Twenty Places to Enjoy Brunch in Utah
By Lynn Blamires feature writer for My Local Utah
The word “brunch” was coined by British writer Guy Beringer in an 1895 article in Hunter’s Weekly. He argued that instead of the post-church early dinner typical in England at that time, there should be a hybrid of breakfast and lunch served around noon for “Saturday-night carousers” to enjoy.
Crunching the words breakfast and lunch together, Beringer argued that instead of a meal heavy with meats and cheeses, a lighter fare served late in the morning. “Brunch is cheerful, sociable, and inciting.” He went on to say, “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.″
Brunch had its beginning in the United States in the 1930s and caught on in the southern states and became popular in the Big Apple. In an article published in Southern Living Magazine (by Melissa Locker, August 7, 2022), “dining spots across New York served up now-classic brunch dishes like eggs Benedict and bagels and lox turning breakfast lovers into brunch fanatics.”
“The late-morning meal became chic in the 1930s when Hollywood stars making their way across the country on trains would stop in Chicago to enjoy a late-morning meal. Thanks to its celebrity boosters, brunch became a hit.”
“Restaurants were happy to have another way to lure in customers. There’s nothing like pecan French toast, bacon, cornmeal waffles, omelets, and morning cocktails … to lure people out on a Sunday morning.”
Modern-day definitions have lost the color of the original meaning of brunch as defined by Beringer. Picking up a breakfast burger at a drive-through at 10 a.m. would technically qualify as brunch, but let’s not dwell on minimal definitions. We need to get back to the cheerful, sociable event that brunch was meant to be. Here are some places that will help you reach the true meaning of the word:
Pig and Jelly Jar – Ogden
This southern-inspired, brunch-driven, from-scratch, everyday restaurant is exactly what it is. PigAndAjellyJar.com
The Sonora Grill – Ogden
Sunday brunch with a Latin American twist. TheSonoraGrill.com
Sunday’s Best – Holladay / Midvale / Sandy / Union
”From the resort-style atmosphere to the chef-crafted brunch menu, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to an oceanside oasis. Sunday’s Best features live music and an assortment of unique takes on some breakfast classics.” BrunchMeHard.com
The Charleston – Draper
As a fine dining establishment, the restaurant has a dress code for indoor seating. Beginning in May all online reservations will be seated outdoors, for inside seating call the restaurant. The outside dress is casual. View the menus to understand the unique flavor of this restaurant at TheCharlestonDraper.com
La Caille Restaurant – Sandy
“La Caille is Utah’s premier luxury dining experience. Located on 20 acres of Salt Lake’s most coveted Little Cottonwood Canyon property, La Caille’s grounds offer breathtaking views, manicured gardens, Canyon Rivers, lush vineyards, winding brick lanes, and authentic French decor.
La Caille itself is housed in an 18th-century French-inspired Chateau. Guests dine in one of three unique dining rooms and, during summer months, on one of our three spectacular patios. La Caille is a twelve-year AAA Four-Diamond Award recipient and our contemporary French menu and service have earned praise nationwide.” LaCaille.com
Taggert’s Grill – Morgan
“Taggart’s Grill® is a family-owned restaurant in a picturesque high desert canyon in scenic Morgan, Utah. We offer a diverse menu featuring classic American entrees, gourmet burgers, handcrafted sandwiches, and decadent homemade desserts. The grounds surrounding the restaurant feature lush landscaping with a variety of vibrant flowers and foliage, a beautiful Koi pond featuring cascading waterfalls, and a small family of friendly peacocks.” Their Sunday Brunch menu is available at TaggartsGrill.com
Brio Italian Grill – Murray
“Brio Murray is a premier Tuscan-inspired restaurant destination serving authentic, northern Italian cuisine, luxury wines & cocktails-our specialties include premium quality steaks, chops, seafood, made-to-order pasta, and flatbreads prepared in an authentic Italian wood-burning oven.” Brunch menu items have an Italian flair that will help you understand the true meaning of what brunch is all about. Locations.BrioItalian.com
Marmalade Brunch House – Salt Lake City
