While every neighborhood has its rises and its falls, Coral Gables has and always will remain a Miami classic. But every classic can be remastered, which is precisely what's happening to its brunch scene. Though the historic Biltmore Hotel will remain a go-to in this Banyan-lined town, a new fleet of eateries have been popping up with midday menus that aim to please.
For a Quick Trip to Spain: Bulla Gastrobar
Skip the afternoon siesta and reserve a booth at Bulla Gastrobar, Coral Gables' own slice of Spain. Here, dozens of delicious items make up the eatery’s three-course tasting menu, which includes egg dishes made with chorizo, truffle oil, or sautéed shrimp, and tapas and larger plates like the Bulla burger, a veal and pork patty with piquillo peppers, cipollini onions, and a thyme honey glaze. Leave some room for Bulla's much-craved churros con chocolate, and even more room for the restaurant's bottomless sangria and mimosa specials. When in Spain, right? 2500 Ponce De Leon Blvd., 305-441-0107
The Aussie Joint: Threefold Cafe
When you're looking for a no-frills, family-friendly breakfast place, head straight to Threefold Cafe. It's authentically Australian—so Australian that it serves Vegemite as a spread. Breakfast is served all day and you can rest assured that every ingredient used is sourced locally, from the Zak the Baker bread to the Panther Coffee beans used in the eatery's lattes. Oh, and don't worry about leaving the little ones at home—there's a designated kid's play area, so you can sit back and sip that Panther-brewed cappuccino with a carefree, Aussie state of mind. 141 Giralda Ave., 305-704-8007
The Gables Classic: The Biltmore
Is there anything more authentically Coral Gables than Sunday brunch at the Biltmore Hotel? No, there isn’t. The Biltmore’s signature Champagne Brunch is legendary, and for $85 you can indulge in all of the omelets, waffles, chef-carved meat selections, oysters, crab legs, and caviar you desire in the hotel's beautiful courtyard. The champagne keeps flowing and the dessert table is always robust, so put on your Sunday best and prepare for the perfect way to end your weekend. 1210 Anastasia Ave, 305-913-3200
The New Cuban Breakfast: Bread & Butter
There's nothing wrong with a classic tostada dipped into a mug of cafe con leche, but every once in a while you want to step up your breakfast game. We suggest sitting at the counter at Bread + Butter, where every dish is authentically Cuban but creatively tweaked to please any foodie's discerning tastebuds. We're talking Ropa Vieja Hash, Plantain Pecan Bread, Media Noche Croquetas—all classic Cuban dishes slightly tinkered to be breakfast-appropriate. Whether you opt for guava mimosas or not, be sure to order a cafe con leche—no Cuban breakfast is complete without one. 2330 Salzedo St., 305-442-9622
The Shopping Interlude: Brasserie Central
Three courses and unlimited mimosas. That's the extent of what you need to know about Brasserie Central, Village of Merrick Park's very own Parisian-style bistro. With indoor and outdoor seating and a menu curated by chef Pascal Oudin of Coral Gables mainstay Pascal's on Ponce, Brasserie Central offers an unpretentious reprieve from a long day of shopping. But what’s best about this quaint eatery is the charming window for on-the-go provisions, especially since every mall-goer needs his or her fix of fresh croissants at any moment. 320 San Lorenzo Ave., 786-536-9388