There’s something so appealing about brunch, and Cape Cod has plenty of restaurants that raise the bar on this leisurely mealtime tradition. Whether you're a fan of traditional New England breakfasts, locally sourced seafood, or classic dishes with a creative twist, you don’t have to look far to find a brunch experience that fits your palate.
Here are some of the best places to enjoy a sweet and savory brunch on Cape Cod.
Take a true culinary journey aboard the Cape Cod Central Railroad brunch train (pictured above). Live jazz music pipes into the vintage train cars as you cruise past salt marshes and scenic vistas from Hyannis to the banks of the Cape Cod Canal. The menu changes monthly to offer seasonal choices, but sample entrée offerings include Pecan Encrusted Salmon with a cranberry orange glaze, Bananas Foster French Toast, a Vegetable Fritatta and Tomato Bacon Jam Eggs Benedict.
For an elegant jazz brunch with cutting edge food, The West End in Hyannis is a great choice. Their brunch selection features such upscale dishes as Lobster and Avocado Benedict and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with blueberry compote. More adventurous diners may opt for the decadent Breakfast Smashburger, comprising a prime beef patty, fried egg, cheddar cheese, bacon, avocado, lettuce and tomato on a brioche bun. Pair your entree with the restaurant’s signature mimosa or Bloody Mary, and top it all off with a cinnamon churro with chocolate ganache.
At the Old Yarmouth Inn on Route 6A in Yarmouth Port, you can find a classic brunch, with menu items including made-to-order Belgian waffles with triple berry sauce or Honey Dijon Steak Tips & Eggs. For something a bit more exotic, try the indulgent Southern Fried Benedict, with fried chicken, poached eggs, sausage and white pepper gravy on biscuits. Be sure to sip on a savory Prairie Mary, made with cucumber organic vodka and garnished with cucumber.
For the ultimate Bloody Mary, you can’t beat The Skipper Restaurant and Chowder House in South Yarmouth. It is quite literally brunch in a glass: Tito’s vodka, their secret Bloody Mary mix, and such add-on choices as a lobster tail, shrimp, scallops & bacon, hot cherry peppers and even a mini cheeseburger slider.
For those with big appetites, Fanizzi’s Restaurant in Provincetown (pictured here) offers an all-you-can-eat buffet experience, complemented by stunning panoramic views of Cape Cod Bay. Some possible choices include traditional brunch fare like Eggs Benedict, French Toast and Corned Beef Hash, as well as more creative choices like hearty breakfast burritos, and fresh mussels steamed in white wine, garlic, butter and fresh herbs. From the bar, a popular pairing choice is the Strawberry Bellini, made with prosecco and fresh strawberry puree.
The Cleat & Anchor in Dennis Port offers an entertaining twist on brunch with their 18+ Drag Brunch Revue, featuring talented drag performers in fabulous costumes. Check their website for dates! They also offer regular brunches every Saturday and Sunday. The brunch menu is huge, with everything from Crab Cake Benedict to a great selection of house-smoked BBQ. Enjoy sipping on four different selections in their mimosa flight, or their boozy iced coffee made with Snowy Owl cold brew.
More great sips can be found at Ring’s Juice Bar at Ring Bros. Marketplace in Dennis, where you can grab brunch to go and enjoy at a nearby beach. Choose from their enormous selection of specialty coffee drinks, protein shakes, smoothies and fresh-squeezed juice blends. They also serve acai bowls with yogurt, fresh fruit and other tasty add-ins like French vanilla granola, house-made peanut butter or chia seeds.
Over at Pain D’Avignon in Hyannis, the homemade breads are the star of the dining experience, and accordingly, their brunch is served with a French bakery-style twist. The Croque Madame is served open-faced on country bread and comes with black forest ham, Gruyere cheese and two over-easy eggs topped with arugula. Vegetarians looking for a savory brunch will enjoy the truffled mushroom burger, made with a mushroom and lentil burger topped with maple smoked Vermont cheddar cheese on a brioche bun with black truffle oil and pommes frites.
For a different international twist, try brunch at Anejo Mexican Bistro’s location in Hyannis or Falmouth. A brunch favorite is Huevos Rancheros, made with two over-easy eggs on crispy corn tortillas with refried beans, Mexican rice, ranchero salsa, avocado, pico de gallo, jalapeno and cotija. Their creative take on Eggs Benedict features house-made cornbread, pulled pork and poached eggs topped with chipotle hollandaise and served with potatoes verde. And it’s never too early for one of their signature margaritas.
Over in Falmouth, the cozy Eli’s Tavern at The Coonamessett (pictured above) offers an elaborate buffet featuring timeless New England breakfast and lunch classics using local, seasonal ingredients. You’ll find a carving station, a protein station, a vegetable station, a dessert station and even a made-to-order omelet station. A popular brunch cocktail is Eli’s Elderflower Bubble, made with Elderflower, prosecco and soda.
At Cape Cod Coffee Café in Mashpee Commons, you can order their “Wicked Good French Toast,” made with brioche bread, creamy vanilla mascarpone and powdered sugar or an avocado benny with poached eggs, slices of tomato and avocado spread with a chipotle hollandaise sauce served on a Portuguese Muffin. Each of their menu choices also comes paired with their recommendation for the best blend of coffee for a perfect match with your meal.
The historic Dan’l Webster Inn in Sandwich has a diverse brunch menu that includes innovative breakfast items like Prime Rib Hash Benedict and Avocado Toast, sprouted multigrain toast topped with mashed avocado and everything bagel seasoning and two eggs cooked to order. They also have salads, soups, appetizers, sandwiches and lunch entrees like chicken pot pie and four different lobster choices. Piano music during brunch hours and an extensive wine list help set the scene for a relaxing meal.
Keep in mind that it's always a good idea to make reservations if you plan to brunch at one of these restaurants, especially during the summer months. Additionally, hours of operation and menu offerings may vary, so check their websites or call ahead for the latest information. Find more great places to dine here!