Where to Brunch in River Oaks

In our Where to Brunch series, we search Greater Houston’s vast array of neighborhoods and communities for the very best brunch offerings. 

Though River Oaks is actually a residential community spanning 1,100 acres, locals consider its boundaries to expand beyond the homes.

The classy neighborhood is home to upscale shopping districts, beautiful gardens, the classic River Oaks Theatre, and a wealth of awesome places to brunch.

Note: For the purposes of this list, River Oaks is bound by Buffalo Bayou to the north, Westheimer to the south, Dunlavy to the east, and 610 to the west.

Where to Brunch in River Oaks

a’Bouzy

The party doesn’t stop a’Bouzy, the Champagne-fueled brunch spot that draws a see-and-be-seen crowd.

Pop in to pop bottles alongside a roster of elegant morning plates, from duck fat pommes frites & eggs and Gulf oysters to braised pork hash and blueberry butter waffles.

Saturday and Sunday 10am to 3pm.

Annabelle Brasserie

Anchoring the stunning Autry Park, Berg Hospitality’s luxurious Annabelle Brasserie offers picturesque views and modern French fare.

Weekend brunch means you can linger over croissants and pain au chocolate, lobster cocktail and oysters by the dozen, croque monsieur and tartine, and steak frites and caviar.

Saturday and Sunday 8am to 3pm.

Backstreet Cafe

You’ll want to start with fresh-from-the-oven orange chocolate brioche buns and pillowy buttermilk biscuits at elegant (yet totally cozy) Houston institution, Backstreet Cafe.

If that doesn’t set the tone for a great meal, live jazz, and a few eye-opening morning cocktails certainly will.

Brunch plates offer a range of tastes, with Southern, Gulf, Creole, and Mexican influences. Get spiced avocado toasts, wood-grilled shrimp and cheesy stone-ground grits, and smoked chicken and potato hash with perfectly poached eggs.

Saturday and Sunday 10am to 3pm (select brunch items also offered Fridays 11:30am to 3pm).

Brasserie 19

For a people-watching experience that’s as enticing as the food, hit the oh-so chic Brasserie 19 in the River Oaks Shopping Center.

Come dressed to impress and nosh on challah pain pardu and poached lobster croissant that will transport you to the streets of Paris.

Tack on coffee and bubbly service for good measure.

Sunday 11am to 3pm.

Pastore

“Keep your family near and your belly full” with a leisurely weekend brunch at the beautiful Pastore, Underbelly Hospitality’s sophisticated Italian concept.

Start with lightly cured Gulf snapper with fennel, castelvetrano olives and lemon oil, or some ricotta toast topped with 16-month aged prosciutto, pears, balsamic, and a poached egg; then decide whether you’re sharing bites of your brioche french toast, guanciale frittata, or truffle cacio e pepe.

Wash it all down with white peach bellinis and Bloody Marys complete with an antipasto skewer.

Saturday and Sunday 11am to 3pm.

State of Grace

Kick Sunday off with beignets and hushpuppies from trendy, Gulf Coast-kissed favorite State of Grace.

Then move on to crawfish etouffee–smothered eggs benny, bernaise steak & eggs, and perfect griddle cakes with buttermilk syrup.

Sunday 10am to 3pm.

More Great Brunch Options in River Oaks

Go for bellini carafes and monte cristos at gastropub Bosscat Kitchen & Libations; enjoy local-inspired brunch fare at Eloise Nichols Grill & Liquors; sip the world’s coldest martini alongside weekend brunch specials at Hudson House; pair raw bar selections with truffled steak and eggs at Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette; choose between carbonara and tortilla española at Lulu’s River Oaks; get classy takes on comfort fare at Ouisie’s Table; unwind with frozen cocktails and wings & waffles at Piggy’s Kitchen & Bar; spend Saturday with bloodys and hot honey chicken biscuits at Relish Restaurant & Bar; enjoy decadent delights and seafood towers at Zanti Italian Cucina; and look out for the brunch offerings from buzzy new French-inspired restaurant, Cocody.

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