Regardless of whether you seek a posh brunch setting or a more casual atmosphere, seven of Rochester, MN's favorite brunches have got it going on. The classy vibe at Bleu Duck Kitchen, The Loop, Pescara, and Five West will draw you in, as will the laid back Whistle Binkies, Rooster’s and Hy-Vee Market Grille. And that’s to say nothing about the food.
Breakfast burrito? The Recoop? Bloody Mary? Or maybe some non-traditional Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict with a flash of hollandaise genius? It’s all here, folks. Enjoy your brunch in Rochester, MN!
Bleu Duck Kitchen
14 Fourth Street SW; 507-258-4663; open Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Average cost: The cost of the brunch buffet is $18 per person, with the choice of one sweet item (like Poppy Seed Pancakes) and one savory item (like Short Rib Benedict). Customers can also order from the "other stuff" menu; those items range from $10 - $12 and include a Breakfast Burrito, Breakfast Ramen, and more.
Three can't-miss brunch items: Biscuit & Gravy, Frittata, Smoked Salmon.
It's not brunch without beverages: Sip on a Bloody Mary, Mimosa, or Aperol Spritz, or go with coffee, tea, or juice.
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Pescara
150 S. Broadway Ave; 507-280-6900
Average cost: About $15.
Egg-ucated guess (eggs used during brunch rush): “On a pretty good busy brunch we probably go through 500 eggs,” says general manager Luke Johnson.
Three can’t-miss brunch items: “The Gouda Hash Browns, the Oatmeal Pancakes, and then we have our in-house Smoked Salmon that we smoke every Sunday for brunch.”
Don’t break this guy’s heart: “Always call for a reservation,” says Johnson. “We do have such a small dining room and it’s hard when people show up and we can’t accommodate them. It breaks my heart a little bit.”
photo courtesy of Rochester Magazine
Five West Kitchen & Bar
1991 Commerce Drive NW; 507-361-5555
Average cost: $7 to $12.
Egg-ucated guess (eggs used during brunch rush): “On an average Sunday brunch rush we go through a whopping 800 eggs,” says co-owner Jonathan Buck.
Three can’t-miss brunch items: Veggie Scramble, Eggs Benedict, and Five West Omelet.
Coffee, regular: “The community has really come out and supported us, and it has been great to see all the regulars who come in every week to dine with us during breakfast and brunch hours,” says Buck.
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Hy-Vee Market Grille (Five locations)
Average cost: The cost of the brunch buffet is $17 per person. Customers can also order from the breakfast menu; those items range between $6 and $8.
Egg-ucated guess (eggs used during brunch rush): More than 150 eggs per brunch. (And only cage-free eggs are used.)
Three can’t-miss brunch items: Eggs Benedict, pancakes, and the Chef’s Special, which varies by location.
Prime rib: “Hy-Vee Market Grilles offer a prime rib special and build-your-own-omelet bar on Sundays,” says marketing coordinator Sarah Thacker.
photo courtesy of Rochester Magazine
The Loop
318 First Ave SW; 507-226-8644
Egg-ucated guess (eggs used during brunch rush): Up to 100.
Three can’t-miss brunch items: “If I had to pick only three … I would definitely say the Creme Brulee French Toast is my No. 1. We have Creme Brulee on our dessert menu and we use that same batter to make our French toast,” says general manager Tanna Farnsworth. Her #2 and #3? Breakfast Pizza and Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict.
What you don’t know: “I hear a lot that people don’t know we do brunch on Saturdays as well as Sundays,” says Farnsworth. “We’ve been doing brunch on both Saturday and Sunday for almost five years now and the word still isn’t out.”
photo courtesy of Rochester Magazine
Rooster’s Barn & Grill
2280 Superior Drive NW; 507-226-8885
Average cost: $10 to $12.
Egg-ucated guess (eggs used during brunch rush): “On a Sunday morning, 30 to 40 dozen,” says co-owner Mike Brakke.
Three can’t-miss brunch items: Rooster Breakfast, the Recoop, and Farmers Market Omelet.
Full bar service, 8 a.m.: “We have a full-service bar that starts at 8 a.m. with mimosas and Bloody Marys,” says Brakke. “A lot of people don’t realize we can start serving those at 8 a.m.”
photo courtesy of Rochester Magazine
Whistle Binkies Pub
3120 Wellner Dr NW and 247 Woodlake Dr SE; 507-289-9200, 507-424-1227
Average cost: $13.95 for adults, $6.95 for kids, and kids age 6 and under eat free.
Egg-ucated guess (eggs used during brunch rush): 60 dozen.
Three can’t-miss brunch items: Biscuits and Gravy, fresh waffles, and omelettes made to order
And, it’s brunch, so you can drink: “We won Best Bloody Mary (as voted on by the readers in Rochester Magazine) in Rochester for 2017,” says owner Randy Lehman.
photo courtesy of Rochester Magazine