Let's Do Brunch!

Brunch has blossomed from a hearty meal of pancakes and eggs Benedict into an indulgent hours-long feast that truly makes Sunday a fun day.

Communal environments, bottomless cocktails, creative food offerings and live music are fueling a party scene that has turned brunch into a weekend event not to be missed. In fact, brunch isn't just for Sundays anymore. Many places are offering a Saturday option, too.

Depending on the locale, brunch can be a completely different experience. In New York City, one of the most brunch-centric spots in the country, themed brunch parties are trending, complete with entertainment, specialty drinks and games. For instance, 5th & Mad offers a monthly Sunday soiree, including its recent "Legally Blonde" gathering, where guests dressed up in pink (think Elle Woods), brought their little dogs and sipped cocktails like the "Delta Nu." Other popular themes have been "Mean Girls," "Clueless" and Spice Girls.

In Los Angeles, brunches tend to be about networking with a focus on healthy foods and vegan alternatives. Las Vegas practically invented brunch with all-you-can-eat mega-spreads that span entire dining rooms – typically offered every day of the week around the clock.

South Florida is no slouch when it comes to brunch. Local restaurants and chefs are putting their own festive spin on this beloved weekend meal. Throw in beautiful weather, a beachy ambiance and waterfront locales, and it's a recipe for one unforgettable brunch. Read on for nine of our favorites.

Racks Downtown Eatery + Tavern

Boca Raton

You've got plenty of time to eat, drink and be merry with Sunday brunch at Racks Downtown Eatery + Tavern, served from 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Endless Seafood and Sushi Bar features cut-to-order sashimi, sushi, snow crab legs, shrimp, freshly shucked oysters, lobster rolls, ceviche, tuna poke and much more. Gary's Fine Fried Chicken & Waffles, the BLTA Omelet (bacon, arugula, tomato, avocado and brunch potatoes) and the Granola Zen Bowl (caramelized banana, berries, granola and yogurt) are just a few of the entrées on the signature brunch menu.

Wash it all down with bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys or the daily special, white summer sangria.

Info: 561-395-1662, racksboca.com

Zuma

Miami

Skip the standard fare and settle in for a wide selection of sushi at Zuma, one of the most popular brunches in Miami, offered Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Guests groove to live music while enjoying izakaya, informal Japanese dining.

Brunch is available in three tiers: classic, signature and premium. All choices include a selection of salads, bao buns, sushi, sashimi and robata-grilled dishes, and each tier offers different entrées. Beverage options include bottomless Louis Roederer or Dom Perignon champagne or unlimited Umami Marys (Zuma's take on the Bloody Mary). For an authentic Japanese tipple, a new sake station serves up rotating flights and tastings. End on a sweet note with a towering dessert platter, stacked with treats, sorbets and exotic fruits.

Info: 305-577-0277, zumarestaurant.com

50 Ocean

Delray Beach

With floor-to-ceiling windows offering ocean views and a build-your-own Grey Goose Bloody Mary bar atop a fish tank bar, 50 Ocean is a special setting for your weekend repast.

Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Craft your Bloody Mary with more than 30 ingredients like filthy pickles and olives, sweet chili asparagus, pepperoni, cheeses and hot sauces. If you prefer champagne, sip endless mimosas. On the menu are creative twists on classic brunch favorites, like Blueberry Quinoa Pancakes, Bananas Foster French Toast and Crab Quiche.

It'll be hard to keep your eyes on your plate thanks to the panoramic vistas of A1A, the beach and the Atlantic Ocean offered from your second-story perch – but try your best.

Info: 561-278-3364, 50ocean.com

Salt 7

Delray Beach

If you want to nosh nightclub-style, Salt 7 is the place. Known around town as The Brunch, the event is held every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Halfway through the afternoon, the tone takes a turn: Shades are pulled down, and a full-blown bash kicks in. A DJ, entertainment and a high-energy crowd keep the vibe going strong.

