Part of brunch’s appeal comes from its total superfluity. It’s not breakfast, it’s not lunch, and it’s rarely a wholesome, nutritious, or sober prospect. A reprieve from the rushed protein shakes and sad desk salads that fuel many a workweek, brunch provides the opportunity to sit and savor something unnecessary. At its worst, brunch is a dumbed-down, overpriced version of a restaurant’s regular menu. But there are loads of places in Seattle doing genuinely creative riffs on the brunch classics: Benedicts topped with braised duck and hoisin butter, Vietnamese-style chicken and waffles, and of course the Dutch baby, that oft-overlooked symbol of Seattle civic pride.
In our August 2025 update, we’re saying goodbye to The Whale Wins, an outpost of the Renee Erickson empire which is closing permanently amid a tectonic shift at the celebrated restaurant group. We added a couple of local favorites with weekend specials worth lining up for, plus a newcomer to the North Seattle brunch scene. We also revisited a few places already on the list to make sure everything is current.
Know of a spot that should be on our radar? Send us a tip by emailing seattle@eater.com.
