Ok, I know it is cliche to say but really, brunch is a serious deal here in Portland. While in some cities, getting relegated to brunch service could be a career downer, in this town, it is the perfect opportunity for chefs to highlight their creativity to a welcome crowd. There are a lot of good places to go. It all depends on how long you want to wait and what you’re in the mood for.
Today, we are lucky to have the amazingly talented Marlynn of Urban Bliss Life here to share her brunch favorites. Trust me, this is a good list. I have been drooling over her photos of Levant’s brunch for months and finally went over there. It was as good as expected. Marlynn has a fabulous blog that will inspire you to do some crafting (or at least attempt to, in my case…) and eat something delicious. Plus she has an amazing series called Mixology Mondays, what’s not to like about that?!
Even better, as she mentions all of Marlynn’s recommendations take reservations! So you start stuffing your face more quickly. #Winning!
On the other side of the #ThursdayToursPDX house at Meredith’s blog Martha Chartreuse, Mary Ellen of Pate a Chew is sharing her faves. The queen of killer biscotti has some great picks as well, so make sure you go give that a read as well!
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Urban Bliss Life Brunch Picks
I love brunch. Brunch with good girlfriends is one of the therapeutic staples in my life, but so is brunch with my family. Basically, I am always brunching…but I hate waiting. You won’t find me in line for brunch. So while I have an affinity for many, many different brunch spots in Portland, these four at the top of my list all take reservations – a huge plus in my brunch book!
Levant has received some fabulous press recently, and deservedly so. The Middle Eastern-focused cuisine served here makes it one the most delicious, inventive brunches in town. The beautiful restaurant décor is right out of Kinfolk magazine, and it’s spacious enough so that you don’t feel like you are elbow to elbow with your brunch mates at neighboring tables. I love the Red Shakshuka, the Lemon Glazed Pistachio Spice Roll, and the Hummus With Spiced Lamb & Raisins, Fried Egg, and Pita.
Photo courtesy of Urban Bliss Life
If you’re looking for a place to take the whole family for brunch, check out Imperial downtown. My kids love their French Toast and their Fry-Basket of Fries; I love their Kauai Prawns and Brown Butter Beignets. Imperial has a super warm, comfy atmosphere that feels like upscale Pacific Northwest without being pretentious. Their food is uncomplicated yet creative, and absolutely delicious.
Nestled in the middle of hip Mississippi Ave, North Light is one of my favorite spots in town to brunch with a group of girlfriends. This casual eatery offers a delicious brunch in a bright, mod-meets-Pacific-Northwest-rustic atmosphere. I love the chicken fried buffalo steak, gingerbread pancakes, house made crumpets, and their frittata of the day is usually a good bet. Pair any of their food items with one of their fabulous brunch cocktails like the Bee’s Secret (vodka, honey syrup, yellow chartreuse, and bubbles), and you’re sure to be set for a beautiful day ahead.
Photo courtesy of Urban Bliss Life
Irving Street Kitchen (ISK) has one of the best fried chickens in town, and you can get it at brunch, too! The restaurant is fairly huge as far as Portland restaurants go, and their seating arrangements make it easy to have more private conversations inside or open banter while seated outside, watching the Pearl District residents do their daily morning-workouts-to-locally-roasted-coffee shuffle. I love that their menu has a large amount of items from which to choose for brunch: you could go with a bunch of small sides like Sugar and Spice Donuts and Lemon Blueberry Muffins or go all in with a Salmon Gravlax Benedict with Buttermilk Biscuits.
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#ThursdayToursPDX is a collaborative series between Portland, OR bloggers {Erin} Bakery Bingo + {Meredith} Martha Chartreuse. In a city filled with amazing restaurants, artisan experiences, and fantastic tastemakers the inside scoop is a must. We will be asking our friends and fellow bloggers for their recommendations and tips for all the City of Roses has to offer.
All great recommendations!! I haven’t made it to NorthLight for brunch yet but this is pushing it up the list!!
Thanks so much for sharing my brunch picks, Erin!
Thank you so much for participating, Marlynn! You have so many great recommendations! We finally went to Levant after seeing your beautiful photos and it was awesome!
Those spice rolls look amazing!!! Thanks for all the great suggestions!!!
Oh man… reservations are SO needed when you have a kiddo who cannot wait the 45 minutes plus that most brunch places have for lines in the morning. We actually haven’t really done brunch in ages because of this, I’m adding this list to my MUST DO soon!
Droooool how have I never been to Levant brunch before!!!
I always get a kick out of seeing bloggers cross over and meet. And those cinnamon rolls . . . dear God . . . I want! And I just ATE cinnamon rolls.