Spokane is known for its Riverfront Park and stunning architecture, but what about food? Join Explore Washington State contributor Molly Lindquist as she takes you on a journey through 7 of the best brunch spots in Spokane.
On Sunday mornings I like to take my time waking up. Life feels a little more peaceful, like the hustle and bustle of daily life has been put on pause. I can sleep in a bit, have my morning coffee, read and still manage to find myself brunch no matter how late I leave the house. The only difficulty comes with the sheer amount of choices that I have for said meal. The paralysis of choice is real in Spokane, but it’s a good problem to have. From French country style brunch to home style cooking, there are a wide range of restaurants to choose from around town, and I’m going to give you a rundown of some of my favorites. But keep in mind this list barely scratches the surface of all that there is to enjoy.
Italia Trattoria
Recently the Food Network listed Italia Trattoria as having some of the best pasta in the nation, and their brunch offerings aren’t too bad either. Located in historic Browne’s Addition, Italia Trattoria is a ray of sunshine in the neighborhood. With a golden yellow stucco exterior and vibrant red walls inside, it feels festive and homey at the same time. Their head chef, Anna Vogel, originally hails from Switzerland, proximal to the French and Italian borders. You can see this play out on the menu with items like Prosciutto Croque Madame and Eggs Florentine Benedict. Their Zeppole Donuts are a must-order for the table as they’re made to order and served with a delicious maple cream.
While the food is the focus, I can’t forget to mention their fantastic drink menu. I indulged in their Limoncello Bellini, which is perfect if you want to take a mimosa to the next level. Their Alps coffee looks dangerously drinkable with dark chocolate, hazelnut liquor, coffee and whipped cream. It’s hard to go wrong when ordering brunch at Italia Trattoria.
Chaps
Hidden down a backroad on the outskirts of Spokane lies one of the best places for brunch in the area. Owner Celeste Shaw opened Chaps in 2007, moving a turn of the century farmhouse across the highway to build her restaurant. It has a delightful western meets French country vibe inside, and the weekend brunch is spectacular. Their chandeliers and ornate wall décor create an elegant air, yet the order-at-the-counter set up keeps it casual. Their weekend brunch offerings include their infamous Blueberry Muffin French Toast and Chicken Fried Steak. In addition to a full brunch menu, their French pastries are perfectly laminated with additions like seasonal berries or chocolate & orange. Equally popular is their maple nut scone. They serve Doma Coffee roasters, who are based out of Idaho, brewed nice and strong.
Luna
A gem on Spokane’s South Hill, Luna beams with southern French countryside charm and a hint of Spanish stucco. Inside you’ll find minimalist French country with comforting peach colored walls and quirky chandeliers enclosed in bird cages. William and Marcia Bond opened Luna in the fall of 1992, so it’s stood the test of time and offered Spokane upscale French cuisine at a time when there wasn’t the plethora of fine dining restaurants that we have today.
With a rotating menu and an emphasis on local sourcing, Luna offers fresh and innovative items for their weekend brunch menu. Their brisket hash is a crowd favorite and they offer 3 different styles of eggs benedict. An order of their Grand Marnier Beignets for the table of a must when brunching here. There’s a reason that so many of the restaurants on this list serve Doma Coffee Roasters, including Luna. This north Idaho based coffee company has been turning out amazing coffee for 20 years and are still going strong. Luna also offers a choice of brunch cocktails like their Bitter French with gin, campari, lemon juice and champagne or their seasonal Bellini.
Madeleine’s Café & Patisserie
With a charming Periwinkle stucco exterior accented by white trim and a welcoming sign, it’s hard to walk past Madeleine’s Café without stopping inside. The interior evokes French country, shabby-chic décor, with the same greyed out Periwinkle coloring the booths and ceiling. A white tile backsplash gives of a touch of farmhouse while an Eiffel Tower chandelier reminds you that you’re in for some authentic Parisian style pastry. Deb Green and her daughter Megan Van Stone opened the café in 2007, after Megan attended French pastry school. At the time, there were no bakeries in downtown Spokane, so their opening was eagerly anticipated. It has proven to be enormously successful, and the café is usually bustling with coffee drinkers, breakfast seekers and croissant consumers.
