As schedules grow tight and the time to cram decreases by the day, opportunities to eat proper meals and take care of ourselves often hit the backburner in comparison to our academic lives. First quarter full meals soon turn into quick snacks, easy-to-pack bites, and energy drinks, as we grind through late night study sessions while balancing our various after school activities.
Thankfully, summer break offers Campo students the perfect opportunity to remind themselves of the importance of self care and healthy nourishment. After all, food isn’t just sustenance to keep us alive, it’s an opportunity to grow meaningful connections over meals while strengthening our mental and physical well-being. Here are some local brunch restaurants for students to try during the break to replenish their minds and bodies in the post academic year.
The Breakfast Club at Midtown
3577 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549
Located South of Downtown Lafayette’s center, The Breakfast Club at Midtown offers a bustling, lively environment for those who like to begin their mornings with good conversation and an energized atmosphere. The brightly lit and painted restaurant offers a variety of options from sweet to savory, meeting each person’s preferences no matter their mood. Popular items at The Breakfast Club include their French Toast, Crab Cakes Benedict, and Blue Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. In addition to high quality ingredients, large quantities of food make their prices worth it. “I like to order the chocolate chip pancakes,” said junior Ella Harris who feels that this brunch spot is her favorite in the area. Thick pancake stacks of three come in diverse styles from traditional buttermilk to cookies & cream. While the restaurant does hold large appeal, it should be warned that many portion sizes may be excessive for those with smaller appetites. Therefore, modifying orders to 1-2 stacks may be more preferable in order to have a satisfactory meal while reducing food waste or need to take home leftovers.
The Hangout
1908 Tice Valley Blvd A, Walnut Creek, CA 94595
While its location in the Lamorinda community may make this popular brunch spot seem less accessible to some, The Hangout offers a diverse and plentiful variety of options to satisfy each of their customers’ pallets making it worth the trip. With a slight Thai twist to their menu, some of their specialty options include their Chicken & Waffles, Loco Moco, Gai Gra Prow, and Chick Katsu Curry. My personal favorite has been the Ube Pancakes, a 3 stack of pancakes drizzled in ube sauce and topped with assorted fruits. While the wait may be on the longer side, a diverse amount of drinks to choose from suffice for the anticipation. However, for those anxious for their meal, sides may be a helpful way to keep the healthy appetite at bay.
Town Bakery & Cafe
337 Rheem Blvd, Moraga, CA 94556
A nostalgic favorite for many Campo students, Town Bakery & Cafe, or affectionately ‘The Town,’ remains a long standing family-owned brunch spot favorite for many. The restaurant serves a typical American brunch menu, sliding into lunchtime. Based locally and seasonally, the restaurant notes that the menu is subject to change daily based on what’s available. Junior Anjali Rao says that Town is her favorite brunch spot, stating that she has a lot of good memories there spending time with her family, “I [have gone] there with my family a lot, since I was a child. It’s a nostalgic thing.” Rao and junior Colbie Freese both recommended the french toast as a delicious brunch option to customers. For many people, popular filling dishes for the platter include the restaurant’s avocado toast, lamb burger, beef burger, and eggs benedict. Across from Rheem Shopping Center, the restaurant is easily accessible to those who want to have a delicious meal after a long day of studying or exams.
Batch & Brine
3602 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549
Opened since 2018, Lafayette’s Batch & Brine has become a staple restaurant for locals and a must try for anyone who visits. The restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere for friends to enjoy, with colorful murals which line the walls and wide windows which are opened during the spring and summer seasons. Offering their standard menu as well as a separate menu for brunch hours which is served from 10-3pm, Batch & Brine offers many must try items for a table to enjoy with house specialties including their Pastrami Hash, Diablo Scramble, and Sticky Pecan French Toast. Along with their brunch options, Batch & Brine is also well known for their creamy milkshakes which come in a wide variety of flavors such as chocolate, banana, cookies & cream, and creamsicle. In addition, all milkshakes ordered come with more than its glass; overflow of the milkshake is also served in a metal glass. A must try especially as the weather gets warmer, Batch & Brine is an all-round good eats restaurant, and can be recommended for anyone who wants a filling meal to start off their day.
Tutu’s Food and Drink
53 Lafayette Cir, Lafayette, CA 94549
A multifunctional market and restaurant, Tutu’s has long been a fan-favorite due to its proximity to the heart of downtown Lafayette and fresh produce. Much like The Hangout, Tutu’s is recognized as a nostalgic restaurant for many due to its bustling energy in the mornings to its dim lit and cozy atmosphere in the evening. Along with traditional American styled dishes such as their avocado toast, pancakes, and scrambles, the restaurant also has a few notable Latin American inspired options like their Huevos Rancheros, Chilaquiles, and Pork Carnitas Scramble. If there’s room left after the meal, many recommend the chocolate chip cookies which can be bought at the market as the perfect dessert for those with a sweet tooth. Overall, Tutu’s is a great place to share a meal and a convenient option for students in Lafayette who want to enjoy a meal with their friends and family.
While all of these brunch spots have a multitude of food that can make it difficult to choose, remember that it’s not the food that makes the experience good, but also the people you try it with. “…The brunch experience can really bring people together, especially members of the family who [you] might not have another reason to see that often,” said Freese. “Everybody eats.” Take this summer as an opportunity to try some new foods and enjoy the time off, as nourishing your body with delicious eats is key to relaxing and replenishing during the academic off season.
