Brunching Through the ‘Burg
Lazy weekend mornings, with a coffee in one hand and a mimosa in the other, dressed up or down, indulging in sweet AND savory options... Ahh, BRUNCH, the most delightful of meal combinations and social outings.
We need no excuse to indulge in a plate full of bacon and biscuits, we'll certainly take the time to share some of InTheBurg's top brunch spots in Spartanburg. Now, by "brunch" we mean a specific menu-- usually offered just on the weekend, different from an eatery's everyday breakfast or brunch offerings.
Spartanburg has no shortage of delightfully delicious restaurants specializing in breakfast and classic diners, (such as Strawberry Hill Cafe in Chesnee, Humble Grounds Cafe & Coffeeshop in downtown Woodruff, Broadway Bagels Cafe, Blue Moon Specialty Foods, Eggs Up Grill's corporate test kitchen in downtown Spartanburg, Papa's Breakfast Nook, and The Skillet,) but for the purpose of this article we'll be highlighting brunch menus specifically from local eateries featuring unique weekend brunch menus.
When selecting your brunch destination, there's several categories to consider: time frame and day of the week, whether you would like adult beverages, classic menu items vs. unique brunch bites, and overall dining "vibes."
These 15 restaurants offer a mix of all these qualities and more, with eight downtown locales and seven far worth the drive. (It's nearly impossible to pick a favorite, (and unfair of you to ask!) so these restaurants are listed in alphabetical order.)
Downtown City of Spartanburg
Brunch at one locale for hours, or roam from eatery to eatery sampling different drinks and specials-- it's your pick! These eight restaurants are all within three downtown blocks of each other.
Bar 1884: Saturday & Sunday, 11am-3pm, (118-B Magnolia St)
Did someone say, "Bottomless mimosa pitchers?" Bar 1884 is one of downtown Spartanburg's only rooftop bars, overlooking Magnolia Street and Morgan Square. Their brunch menu ranges from classic to innovative, with everything from Apple Stuffed French Toast and Waffle Sandwiches, to Breakfast Poutine.
Cribbs Kitchen: Sunday, 11am-2pm, (226-B West Main St)
Cribbs Kitchen is a classic brunch destination, with something on the menu for everyone in your party. Their brunch menu is small but delicious, with five-ten weekly specials that change by the season. Try one of their refreshing craft cocktails on the side, or a bottomless mimosa.
Delaney's Irish Pub: Saturday & Sunday, 11am-2pm, (117 West Main St)
Delaney's weekend brunch is nothing short of hearty, featuring a classic Irish breakfast spread, in addition to their full pub lunch menu. Dine outdoors in their Morgan Square patio, with live music and shaded seating. Don't forget the Irish coffee and mimosas.
Downtown Deli & Donuts: Saturday, 8am-2pm, select dates(147 East Main St)
Downtown Deli offers a wide spread of breakfast and lunch options each day, with an inclusive menu of vegan, gluten-free, and keto desserts and plates. Their Saturday brunch is currently on pause, but you can find select brunch menu favorites on their daily specials, such as the Red Rooster gravy skillet, daily quiches, and Chicken & Waffles with housemade apple bacon jam. *Downtown Deli does not serve adult beverages, but they do have coffee.
FR8yard: Saturday & Sunday, 10am- until, (125 East Main St)
FR8yard is downtown's newest brunch scene addition! Weekly brunches feature boozy beverages (mimosas, Bloody Marys, and Micheladas,) live music, yard games, and brunch bites, such as Smash Burger Benny, FR8griddles, the "Goin' Yard" Breakfast Platter, and more.
Initial Q: Social Bar & Smokehouse: Saturday & Sunday, 11am-3pm, (127 West Main St)
Initial Q specializes in smoked meats, and their brunch menu is no exception! Try smoked duck confit over grits, IQ Brisket Benedict, pancakes topped with pulled pork and BBQ maple syrup, and more, all paired with a Bloody Mary dressed to the nines.
