Where to Find the Most Unique Brunch Items in Lake Charles
Offering the best of both worlds, breakfast and lunch, brunch is typically a weekend affair, where menu items consist of bloody Marys and mimosas alongside waffles, French toast, and mounds of eggs, grits, and breakfast meats. But brunch is more than a meal in Lake Charles; it’s a midday culinary movement where local restaurants can tie Louisiana’s culture, fresh seafood, and more interesting twists into their menus. Whether you prefer brunch inside of our high-end restaurants, party atmospheres, or hole-in-the-wall joints, there is a restaurant that caters to every type of brunch lover. Below is a recap of a few of the hottest brunch items in Louisiana's Playground.
Restaurant: Biscuits N Jamz
Brunch Hours: Wednesday-Monday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Menu Item: Sloppy Seafood Grits
True to its namesake, Biscuits N Jamz is a mom-and-pop restaurant known for its homemade buttery biscuits and freshly made jams, but if you want to hang with the big boys, order a bowl of sloppy seafood grits. This meal consists of house-made grits with sauteed jalapenos and onions and cheese, bacon, sausage, crab, shrimp, salmon and topped with an egg.
Restaurant: MacFarlane’s Celtic Pub
Brunch Hours: Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Menu Item: VooDoo Bloody Mary
All of Southwest Louisiana can’t stop raving about MacFarlane’s Insta-worthy VooDoo bloody Mary. It’s made with steeped-in-house vodka, spices, and seasonings, and topped with more than 15 ingredients including celery, cucumbers, cheese, tomatoes, olives, pickled green beans, praline bacon, bell peppers, onion rings, shrimp, and slices of orange, lemon, and lime. It’s only $11.99 for this bottomless concoction. *mic drop*
Restaurant: Pujo St. Cafe
Brunch Hours: Saturdays,11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Menu Item: Bananas "Pujo" French Toast
Any Louisianan knows that bananas Foster is a top-tier dessert, and it's never served the same way anywhere in the state. However, Pujo St. Cafe has cracked the code to sweet, savory and satisfying with their bananas "Pujo" French toast. You'll salivate as you see your server approaching your table with house-made brioche French toast topped with a bananas Foster sauce and bruleed banana slices and a side of bacon. You can savor it all on white linen cloths in their historic dining room or their New Orleans-style courtyard.
Restaurant: Rikenjak’s Brewing Company
Brunch Hours: Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Menu Item: Hangover Fries
Rikenjak’s Brewing Company has an anecdote for party animals seeking hefty dose of carbs to combat Saturday night’s shenanigans. Swap out fatigue, nausea, and irritability with an order of their hangover fries, which consists of waffle fries topped with queso, a fried egg, bacon and green onions. If you’re still in a party mood, grab a beer and take advantage of their Sunday Funday with zydeco music and patio games.
Coffee:30 exists to satisfy your brunch cravings. This menu is stacked with beignets, breakfast bowls, pancakes and more, but the sundial sandwich is a gamechanger. It's made up of two authentic pearl sugar Belgian waffles lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar with breakfast sausage, a fried egg, and Vermont Sharp Cheddar resting between and served with a side of country potatoes.
Restaurant: Crying Eagle Brewing Company
Brunch Hours: Sundays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Menu Item: Praline Chicken & Waffles
Crying Eagle offers a memorable brew-zy brunch experience every Sunday. The menu gives equal opportunity for diners to select lunch and breakfast, but the praline chicken and waffles dish is easily the star of the show with chicken nuggies drenched in praline sauce over a Belgium Waffle. Not mention, they have produced a fun twist on beer and traditional brunch cocktails, like the bloody beer and beermosa.
Restaurant: Luna Bar & Grill
Brunch Hours: Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Menu Item: Eggs Calcasieu
This breakfast is not intended for the weak. Luna Bar & Grill's Egg Calcasieu consists of two eggs and fresh boudin placed atop a slice of brioche toast with hollandaise sauce drizzled across the dish. Oh, not to mention, it’s also plated with thick, juicy fried shrimp. Wash it all down with their funky cocktails while being serenaded to the sound of local jazz bands.
Restaurant: The M Bar Sports Bar & Grill
Brunch Hours: First Sunday of the Month, 11 a.m.
Menu Item: Blueberry & Sangria Mimosas
If you’re in town on the first Sunday of the month, prioritize brunch at The M Bar. They serve all the brunch staples like chicken and waffles, catfish and grits, various omelets and more, but their mimosas flavors make this brunch experience a unique one. You can quench your thirst with a blueberry or sangria mimosa instead of mixing champagne with traditional orange juice.
Restaurant: Panorama Music House
Brunch Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Menu Item: Fried Poblano Eggs Benedict
At Panorama, it's difficult to only select one standout menu item, but the fried poblano eggs Benedict takes the cake. The crunchiness of the deep-fried poblano slices and the creaminess of the spinach sauce over an egg muffin is the best of both worlds, but that only scratches the surface of what's offered at their weekly Zydeco brunch. Choose from omelettes and breakfast tacos to thick waffles and bottomless cocktails. This venus is an indoor-outdoor decked out with musical memorabilia. It's a sanctuary for the animal, the foodie, and the melomaniac. Don't leave without sifting through Panorama Music Exchange, a shop dedicated to historic music collectors.
Restaurant: Villa Harlequin
Brunch Hours: Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Menu Item: Savory Bread Pudding
Located in downtown Lake Charles, Villa Harlequin's high-end brunch spot made a name for itself with traditional Italian cuisine by night and delectable brunch food by day. We challenge you to try the savory bread pudding. It’s a unique spin on the popular Louisiana dessert, but instead of sweetness, this dish consists of two poached eggs and spicy crawfish cream sauce resting on a savory layer of soft bread.
Blue Crab Beignets at Restaurant Calla
Restaurant: Restaurant Calla
Brunch Hours: Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Menu Item: Blue Crab Beignets
Restaurant Calla is home to farm-to-table, chef-inspired cuisine, and their brunch is next-level from the location to the artistry on the plate. You’ll get a taste of traditional brunch items like steak and eggs or chicken and biscuits, as well as non-traditional menu items like stuffed quail or redfish and grits. But you have to sink your teeth into one of their blue crab beignets, which is a ball of fresh crab meat that’s breaded, deep-fried, and served with a avocado almond cream sauce with a hint of mint. It’s a shareable, but we understand if you don’t want to ration these bad boys.
Come in and enjoy a Smooth Jazz brunch! Unlimited Mimosas, unique brunch menu along with the full menu!
Meet The Author
Shalisa Roland
Hey, y'all! I'm the director of public relations for Visit Lake Charles, and I tell travel stories about things to eat, explore, and experience in Southwest Louisiana. As a Texas native and Louisiana adoptee, I share a fresh and familiar perspective on the area's offerings. Whether you're visiting for an extended stay or day tripping for a quick taste, the Lake Area welcomes you with Southern charm and open arms. The more you read, the more you'll discover luxury and laidback experiences that can fit every price point, such as rural gems, foodie fun, and countless events to help you grasp the Lake Charles area like a local. You’ll fall in love with Southwest Louisiana through my eyes, one bite or excursion at a time.
