Falling between breakfast and whenever they kick you out, brunch is that beautiful boozy meal best enjoyed on lazy weekends. Whether it is for the food or the booze, the only thing better than a day at home is a breakfast out. So grab your friends and dress up real nice to try these brunch spots with breathtaking views and mouth watering meals across Tampa Bay. 

7th and Grove 1930 E 7th Ave., Ybor City, 813-649-8422 Come back to Ybor after a night out in the heart of Tampa’s nightlife to enjoy an upscale experience and copious amounts of Southern food. 7th and Grove offers six brunch cocktails along with different starters and entrees, like its “Cry Me a River” catfish nuggets with fried muffins, the “Flip the Switch” flapjack with bacon and scrambled eggs cakes and the “Rude Boi” braised oxtails. Photo via 7th and Grove/Facebook
American Social 601 S Harbour Island Blvd, no. 107, Tampa, 813-605-3333 American Social offers an upscale, yet casual, dining experience in a sports bar and music-centric setting. However, it also serves brunch bites and plates. Be delighted by its donut holes with mixed berry compote and Brunch in the Keys shrimp cakes, along with other delicacies. Photo via American Social/Facebook
Counter Culture 2909 W Bay to Bay Blvd Suite 100, Tampa, 813-570-8660 Offering weekend brunch only, Chef Jeannie Pierola creates a modern homage to classic dining in its barstool dining and kitchen. Choose from Counter Culture’s individual meals from its fresh bakery, griddle and eggs menu, or from its three-course brunch option paired with a recommended “domaine font mars” wine. Photo via Counter Culture/Website
Anchor and Brine 505 Water St., Tampa, 813-204-6391 Enjoy the fresh air and waterfront views at Anchor and Brine’s downtown Tampa location. Chef Richard Sandoval combines Latin flavors with modern culinary techniques to create brunch specials like the restaurant’s smoked brisket and egg burrito and “mack farms” gluten-friendly crispy potato cake with avocado chimichurri tomato salsa. Photo via Anchor and Brine/Facebook
Ava 718 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-512-3030 Ava’s South Tampa flagship serves an Italian-inspired brunch every Saturday and Sunday. With fresh, seasonal and local ingredients a Tuscan twist to classic dishes like its Florentine Benedict, breakfast pizza and “shrimp fra diavolo.” Photo via Ava/Facebook
Birch & Vine 340 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-896-1080 The Birchwood building, listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, is a staple in downtown St. Petersburg. Serving as a boutique hotel, a restaurant and a rooftop bar, all of its experiences elevate the experience of the vibrant city. Bring along your fur babies as the outdoor cafe is pet-friendly. Try its braised short rib Benedict, chicken and waffles and wild mushroom and truffle omelet. Photo via Birch & Vine/Facebook
Boozy Pig 3255 W Cypress St., Tampa, 813-488-5333 This not so conventional brunch spot is tucked away in a strip mall on West Cypress Street. However, don’t be fooled by its location as the restaurant serves meaty favs like delicious breakfast Cubano sandwiches, BLTs with house smoked bacon and the option to choose bacon brussels as a side. Photo via Boozy Pig/Facebook
Bulla Gastrobar 930 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-773-8626 Inspired by popular tapas restaurants in Spain, Chef Diego Solano creates recipes that stir the senses and stimulate the appetite. Bulla offers an extensive brunch menu, with honorary mentions of its brunch paella, steak and eggs in Sriracha aioli and blueberry and ricotta pancakes. If you want to booze up your morning, try its bottomless mimosas and sangrias with five different liquors to choose from. Photo via Bulla Gastrobar/Facebook
Cassis St. Pete 170 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-827-2927 Chef Jeremy Duclut combines a European culinary style with American ingredients to create quick bites and casual meals. If you’re craving something savory, get Cassis’ Maine lobster benedict or portobello mushroom and brie cheese omelet. If you have a sweet tooth, try its caramelized pineapple pancakes or its famous pastries at the bakery next to the restaurant. Photo via Cassis St. Pete/Facebook
Datz 2616 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-7000 Across its three Tampa Bay locations in Tampa, St. Pete and Riverview, Datz serves a “not-so-basic” brunch menu during the weekend. The restaurant has several house classics, like its chicken n’ waffle Benedict, gooey cinnamon sugar monkey bread and eggs barbacoa. It also serves Insta-worthy “datzshuka,” a “cinny bunny” mocktail and a prickly pear mimosa. If you want to try something new, get its Nashville chicken doughnut or its color-changing champagne supernova. Photo via Datz/Facebook
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Café 5119 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-234-1000 Located in the heart of Seminole Heights, this eclectic cafe serves a special soul food menu every Sunday, offering fried chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy and other morning delicacies. Don’t skip the bloody mary garnished with a rib. Photo via Ella’s Americana Folk Art Café/Facebook
Graze 2219 S Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, 813-819-2217 Serving breakfast all day everyday, you can make the decision to have brunch as soon as Graze opens or right before it closes. Get its oatmeal with cinnamon, bananas and pecans, its “brunchwich” on a brioche bun or everything bagel, or make your own B-Y-O bowl. Photo via Graze/Facebook
The Independent Bar and Cafe 5016 N Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-341-4883 Be transported to an European pub and cafe atmosphere while tasting American flavors at The Independent. Enjoy everyday breakfast offerings like green eggs and ham, a Bavarian breakfast with German brat, a soft pretzel and spicy German mustard, and a Leberkase and eggs sandwich which includes fried German baloney, spicy mustard and a fried egg. Photo via The Independent Bar and Cafe/Facebook
The Lounge by Meat Market 1606 W Snow Ave., Tampa, 813-280-1113 This sophisticated restaurant will let you enjoy some of the finest things in life with a private cocktail waitress and a plush private pod. Savor a truffle breakfast flatbread, a chicken sausage potato hash or a crispy duck waffle paired with refreshing libations like its “Honey Bunny” prosecco with strawberry puree and honey vodka. Photo via Meat Market/Facebook
Oak & Ola 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa, 813-773-1901 This EuroAmerican restaurant combines the owner’s passion for food, beverage and the community to create handcrafted meals for everyone to enjoy. During its Saturday and Sunday brunch, be delighted with its Spanish chorizo gravy cornbread along with special cocktails like its John’s Irish coffee or Aperol spritz. Photo via Oak & Ola/Facebook
Oxford Exchange 420 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-253-0222 Oxford Exchange offers more than just food––it is divided into a restaurant, bookstore and home and lifestyle shop. Enjoy a weekend brunch in an art-filled dining room or sunlit conservatory. Be delighted by the restaurant’s specialty cinnamon rolls, blueberry buttermilk pancakes and breakfast tacos. Photo via Oxford Exchange/Facebook
Oystercatchers 2900 Bayport Dr., Tampa, 813-207-6815 What is better than brunch with a view? Oystercatchers offers just that at its waterfront location. At brunch on Sundays only, its menu has crab Florentine benedicts, shrimp and grits, nutella stuffed pancakes and more. The only thing better than the view is that with the purchase of an entrée, you get two mimosas or bloody marys. Photo via Oystercatchers/Facebook

