By Dakota Parks
If there is one thing people missed the most from quarantine, it’s probably brunch. A few weeks into isolation and people were flooding the Internet about bottomless mimosas and soccer ball-sized waffles. Brunch is not just an excuse to day drink with your friends, but it’s also an excuse to eat copious amounts of breakfast foods at non-breakfast hours. Pensacola has a bustling brunch community from drag brunch to jazz brunch to cozy spots that you can roll into still wearing your pajamas. We gathered some of our favorite picks in town: happy brunching!
The Vineyard
The Vineyard Located in the Historic Sacred Heart Hospital on 12th Avenue, The Vineyard offers a Saturday and Sunday brunch from 11 am-2 pm. Every other Saturday they offer a drag brunch with live drag shows on their outdoor patio. Nothing is better than brunch outside, an Irish coffee topped with whipped cream and a show! A fan favorite is the French toast with thick slices of baguette bread battered and griddled then topped with cinnamon drizzle and powdered sugar— served with a side of fruit and maple syrup. Add aside of Southern gouda grits and a mimosa with cranberry juice for a perfect combo of sweet and savory.
Five Sister’s Blues Café
Tucked into the musically renowned Belmont-Devilliers neighborhood, 5 Sisters has a classic Sunday jazz brunch from 10 am-4 pm featuring live bands. While they await the safe return of the live bands put on pause for social distancing, guests can still be serenaded by jazz favorites playing through the restaurant. A menu rich with Southern comfort foods, the chicken & waffles is a classic with a crispy chicken breast on top of a waffle, served with maple syrup.
If you’re looking for a savory dish, the smothered chicken biscuit is served up with fried chicken tenders over a buttermilk biscuit smothered in house-made sausage gravy and finished with two poached eggs.
Skopelos at New World
The Sunday brunch from 10 am-2 pm with Chef Gus Silivos is open and donning an updated menu. Along with indoor tables, the dog-friendly garden courtyard is the perfect quiet spot along Palafox Street for a relaxing bite to eat. The menu includes customer favorites like the stuffed brioche French toast and grouper margarita, alongside a bunch of instant classics like bacon charcuterie, Greek frittatas, vegan Impossible country fried “steak” & “eggs” and more. The popular “Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar” and bottomless mimosas are still flowing!
The Leisure Club Coffee & Brunch Bar
Quite possibly one of the longest running brunch hours in town, The Leisure Club’s Saturday and Sunday brunch runs from 8 am-4 pm, and just like the name says, it’s a very chill spot. No one is judging if you roll in wearing your PJs or stretchy pants. With vegan options, delicious drip coffees, fresh fruit smoothies and $10 bottomless mimosas and Bloody Mary’s, the menu has something for all of your friends to enjoy. Fan favorites include the everything bagel with smoked salmon, the avocado toast with diced tomatoes and a balsamic reduction and the vegan waffles.
The Fish House
Brunch overlooking the serene Pensacola Bay is a dreamy way to spend a Sunday afternoon. From fried grouper bites, calamari, crab cakes to the gulf shrimp cocktail and daily fish, The Fish House brunch from 11 am-2 pm is known for its seafood staples. They also feature a full brunch menu with sweet and savory options, $2 Bloody Mary drinks and $12 bottles of sparkling wine.
Don’t want to sit down for your brunch favorites?
Some people are hesitant to return to their favorite brunch spots because of COVID-19. All of the restaurants mentioned above also offer take-out and delivery with Waitr and GrubHub. When in doubt, check your local restaurants on Facebook for their up-to date hours and service.