Main Street Pub: Sunday, 11am-4pm, (252 West Main St)
Sundays are for more than just sports, although Main Street Pub's outdoor bar patio is the perfect place to enjoy both brunch and the day's big games. Two must-try brunch items? Bloody Mary Fried Chicken on either waffles or stoneground grits, and a heaping tray of Breakfast Tots covered in sausage gravy, bacon, scrambled eggs, cheddar jack, and queso.
The Tulip Tree: Wednesday - Sunday, 11am-3pm, (121 West Main St)
The Tulip Tree recently expanded their brunch menu to a daily offering, with Sunday exclusively offering brunch items. Enjoy locally-sourced ingredients in innovative combinations, such as fried pork cutlets over grits, topped with lemon fennel sauce and a fried egg. Their art-filled restaurant doubles as a cocktail bar and artistic lounge, with each local artwork on the wall shoppable while dining.
Spartanburg County
These five restaurants may be more of a drive than others depending on your home address, but their innovative brunch menus are bringing the heat-- some quite literally!
Dray: Bar + Grill: Sunday, 11am-2:30pm, (1800 Drayton Rd)
Did someone say, "Outdoor patio?" Dray: Bar + Grill offers comfortable seating inside and out, with a shady dog-friendly patio, firepit and couches, and live music, in the historic Drayton Mills Marketplace. Dray is revamping their Beets by Dray weekly market series, to a new Sunday afternoon music and market, featuring weekly fresh food and art vendors, 1pm-4pm.
Flock Shop: Saturday & Sunday, 10am-4pm, (970 South Pine St)
Brunch, but add a little... Spice. Flock Shop's brunch menu certainly brings the heat, with their signature hot chicken, (in your preferred level of hotness,) atop biscuits, hoe cakes, Bloody Marys, and more.
New Groove Artisan Brewery: Sunday, 12pm-6pm, (4078 SC-9, Boiling Springs)
You may know that New Groove brews up delicious Thursday burger features and craft beers, but did you know that they also offer an all-day "Sunday Funday" brunch menu? Sip juicy IPAs, lagers, and seltzers, or a mug of freshly-brewed Little River Roasting coffee.
Willy Taco- Spartanburg & Boiling Springs: Sunday, 10am-4pm, (930 East Main St, and 1925 Boiling Springs Rd)
Breakfast Chimichanga and Huevos Rancheros? Yes, Please. Add a Michelada! Willy Taco is a regional Mexican-fusion favorite, now with two locations in Spartanburg County, and expanding across the Upstate. Their popular brunch is served only on Sundays, with select items offered until they're sold out.
Quintessentially Brunch
Much of the media portrayal of brunch as a concept revolves around the leisurely Parisian cafe. Thus, we've saved the two brunchiest-brunch locales for last: Mon Amie Morning Cafe and The Crêpe Factory. While technically these two eateries serve a combined breakfast and lunch menu every day of operation, rather than designated weekend brunch specials, we would be remiss to not include these local classics on our list.
Mon Amie Morning Cafe: Wednesday - Saturday, 8am-2pm; Sunday, 8am-3pm, (2601 East Main St, Spartanburg)
Mon Amie offers a wide-ranging menu, with savory or dessert crêpes, omelettes, French toasts, sandwiches and burgers, and more. If you're dining solo, opt to sit bar-side; you can watch the chef hand pour and bake crepes to order. Beverages range from Cafe au Lait and French Press coffees, to cranberry mimosas and white wine Bloody Marys. Don't forget the melted brie fries.
The Crêpe Factory: Tuesday - Sunday, 8am-2pm, (12 South Main St, Inman)
We love a creative crêpe, and The Crêpe Factory's menu adds a local twist with menu items named for streets and locations in downtown Inman! The cafe also offers signature coffee drinks and seasonal latte flavors, a wine bar with reds, whites, and mimosas. Our recommendation: the Croque Madame sandwich.
Cheers, friends! Happy Brunching!Did we forget your favorite restaurant? Let us know by emailing Idea@InTheBurg864.com.
Photos courtesy each restaurant's social media.