Begging for Brunch - Fetching Spots to Enjoy with Spot

There’s nothing better than sharing weekend brunch with your furry bestie, so we’ve sniffed out a few fetching hot spots to enjoy with your pack. So leash up your pup and grab a seat for some tail-wagging good grub and eye-opening cocktails that you’re sure to dig!

Alma – eatalmanola.com
Located in the Bywater sits this lively eatery created by executive chef/owner Melissa Araujo to showcase her Honduran heritage. Alma opened its doors during the pandemic as a way of providing comfort food, stability and connection for the neighborhood. “Food has always been a central part of my life. All the women in my family, especially my grandmother, were tremendous influences on me,” she explains. “This profession picked me. I wanted to be an architect, but after high school, I got a job as a dishwasher and I never left the business.” Upon deciding that a career in culinary arts was her calling, Chef Melissa accepted an internship in Italy, where she trained and worked for nearly six years. Upon returning to New Orleans, she spent several years cooking alongside renowned chefs, including Susan Spicer, Alon Shaya and John Folse. In 2013 she launched Saveur Catering, with the goal of eventually opening a restaurant. Alma is a staple for breakfast (served all day) and lunch with woof-worthy items ranging from house-made chicharrones and carne asada to pupusas. Signature brunch options like the top-selling Alma Breakfast (two eggs with refried beans, sweet plantains, avocado, queso fresco, and homemade crema), Lola Gray (fried chicken thigh topped with sage and chorizo gravy, a sunny-side up egg and crawfish tails) and Breakfast Tacos (house-made corn tortillas filled with scrambled eggs, roasted poblano, pepperjack, potatoes, avocado and salsa) are sure to please your entire pack. Chef Melissa is obsessed with quality, evident in Alma’s cocktails, like the crafted from scratch Bloody Mary and mimosas made with freshly squeezed OJ. Sip a refreshing watermelon or passion fruit aqua fresca, which can be kicked up with your favorite spirit, or enjoy an exceptional cup of java, which is imported from Honduras. Chef Melissa’s other passion is animals. Currently, she is mom to two pups: Charlotte, a 10-year-old English Black Labrador, and her new rescue puppy, a Golden Retriever named Hela. “Dogs are my life—they love unconditionally, they know when you need an extra cuddle and they are always there for you.” Bring Fido along to dine at one of the 25 covered, outdoor seats, where he will be treated to fresh water and organic dog biscuits. Chef Melissa, who has plans to open additional Alma locations, will begin opening at night, focusing on tapas and cocktails with live music.

Birdy’s Behind The Bower – birdysnola.com
Digging around for a casual, chic brunch spot with delightful fare and creative cocktails for your entire pack? Look no further than Birdy’s! Located in the Lower Garden District, Birdy’s specializes in Southern-inspired breakfast, brunch and lunch. The spacious, tented outdoor area can accommodate up to 80 guests, and welcomes well-mannered pups with a bowl of fresh water. Human diners can quench their thirst with one of their bad-to-the-bone cocktails such as the Montenegro Spritz, a blend of Amaro Montenegro, rosemary syrup and prosecco or a Brunch Punch featuring rum, pineapple and orange juices with grenadine. Enjoy bottomless mimosas during brunch for just $20, or for a real pick-me-up, opt for the Early Bird: a rousing blend of coffee liqueur, espresso, caramel and milk. Birdy’s also offers a tasty selection of booze-free sips, including the Mockly Eye Opener made with tangerine, lemon, peach, basil and lemongrass. As for what to munch for brunch, Executive Chef Graham Wolfe has crafted a paw-some menu featuring hearty breakfast classics, as well as lighter, health-conscious fare. Start your culinary journey with the shareable Brunch Board bursting with mini donuts, granola, slab bacon, hot coppa, bubble waffle, fresh fruit, seasonal jam, mini cookies and pancakes, house syrup, triple creme brie, and soft boiled eggs. If big and bold is what you desire, then check out the Huevos Rancheros—chicken slow simmered in adobo, served with black beans, pico de gallo, cilantro, avocado and two eggs, or the Fried Chicken Biscuit topped with jalapeno and cane syrup country gravy and a sunny side up egg. On the lighter side, the Salmon BLT—cured salmon with smashed avocado, tomato, bacon and pickled ginger aioli, or the Sugar Roots Bowl, filled with beet hummus, brown rice, tabbouleh, yellow squash, cucumbers and local greens, will hit the spot. Indulge your sweet tooth with a Funfetti Bubble Waffle topped with Louisiana strawberries, Chantilly cream and granola. An avid dog lover, Chef Graham is proud papa to three pups: 16-year-old Pug mix Jamal, 12-year-old Pit Bull Terrier Thea and 7-year-old black Pug Lota. “The loyalty of a dog is second to none. My dogs can be quite calming to be around after coming home from a hustle and bustle lifestyle,” adds Chef Graham. Birdy’s is throwing us a bone by recently kicking off Early Bird Happy Hour weekdays from 8 a.m.–10 a.m.

