Falling between the hours of breakfast and whenever they kick you out, brunch is that beautiful boozy meal best enjoyed on lazy weekends. Here are a handful of essential Orlando brunch spots that should absolutely not be ignored.

Soco Best reason to come here: Pork belly biscuits Greg Richie’s imaginative take on Southern classics has made Soco one of downtown’s favorite brunch destinations, thanks to dishes like slow-roasted barbecue-glazed pork belly biscuits, their Soco-style chicken and dumplings and crab-stuffed deviled duck eggs. They also have a hefty “breakfast” cocktail menu. 629 E. Central Blvd. | 407-849-1800 Photo via pkiebach/Instagram
White Wolf Cafe Best reason to come here: Crab cake-and-avocado eggs Benedict Prepare yourself for one of the best eggs Benny experiences you’ve ever had. The English muffin is toasted just enough to sop up a zippy lemon hollandaise. The crab cake is moist, thick and never overly browned. For that extra something sweet at the end, order one of the cafe’s signature cinnamon buns, which just might make it into your dreams later that night. 1829 N. Orange Ave. | 407-4895-9911 Photo via white_wolf_cafe/Instagram
The Briarpatch Best reason to come here: Raspberry-and-brie stuffed French toast Practice makes perfect, and Briarpatch sure has had its fair share of practice. This almost 40-year-old spot offers Sunday brunch indoors and on its relaxing patio, where you can start your late day off with a nice batch of cheesy grits and a La Colombe Corsica blend. 252 N. Park Ave., Winter Park | 407-628-8651 Photo via quintinopfell/Instagram
Two Chefs Seafood Oyster Bar Best reason to come here: Fried chicken Try not to judge this resto by its decor. Judge it by its fried chicken instead. Did the crackling skin elicit hearty grunts of approval? Did the flesh induce in us a lubricious haze? Were our digits licked clean of crunchy, seasoned residue? Yes, yes and oh hell yes. 743 N. Magnolia Ave. | 407-270-4740 Photo via bluedazedesigns/Instagram
Se7en Bites Best reason to come here: 7th Trimester You may be sacrificing your aorta to save your liver here, but the food is so over-the-top delectable, that hey, at least you’ll die happy. How about the 7th Trimester: a buttermilk garlic biscuit stuffed with an over-medium egg and chewy-crisp bacon, tumbled with a load of five-cheese mac and cheese, then topped with a potato chip-bacon crumble? Or the Southern biscuit, served with baked egg in ham, pimiento cheese, bacon and cheddar-chive grits? 207 Primrose Drive, Orlando, FL 32803 | 407-203-0727 Photo via arianna_hoyo/Instagram
Swine & Sons Best reason to come here: Biscuit sandwich If you’re feeling flush, pull together a group between 10 and 40 and order catering like their breakfast biscuit sandwiches, fried chicken waffle-wiches, or go whole hog and order a whole pig, porchetta-style. 595 W Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789 | 407-636-7601 Photo via mr.spookshow/Instagram
Santiago’s Bodega Best reason to come here: Crab legs With boisterous tables crowding the dimly lit but massive all-you-can-eat buffet (which includes pasta and other comfort food reimagined Santiago’s style, typical fixings like biscuits and gravy and bacon, and elite enticements like leg of lamb, prime rib and giant crab legs), the endless graze is startlingly social. The buzzy noise level adds spice that more reserved brunches lack. 802 Virginia Drive | 407-412-6979 Photo via mcruizc/Instagram
The Porch Best reason to come here: All you can eat buffet This location switched over from an à la carte brunch menu to all you can eat, and it’s doing well for them – all the usual suspects for $29.95, plus the option to add bottomless mimosas. They turn on the sound for big games, but on an average Sunday it’s just on for the first game of the day; after that a DJ takes over. Packers vs. Bears plus a made-to-order omelet? Yes please. 643 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park | 407-4571-9101 Photo via maryets26/Instagram