The food is no less exciting. Think Cannoli Pancakes, Rock Shrimp Hash and a Sticky Bun Skillet. But the biggest draw is Sunday Communion: crazy cocktails in giant fishbowls that serve up to 10 people. The Quaalude combines Stoli vodka, Malibu rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, club soda, Swedish Fish, gummy bears and orange slices. The Princess Peach bowl comprises Stoli peach vodka, fresh sour mix, muddled strawberries, club soda, and strawberry and peach candy rings – topped with a bottle of Moët & Chandon.

Info: 561-274-7258, salt7.com

Avocado Grill

West Palm Beach

Fun and festive, Avocado Grill is right in the middle of downtown West Palm Beach and focuses on locally sourced farm-to-table food with a nod toward Caribbean flavors.

The emphasis in this relaxed, retro-style hangout is on sampling and sharing, making it the perfect spot to bring friends and family. Choose from tapas, artisanal small plates, the fresh raw bar, creative craft cocktails and made-in-house desserts. We're partial to the Peaches & Cream Waffles, Duck Confit Benedict and Salmon Hash.

The house is packed for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and live music amps up the revelry.

Info: 561-623-0822, avocadogrillwpb.com

Avant

Delray Beach

Channeling a hip, artsy vibe, Avant offers its Avant Garde Brunch every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The restaurant is named for and inspired by an underground guerilla art movement that began in Manhattan in the early 1980s, when artists anonymously created and left works in public spaces. And the funky décor – including over-the-top lighting and creative elements by local artists – certainly adds to the ambiance. The space is great for large groups and parties (it can accommodate 100).

The decor is a fitting backdrop for the prix fixe brunch, which includes unlimited small plates (like Sunday Meatballs and Peanut Butter and Bacon Stuffed French Toast) and a variety of food stations, from omelets to salads to pastas. Bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas are available, too.

Info: 561-921-8687, avantdelray.com

Ocean2000

Pelican Grand Beach Resort

Fort Lauderdale

For a beachfront brunch, visit Ocean2000, the signature restaurant of the Pelican Grand Beach Resort. If you sit on the veranda, there's a wonderful view of the Atlantic, and some tables are located directly on the beach for "toes in the sand" dining.

Brunch is held Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and includes an unlimited, build-your-own Bloody Mary bar with more than 50 ingredients. There are bottomless mimosas, too. For food, tempt yourself with a made-to-order omelet or vanilla waffles hot off the iron. You'll find something to suit every foodie's whim, from pasta, crepe and antipasto stations to the carving board and paella. Other offerings include chilled delicacies from the sea and chef-crafted skillets.

Info: 954-556-7667, pelicanbeach.com

Brick & Barrel Pub

Lake Park

With its industrial chic décor and graffiti murals, it's no surprise this new Saturday brunch in the Lake Park Arts District draws a hipster crowd.

The event starts at 11 a.m. with sparkling rosé specials; bottomless mimosas; and the featured cocktail, the Best Damn Bloody Mary. Looking to drink something out of the ordinary? Try whiskey flights or limited-release "breakfast" beers paired with brunch dishes. Food isn't an afterthought here. Options include locally sourced farm-to-table fare like Pork Belly Benedict and Scotch Egg & Potato Hash.

For seating, there are four communal tables on the shady patio and 60 seats inside. Time your visit for the third Saturday of the month to enjoy the district's Rust Market, featuring vintage and handcrafted goods.

Info: 561-623-0916, brickandbarrelpub.com

Café Boulud

The Brazilian Court Hotel

Palm Beach

Located just steps from Worth Avenue in the heart of Palm Beach, The Brazilian Court Hotel seems more like one of the island's many opulent mansions than a hotel. It's tastefully decorated and emanates British Colonial elegance.

But the stately brunch experience at Café Boulud, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., is decidedly French - with a Florida twist. Choose from the prix fixe three-course menu or a la carte options. Tempting dishes include Grilled Hanger Steak, Crab Cake Benedict, Maine Lobster Roll and Swordfish Niçoise Salad. Don't skip dessert: The Key Lime Pie is served with refreshing grapefruit sorbet, perfect for cleansing your palate.

Info: 561-655-7740, cafeboulud.com O