15 Kansas City Brunches That Make Weekends Great Again

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Sometimes you need a little bit more than just breakfast in the morning. Whether you're coming down (or up?) from a hangover or want to imbibe with a few before noon, these brunch spots are the top places to burn half a day of mealtime in one sitting. Cocktails and groups of friends, here we come.

Bristol

Downtown ( Map It ) :: Leawood ( Map It )
Sunday Brunch: 10 am - 2 pm
BristolSeafoodGrill.com

The brunch buffet at Bristol is as classy as it gets. Fresh seafood, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and even a custom cocktail (Prosecco with elderflower) made tableside. Even the mac and cheese gets a seafood flair: lobster sauce. If seafood isn't your thing, you can go the biscuits & gravy route (Downtown location only), or even freshly-carved prime rib. In Leawood, you'll find made-to-order omelete station and petite Belgian waffles. A bloody mary bar rounds off this impeccably furnished and delicious restaurant.

The Drop

Martini Corner ( Map It )
Brunch only Saturday - Sunday 10 am - 3 pm
TheDropBistro.com

If you don't want a mimosa to go with your brunch at this Martini Corner spot, try a manmosa. Beer and orange juice. The biscuits and chorizo gravy are a big hit, and the eggs benedict varieties are delicious. Be prepared to wait, though. This place is popular. They do take reservations.

Barrel 31

Martini Corner ( Map It )
Brunch only Saturday - Sunday 10 am - 3 pm
Barrel31.com

Martini Corner is really on the rise. Barrel 31 is known for its whiskey selection and happy hour, but don't miss the brunch here. The bottomless brunch cocktails start the morning off right, and the heavy-duty breakfast burger or Fat Madame (brioche, fried egg, and crispy pork belly) make sure you need an afternoon nap. Barrel 31 also wins the award for the most hilarious menu option: the Wake The F' Up. A beignet with chocolate sauce, a mug of black coffee, and a shot of whiskey. It certainly does the trick.

Nick & Jake's

On Main ( Map It ) :: Overland Park ( Map It ) :: Parkville ( Map It )
Brunch Only Sunday: 10 am - 1:30 pm
NickandJakes.com

The buffet bar at Nick & Jake's on Sunday is full to the brim with a prime rib carving station, house-made french toast, fried potato hash, shrimp, mac and cheese and more. While some decry the noise level and wait times, most people rave about the sheer amount of options and charming atmosphere. And any place that includes 10+ dessert options in their brunch menu can't possibly be bad.

Gennessee Royale Bistro

West Bottoms ( Map It )
Sunday Brunch: 9 am - 2 pm
GennesseeRoyale.com

Genessee Royal is a brave little (former) gas station in the stockyards area of the West Bottoms that has made a serious mark on the KC food scene. Their waffles with mixed berries and maple syrup and corned beef hash are two standouts here. The mimosas are fresh and the other breakfast cocktails are uniquely suited to the glamorous-yet-grimy West Bottoms: Boulevard's Dark Truth Stout and bubbles create Genessee Royale's Black Velvet.

The Corner Restaurant is a makeover story. In early 2013, the iconic spot was re-opened with a brand new imagination. It still has favorites like biscuits and gravy, but it now sources its ingredients from local farms and has bold new dishes like the heavy cran-apple french toast and build-your-own scrambles. You can get as creative as you want with the scrambles, too, with everything from crab to bacon, jalapenos to sour cream, and even goat cheese. Go crazy and get there early on weekends. This place can get packed.

Room 39

Midtown ( Map It ) :: Breakfast/Brunch: Monday - Saturday: 7 am - 3 pm
Leawood ( Map It ) :: Monday - Saturday: 8 am - 2 pm, Sunday: 9 am - 2pm
Rm39.com

Room 39 is one of Kansas City's coziest cafes. The french toast and Belgian waffles are jaw-dropping. The waiters remember regulars quickly. The menu changes seasonally and features locally sourced fruits and veggies. And the cocktails go perfectly with the Saturday-only steak & eggs benedict. 

The Brick

Crossroads ( Map It )
Brunch only Saturday: 9 am - 2 pm
TheBrickKCMO.com

It might look divey, but the Crossroads is definitely for the better with this place around. By night The Brick hosts some great live music and bar food, but every Saturday they host Brickfast, which is "like brunch but better." Try a Cajun BLT, the biscuits & gravy bar that includes both a maple syrup gravy AND a chorizo gravy option, and definitely shell out one whole dollar for a bloody mary.