On the weekend the café offers special brunch items like savory crepes and smoked salmon hash alongside their usual breakfast fare like quiche, eggs benedict, French toast and a croque madame. That is, of course, in addition to offerings like croissants, cinnamon rolls, maple bars, tartlets and more. There’s quite a spread at Café Madeline’s, and on the caffeine front they serve Doma Coffee Roasters drip and espresso, plus a selection of teas to compliment your dish.
Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar
Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar first opened their doors in Spokane’s Riverpark Square in 2001. Twigs’ owners, Jeff and Karen Blackwell, are Spokane natives who were able to turn an 800-square-foot restaurant into a series of upscale restaurants throughout Spokane and beyond. There’s a reason for their success, and they serve up delicious food in elegant restaurants in excellent locations. With bold and modern interiors, central glass fireplaces, a rainbow of distilled spirit bottles lining the bar walls and modern lighting fixtures, Twigs is a great spot for weekend brunches.
Their location on the South Hill has a patio overlooking a pond with a fountain, so it’s ideal for brunch in warmer months. Their French Toast is made with sourdough baguette slices and served with maple bourbon butter. For an Eggs Benedict dish taken up a notch, try their Crab Lemon Benedict with country potatoes. They do a remarkable job with their martinis and offer additional drinks for brunch like a Huckleberry Mimosa or their Red Snapper, a Bloody Mary made with gin.
The Yards Bruncheon
I have to hand it to this place for making what is traditionally a weekend meal available 7 days a week. The fact that they happen to do a phenomenal job with it helps as well. The Yards Bruncheon lies in the heart of Kendall Yards, a modern community across the river from downtown Spokane. The interior has a quirky, 50s dinner air, complete with checkered floors and lively teal walls. The place is usually packed with regulars, so it’s an energetic spot and a decent way to start your day.
Crowd favorites include their Chicken and Waffles, Dutch Baby, and Brunch Burger served between 2 pieces of French Toast. They serve local legends Roast House coffee and offer traditional brunch drinks with a twist like a Pear Mimosa or a Blood Orange Screwdriver. The Yards Bruncheon opened in 2014, founded by infamous chef and Inland Northwest native Adam Hegsted. He has played a pivotal role in Spokane’s restaurant boom over the past decade as the owner of numerous restaurants in the region like the Gilded Unicorn, Incrediburger & Eggs, and the Wandering Table to name a few.
1898 Public House
Nestled into a basalt cliff valley in north Spokane, 1898 Public House offers gorgeous views of the surrounding Kalispel Golf & Country Club. The 1898 Public House opened in 2016, when the Kalispel tribe bought the historic and formerly private country club. Its spacious layout and sweeping views were once only available to club members attending a special event. That has all changed and it’s a remarkable place to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning. Their weekend brunch is complete with Bloody Mary & Mimosa bar, where you can help yourself to a wide range of additions to your drink.
Crab Artichoke & Spinach Benedict or Corned Beef hash on the menu help to elevate traditional brunch food and their chicken fried steak is served in a full-sized cast iron skillet. The portions are impressive, so come hungry or be prepared to have some seriously delicious leftovers. A special list of brunch cocktails is available, with unique drinks like their Vanilla Chai Tea with Vanilla Vodka and RumChata or their Cold Brew White Russian. The country club grounds themselves are over 120 years old, the 4th oldest golf course in the state of Washington.
[…] are a few types of cuisines Spokane does really well: brunch, breweries, coffee — and bagels. Almost anywhere you go in Spokane, you’ll find a serious bagel […]
[…] Best Brunch Spots in Spokane […]
[…] Spokane’s culinary scene has exploded in the last few years. From fine dining to casual there is something for every taste. Because we are concentrating on the downtown core, we won’t mention any of the wonderful options available in the areas of the city outside of downtown. […]