“Our chefs have grown up around good, hearty home-cooked meals that have ignited their passion to create a menu that not only tastes delicious but inspires. You don’t need to be a foodie to know what good food is, you just need to know that with every bite you take, your tummy is happy.” See their brunch menu at MarmaladeBrunchHouse.com
The Park Café – Salt Lake City
“The Park Cafe has been serving the Liberty Wells area since 1982. Snuggled up to Liberty Park, the cafe has a location that can’t be beaten. We are a small family of friends and a part of a small community in a biggish town. Come down and meet your friends for a meal at the park. This is the place where friends meet for breakfast.” TheParkCafeSLC.com
Ruth’s Diner – Salt Lake City
Ruth’s Diner has been serving patrons since 1930. Situated in beautiful Emigration Canyon, there is nothing like brunch outside on the patio. RuthsDiner.com
Little America Coffee Shop – Salt Lake City
Famous for its menu of traditional favorites and made-from-scratch comfort foods, The Coffee Shop is the perfect setting for a delicious meal. Whether you are eating in the coffee shop or on the patio, you will enjoy your brunch in a peaceful atmosphere at Little America. SaltLake.LittleAmerica.com
The Porcupine Pub and Grill – Salt Lake City
“Our wide variety of homemade food is a great escape from the usual mass-produced food chain. We serve a signature brunch menu on the weekends complete with Omelets of the day, French toast with fresh berries, and freshly brewed coffee.” PorcupinePub.com
The Dodo – Sugar House Park
“Since 1981, The Dodo has served as a neighborhood gathering place with an upscale casual environment. After a few migrations, we’ve settled into our permanent home in Sugarhouse. In the summertime, enjoy brunch on our patio with gorgeous views of neighboring Sugarhouse Park and the Wasatch Mountain Range in the distance.” TheDodoRestaurant.com
Penny Ann’s Café – Salt Lake City
“Not only is the atmosphere comfortable and inviting, the food is top-notch. For the fifth year in a row, Penny Ann’s Café was the winner of the Best of State award for Best Breakfast. They are known as the Home of the “Heavenly Hot Cakes”, and the pancakes are a fantastic place to start when trying to decide on something from the menu.” PennyAnnsCafe.com
The Brunch House – Provo
Julio and Angelica came from Burbank California in 2015 and started The Brunch House. To them, brunch is an open concept of breakfast and lunch – 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. TheBrunchHouseUtah.com
Guru’s Café – Provo
“Enlightenment comes in many forms. We say, “to each their own” and at Guru’s, you can get one step closer to your illuminating jackpot by embarking on your journey with a belly full of healthy, affordably priced gourmet foods.” GurusCafe.com
The Pub – Cedar City
“The Pub restaurant prides itself on using the freshest, seasonal ingredients to create unique flavorful dishes for all to enjoy. We bake our croissants, French subs, cheese bagels, and pastries fresh daily.” ThePubCedarCity.com
The French Spot Café – Cedar City
“The French Spot strives to create a corner of French culture in our community. We’re here to help you spoil your sweet tooth. Come practice your French. Or sit back with a café and a croissant, close your eyes, listen to some French tunes, and believe yourself in Paris for a second.” TheFrenchSpotCafe.com
George’s Corner Restaurant and Pub – St. George
Originally known as the Big Hand Café, the place quickly became a St. George icon and a stopping place for tourists traveling through Southern Utah. The Greyhound bus would make its one stop in town at the Big Hand and each time it pulled in the waitresses would holler “bus in”, and they would get ready to serve the hungry travelers.
It is remembered for its big hand sign outlined with blinking lights pointing to the front door, lit up with the words “Especially Good Food”. George’s Corner Restaurant celebrates the history of St. George and honors the great men and women who moved to this barren land and made it into a home. GeorgesCornerRestaurant.com
Tiffany’s Creperie – St. George
“Our menu explores casual French cuisine, featuring sweet and savory crêpes, salads, sandwiches, teas, and desserts in our cozy dining room and beautiful outdoor patio. Our attentive staff works to ensure every meal lives up to our hard-earned reputation and impeccable standards. Whether it’s brunch, lunch, or dinner, we invite you to join us at Tiffany’s.” TifinysCreperie.com
Twenty places in Utah to enjoy a laid-back, quiet moment, enjoy some delicious comfort food. Why be in a hurry, you made it through another week.
