Easter and Mother’s Day are the biggest brunch days of the year. Here are the classic spots if you want to call early.
With high style and refined food that still manages to be comforting, this holiday brunch ranks at the top. Special menus for each holiday usually include a coursed menu option. 601 1st Ave. N., Mpls., 612-312-1168, cosmosrestaurant.com
Besides the regular menu, there’s a brunch tasting menu with five chef-driven courses that change seasonally and hit savory to sweet. 95 Merriam St., Mpls., 612-331-1800, nicolletislandinn.com
South suburbanites count this as a Sunday standard. With multiple rooms and tons of seating, this is a large family-function brunch destination. 15435 Founders Ln., Apple Valley, 952-891-6569, enjoy-dining.com
In a country farmhouse setting, big platters of hearty food pass between friends and family. This brunch goes till 4 pm, which may befit your leisurely day. 5959 Centerville Rd., North Oaks, 651-426-9222, triarestaurant.com
OK, it doesn’t take weekend reservations, and it is usually packed, but you can call ahead and get on the waitlist. Peanut butter pancakes, apple pancakes, Dutch babies, oh my! Four metro locations, ophmn.com
Dress up, because you’ll want to look your retro old-school best. Jax is all classy and classic with dueling tables of hot and cold items: eggs Benedict vs. poached salmon. 1928 University Ave. NE, Mpls., 612-789-7297, jaxcafe.com
The signature New Orleans Jazz Brunch includes a monster salad bar with more than 30 offerings, jambalaya, and other Cajun specialties, and a bit of live jazz to go with the unlimited bloody mary bar. 4785 Hodgson Rd., Shoreview, 651-484-8484, kozlaks.com
Choose from the stylish menu plates or go for the refillable big platter of eggs, cakes, sausage, bacon, and potatoes served family-style. 11000 Red Circle Dr., Minnetonka, 952-224-5858, jimmysfoodandcocktails.com
Telling a Midwestern story with local ingredients, it may be the last bastion of the apple pannekoeken. 31 S. 7th St., Mpls., 612-216-3473, firelakerestaurant.com
Classic all the way, unless you count the vanilla bourbon French toast and the savory bacon/cheddar malted waffle, which are all kinds of love that seem fresh and new. 350 Market St., St. Paul, 651-224-7455, stpaulgrill.com
Forget the patio and nestle into a fire-lit room while you tuck into a menu that is redolent with sausage and bacon. 374 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-224-5715, wafrost.com
The king of east metro brunch, the buffet stretches for days and is piled with all the standards (including two tables dedicated to sweets!). 3442 Lake Elmo Ave. N., Lake Elmo, 651-777-8495, lakeelmoinn.com