Slate Best reason to come here: Chicken and waffles sandwich At Slate, a tidy little cocktail menu is surprisingly refreshing, especially the Morning Aperitivo: Aperol, lemonade, Bittermen’s Boston Bittahs and bubbles. The menu is to die for as well, making the drive down to Dr. Phillips more than worth it. 8323 W. Sandlake Road | 407-500-7528 Photo via kykhaleesi/Instagram
The Ravenous Pig Best reason to come here: Croque Madame sandwich This Saturday brunch service goes beyond the traditional morning meat-and-three: Zippy arugula chimichurri covers a half-inch-thick slab of crisped pork belly, crumbled queso fresco and a hash of Peruvian purple potatoes. The Croque Madame sandwich is salty-sweet at its brunchy best, a crunchy, sweet, caramelized croissant filled with a wiggly fried egg, ham, melted Gruyere and bèchamel. 1234 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park | 407-628-2333 Photo via theravenouspig/Instagram
Market on South Best reason to come here: Georgia peach sloppy joe This restaurant, bakery and bar combo offers a plant-based dining experience. But just because there isn’t any meat on the menu, don’t think that means you won’t find be able to find a hearty meal. Veggie-lovers and carnivores alike love the Georgia peach sloppy joe and the pulled Carolina BBQ jackfruit sandwich. And because everything is vegan, you don’t have to feel guilty when you complete your order with some crispy Brussels sprouts and a giant cranberry-lemon curd donut. 2603 E. South St. | 407-613-5968 Photo via megtullos/Instagram
Pharmacy Best reason to come here: Pulled pork hash eggs Benedict The libation slingers at Pharmacy just recently got their doctorate in brunch and our hunger couldn’t be more pleased. Expect to see the usual suspects like omelets, fried chicken and waffles and maple sticky buns on this brunch menu, but while you’re here, you’ll have no choice but to order one of their carefully crafted cocktails, like the Bloody Michelada – a whiskey and Bloody Mary concoction. 8060 Via Dellagio Way | 407-985-2972 Photo via pharmacyorlando/Instagram
Maxine’s on Shine Best reason to come here: Warnin’ in da Mornin’ The brie, shrimp and bacon omelet may not be kosher, but damn is it decadent. The eggs Benny incorporate a fried green tomato for maximum Southernness. And the hash, far from being fried canned corned beef topped with a fried egg, is a rib-sticking, luscious mess of Irish stout-braised brisket, crowned with jalapeño aioli and a pair of poached eggs. 337 Shine Ave. | 407-674-6841 Photo via amberdoesmyhair/Instagram
Kokino Best reason to come here: Frittatas It’s a toss-up what you’ll get a Kokino’s Sunday brunch since they change the menu each week, but we can guarantee you’ll get a meal worth talking about. They’ve got a huge variety of morning dishes like steak and eggs, frittatas and broiled oysters – and with most dishes served tapas-style, you won’t have to miss out on any of the delectables at this brunch. 7705 Turkey Lake Road | 407-270-9199 Photo via kokinorestaurant/Instagram
Christo’s Cafe Best reason to come here: Grilled biscuits and gravy There’s no better place to have a pre-noon meal. That sentiment has less to do with the food than with the utterly calming environs, though a recent breakfast on a cool morn amid a light drizzle was made all the more memorable by the lamb and feta-filled Greek omelet, a stack of silver dollar pancakes, deep-fried French toast with bananas and bottomless cups of coffee. 1815 Edgewater Drive | 407-425-8136 Photo via behqui/Instagram
Kasa Restaurant & Bar Best reason to come here: Bottomless sangria and mimosas If the miso-glazed bacon on the Asian-inspired menu of Kasa doesn’t tempt you, maybe day drinking endless glasses of sangria and mimosas will. The sangria comes in red or white and you can add cranberry, orange or pineapple mix-ins to your mimosas, so you can customize the tipsy midday stupor you’ll find yourself in by the end of your meal. 183 S. Orange Ave. | 407-985-5272 Photo via boristakic/Instagram
