MOBILE’S BEST BRUNCH SPOTS: TOP 10 WEEKEND BRUNCH DESTINATIONS IN MOBILE
By: Marissa Deal
Top 10 Weekend Brunch Destinations in Mobile
Mobile has a lively and thriving brunch culture, and brunch is an excellent place to discover the different cultural influences that have shaped Mobile over the last 300 years. From local hole-in-the-wall joints to upscale dining, we’ve got something for everyone.
1. The Ruby Slipper Café
The Ruby Slipper serves up Southern breakfast with a Gulf Coast flair. This location features indoor dining as well as a lovely courtyard. If you are looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, the Banana’s Foster French Toast is a decadent option. And if you can’t decide between the delicious choices, go with The Trifecta. You get to try their three most popular benedicts: Eggs Cochon, Chicken St. Charles and Bayou Shrimp. Don’t miss the Fried Green Tomatoes topped with a bacon onion jam and remoulade sauce served on every LoDa Stroll Tour!
2. Spot of Tea
Red umbrellas line the sidewalks of Cathedral Square in downtown Mobile where guests can dine alfresco or take a seat inside this iconic restaurant. It started as a quaint tearoom in 1994, but quickly evolved into one of Mobile’s most popular brunch locations. The Spot of Tea is a great place to watch the comings and goings of Downtown Mobile while dining on their signature brunch offering, Eggs Cathedral. Local seafood is the highlight of this skillet dish as a grilled English muffin is topped with a crab cake, scrambled eggs and a spicy seafood sauce made with blackened grouper, crawfish and Gulf shrimp, all served atop cubed hashbrowns. Wash it all down with a mimosa – or two.
3. FIVE
The motto of FIVE is that you don’t need to do a lot of things, as long as you do a few things very well. As suggested by their name, FIVE has 5 menu options for brunch and 5 cocktails to pair them with. Dark wood, red walls and crystal chandeliers create a warm, inviting interior, while still maintaining a casual feel. Shrimp and Grits, Chicken and Waffles, and the Breakfast Burger are local favorites.
4. Big Bad Breakfast
Big Bad Breakfast was created by James Beard Award winner, John Currance who wanted to elevate classic brunch favorites by focusing on fresh biscuits, homemade preserves, and house smoked and cured meats. Large portions of chicken and waffles, cathead biscuits smothered in gravy, and spicy smoked bacon pair well with their fresh squeezed mimosas.
5. Hummingbird Way
This fine dining restaurant is located in the enchanting, Spanish oak-lined Oakleigh Garden District. Their Sunday brunch offering range from classic southern dishes to innovative creations that look as stunning as they taste. Their rustic biscuit service, served in a cast iron skillet with cane syrup, butter and smoked sea salt was featured in Garden and Gun magazines, “25 Outstanding Restaurants Worth the Drive.”
6. Bob’s Downtown Restaurant
Bob’s Downtown, located on the “corner of Fat and Happy,” serves classic diner eats with friendly service and a lively atmosphere. Everything from the omelets to the French toast is made from scratch and the house made Bloody Mary’s have just the right kick.
7. The Blind Mule
Located downtown, this tiny dive is popular a favorite among locals and is a true hidden gym. There is a quaint, dog-friendly patio for nice days and a fun, quirky atmosphere. Their shrimp and grits and eggs benedicts are some of the best in town. The Blind Mule is truly one of Mobile’s best kept secrets.
8. Bistro St. Emanuel
Adjacent to the Fort Conde Inn, this stylish bistro is housed in a former bar and restaurant that dates back to the 1850s. A quartz top bar and art deco touches transport you to the early 20th century, yet the space maintains a timeless elegance. The menu is filled with uniquely Alabama dishes. The aptly named a la Bamian has two Bama favorites– lump crab and Conecuh sausage. The a la Joe Cain perfectly honors a local hero by smothering a Conecuh sausage-filled English muffin with rich, creamy crawfish sauce. Bistro St. Emanuel is a popular spot on our Bienville Brunch Tour each May!
9. Maple Street Biscuit Company
This bright, cheerful space with large windows is a great stop to enjoy brunch and gaze out on Spring Hill, one of Mobile’s most luxurious and beautiful neighborhoods. You can’t go wrong with – you guessed it – a biscuit. But these are not your ordinary biscuits. The biscuit sandwiches here massive and loaded with fresh ingredients and are often topped with your choice of gravies. The Squawking Goat was highlighted on the Food Network and is filled with crispy battered chicken strips, toasted goat cheese, and scratch-made pepper jelly. Whew. Time to unbutton your pants!
10. Ashland Midtown Pub
This casual pub is situated in Midtown Mobile, a dynamic neighborhood with charming historic homes and many locally owned shops, restaurants and bars. The jazz brunch at Ashland Pub is a great place to grab a cocktail and dig into a hearty meal. Bring out your inner child with colorful Captain Crunch French Toast or, for something a bit more sophisticated, the pub’s blackened grouper with Gouda cheese grits topped with Conecuh gravy hits the spot.