7 Mind-Boggling Brunch Spots in Cleveland

Finally! The weekend is here, and you know what that means? For anyone working 9-to-5s in bustling Columbus, it means a much-needed break from the daily grind. And what could be a better weekend break for your busy schedule than sitting down to a mouthwatering omelet overflowing with farm fresh veggies, or a plate piled high with hot-off-the-griddle pancakes?

That’s right, Cleveland – we’re talking brunch 🥂

We’ve got a little something for everyone on this list. I don’t want to give too much away just yet, but here’s a sneak peek at what we’ve got for you today:

• Fresh, organic brunch options you can feel good about for the rest of the week
• Some of Cleveland’s most delectable donuts
• All sorts of cute and quirky cafes

Plus, we’ve even pointed out all of the spots on this list that are currently accepting convenient GiftYa gift cards.

Gift-what, you ask?

GiftYa! If you’re new here or it’s just been a while, here’s a quick refresher. GiftYa digital gift cards can be sent in seconds from your phone, laptop, or really any other device that connects to the internet. Just select a vendor, create your custom text/image/video message, and send it off to a person of your choosing. 

They can cash in their gift card like they would any digital gift card that lives on their cell phone, or they can link it up to one of the credit cards they carry all the time anyway. When they make a purchase from the store their gift card is for using their favorite credit card, it automatically detracts from the gift card balance instead.

You can head over to GiftYa to learn more, but if that’s satisfied your appetite (for knowledge), let’s work on getting some brunch in your belly.

1 - Green Rooster Farms

Fresh, Healthy, Organic Breakfast & Brunch Foods in the Heart of Downtown

Grab a Green Rooserter Farms gift card by following the link!

2033 E 13th St | Cleveland | thedriftwoodgroup.com

Let’s start with something healthy because after seeing the fluffy French toast and beautifully decorated donuts on this list, we’re not sure we’ll have the strength to come back to it 😅 For anyone who’s looking for a brunch that won’t leave you feeling stuffed or sluggish, Green Rooster Farms is a great bet.

The folks at Green Rooster pride themselves in using the freshest of ingredients, and a quick glance at reviews for the restaurant will show that their customers have taken notice. Fresh, fresh, fresh – it’s in almost every comment you can find. But more than just being fresh, Green Rooster Farms serves up healthy, organic meals that you can feel good about using to fuel your body this weekend. 

The breakfast burrito has quite a fan base in Cleveland, but swing by later for lunch and you can also enjoy a variety of hot sandwiches, wraps, and salads made with the same care and speed.

“Their new chef is great! Food is super fresh and great for a quick bite to eat. Try the breakfast burrito!” - Yelp Review 

Grab a Green Rooserter Farms gift card by following the link!

2 - Donut Scene

You “Donut” Want to Miss This Sweet Addition to Cleveland’s Brunch Scene

Text a Donut Scene gift card

15033 Pearl Rd | Strongsville | thedonutscene.food-places.com

Okay, so maybe you’re correctly pointing out that donuts can be enjoyed at any time of day or night… but that includes brunch, and trust us. You won’t want to miss the old school charm of this Strongsville donut shop. This 24/7 donut spot has all of your favorites, made fresh: muffins, donuts, cookies, and more. If your preferred brunch food is some sort of sugary bread, you can surely find it at Donut Scene.

Donut Scene has been serving up treats since 1983, and in those 40+ years of operation, they’ve earned quite a reputation for their apple fritters and sour cream donuts. But no matter which of their bakery items you add to your basket, we’re sure you’ll leave satisfied.

Inside tip: A “dozen donuts” here actually means a baker’s dozen – so you get 13!

“Fantastic donuts and very friendly staff. Like stepping back in time to the old fashioned shoppes.  Definitely one of my favorites.  Love that it's open everyday, too!” - Yelp Review 

Text a Donut Scene gift card

3 - Grumpy’s Cafe

Cleveland Feel Good Food, Open 7 Days a Week

2621 W 14th St | Tremont | grumpyscafe.com

Don’t let the name of the place fool you – you’ll be all smiles when you stop in for brunch at Grumpy’s Cafe. For starters, Grumpy’s focuses on sourcing their ingredients from fresh, local sources. But if supporting Cleveland’s local growers and the Tremont community isn’t enough to make you grin, the flavorful food options definitely will.

As an independent, family-owned restaurant, the chefs here have a chance to show off their creativity and use their ingredients to make some really jaw-dropping “feel good food.” From cinnamon roll pancakes to huevo rancheros, buttermilk biscuit pancakes to cran-apple walnut oatmeal – there’s something for everyone on the menu.

“This place has been on my restaurant bucket list for a while and I finally got a chance to try it! This is in a cute old house that was turned into a cafe. It has diner-like vibes inside but the food is excellent. They have a large menu with many great options. They also allow you to bring your own champagne for mimosas and don't charge a corkage fee. If you are looking for a great brunch or breakfast place in tremont, look no further!” - Yelp Review 

4 - Lucky’s Cafe

Showcasing the Bounty of Ohio with Wholesome, Made-From-Hand Food

777 Starkweather Ave | Tremont | www.luckyscafe.com

No you’re not staring at a winning slot machine – that’s just the address of Lucky’s Cafe in Tremont. Recommended by Restaurant Guru and winner of the Silver Spoon Award for Best Brunch by Cleveland Scene, we’re still confident you’ll hit the jackpot with a meal from Lucky’s.