Flour Moon Bagels – flourmoonbagels.com
Breanne Kostyk discovered her passion for bagels while attending college in Brooklyn. Upon moving to New Orleans, she could not find her ideal version of the chewy yeast roll, so the Connecticut native began whipping up her own. “I started my career in pastry in 2012 and made bagels while working for a hotel,” she explains. “I’ve always expressed my creativity in the form of food and really love the meditative process associated with baking.” What started as a small pop-up making bagels out of her home for friends and neighbors, quickly blossomed as she began to sell her doughy delights at markets. Breanne and partner Jeff Hinson, who manages the front of the house, live in Mid-City with their 16-year-old kitty named Newman. They frequented Hey! Café on the Lafitte Greenway, so when the space next door became available, they “fell in love with it immediately.” In June 2022, Flour Moon Bagels, which Breanne calls “more of a full-service restaurant rather than just a bakery,” opened to rave reviews. Bagels are made from premium ingredients including Louisiana cane syrup and are all hand rolled. They undergo at least 18 hours of cold fermentation, then after a night’s rest, are kettle-boiled before being baked in a 500-degree oven. This meticulous process helps to achieve each bagel’s perfectly crisped crust, while maintaining its soft interior. Whether you’re a purist and prefer your bagel simply toasted with a smear of butter or cream cheese, or in the form of a sandwich, Flour Moon has plenty of tasty options that you’re sure to go mutts over! And, with so many spread and topping choices like French chili butter, house-made peanut butter, roasted carrot spread, avocado, salmon roe and bacon, to name a few, the paw-sibilities are endless. Create your own or sniff out tasty selections like the Full Moon Tartine (cream cheese, lox, cucumber, red onion, capers, and herbs), the Mockingbird, a creative combo of sunflower seed butter, tahini, bananas, dates and honey, or the Bluebird, a layering of smoked turkey, jalapeno cream cheese, blueberry jam, arugula and pickled banana peppers. Best of all, they have a spacious covered patio with ample seating that overlooks the Greenway, so you and your pup can nosh together. While Fido enjoys a bowl of water, imbibe in a signature Bloody Mary blended with house-made mix, sherry, vermouth, vodka and house pickle.

Sala – salanola.com
When it comes to restaurant longevity and accomplishment, Joe Riccobono has a pedigree that would be awarded Best in Show. “My family has been in the restaurant business in New Orleans for four generations, so I grew up doing this,” he explains. Today, the family’s restaurant portfolio includes Riccobono’s Peppermill, Riccobono’s Panola Street Café, Café Navarre and its newest, Sala Nola Restaurant & Bar, which Joe and his sister Heather opened together six years ago. Complete with lounge-style seating, the West End spot describes itself as a polished, laid-back, social gathering space and casual eatery. Sala focuses on offering dog-gone enticing adult libations paired with sharable dishes, served in an appealing atmosphere. “I’ve always loved West End, so we felt that with all the great restaurants in the area, we could bring something unique, so we chose to focus on offering shareable small plates and fresh seafood in a stylish setting. We also knew that we wanted to offer a great brunch on the weekends where friends and families could gather for a day out by the lake,” explains Joe. Pack up your pack and head to Sala on Saturday or Sunday for fetching brunch selections like the Sonoma Omelette filled with creamy spinach and artichoke with mozzarella, Shrimp and Grits with alligator sausage, the Kentucky Hot Brown (an open-faced turkey and bacon sandwich topped with cream sauce, pimentos, tomatoes and a sunny side up egg) or the half-pound Angus beef burger with caramelized onions. Sala’s selection of Benedicts will have you licking your chops with options like Crab Cakes Benedict and house-cured Smoked Salmon Benedict. Be sure to save room for the scrumptious Zeppole, fried powdered sugar donuts with cream cheese icing. Joe and wife Christina have a Sheepadoodle puppy named Benny—after Eggs Benedict, of course! A longtime animal lover who grew up with a Pit Bull named Duke and a Blue Point Siamese named Jasper, Joe adores being a pet parent. “I love how happy we are to see each other when I get home and the way he cuddles up next to us when we watch TV.” Kick back with your pooch under Sala’s covered, outdoor patio where Fido will enjoy a bowl of water, while humans sip bottomless mimosas for just $20 on Saturdays, house-made Bloody Mary’s and frozen bellinis. You’ll have a ball during Happy Hour from 3–6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday with discounted small plates and select specialty cocktails.

Wakin’ Bakin’ – wakinbakin.com
Owners Conrad Chura, a Michigan native, and Crystal, who hails from California, fell in “puppy” love with the Crescent City while traveling across the country with AmeriCorps and soon realized that they found their fur-ever home. The duo landed in the restaurant business and, while living in Mid-City, discovered a void in morning-time dining options. They saved every penny of their tip money and pooled resources from friends and family to create a delivery only “pop-up”. Two years later, the right location presented itself, so the first brick and mortar Wakin’ Bakin’ was born with the goal of offering affordable, quality breakfast served in a sunny, casual environment. Today, the family-owned and operated business boasts three thriving locations in Mid-City, Uptown and the French Quarter, with plans to expand. Fido can accompany you to the Mid-City location, which has about 24 pet-friendly seats and Uptown, with ruff-ly 25 covered outdoor seats. Both locations will happily bring your pooch a bowl of water and if he’s is lucky (and they’re not too busy) the friendly staff will offer a scrambled egg or slice of bacon. As for human guests, dig into favorites such as The Usual: freshly cracked eggs cooked your way with homemade butter biscuits, thick-sliced bacon and choice of side (The Cajun smashed hash with Creole seasoning will have you begging for more!) or, The SuperBowl (black beans and Cajun hash under melted cheddar and pepper jack with bacon confit, sage sausage, jalapenos, caramelized onions, salsa, avocado and poached eggs.) Don’t miss their signature sourdough, which “was born in 2010 from local honey, water and starch and ever since, we've nurtured her like a baby. As of today, she has produced over 1,000 loaves,” explains Conrad. The other delectable must is the bacon confit, which is slow simmered in its own fat, infusing the meat with a rich applewood smoke flavor. The Wakin’ Bakin’ team loves animals and several are pet parents including Conrad and Crystal, who have fish and a turtle, manager Jon, dad to two rescue dogs (a American Bulldog mix named Pita and Molly, a Black Lab mix), and marketing manager Jeanne, who has six rescues—three dogs and three cats. Additionally, the company proudly supports Trampled Rose Rescue & Rehab, so you can feel warm and fuzzy while treating your taste buds.