Brunch in the Queen City
Weekend brunch is practically a sport in Charlotte. Here's how to approach it, from classic Southern plates to patio mimosas.
Charlotte's weekends revolve around brunch. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, patios across South End, NoDa, Plaza Midwood and Dilworth fill with groups lingering over biscuits, eggs and coffee. Many restaurants that are dinner-focused during the week run a separate brunch menu at weekends, and in 2020 VANA was one of them: its site listed brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
What makes a Charlotte brunch
- Biscuits. Fluffy, buttery and often the measure of a Southern kitchen.
- Shrimp and grits. A Lowcountry classic that has become a Charlotte staple.
- Chicken and waffles. Sweet, savoury and indulgent.
- Benedicts with a twist: pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes, crab cakes.
- Lighter plates such as grain bowls, avocado toast and salads.
- Drinks: mimosas, bloody marys, cold brew and espresso drinks.
Know the rules on brunch drinks
For years North Carolina restricted alcohol sales before noon on Sundays. A 2017 state law, nicknamed the "brunch bill", let local governments allow Sunday alcohol sales from 10 a.m., and Charlotte adopted it. That is why mid-morning mimosas are now part of the weekend routine.
Brunch strategy
| Goal | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Avoid queues | Arrive at opening or after 1 p.m. |
| Big group | Book ahead where possible; ask about large-format plates |
| Kids | Choose patios and early slots |
| Dietary needs | Check menus online first; ask about gluten-free bread and fryers |
A wood-fired brunch
Hearth kitchens bring something different to brunch: flatbreads topped with eggs, charred vegetables in hash, smoked fish on toast. If you like savoury flavours, a wood-fired restaurant's weekend menu is worth seeking out.
Make a skillet hash at home
- Dice two sweet potatoes and one onion. Cook in a cast-iron pan with oil over medium-high heat for 15 minutes, until crisp.
- Add chopped peppers and greens; cook 3 minutes.
- Make four wells, crack in eggs, cover and cook until whites set.
- Finish with hot sauce, herbs and crumbled cheese.
Etiquette
- Don't camp at a table for hours when a queue is waiting.
- Tip on the full bill, including bottomless drinks.
- Be patient with servers on busy weekends.
Brunch in Charlotte is less a meal than a ritual: a slow start, good company and something delicious. Enjoy it.
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