In our Where to Brunch series, we search Houston’s vast array of neighborhoods 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.
Named after St. Thomas Aquinas and founded in 1947 by the Basilian Fathers, the University of St. Thomas is the city’s only Catholic university. The charming campus is located in the Neartown district, and with vibrant hoods like Montrose, the Museum District and Midtown all within reach, there are no shortage of excellent (and since this is college, budget-friendly) brunch options.
Note: For the purposes of this list, the area near the University of St. Thomas is bound by Westheimer/Elgin to the north, Bissonnet to the south, Dunlavy to the west and Main to the east.
Where to Brunch Near the University of St. Thomas
- Blacksmith – This cool kid’s coffee shop brews mean Greenway roasts and an excellent roster of teas alongside one of the best sausage, egg, and cheddar scratch-made biscuits in town. Get that, or convince your friend to split it with some impossibly flaky croissants with crème fraiche and marmalade, Vietnamese steak and eggs, smoked salmon dill scramble, and silver platter chilaquiles. Daily 7am to 5pm. Click here for directions.
- The Breakfast Klub – It’s all about the fried chicken wings and waffles at this line-out-the-door, counter-service Southern spot. Or the wings and grits. Oh, and the catfish and grits, buttermilk biscuits smothered in pan sausage gravy, fried pork chops and eggs with homefries and toast, and breakfast “klub” sandwiches loaded with bacon, ham, turkey, eggs, tomato, and cheese on griddled sourdough. Yeah. Weekdays open at 7am to 2pm; Weekends 8am to 2pm. Click here for directions.
- Common Bond – You can get croissants the size of your head at this walk-up pastry shop and cafe; and you can pair them with lattes, scrambles, buttery kouign-amann, fresh yogurt, and rainbow macarons. On weekends, you’ll likely find a line out the door, but it moves fast. Saturday and Sunday 7am to 4pm. Weekday breakfast 7am to 11am. Click here for directions.
- Good Dog Houston – Whoever said you couldn’t brunch with hot dogs and beer? This local favorite ups the weenie game with housemade toppings and condiments, from beer-braised ‘kraut and beef and chorizo chili to jalapeño relish and mustard cheese sauce. If you’re feeling something breakfasty, you can always add an egg; and those looking for soups, salads, sandwiches, and sides—think hand-cut fries, smoked hot wings, miso greens, Gulf fish po’ boys, and beer-and-cheese soup—can find those, too. Tuesday through Sunday opens at 11am. Click here for directions.
- Night Heron – Hit the tree-shaded patio at this neighborhood bistro, which offers brunch plates from honey chicken biscuits and sourdough avocado toast to stuffed conchiglie pasta and smoked gouda burgers. Saturday and Sunday 11am to 3:30pm. Click here for directions.
- Snooze, an A.M. Eatery – Brunch plates are large and cheap at this Denver-import, with offerings including a lineup of eggs Benedict—from a classic ham to the Tex-Mex style chile verde with pulled pork and green chile hollandaise—plus breakfast sammies loaded with eggs and sausage, shaved pork and gruyere, and belly-bacon, tomato, and arugula. Looking for the sweet stuff? You won’t want to miss the addicting pancakes, which are available in flights and feature flavors like buttermilk lemon-poppyseed with citrus mascarpone; blueberry danish with almond streusel; and pineapple upside-down cake with caramelized pineapple chunks, vanilla crème anglaise, and cinnamon butter. Daily 6:30am to 2:30pm. Click here for directions.
More Great Brunch Options Near the University of St. Thomas
Get a laidback, Southern-style breakfast feast at Natachee’s Supper n’ Punch; expand your coffee horizons and channel the science lab at Siphon Coffee, or grab a cup at Black Hole Coffee; fill up on breakfast tacos at Tacos A Go Go and Chapultepec Lupita; and check out more nearby brunch options in Montrose, Midtown, and the Museum District.
