On a lazy Sunday, there is nothing better than sitting down to a fine brunch in a relaxing, pleasant atmosphere. Whether you simply rise too late to eat breakfast or you are planning a meal, a good brunch always seems like a special occasion, especially with the right food and the right surroundings. These places in the Hartford area have just that. Turn your lazy Sunday into a memorable occasion with brunch at any of these fine restaurants.
Avon Old Farms Inn 1 Nod Rd Avon , CT 06001-3819 (860) 677-2818
Open Sunday for Brunch: 10AM-2:30PM
Avon Old Farms Inn is well-known for its Sunday brunches. In addition to their award winning cuisine, Avon Old Farms Inn offers ten different dining rooms that can host groups from eight to four hundred. Each room has its own unique charm and can be arranged in the style of your choice. Their Sunday brunch serves a minimum of 30 people and offers a heaping buffet of all types of delicious food. After your complimentary champagne or mimosa, enjoy a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, muffins, rolls, and cheeses. Then, make sure to visit the various carving stations, offering ham, sirloin, and turkey, and the various other stations, such as the omelette station. With a great assortment of fresh, delicious food, and a pleasant atmosphere, Avon Old Farms Inn continues to prove why it is such a popular choice for brunch.
The Stonewell Restaurant is an extraordinary getaway, located right outside of Hartford in the Farmington Valley. It is well-known for its American cuisine as well as seafood, pasta and steaks, but the Sunday brunch is the reason so many people come back. Choose from an assortment of breakfast and lunch items, and a buffet of various breads, pastries, and fruits and vegetables. The Restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere in dining areas complimented by three fireplaces. Be sure to take notice of the paintings on the walls, all original paintings by proprietor and chef, Stelios. After one visit, you will see why Stonewell has been a favorite brunch destination for over 15 years.
Estimated cost pp: $16.99
Pond House Cafe 1555 Asylum Ave West Hartford , CT 06117-2804 860-231-8823
Sunday brunch:10 AM-2:30PM
Located in Hartford’s Elizabeth Park, the Pond House Café offers one of the most beautiful and unique destinations in the Hartford area. It is in the heart of the city, yet set apart in a fantastic rural setting. With eclectic fare and views of the area's prettiest park, the Pond House Café is perfect for any special occasion, or simply a relaxing Sunday. Inventive, healthy foods are a signature of the Pond House Café, and brunch follows the same formula. All Sunday Brunch menu items feature organic eggs from Connecticut farms and other fresh ingredients.. Open the doors and step into an oasis of warmth, music, fragrant aromas and adventurous food.
Estimated cost pp: $10-20(brunch is served a la carte)
Dakota 225 West Main St. Avon, CT 860-677-4311 Sunday Brunch: 10AM-2PM
This suburban outpost—it is literally constructed from lots of cabin-comfy logs and stone—is often packed; once you're seated, you’ll understand why. Dakota is a warm, civilized experience that is sure to satisfy the heartiest of appetites. It is a family-friendly restaurant with a bar area for those looking for a more adult-friendly environment. The Sunday brunch offers made-to-order omelets, Belgian waffles, a carving station and a bevy of fruits, deli salads and smoked fish. Adults seem to love this place as much as children, and for good reason: Dakota is a sprawling fantasy of the American frontier that is as much an amusement as it is a restaurant.
Estimated Cost pp: $17.95
The Half Door 270 Sisson Ave Hartford , CT , 06105 860-232-PUBS Saturday and Sunday Brunch: 10AM-2PM
The Half Door is an authentic Irish Pub, the likes of which are difficult to find in the area. Be sure not to miss “Kegs and Eggs,” the weekend brunch special that has become extremely popular. The menu contains an assortment of delightful items, mostly breakfast foods, ranging from Eggs Benedict to Stuffed French Toast, from Irish Oatmeal to a box of Lucky Charms(it’s exactly what is sounds like!) With a vast beer list and a lively atmosphere, The Half Door has become a favorite destination for the students of UConn Law School—located right down the street—as well as those people simply looking for a good time and a great meal.