The Crooked Spoon Best reason to come here: Farmer’s morning burger When you wake up Saturday or Sunday demanding a cure for your debilitating hangover, slip into a booth between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for a surefire solution. This food truck-turned-stationary eatery is known for its packed burgers, a few of which are topped with an egg perfect for your delayed awakening. If your ideal remedy to hangovers is simply more alcohol, they’ve still got your back with $3 mimosas and $5 bloody marys. 200 Citrus Tower Blvd., Clermont | 352-404-7808 Photo via thecrookedspoon/Instagram
Cask & Larder Best reason to come here: Nashville chicken and waffles Over at Cask & Larder the brunch selection is wide and varied – fried green tomato poutine, banana beignets with candied bacon, and a St. Johns catfish po’boy are just a few of the Southern twists the menu has to offer – but the Nashville hot chicken and waffles is the crowd-pleaser. Perfectly crunchy, spicy-sweet fried chicken over cornbread waffle quarters, served with dill crème fraîche and smoked honey … lord have mercy. 565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park | 321-280-4200 Photo via clairevpalafox/Instagram
Avenue Gastrobar Best reason to come here: Waffle wings The sleek and cozy downtown bar has a real commitment to its menu, and it shows in game day-ready items like their tomato toast (grilled tomato and smoked cheddar on sourdough toast) and waffle wings (wings fried in cornmeal waffle batter and drizzled with syrup and powdered sugar). 13 S. Orange Ave. | 407-839-5039 Photo via antoniorivera_fl/Instagram
Boheme Restaurant Best reason to come here: Seafood station Get out the white gloves – Sunday brunch at the Boheme is happening. With prime rib carving stations and shellfish displays, it’s safe to say you’re livin’ the good life here. Pro chefs are on standby to make sure all your needs are met, so grab a plate and sit down. 325 S. Orange Ave. | 407-581-4700 Photo via tropicalfoodie/Instagram
Artisan’s Table Best reason to come here: Japanese breakfast bowl Don’t let its lavish-looking exterior fool you; your wallet will find a variety of options here that are both economically feasible yet surprisingly filling. Take on the aforementioned Japanese bowl or order the warm and home-y feeling biscuit and gravy plate, served with two eggs. More alluring yet is the drink menu available at such an hour. Nothing kick-starts your day like a Tequilaccino. 22 E. Pine St. | 407-730-7499 Photo via ilovefooding/Instagram
Uncomfortable Brunch Best reason to come here: To prove your nerves of steel Watch an unsettling art film with a bunch of strangers while noshing on brunch and knocking back bloody marys. Their slate for 2016 looks particularly solid, too, with viewings of Straw Dogs, Breaking the Waves and Pink Flamingos scheduled. Will’s Pub | 1042 N. Mills Ave. Photo via vitalunacafe/Instagram
Outpost Neighborhood Kitchen Best reason to come here: Bottomless mimosas The sun is shining at College Park’s vintage-tinged Outpost when it’s brunchtime. Settle in with a mimosa (… or three) while a live band keeps the mood up in the clouds. Whether you’re biting the hair of the dog or just looking to fend off the hunger, you won’t want to skip out on the buffalo shrimp Benedict. 2603 Edgewater Drive | 407-930-6282 Photo via jsumma/Instagram
Hamburger Mary’s Best reason to come here: “Yolk’s on You” burger It might actually be a felony to skip out on a burger when you go to Hamburger Mary’s, even if it is 11 in the morning. The “Yolk’s on You” burger is a Mary’s burger with lettuce, tomato and pickles, topped with an egg cooked however you like. We all know meals tastes better accompanied by a show, and the esteemed performers at Sunday’s Broadway Brunch never disappoint. 110 W. Church St. | 321-319-0600 Photo via deevs06/Instagram