In our Where to Brunch series, we search Greater Houston’s vast array of neighborhoods and communities for the very best brunch offerings. Originally published in 2017, we are now refreshing, updating, and adding to this series, including new neighborhoods and destinations.
One of Houston’s crown jewels is its majestic Theater District, a walkable pocket of the beautiful Downtown. There, you’ll find a mosaic of artistic performance venues, plus brunch spots to enjoy before you catch a show.
Note: For the purposes of this list, the Theater District is the area around and bounded by Franklin, Bagby, Walker, and Main Streets.
Where to Brunch Near the Theater District
- Batanga – Over in Market Square Park, this vibrant tapas bar and restaurant offers a weekend live music brunch not to be missed. Dine on things like braised pork pozole rojo, ropa vieja & eggs, guava and cream cheese stuffed French toast, and Mexican vanilla pancakes with caramelized bananas; and tack mimosa and sangria carafes, or select bottles of wine (which are half-off on Sundays). Saturday and Sunday 11am to 3pm. Click here for directions.
- Birraporetti’s Downtown – Just steps away from the theaters, this Irish-Italian pub and grille offers a Sunday jazz brunch buffet, featuring live jazz musicians and all-you-can-eat brunch specialties. Fill your plate with made-to-order waffles and omelets, eggs Benedict, pasta and Italian entrees, carved roasts, sides, salads, fruits, and sweets. Sunday 10am to 3pm. Click here for directions.
- Bravery Chef Hall – Located in Aris Market Square, this super cool, chef-driven food hall is the perfect place for a knockout brunch, with hours from 11am on (and even earlier for Atlas Diner, which starts serving its all-day breakfast options Monday to Saturday at 7:30am and on Sundays at 8am). Feast on blueberry pancakes and bacon-avocado omelets from Atlas Diner; dig into double burgers and tallow fries at Felix Flores (Black Hill Ranch) and Jessica Timmons’ Cherry Block Craft Butcher & Kitchen; get Vietnamese eggrolls and sticky wings from MasterChef winner Christine Ha at The Blind Goat; savor pizza al taglio and handmade pasts at BOH Pasta & Pizza from Chef Ben McPherson; or go for sashimi from ace Chefs Daniel Lee and Patrick Pham (both of whom honed their skills at Uchi). And don’t forget to grab a cocktail from house bars Lockwood Stn and the beautiful Secret Garden. Click here for directions.
- Coterie – Set in the luxurious Market Square Tower, this all-day café and wine bar is the perfect retreat. Linger over drips, lattes, and wines while noshing on challah French toast, steak & eggs, and daily frittata. Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm; weekdays 7am. Click here for directions.
- Hearsay Gastro Lounge – Rocking exposed brick, a dazzling chandelier, and a second-story terrace, the original Hearsay off Market Square Park is an absolute stunner. Hit the gastropub for brunch pick-me-ups, including but not limited to smoked brisket hash, bourbon pecan French toast, salmon salads, bacon-cheddar burgers, and flowing mimosas. Saturday 11am to 3pm; Sunday 10am to 3pm. Click here for directions.
More Great Brunch Options Near the Theater District
Go for a big, bad, margarita-fueled brunch at El Big Bad, or a beer-fueled one at Bovine & Barley; rise and shine with tacos and coffees at Boomtown Coffee or Saturday breakfast plates at Barnaby’s; share eclectic Latin aperitivos at Fabian’s Latin Flavors; and check out the breakfasts at nearby gems like Cultivated F+B (Hotel Lancaster), Line & Lariat (Hotel Icon), Main Kitchen (JW Marriott), and Rosalie Italian Soul (C. Baldwin Hotel).
