Looking for a great place to have brunch in the Orlando area, not only on a weekend (that was our difficulty since most restaurants only offer brunch on Sundays)? I think I found the perfect place for a relaxed brunch: it’s called Briarpatch and is located on 252 North Park Avenue in Winter Park. Sitting outside you will be able to soak in the amazing flair that has made Winter Park on of the most popular places in Central Florida. Growing up in Europe, I am always in search for places that offer some authenticity and urban life. Even though rare, it is still possible to find those spots in Central Florida, and Winter Park is definitely one of them.
So since we decided to have brunch, also a bit more of a European custom, there was naturally no other place for me to start the search. And I was lucky! It didn’t take long for us to discover this cozy little restaurant as we were walking down Park Avenue. After a quick glance at the menu (serving hearty breakfast after 11 am makes it the perfect brunch place) we decided to grab a table before anyone else could. Briarpatch seems to be a popular place!
We tried their omelets (good and unique selection like Brie w/ apple, or Salmon) and were not disappointed. Other items on the large breakfast menu were various types of scrambled eggs, eggs Benedict and pancakes. The prices are very reasonable for the Park Avenue address, the attire is casual and so is the outside and the inside of this Winter Park eatery.
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So for your next breakfast, lunch or brunch in a casual and cozy, yet “urbanely busy” environment, reminiscent of a small European town I would suggest you try Briarpatch on Park Ave. Oh, and should you go there on a Saturday morning, be sure to visit the Winter Park Farmer’s Market as well! More about that another time …
I’ve been to the Briar Patch many, many times. For some reason I’m never completely happy. Don’t get me wrong, it’s cute and the food is decent, but I’ve always felt a lack of concern for service.
Did you notice that at all?
Hey, thanks for your comment! I’ve heard that from several people before but I actually thought the service was pretty good.
In fact, something I have never experienced at any other restaurant was the fact that our waiter actually kept bringing us water even after we had paid! That’s something unusual I think because, to my disappointment, most (if not all) waiters stop really caring about you after you paid… Now don’t get me wrong, I know why that is because I was a waiter before too and know how much you rely on your tip, but that’s exactly why I was pleasantly surprised that we weren’t “pushed” out of the place even though there was already a line for our outside table. Don’t know if it’s a European habit or so, but I like to actually stay after a meal and keep talking with my company. I think we must have stayed at least 30 minutes longer – without missing out on service.
But since I will go again soon I’ll see if that was just an exception on that day 🙂 I’ll let you know!