Westport Cafe & Bar

Westport ( Map It )
Brunch only Saturday: 10:30 am - 4 pm, Sunday: 10:30 am - 4 pm
WestportCafeandBar.com

Westport Cafe & Bar is a consistent favorite among Midtown and Westport dwellers for its happy hour and classic lunch/dinner items. On Saturday and Sunday, brunch takes things to another level. Brunch includes all sorts of delicious options like brioche french toast (you can even get this with fried chicken) with lavender cream or house made biscuits & gravy. As an added perk (and to help get over your previous night), brunch items includes a free cocktail (mimosa, bellini or bloody mary), tea, or coffee with any breakfast.

Voltaire

West Bottoms ( Map It )
Brunch only Sunday: 11 am - 3 pm
VoltaireKC.com

The West Bottoms is rapidly becoming the place to be in Kansas City, and Voltaire one of the cornerstones. This trendy bar feels like stepping back and forward in time simultaneously, and that's a good thing. Sundays are host to their brunch, where you can devour steak & eggs, argentinian (it features a chimmichurri sauce), an orange-bourbon-frosted cinnamon roll, or even "not SO sweet" sweet potato pancakes which of course come with a house-made marshmallow. And wash all that fanciness down with a unique cocktail like the Michelada (lime, worcestershire sauce, lager, and more).

Gram & Dun

Country Club Plaza ( Map It )
Brunch only Saturday-Sunday: 10 am - 3 pm
GramandDun.com

Green eggs & ham, burnt end mac & cheese, a salmon and egg salad plank, and cocktails mixed and poured table-side? Gram & Dun's weekend brunch is heavy-duty. Grab something more on the "unch" side of brunch and get a burger or salad, or get Southwest-style steak & eggs. Or go full breakfast  And seriously, the bloody marys and mimosas come around on a cart. Word to the planning type: this place gets packed. Consider making a reservation.

Beer Kitchen

Westport ( Map It )
Brunch only Saturday - Sunday: 9 am - 4 pm
BeerKitchenKC.com

If beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy, then Beer Kitchen the supreme evidence. This menu makes a hangover feel like a reward with a smorgasbord of comfort food that is prepared with sophistication and quality ingredients. Go the healthy route with a salad or even zucchini-potato latkes, or go full tilt and get a variety of dutch babies or even the 8 Hour Corned Beef Hash. And they have eight bloody mary and mimosa options, so stay awhile and sample a few...or all.

The Farmhouse

River Market ( Map It )
Brunch only Saturday - Sunday: 9 am - 3 pm
EatAtTheFarmhouse.com

Farmhouse is all about locally sourced foods, and when you get your brunch menu you will see a list of local farmers that contributed to that day's ingredients. All of the morning staples are here, but uncommon items like the crispy pork confit, house-made tofu bacon, or the veggie benedict will keep you interested. Farmhouse is located right across the street from the City Market and it makes a perfect spot to land after you've claimed your market goods.

Summit Grill and Bar

Waldo ( Map It )
Brunch only Saturday - Sunday: 10 am - 2 pm
SummitGrillandBar.com

Hailing from Lee's Summit, Summit Grill and Bar brought its brunch scene to Waldo a couple years ago, toting bottomless mimosas along with them. And the rest of the menu is solid too. Try the regular ol' biscuits & gravy or french toast, or really get out there and go for some street tacos or jalapeno grits with bacon and a sausage (which one Yelp reviewer so aptly called "da bomb"). And yes, they seriously have bottomless mimosas.

Char Bar

Waldo ( Map It )
Brunch Only Saturday - Sunday: 10 am - 3 pm
CharBarKC.com

Right up the street from Beer Kitchen (and owned by the same people) is yet another barbecue restaurant. But fear not, Char Bar is on the map when it comes to GOOD KC barbecue. On weekend, their brunch is getting pretty popular, too. And, as you would expect, the food options are hearty and meat-heavy. Get some brisket & eggs and wash it down with a Bourbon Bull Mary, which includes whiskey, beef jus, and a stick of beef jerky. A full fried chicken (the whole bird) is available only on Sundays and comes with gravy, mashed potatoes, and more Southern goodness.

Westside Local

Waldo ( Map It )
Sunday: Brunch 11 am - 3 pm
TheWestSideLocal.com

Located in the up-and-coming Westside (duh) neighborhood, Westside Local prides itself on being a farm-to-table restaurant. Their Blunch (that's right, NOT brunch) menu is a creative mix of burgers and breakfast with standouts like the almond french toast and the unique avocado plank (served with wheat bread and a poached egg). Gluten-free options are also available. But if you're feeling especially adventurous or unhealthy, substitute biscuits for croissants and enjoy with local oyster mushroom gravy.