Locals love their breakfast and brunch foods – pecan bacon, strawberry rhubarb waffles, fluffy french toast, platters of perfectly scrambled eggs – but there’s more to the story than that. Lucky’s Cafe stands out due to their commitment to the local community. Not only do they source their ingredients from Ohio farmers to showcase the bounty of the great state, they also get creative with their offerings, inspired by the diversity of the community they call home.

If you’re looking for an alternative to mass-produced breakfast & brunch, and you’re ready to get a taste of what Cleveland has to offer, then this is your Lucky’s day.

“Hands down the best breakfast in Cleveland. I've been going to Lucky's for years, even before I lived in the city. I'm a sweet breakfast gal, while my husband goes for savory. I think between the two of us we've tried almost everything on the menu and have yet to be disappointed. If you're visiting on a weekend, be prepared to go early or expect a long wait. The cafe is small, but it's worth standing outside in the pouring rain for a table (trust me, I've done it).” - Yelp Review 

5 - Fat Cats

Artsy Brunch Restaurant in Cleveland’s Historic Tremont Neighborhood

2061 W 10th St | Tremont | www.fatcatstremont.com

If the name Fat Cats makes you think angular abstract art and cool jazz, you’ve got the vibe of the restaurant just about right. Fat Cats is the brainchild of Clevelander Ricardo Sandoval, who united his Filipino and Irish heritage as well as his passions for food and sustainability to make his neighborhood a better place. 

Fat Cats works with local farms to source its produce from the Cleveland region, and are committed to sustainability initiatives like composting food scraps for their on-site garden. Plus, the restaurant is overflowing with creations from local artists that are available for purr-chase - and most of the staff comes from creative backgrounds, to boot.

Fat Cats is hands-down one of the coolest, hippest, most happenin’ brunch spots in town.

“This could very well be my new favorite spot!   Absolutely love the building inside and out!    Food and drink were fantastic. We sat by the side window and had a "fat cat" staring at us from the outside...too cute!! And the view of an older neighborhood looking out over the Cuyahoga River to the Cleveland skyline added to our experience.” - Yelp Review 

6 - Truman’s 216

Great Food That Gives Back in a Big Way

1050 W 10th St | East Bank | www.trumans216.com

These unprecedented times have had a variety of unexpected outcomes – including all of the good coming out of Truman’s 216. When the pandemic shut down restaurants across the country, Truman’s launched a meal program to support the local community by sending fresh food to those in need and those on the frontlines – resulting in a program that dished out 500+ community meals per week.

Even with pandemic restrictions receding into memory, Truman’s is maintaining their commitment to feeding Cleveland through their meal program. Beyond that? The restaurant boasts that 100% of profits go towards helping those in need – including donations to charities like the ones that care for homeless animals in the city.

But enough about the good vibes Truman’s 216 is sending out into the community – although seriously, how could you ever get enough of a place like this? Let’s talk about the food. Truman’s brunch has all of your favorite selections – from pancakes to eggs benedict. Live your best life with some fresh avocado toast, or build your own omelet. Sweet or savory, you’ll find a satisfying plate at Truman’s.

“We came to for drag brunch & had a blast!! The queens were rocking it!! We loved brunch & the service was v attentive. Will be back!” - Yelp Review 

7 - West Side Market Cafe

Homestyle Meals for Every Appetite and Budget

1979 W 25th St | Ohio City | www.westsidemarketcafe.com

You may have heard of Cleveland’s famous West Side Market, which has been providing the people and businesses of Cleveland with fresh produce since 1912. Well the West Side Market Cafe combines those quality, locally-sourced market ingredients into tasty food for the people. You don’t have to drop a week’s paycheck to cover a meal at West Side Market Cafe – dedicated to serving good, honest Clevelanders of every appetite and budget, full plates like the Market Breakfast start at just $6.50.

“Definitely a must try when visiting the West Side Market. I've been here a bunch of times and never did,  so glad we made the stop.  It's a little old diner feel.  Very good menu with lots of interesting choices! Service was great! We really enjoyed our meal and we shall be back!” - Yelp Review 

That’s it for our countdown of the best brunch in Cleveland.

Cleveland’s food scene is full of interesting breakfast options – but if you’re looking for something a little bit special to take your next brunch up a notch, we hope that you’ve found it on this list. These restaurants are some of the most popular brunch spots in town – not just because of the mouthwatering and in some cases award-winning food, but because of their commitment to the community as well.

Be sure to stop back soon – we’re always adding more restaurants and attractions to the GiftYa catalog, and here on the GiftYa blog we’re always putting together new guides on the best places to stay, shop, eat, and play in Cleveland and all over the country. Hope to see you soon!