Hash combines pork shoulder with an aji amarillo mash with gravy and eggs.

When is it? Sunday 11am to 3:30pm

Time Out tip: Before you leave the area, stop by Islas Canarias next door to stock up on croquetas for later. They make some of the best in town and go great with an afternoon coffee, should you need a little pick-me-up.

Sunset Harbour’s stylish fish shack makes an excellent case for tucking into a big bowl of oysters before noon. The raw bar offerings are extensive and super fresh as most of the seafood served is sourced locally. For brunch-y options from the sea, try the shrimp 'n' grits made with creole sausage, melted tomatoes and a beer demi glace.

When is it? Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm

Time Out tip: Take a mini trip to the Keys without leaving Miami by ordering the house-made conch fritters, which are some of the freshest around.

This stylish plant-based restaurant that started in the South of Fifth ’hood and spawned sister locations across South Florida serves french toast and waffles that won’t completely wreck your waistline. Think of Planta as an upgrade from your usual hippy, vegan dive. It’s sexy, polished and will woo you with tasty dupes of meaty dishes and spiked fresh-pressed juices. Nothing’s basic here, not even the scramble, which arrives topped with fresh truffle shavings.

When is it? Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm

More than a restaurant, Green Street is a gathering place for a confluence of cyclists, dog parents, families and people seeking a shady spot where to enjoy Miami’s sunny weather. The nicer the day, the longer the wait time, though the bar serves cocktails and food on a first-come, first-served basis. The view and experience are quintessential Miami—lots of well-dressed people lingering over breakfast fare and sipping mimosas along a busy sidewalk.

When is it? Daily 11:30am to 3pm

Time Out tip: The people watching is superb and so is the variety of bloody marys.

This Key Biscayne institution is a no-brainer for people who pick their restaurants based on atmosphere and views—the vibe here is lively and the scenery beyond picturesque. Plus, there’s outdoor seating for folks looking to get their fill of that waterfront dining experience that’s surprisingly hard to come by in Miami, no matter how many miles of shoreline this city boasts. The á-la-carte menu reflects the location, with plenty of yummy seafood options like crab huevos rancheros and salmon and eggs.

When is it? Saturday 11am to 4pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm

Have an all-dim-sum meal at Hutong’s weekend brunch—practically every dumpling and appetizer bite on the dinner menu is served at this sumptuous, bottomless affair. In addition to the free-flowing spring rolls, bao buns and cocktails (for an additional cost), the brunch buffet includes a serving of the restaurant’s signature Peking duck as well as dessert.

When is it? Sunday 11:30am to 4pm

The rooftop clubstaurant six floors up from Amal in Coconut Grove sticks to its Spanish theme for its weekend brunch with some of the best bay views in Miami. There’s pan con tomate, mushroom croquettes, tortilla tradicional and an eggs benedict with manchego biscuit and chorizo. Cocktails keep to the Iberian theme, like a potent red sangria with cognac, lemon and plum. 

When is it? Saturday 11am to 3pm, Sunday 11am to 4pm

Time Out tip: We like that the brunch menu is pre-fixe (starting at $35 per person), so that you don't have to make too many decisions. Choose an app, a main and a dessert, and if you're feeling fresco, add on bottomless drinks for another $35.

This buzzy Chinese-Japanese restaurant serves a decadent Sunday brunch menu that's peppered with many of its dinnertime favorites, such as dumplings and sashimi, plus unlimited cocktails, champagne, rosé and sake, if that's your journey. The $69 menu includes four courses of appetizers, dim sum and sushi, your choice of entrée and a dessert. Add on unlimited beverages starting at $35.

When is it? Sunday 11:30am to 4pm

There's a very old-school element to everything at Il Mulino, which began its life in 1981 in Greenwich Village and now has multiple locations. The Sunny Isles outpost takes over a sliver of space inside the Acqualina Resort and also sports a charming patio around a fountain out back with expansive views of the ocean. The $42 pre-fixe brunch includes an appetizer, main, dessert and a selection of coffee or tea, with the option to add on cocktails for $12 each.

When is it? Saturday and Sunday noon to 4pm

Ol’Days sisters and owners Martina and Juliana Fracchia take diners back to their childhood by infusing their South American roots into many of the menu’s farm-to-table-inspired items. Whet your appetite with a Golden Arepa or the lemony guacamole with warm pita. Or indulge in a Lomito From My Childhood, a sandwich of tender beef tenderloin, homemade corn mayo and fried eggs. From the creative mocktail menu to the cold-pressed juices and organic bowls, Ol’ Days encourages an “eat well, be well” lifestyle in a warm, aesthetically elevated atmosphere. (Though they also serve alcoholic beverages). Linger for that much-needed catch-up with friends or pop in for a stellar coffee and a brief escape from the daily grind.

When is it? Daily 8am to 10pm

Not all brunch needs to feel like you’re competing in the Binge-Drinking Olympics. Sometimes the more chill scene at Threefold Cafe sounds ideal for a Sunday morning—with locations now in Coral Gables and Brickell. A poached, farm-fresh egg served over crusty bread smothered in smashed avocado (the Smashed Avo) and a cold-brewed coffee is all you need to feel like you’re winning at brunch. Going for gold? Order a side of bacon and the morning monkey (bread) for the table (or yourself).

When is it? Daily from 7:30am

Time Out tip: The Coral Gables location has a wine list, should you desire a splash of vino with your meal.

With seemingly more TVs than chairs, Batch is a favorite of sports fans looking for a good view of the game and a solid meal to enjoy while they watch. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays and features a $25 bottomless drink special (mimosas, sangria and bellinis for up to 90 minutes) and plenty of food egg dishes, lunch-y items and desserts that pass as breakfast to choose from.

When is it? Saturday 11am to 4pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm