The fusion of breakfast and lunch is one of the greatest combinations since peanut butter and jelly. Brunch isn’t necessarily a new idea, but it sure has gotten trendier over the past few years. The only side effect of that has been more delicious restaurants serving incredible weekend brunch. If you’re looking for two meals’ worth of great food, here are the spots you’ll want to check out.
- Citrus (Virginia Beach)
Jim B./Yelp
Citrus Breakfast & Lunch/Facebook Citrus Breakfast & Lunch is the seafood loving brunch-goer’s dream come true. First of all, this soft shell crab eggs Benedict is no joke. And you know the seafood is fresh with such proximity to the water. Local produce sourcing really does make all the difference here. And the fresh squeezed juices and an espresso bar will help fuel you for a great day. Citrus has two locations and is open 7 days a week, so you can experience this incredible weekend brunch any time.
- Food Bar Food (Harrisonburg)
Amanda C./Yelp
Maddy L./Yelp Food Bar Food advertises itself as global soul food, which is made apparent in their fried chicken pancakes. After all, brunch is not a meal to be taken lightly. Another popular brunch menu item is the Kaya toast complete with coconut custard. This quaint and trendy restaurant is also open for dinner.
- Millie’s (Richmond)
Millie’s/Facebook
Linh N./Yelp For over 25 years, Millie’s has been at the heart of Richmond’s brunch scene. Located in the historic Shockoe Bottom, Millie’s has the feel of a retro diner where there is always something going on. And when it comes to their food, the messier the better. Some of their most popular menu items include a series of “messes,” whether it’s the Cajun Mess, Devil’s Mess, or Castro’s Mess, you can be sure you’re brunch hasn’t been off the skillet for long.
- Bluegrass Grill & Bakery (Charlottesville)
Bluegrass Grill and Bakery/Facebook
Laura F./Yelp The Bluegrass Grill opened in 2001 as a fine spot to get homemade breads and sweets. Today, the restaurant has expanded but the homemade cooking hasn’t changed one bit. The Bluegrass Grill is the kind of place where brunch is cherished and celebrated. One of their mottos is “Relax…we have bacon!” and in case there was any doubt, this photograph shows a homemade bacon cinnamon bun. That sounds like a bucket-list item to me.
- Thelma’s Chicken and Waffles (Roanoke)
Ashley L./Yelp
Ana P./Yelp Here’s another case of Southern soul food in breakfast form. Thelma’s chicken and waffles is a local favorite dish among the Roanoke crowd. Incredible homemade waffles and fried chicken can be ordered any time of day, but it’s probably most delicious on a Sunday afternoon. If you do order the chicken, you might have to wait a few extra minutes, but the wait will certainly be worthwhile. The coffee here is also very highly rated.
- Lyon Hall (Arlington)
Lyon Hall/Facebook
Lyon Hall/Facebook
Lyon Hall/facebook The brunch served at Lyon Hall incorporates French and German influences. The result? Menu items such as the ones you see above: mouthwatering quiche and delectable donuts. Other not-to-be-missed items include their braised pork poached eggs or the Breakfast Bohemian. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy your delicious brunch from the outdoor patio.
- Restaurant Pomme (Gordonsville)
Restaurant Pomme/Facebook
Restaurant Pomme/Facebook Here’s another French-inspired brunch spot, but think more along the lines of the rustic French countryside. Or French toast, even. It truly doesn’t get any better than this. This restaurant is a bit on the smaller scale, so make sure to call in for reservations if you’re looking for a weekend spot.
- Bill’s Seafood Restaurant (Chincoteague)
Jesse C./Yelp
Bill’s Seafood Restaurant If you’re not familiar with the Eastern Shore Egg’s Benedict, you owe it to yourself to try this brunch masterpiece from Bill’s. The sweet potato fries and hollandaise sauce complement the fresh seafood perfectly. Bill’s also serves lunch and dinner.
- The Golden Leaf Bistro (Danville)
The Golden Leaf Bistro/Facebook
The Golden Leaf Bistro/Facebook You’ll find the Golden Leaf Bistro in Danville’s Tobacco Warehouse District. The atmosphere here is upscale and welcoming. One of the most delectable options on their Sunday Brunch menu is the classic steak and eggs. If that’s not the best way to end your week, I’m not sure what is.
- Gillie’s (Blacksburg)
Jenna C./Yelp
Chenxi L./Yelp Gillie’s is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant. The restaurant was one of the first in Blacksburg and has remained a local staple. What may be lacking in bacon in sausage will be more than made up for in perfectly cooked waffles, omelettes, and other scrambles. Gillie’s is the place to go if you’re looking for a filling meal made with real deal ingredients.
- RA Bistro (Lynchburg)
RA Bistro
RA Bistro/Facebook You’ll find RA Bistro in the center of downtown Lynchburg. The upscale atmosphere was once the setting of a 75-year-old dry cleaning building. The fare at this establishment is upscale American, which translates into seasonal ingredients for their brunch selection. There are also some tasty brunch cocktails to pair with your meal.
- EM (Winchester)
Bradley B./Yelp
Hannah H./Yelp EM’s location is less than a mile from Winchester’s historic Old Town walking mall. The brunch menu here combines the classics with a little creativity. Pictured above we have seared scallops served over loaded potato bacon hash. While you’re waiting for your food, you’ll be treated to some cranberry orange biscuits and a few slices of homemade coffee cake. Yum!
- Mercantile (Fredericksburg)
Courtney N./Yelp
Mercantile/Facebook
Ron S./Yelp Fredericksburg’s Mercantile is the place to go if you’re on the lookout for locally-sourced, organic food prepared with true Southern flair. One of the more popular dishes here, known as “the Bluebird,” serves grits every bit as good as you’d expect in Virginia. The style here is New American and the atmosphere is a mix between laid-back and trendy. This place is quickly becoming a favorite among Fredericksburg locals, which is saying a lot considering the amount of great contenders.
- Blue Talon Bistro (Williamsburg)
Audrey C./flickr
Rich S./Yelp The Blue Talon Bistro is a cozy restaurant with an incredible weekend brunch menu. Their omelette with homemade salsa and bacon delivers all the flavor you’d want out of this festive meal. And if you happen to drop by on a weekday between 8 AM - 11 AM, you’ll be able to order a phenomenal cup of coffee along with freshly baked croissants and pastries.
Whether it’s the simple combination of eggs and bacon or something a little jazzier, any form of brunch prepared well feels like a special occasion. The establishments mentioned here only scrape the surface of some impressive options in our great state. Now it’s your turn to share: where are some of your favorite places to dine in Virginia for an awesome brunch? As always, we’d love to hear from you!
Jim B./Yelp
Citrus Breakfast & Lunch/Facebook
Citrus Breakfast & Lunch is the seafood loving brunch-goer’s dream come true. First of all, this soft shell crab eggs Benedict is no joke. And you know the seafood is fresh with such proximity to the water. Local produce sourcing really does make all the difference here. And the fresh squeezed juices and an espresso bar will help fuel you for a great day. Citrus has two locations and is open 7 days a week, so you can experience this incredible weekend brunch any time.
Amanda C./Yelp
Maddy L./Yelp
Food Bar Food advertises itself as global soul food, which is made apparent in their fried chicken pancakes. After all, brunch is not a meal to be taken lightly. Another popular brunch menu item is the Kaya toast complete with coconut custard. This quaint and trendy restaurant is also open for dinner.
Millie’s/Facebook
Linh N./Yelp
For over 25 years, Millie’s has been at the heart of Richmond’s brunch scene. Located in the historic Shockoe Bottom, Millie’s has the feel of a retro diner where there is always something going on. And when it comes to their food, the messier the better. Some of their most popular menu items include a series of “messes,” whether it’s the Cajun Mess, Devil’s Mess, or Castro’s Mess, you can be sure you’re brunch hasn’t been off the skillet for long.
Bluegrass Grill and Bakery/Facebook
Laura F./Yelp
The Bluegrass Grill opened in 2001 as a fine spot to get homemade breads and sweets. Today, the restaurant has expanded but the homemade cooking hasn’t changed one bit. The Bluegrass Grill is the kind of place where brunch is cherished and celebrated. One of their mottos is “Relax…we have bacon!” and in case there was any doubt, this photograph shows a homemade bacon cinnamon bun. That sounds like a bucket-list item to me.
Ashley L./Yelp
Ana P./Yelp
Here’s another case of Southern soul food in breakfast form. Thelma’s chicken and waffles is a local favorite dish among the Roanoke crowd. Incredible homemade waffles and fried chicken can be ordered any time of day, but it’s probably most delicious on a Sunday afternoon. If you do order the chicken, you might have to wait a few extra minutes, but the wait will certainly be worthwhile. The coffee here is also very highly rated.
Lyon Hall/Facebook
Lyon Hall/facebook
The brunch served at Lyon Hall incorporates French and German influences. The result? Menu items such as the ones you see above: mouthwatering quiche and delectable donuts. Other not-to-be-missed items include their braised pork poached eggs or the Breakfast Bohemian. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy your delicious brunch from the outdoor patio.
Restaurant Pomme/Facebook
Here’s another French-inspired brunch spot, but think more along the lines of the rustic French countryside. Or French toast, even. It truly doesn’t get any better than this. This restaurant is a bit on the smaller scale, so make sure to call in for reservations if you’re looking for a weekend spot.
Jesse C./Yelp
Bill’s Seafood Restaurant
If you’re not familiar with the Eastern Shore Egg’s Benedict, you owe it to yourself to try this brunch masterpiece from Bill’s. The sweet potato fries and hollandaise sauce complement the fresh seafood perfectly. Bill’s also serves lunch and dinner.
The Golden Leaf Bistro/Facebook
You’ll find the Golden Leaf Bistro in Danville’s Tobacco Warehouse District. The atmosphere here is upscale and welcoming. One of the most delectable options on their Sunday Brunch menu is the classic steak and eggs. If that’s not the best way to end your week, I’m not sure what is.
Jenna C./Yelp
Chenxi L./Yelp
Gillie’s is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant. The restaurant was one of the first in Blacksburg and has remained a local staple. What may be lacking in bacon in sausage will be more than made up for in perfectly cooked waffles, omelettes, and other scrambles. Gillie’s is the place to go if you’re looking for a filling meal made with real deal ingredients.
RA Bistro
RA Bistro/Facebook
You’ll find RA Bistro in the center of downtown Lynchburg. The upscale atmosphere was once the setting of a 75-year-old dry cleaning building. The fare at this establishment is upscale American, which translates into seasonal ingredients for their brunch selection. There are also some tasty brunch cocktails to pair with your meal.
Bradley B./Yelp
Hannah H./Yelp
EM’s location is less than a mile from Winchester’s historic Old Town walking mall. The brunch menu here combines the classics with a little creativity. Pictured above we have seared scallops served over loaded potato bacon hash. While you’re waiting for your food, you’ll be treated to some cranberry orange biscuits and a few slices of homemade coffee cake. Yum!
Courtney N./Yelp
Mercantile/Facebook
Ron S./Yelp
Fredericksburg’s Mercantile is the place to go if you’re on the lookout for locally-sourced, organic food prepared with true Southern flair. One of the more popular dishes here, known as “the Bluebird,” serves grits every bit as good as you’d expect in Virginia. The style here is New American and the atmosphere is a mix between laid-back and trendy. This place is quickly becoming a favorite among Fredericksburg locals, which is saying a lot considering the amount of great contenders.
Audrey C./flickr
Rich S./Yelp
The Blue Talon Bistro is a cozy restaurant with an incredible weekend brunch menu. Their omelette with homemade salsa and bacon delivers all the flavor you’d want out of this festive meal. And if you happen to drop by on a weekday between 8 AM - 11 AM, you’ll be able to order a phenomenal cup of coffee along with freshly baked croissants and pastries.
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