I would define brunch as one of the most important meals of the weekend, especially for a college student. It’s more than a plate of pancakes, a side of hash browns, and a glass of orange juice. A good brunch spot provides the perfect place to connect and catch up with friends after a night out. It’s a delicate balance but fortunately, many restaurants in New Orleans have managed to perfect it.
In no particular order, these are the three best brunch spots:
- Bearcat Cafe
Just a twenty minute walk from campus, Bearcat offers the best brunch Just a twenty minute walk from campus, Bearcat offers the casual best brunch. Bearcat is a cozy spot to hang out and catch up with friends. The breakfast potatoes are perfectly crispy and full of flavor, and the biscuits are fluffy and buttery. The best part about this place is that it caters to everyone with vegan and vegetarian options ranging from tofu scrambles to vegan quesadillas. Though, I should mention the wait can be long, particularly on weekends, but the Starbucks down the block sweetens the deal.
- Atchafalaya
If you’re looking for a creole brunch option, Atchafalaya is the place for If you’re looking for a creole brunch option, Atchafalaya is the place for you. It’s a little fancier than Bearcat, but the food does not disappoint. Atchafalaya is a great spot to come with friends if you’re looking to make brunch an outing or have something to celebrate. The menu does change frequently, but when I went, the chicken and waffles were remarkable and came with an apple slaw and hot honey that tied the whole dish together. I also tried the cornmeal-crusted oysters, which were fried and served in bao buns. I must say I’m not a big fan of oysters, but these changed my mind. It’s worth noting that many of their entrees are centered around meat, but they’re very accommodating when it comes to vegetarian requests.
- Camellia Grill
This spot is no secret, located on South Claiborne about a 25 minute walk from campus, Camellia Grill offers all day breakfast every day. Camellia Grill is the perfect place for a casual morning with friends and you can’t go wrong when ordering here. Camellia serves diner-style brunch and has a large menu filled with a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options ranging from pancakes to po-boys. I must say the vegetable omelet and the hash browns that come with it, are definitely my favorite. Camellia Grill is one of the best places to go with friends to get brunch and just hang out. You can sit at the counter or take a seat at a table outside depending on your mood. A perk of sitting at the counter: you get to watch them make your food.