614 feast taps his top five spots for local brunch

I have a hunch you love brunch a bunch, so let’s meet at noon for something to munch. Whether fancy or chill, meaty or vegan, these five Columbus spots serve up brunch that packs a punch!

Understory (2571 Neil Ave) The vibe here is casual, inviting, and has tons of natural light—the perfect spot to ease into your weekend. Start with the Bravas—crispy Yukon gold potatoes tossed in chimichurri, romesco sauce, roasted garlic aioli, queso fresco, and pea greens. Then, for the main event, go for the Fried Chicken and Grits—smoked cheddar rosemary grits topped with a sunny-side-up egg, spicy honey, sweet corn chow chow, and chives.

Skillet (410 E Whittier St) This cozy little spot has comforting, welcoming vibes and prides itself on locally sourced ingredients. It’s basically built for brunch, open Thursday through Sunday until 2 PM. Start with Griddled Cinnamon Roll—split, grilled, and served warm with maple caramel and vanilla cream cheese icing. Then, go all-in on the Gravy & Biscuits—house-made pork and apple sausage gravy smothered over fresh biscuits, served with over-easy eggs for that perfect runny yolk situation.

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Third & Hollywood (1433 W 3rd Ave) Casual fine dining in a beautiful space with exposed brick and an open kitchen, and on Sundays, they bring in live jazz for peak brunch vibes. Start with the pimento cheese and chips and the grilled corn elote. For the main course, try the Brandt Family Steak & Eggs—a USDA Prime tenderloin paired with cheddar herb biscuits and two perfectly cooked sunny-side-up eggs.

4th & State (152 E State St) This family-owned vegan spot is so good that even the biggest meat eater will leave happy. It’s got a super chill atmosphere and a menu that proves plant-based brunch can still be an absolute feast. Start on a sweet note with S’mores French Toast Sticks. For your main, either the Bearito—Just Egg scramble, tempeh bacon, home fries, cheddar cheese, and pico de gallo—or the Vrunchwrap—soy chorizo, Just Egg, hashbrown, cheddar cheese, and sriracha horseradish aioli wrapped up to perfection.

Starliner Diner (4121 Main St, Hilliard) This quirky, fun diner brings sci-fi vibes and serious brunch food. It’s been a Hilliard staple for years, and for good reason. Start with the Cuban French Toast, topped with fresh fruit and powdered sugar. Then, for your main course, go big with the Mofongo Omelet—stuffed with plantains, bacon, ham, and jack cheese, then topped with smoked chili sauce and green onion dressing. It’s served with home fries (extra crispy, obviously) and Cuban toast.

Want to read more? Check out our print publications, (614) Magazine and Stock & Barrel. Learn where you can find free copies of our newest issues here!

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