Intown411

There's not one person in your contact list who's too busy for the occasional brunch. Whether your intended brunchmate is an avid churchgoer or a hopeless late-night partier, anyone can pull it together to break bread by noon on Sunday.The meal that suits one and all inspired us to scour the city to find top Brunch Fort Lauderdale spots. Many area restaurants host brunch well into the early afternoon, so there's just no excuse to forego participating in this hybrid meal. Intown's top five picks range from cheap eats to fine dining, and we provide you with all the 411 on what each fine establishment offers.

Downtowner Saloon
Notes: Casual brunch, live acoustic blues, scenic.

Nestled on the Southern bank of the historic New River, where downtown Fort Lauderdale tends to be a bit quieter, The Downtowner Saloon is a charming spot to unwind and watch the boats go by – and those boats, which range from sleek yachts to the Jungle Queen riverboat, sure are spectacular. Downtowner Saloon's all-you-can eat brunch costs $12.99 and is served up buffet style, except for the eggs benedict, which come out piping hot from the kitchen upon request. There’s an omelet station as well at this Brunch Fort Lauderdale spot. Area blues musicians, such as Poppa E and J.P. Soars, enhance the ambiance at this ideal Brunch Fort Lauderdale setting with live music on the outdoor patio.
Address: 408 S. Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, 954-463-9800, downtownersaloon.com.
Hours: Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Price: $12.99

Aruba Beach Café
Notes: Casual brunch on the beach.
This beachfront restaurant in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a hotspot for dinner, drinks, and dancing. With DJs parties and nightly live music, it’s no wonder that that place draws a nice crowd to its never ending festivities, but the Sunday morning “Breakfast by the Sea” is not easily overshadowed by Aruba Beach Cafe's wild nights. The brunch comes complete with hearty options like scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, slice roast beef and tasty treats that manage to squeeze into the category of breakfast, such as strawberries and cream, tropical fruit salads and muffins. Aruba's breakfast runs every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., so following up the biggest meal of the week with an afternoon at the beach is a no-brainer. Address: 1 Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, 954-776-0001, arubabeachcafe.com. Hours: Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Price: $13.99 adults, $6.99 kids.

Lips
Notes: Brunch and live entertainment for open-minded people
The brunch at Lips offers pretty straightforward late-morning fare such as eggs benedict, omelets, scrambled eggs and huevos rancheros for the breakfast-craving attendees and salads, burgers, and club sandwiches for those in the mood for a little lunch. Lips takes Brunch Fort Lauderdale to new levels with its gospel-themed drag show is anything but ordinary. Host Nicolette is a fast-talking Southern girl who will sass your grandmother, flirt with your husband and do just about anything else to keep the entire room mesmerized in between roof-raising performances of gospel diva tunes that inspire clapping and singing along. Champagne, bloody marys and mimosas are included with the cost of brunch. The drag performers double as your servers, so make sure you bring a couple of extra bucks to tip them at the table and then again when they shimmy around the show/dining room hustling tips like the showgirls that they are.

Address: 1421 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-567-0987, floridalips.com.
Hours: Sunday, seatings at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Price: $16.50 for brunch, plus a $5 show fee.

Bimini Boatyard
Notes: Casual elegance with treats for raw bar fans and dessert addicts
For over 20 years, Caribbean American restaurant Bimini Boatyard has been serving up fresh seafood and quality meats in a casual environment. Two decades of existence have given this restaurant plenty of time to hone its Brunch Fort Lauderdale. There are so many tantalizing options that you could forego the eggs and other breakfast items – but who would want to miss out on Bimini Bread French toast? – and head straight for the seafood station, stocked with snow crabs, smoked salmon, peel-and-eat shrimp and other fruits de mar or to the carving station for oven roasted turkey and roast beef. There’s a table with a variety of fresh baked breads as well as a dessert table with mini fruit tarts, mango cheesecake and pineapple cake. It’s fair to say that you won’t be able to try everything, but those 21 and over might want to try that complimentary mimosa, bloody mary or glass of champagne. Reservations are recommended.

Address: 1555 S.E. 17th St., Fort Lauderdale, 954-525-7400, biminiboatyard.com

Hours: Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Price: $32.95 for adults, $13.95 for kids between the ages of 5-12.



Pier Top Lounge
Notes: Top-shelf flair for the top drawer crowd at the top of the city
Brunch at the Pier Top Lounge at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 hotel is a formal affair complete with Veuve Clicquot Champagne, lobster benedict and foie gras. The creme de la creme of Intown 411's Brunch Fort Lauderdale hotspots, the Lounge's brunch offers white glove fare, but there are also several stations that serve up staple crowd pleasers such as sushi, pasta and sliced meats. Pier Top Lounge serves a variety of cheeses alongside a large selection of charcuterie, including pate, prosciutto and Spanish chorizo. Small plates include poached quail egg, tuna carpaccio, ceviche and seared scallops. Sweet breakfast standards, such as pancakes and waffles come with toppings that range from classics like blueberries and strawberries to more elaborate treats like banana rum or raspberry compote, and that’s not even dessert. For dessert, there are cream puffs and a chocolate fountain, to name a few. At $65 a head, the price tag grants you access not only to one of the fanciest brunches in town but also to the best bird’s-eye view of the city. Did we mention that bottomless champagne and Grey Goose bloody marys are also included? Reservations are required.
Address: 2301 S.E. 17th St. Causeway, Fort Lauderdale, 954-728-3530, pier66.hyatt.com
Hours: Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Price: $65 all-inclusive price.