Estimated Cost pp:$10-20(brunch served a la carte)
This modern bistro offers a menu full of surprises. The cuisine is inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean, but ingredients hail from around the world. Brunch offers classic favorites such as steak and eggs, French toast, and muffins. For something a little more unique to Arugula, try the crispy flatbread or choose from an assortment of frittatas, from the crab, asparagus, and tarragon, to the smoked salmon and red onion. This cozy bistro in the West Hartford Center is perfect for two, but with a décor that features many different shapes and angles, the ambiance is relaxed enough for a casual group meal as well.
Estimated Cost pp: $15-25(brunch served a la carte)
Adams Mill Restaurant 165 Adams St Manchester , CT 06042-1919 860) 646-4039 Sunday Brunch:10:30AM-2PM
Located in a 120 year old renovated paper mill, Adams Mill provides a unique ambiance that is sure to make any occasion memorable. The building’s original brick exterior/interior, wooden floors and ceiling beams preserve the history of the old Adams Paper Mill. The restaurant has a warm, rustic feel with plenty of light from the tall, wide windows. The setting is one of a kind, and the food is a perfect compliment. The brunch buffet offers numerous carving stations for steak and seafood, a hot buffet station overflowing with meats and eggs and fries, a waffle station, a fresh fruit station, and more. A brunch at Adams Mill makes for a truly enjoyable experience.
Estimated Cost pp: $22 Rajun Cajun 2790 Main St Hartford , CT 06120-1927 860-241-9288 Sunday Brunch: 12pm-5pm on Sundays
This tiny Cajun cafe serves spicy Southern food at the best buffet in town. The Rajun Cajun has no more than a couple of tables and a row of chairs, but somehow they fit in a live gospel choir during Sunday brunch. Rajun Cajun has the charm of a small town diner, and food that is as good as your grandma’s. They serve all the classic brunch favorites, but if gumbo, jambalaya and barbecue ribs get your mouth watering, be sure to check out this cozy hideaway on Main St. Don’t miss the etouffee, a spicy Cajun stew made with crawfish, vegetables and a dark roux. Customers are devoted to the all-you-can-eat buffet, so don’t be surprised if you become a regular!
Estimated Cost pp: $15
The Elbow Room 986 Farmington Ave West Hartford , CT 06107-2102 860-236-6195 Sunday Brunch:11AM-3PM
This friendly, well-known restaurant serves top-notch fare at reasonable prices. With pastel lights and warm wood tones, The Elbow Room has the feeling of a corner cafe and the menu of an upscale American restaurant. In warmer weather, the open patio on the roof is lovely for a Sunday brunch. The brunch menu, titled “Great Egg-Spectations,” offers a tremendous variety of creative American cuisine. One favorite item, “The Popeye” is two poached Eggs over sautéed spinach and homemade biscuits, topped with Hollandaise and served with hash brown potatoes; however, the Belgian Malted Waffles with strawberries and whipped cream will make anyone’s day.
Estimated Cost pp:$15-25(brunch served a la carte)
The brunch at Tisane has the same chill, laid-back atmosphere that has made the coffeehouse one of the coolest spots to hang out in Hartford. Plush, oversized chairs are scattered around the coffeehouse and the booths are so comfy it feels like breakfast in bed. Known for its selection of nearly 100 assorted teas, Tisane is an excellent choice for a weekend brunch. There are sandwiches and wraps, Belgian waffles topped with strawberries, an open-face omelet, and other classics. Those who are a tad more adventurous may want to try the tofu scramble, the green eggs and ham omelet (made with pesto), or the grilled cheese panini. Prices are very reasonable and big portions reflect the laid-back at-home atmosphere.
Estimated Cost pp: $15-25(brunch served a la carte)