It’s a Sunday morning — though “morning” may be a generous way to refer to 11 a.m. — and you’ve just gotten up with a desire to spend $20+ to satiate your post-slumber hunger. In situations like this, there truly is only one answer: brunch. 

There are so many amazing brunch places in St. Louis to try, but there are only so many eggs a person can eat. So here is my best attempt at a guide to some of the best spots in St. Louis for delicious brunch, great conversation, and even better ambiance.

Southwest Diner

Situated a few miles south of the South 40, this Mexican diner is the embodiment of “homey” with its warm staff and endearing decorations. If the ambiance doesn’t make you feel at home, the food certainly will. My favorite is their cornmeal pancakes with their strawberry sauce, though I honestly haven’t had a single dish there that wasn’t amazing. 

I could go on and on about this place (as I have to several people in my life) but I won’t do that to you guys. Just know this place is definitely worth a visit.

Songbird

Songbird is located in Tower Grove, which is one of my favorite neighborhoods in St. Louis. I have definitely made mornings out of going to this American comfort food spot by visiting the nearby parks, walking through the neighborhoods, or, if it’s summer or early fall, visiting the farmers market in the heart of the Tower Grove Park. 

But enough about location, we are here to talk about food! And let me tell you, Songbird has some great food. I got their breakfast sandwich and ever since I have been trying to re-create it — maybe one day I’ll get it. Until then, I will likely go there every semester to get my fix.

Winslow’s Table

As you travel west on Delmar Blvd. you will likely run into one of my favorite places for eggs in St. Louis: Winslow’s Table. I adore their shakshuka, which hits the spot during any time of year. I would also highly recommend specifically going to this spot in the spring or summer so you can sit outside and enjoy the surrounding greenery. 

Meshuggah Cafe

I probably don’t need to write about this one given how popular it is, but I will anyway because their egg bagel warrants discourse. Meshuggah Cafe has plenty to offer as a cozy nook on the Loop: comfy spots to chat, good coffee, and, of course, an egg bagel that I will likely have nostalgia over after I graduate. While it can get pretty crowded, I think the buzz of this breakfast spot is a great way to start off a weekend.

The Annex Coffee and Foods

I partially hesitate to call The Annex a brunch spot just because it is so much more, as this Webster Groves classic shifts from brunch spot to ice cream parlor to bar over the course of the day. But, of all of the things The Annex is, it is a great spot for brunch. I actually just finished procrastinating writing this article by eating one of their chicken burritos (or maybe I’m doing research for this piece, who’s to say?) in the center of this bustling storefront. If you’re someone who hates the stillness of a Sunday morning, this place is for you.

Kaldi’s Coffee- Demun

All I can say is it’s a classic for a reason. The Demun location of Kaldi’s Coffee benefits from Demun’s adorable residential area. As a college student, I find it’s nice to remember that there is more to life than my upcoming physics exam which I am currently ignoring, and visiting the Demun area definitely achieves that. Plus, their breakfast bowl is a filling and economical (as far as brunch goes) way to start a weekend morning. Be warned that this is a vegetarian spot, but I personally think the ambiance alone justifies forgoing bacon.

Conclusion

If it were up to me, there would be so many more places on the list but I only have so much time in a day and so much of Best of St. Louis that I can fill up with brunch recommendations before my editor starts to question my sanity. Before I go, I want to say that while weekend brunch is a silly ritual conventionally performed by suburban mothers, it has been my way of interacting with the St. Louis community in a way that feels approachable to me. We only have so many years in St. Louis, so find your own way of engaging with it while you can. And hey, if that comes in the form of visiting one of these spots, I think that’s a good way of going about it.