Spend a lazy Saturday or Sunday out of the kitchen. Hit the town with your family or friends at one of these great Grand Rapids restaurants, where brunch has a unique twist and alcohol is perfectly acceptable before noon.
Charley's Crab
Charley's Crab, downtown on Market Avenue, offers a waterfront view and a seafood brunch buffet every Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The restaurant's buffet boasts over 35 items including cocktail shrimp, sushi and salmon cooked three ways. In addition to classic brunch fare, Charley's Crab also offers a made-to-order omelet station and a dessert menu that includes its famous crème brûlée. Charley's Crab offers a great atmosphere, great service and a unique buffet, with items that change each week. Brunch costs $25.99 for adults and $12.99 for children 12 and under. Find a full brunch menu or make reservations on the Charley Crab's website.
Cygnus 27
Cygnus 27, at the top of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, offers a panoramic view of Grand Rapids and a brunch menu unlike any other in the city. In addition to Brazilian Rodizo offerings of filet mignon, grilled scallops, pork tenderloin, grilled chicken, chorizo and jamon Iberico, the restaurant offers live omelet, crepe and sushi stations. Prices run $39.95 for adults (with a complimentary bloody Mary or mimosa), $14.95 for children ages 3 to 12, and is free for children under the age of 3. Cygnus 27 brunch runs 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sundays, seasonally. Make reservations on the Cygnus 27 website.
Electric Cheetah
The Electric Cheetah, an eclectic, fast-paced restaurant, serves brunch with its own creative twist on New American traditional cuisine, every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Known for its creative culinary staff, the Electric Cheetah offers twists on favorite brunch fare: think mojito french toast and lemon ricotta pancakes. The menu offers 13 brunch items and seven lunch items. Prices for meals run $7 to $14, and there are plenty of vegetarian options. The Electric Cheetah serves brunch on a first come, first served basis, so get there like a cheetah! Find Electric Cheetah's full brunch menu on its website.
Grove
Grove, an earth-to-table dining experience, offers a brunch table every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rather than a traditional brunch buffet, Grove offers an a la carte menu with a twist on favorite brunch items: among the offerings are chicken liver french toast, ricotta-corn crepe, and shrimp and grits. The menu offers 15 to 18 items, and prices range from $8 to $20. Reservations, though not required, are encouraged. Read more about Grove, check out its full brunch menu or make reservations on its website.
Old Goat
The Old Goat serves brunch every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a slant toward Cajun, Creole, German and Polish fare. In addition to their own take on traditional brunch with items such as Earl Great pancakes, pastrami hash and pot roast Benedict, the Old Goat offers delectable entrees such as jambalaya, buttermilk Southern fried chicken and a TV dinner of seared Salisbury steak. You can choose from a menu of 14 handcrafted cocktails, among them the bloody Mary, margarita and Moscow mule. The menu offers nine brunch-specific items and eight regular items, and prices for meals run from $10 to $22 for entrée items. Find Old Goat's full brunch menu on its website.
Terra
Terra offers brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with fresh and locally sourced food. In addition to a variety of salads and sandwiches, the restaurant adds flair to traditional brunch items with pork belly hash, a breakfast burrito and bread pudding french toast. Terra, famous for its wood-fired pizzas, also offers a breakfast pizza topped with bacon, potatoes, eggs and kale. The menu offers 20 to 25 items, and you can choose from eight brunch cocktails including Terra's organic bloody Mary and traditional mimosa. Meals run from $10 to $15, with additional costs for added proteins. Find Terra's full brunch menu or make reservations on its website.
Photo courtesy of Grove Restaurant.