17. Rusty Pelican (temporarily closed due to hurricane)

2425 N Rocky Point Dr., Tampa,
“An absolutely lovely spot to enjoy dinner. The location is well-suited for an older crowd (great for dinner with parents or in-laws, for example). The location is on the water and has gorgeous views, but there isn’t any outdoor seating. Nevertheless, the food at Rusty Pelican is great. I’ve never had a bad meal (the scallops are my fave). Service has also been top notch each time I’ve visited.” -Effie O. Credit: Photo vis Rusty Pelican
Sal y Mar 3650 Midtown Dr., Tampa, 813-692-3330 Enjoy a 360° view of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater at Sal y Mar’s rooftop lounge. The restaurant adds to the diverse culinary scene in Midtown with dishes inspired by the Riviera Maya town of Tulum. Its menu includes a breakfast board starter with an assortment of fruit, crackers, meats and cheeses, a frittata Tulum tapa and “unfinishable” beverages, with the option to choose from mimosas, bellinis or white punch. Photo via Sal y Mar/Facebook
Steelbach 1902 N Ola Ave., Tampa, 813-693-5478 Steelbach’s food is “meant to be shared” and what better way to do that than a weekend brunch with friends? This Southern-inspired restaurant located in Armature Works, serves bubbly beverages and “liquid brunch,” including its “You Look Marvelous” Waterloo #9 gin cocktail. For food, try its classic southern breakfast, banana fosters French toast or the hangover burger. Photo via Steelbach/Facebook
The Mill 2500 W Azeele St., Tampa, 813-603-8786 Take in your surroundings as you enjoy your meal with The Mill’s industrial look and a mural that has many parts incorporated from an actual old mill. Order a small plate of watermelon bruschetta, a southern fried lobster roll sammy or a big plate of “The Brunchwich” which includes bacon, Mill sausage, smoked caramelized onions, aged cheddar smoked onion aioli, arugula, a sunny egg and an everything bagel. Photo via The Mill/Facebook
Water + Flour 1015 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-251-8406 Undergoing gastronomic changes since 1996, Water + Flour focuses on versatile and creative dishes, with emphasis on gluten-free and plant based options, that have maintained its success over the years. Its brunch menu is pretty straight forward with five savory options, including its papas y huevos omelet, and three sweet dishes, like its mouth-watering tres leches French toast. Photo via Water + Flour/Facebook
Whiskey Cake 2223 N Westshore Blvd., Tampa, 813-535-9955 Whiskey Cake’s fresh ingredients and slow-cooking methods create a menu set to enjoy at any time of the day. With its location at International Plaza, you can cave in and do some post-brunch shopping with your friends. But first, booze up the day with some “Love Me Do” New Amsterdam gin or a “Winchester 85” old forester rum with sparkling rosé. For food, try out its bacon jalapeño drop biscuits with spicy sausage gravy, its “Farmshuka” eggs with spicy tomato stew or a sweet carrot cake pancake stack. Photo via Whiskey Cake/Facebook
On Swann 1501 W Swann Ave., Tampa, 813-251-0110 With three different menus offered throughout the day, On Swann offers a fine selection of shareable boards, with cheeses, cured meats and sides, in addition to an extensive list of drinks to spark the day. Featured in the brunch menu are nibbles such as Italian doughnuts covered in chocolate sauce and main dishes like Moroccan eggs with lamb sausage and mushroom toasts with goat cheese mousse. Credit: ON SWANN/ FACEBOOK

Sofía García Vargas, born in Colombia, South America and raised in Costa Rica, Central America, is a journalism student at the University of South Florida and Editor-in-Chief of The Crow’s Nest, USF...