Brunch at The Victorian Cafe. Photo: Stephanie Forrer
There are few things more beloved than the tradition we call brunch. Whether you’re catching up with old friends, showing visitors around Bend, or just enjoying a delicious morning meal out with the family, brunch is a great time to enjoy some of the best food spots in town. Finding yourself in a brunch rut? Wanting to try out some new spots? Well, look no further. With our Bend brunch roundup, you’ll become an expert on the spots that will impress, and furthermore, satisfy that insatiable craving that only a good mimosa and a sumptuous treat can satisfy. Shall we begin?
Photo: Sparrow Bakery Facebook
First up, we have a local favorite. Now with two beautiful locations, Sparrow Bakery is an awesome place to grab brunch with family and friends. While all offerings are absolutely swoon-worthy, the legendary pastry is called the Ocean Roll, which is essentially a swirled croissant-like pastry that has bright cardamom flavors, flaky pastry and crispy sugar. Just take our word for it: the pastry is phenomenal. Also, Sparrow serves up a mean Bacon Breakfast Sandwich on a homemade croissant, with avocado, arugula and an over-easy egg. Feeling thirsty? Well, that’s covered, too. Delightful mimosas, as well as a variety of different lattes (my favorite is the Cardamom Latte), teas, local coffee, as well as a wide selection of wines and beers are all available. Whatever you do, don’t miss out. Check this spot out ASAP. You can thank us later.
50 Southeast Scott St
2748 NW Crossing Dr
Pastries & baked good at The Village Baker. Photo: The Village Baker Facebook
Along with Sparrow, this is a spot that is also very beloved by the people of Central Oregon, and for good reason. The Village Baker, which has two locations, is a quaint and dreamy bakery with a cozy feel and food that makes you come back for more. The sandwiches on homemade breads are yummy, but my personal favorites are the breakfast offerings, ranging from lust-worthy chocolate croissants to cardamom brioche rolls, fruit scones and buttery shortbreads. A wide range of breakfast beverages, mainly of the coffee and tea persuasion, are also offered. It’s a charming place to come solo or with some out of town visitors looking for a flavorful bite before the adventures of the day begin.
1470 SW Knoll Ave
425 NE Windy Knolls Dr
The Bloody Mary at the Victorian Cafe. Photo: Stephanie Forrer
Now, if you’re looking for more of a sit-down experience, a spot like Victorian Café might be just what the doctor ordered. With a wide variety of mimosas and brunch cocktails, as well as a killer menu full of unique Benedicts and breakfast fare, this is certainly a brunch spot worth the wait. If you happen to visit Victorian on a weekend, be sure to arrive early because the small restaurant fills up fast with hungry locals. The Victorian Café is famous for its “Manmosas,” aka pint size mimosas, as well as its wild Bloody Marys, and these beverages are completely worth the hype. As far as the meal is concerned, I am partial to the Caribbean Benedict, which is a huge Benedict option with mango slices, Cuban seasoned ham, black beans and fresh cilantro, served aside your choice of home style potatoes or house made applesauce. Suffice it to say, Victorian Café offers great ambiance, memorable food and beverages and an awesome experience for the brunch aficionado of every caliber.
1404 NW Galveston Ave
The Breakfast Sandwich at Jackson's Corner. Photo: Jackson's Corner Facebook
Since its arrival on the Bend food scene, Jackson’s Corner has won the hearts and stomachs of Central Oregon one dish at a time. Although Jackson’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, brunch is the perfect time to bask in the beautiful natural light that pours into the cozy yellow house and enjoy a specialty latte, spiked or not. Take pleasure in the tasty beverage assortment, all the breakfast fare that you crave, the fare you didn’t know you couldn’t live without, including the Pesto and Eggs dish, featuring house-made pesto over three scrambled organic eggs and toast, topped with Pecorino Romano cheese. It’s simple, straightforward, and, you guessed it: delicious. Jackson’s Corner also has children’s options such as brioche French toast served with real maple syrup and a classic combo of bacon and scrambled eggs. The line is long sometimes, but believe me, waiting has a sweet payoff.
845 NW Delaware Ave
1500 NE Cushing Dr #100
Iced Coffee at Strictly Organic. Photo: Kelsey C. on Yelp
This next spot on our brunch roundup is a low-key place to meet with friends over good coffee, a pastry and awesome service to boot. Much like a “Choose Your Own Adventure” scenario, with Strictly Organic, you have options. Hang out with a cappuccino and people watch or go all out and devour a tasty breakfast burrito, homemade granola, a breakfast sandwich or a pastry, baked on site or locally. The Bond Street location offers a secluded, private space away from the main drag of town, but there’s also a location in the lively Old Mill district. Brunch is no fuss, which is just the sort of approach I absolutely love.
1500 NE Cushing Dr #100
450 SW Powerhouse Dr #400
Photo: Madeline Churm
Rockin’ Dave’s Bagel Bistro & Catering Co.
Rockin’ Dave’s has won over the locals and tourists alike time and time again with awesome bagels at Farmers’ Markets and in wholesale settings, but Rockin’ Dave’s is also an excellent spot for a sit down brunch or a brunch to go. The bagel selection is mainly of the savory variety, and the breakfast sandwiches are, well, rockin’. My personal favorite is the breakfast sandwich called The Jump Start, which comes on a choice of bagel (the Asiago bagel or the Salt bagel work great with these flavors), and includes a delicious combo of cheddar cheese, scrambled eggs, and the option of adding pork belly, ham, bacon, sausage, hash browns or even an organic vegan patty. I have had plenty of breakfast sandwiches in my life, and this one might just be my very favorite. With the pork belly especially, the flavors create a hearty and decadent brunch to keep you energized for a hike to Smith Rock or even just a day of Netflix binging on the weekends. Phenomenal adult beverages, a great addition to the yummy bagels, are also offered. My personal favorite is a winter drink, called My Chai Steamer, which combines locally made My Chai tea, vodka, and Irish cream. It is definitely not the worst way to start the morning, not even a little bit.
661 NE Greenwood Ave
Cinnamon Rolls at Nancy P's. Photo: Nancy P's Facebook.
Hunting for a bakery with fantastic food and baked goods, excellent service and a lovely patio? Look no further than Nancy P’s Café & Bakery. Nestled next to Newport Market off Newport Avenue, this bakery has some of the best scones and pastries in town. The seasonal muffins are not to be missed, as Nancy P’s takes advantage of the season’s finest fruits and bakes them into unbelievably buttery muffins with the absolute best crusts (because let’s be honest, the crust is always the best part). Great sandwiches and breakfast pockets that are awesome to eat on the cozy patio out front or to take to a nearby spot like Drake Park, are also available. Nancy P’s has wonderful pies, cakes, lemon bars and chocolate puddles that will satisfy the insatiable sweet tooth we all get from time to time (or all the time). Be sure to stop by and grab a famous blueberry scone and coffee, and you’ll be glad you did.
1054 NW Milwaukee Ave
