Brunch isn't just a meal, it's a way of life. Every weekend, we gather our friends to catch up, possibly while trying to undo the previous night's damage in the process. And it all just happens to take place over an Instagrammable table filled with eggs, bacon, pancakes, coffee, mimosas, and more.
But serial brunchers know that the best weekend meals take some planning and foresight, or at least some knowledge of how to manage when it comes to your neighborhood hot spots. Ahead, find eight simple brunch rules we swear by. Tell us yours in the comments!
1. Wait For Text Confirmation Before Heading Out
Weekend brunching typically involves some sort of cathartic recovery from the night before. Whether it's using greasy food to settle your stomach or talking over the events of last night's party with friends.
So no matter how late in the day your brunch plans are, it's always a good idea to double check that your fellow attendees are at least awake before you leave the house. That way, you don't end up alone at a restaurant with a bunch of, "I forgot to set my alarm," or "Too hungover to function," messages.
Photographed by Rus Anson.
2. Avoid Places That Don't Take Reservations
Having a few go-to spots in your neighborhood that take reservations is key. A lot of brunch places don't, and the more popular the place, the longer the wait — and the more likely your brunch crew is to fall apart when the hostess says it'll be over an hour. Making a reservation makes things much easier, especially if you're brunching with a group.
Photographed by Maria del Rio.
3. Be Strategic
We know we just said to avoid places that don't take reservations, but there are some workarounds. If there's a super popular place in your area that doesn't take reservations, get there before it opens to avoid the massive wait. Sure, you'll have to wake up earlier, but you can scarf down that delicious grub and take a nap later.
Or, if one friend lives near said exclusive spot, have them put the party's name down in advance. That way, by the time everyone shows up, it'll only be a 10 to 15 minute wait instead of two hours.
Plus, there are alway compromises for getting in faster. Like sitting at a shared table or at the bar.
Photographed by Liz Clayman.
4. Free Refills Are Key
Unless you're going the latte route, free coffee refills pretty much make brunch the best meal of the day. So make sure to ask ahead before you order that coffee. If it's $4 for a cup without refills, you'll know to grab a cup on the way next time and focus on cocktails once you're seated, instead.
Photographed by Amy Harrity.
5. Read The Menu En Route
Things can get crazy in packed restaurants during brunch service, so once your waiter comes by, who knows when you'll see them again? That's why it's great to look over the menu on your phone when you're heading over. Not only will you know what you want, but you can look up the place on social media to see what dishes people have been raving about the most.
Photographed by Anna Alexia Basile.
6. Eat Something Better Than What You'd Make At Home
Sure, it's fun to order avocado toast and yogurt parfaits, but the real beauty of brunch is eating something you'd never make at home. So go for the giant pancake stacks, eggs Benedict, or that complicated-looking breakfast hash. You're way less likely to be disappointed when the plates arrive.
Photographed by Phoebe Chuason.
7. Order To Share
The best (and worst?) part of brunch is there are always way too many delicious options to choose from. Savory or sweet? Light or rich? It's enough to make us want to order several different dishes. But, that's what friends are for! Instead of ordering solo, make sure to get the most out of any given menu by sharing e verything. Or at the very least get some apps or treats for the table.
Photographed by Jackie Alpers.
8. Try Not To Overstay Your Welcome
We know weekend meals are all about catching up and attempting to recover from the night before. But, it's also important to think about the waitstaff, too. If the restaurant's packed and there's a wait outside, try not to linger too long after you finish eating. The staff will appreciate it — bringing you one step closer to that coveted "regular" status — and so will the other hungry/hungover would-be brunchers on the wait-list that are just like you 45 minutes ago.
Photographed by Liz Clayman.
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