Listen, I’m not ordinarily the type of basic bitch to order a mimosa (or any alcohol) at brunch—it adds too much to my bill and I’d much rather use that guap on a biscuit or side of avocado. But there are certain moments in life when mimosas, and specifically, an everflowing array of mimosas, are absolutely called for: birthdays, vacations, holidays, and any other celebratory gathering over breakfast foods. But, as one restaurant employee pointed out to me, no alcoholic drink (including mimosas) can be “bottomless” in the state of Oregon. Restaurants can’t use that language, or be bottomless at all, and they’re poised to cut you off if they need to. Yes folks, the wildly popular “bottomless mimosa” trend seems to have fallen off, and I’m not having it. In any case, here are five excellent brunch spots where the mimosas are at least plentiful, strong, and multifarious.
Jam on Hawthorne
In addition to their crowd-pleasing menu of exceptional menu of scrambles, breakfast wraps, and bowls, Jam wins the award for the largest, most diverse selection of mimosa flavors. The vegan- and omnivore-friendly breakfast joint also likely has the most flexible mimosa menu. It’s... almost overwhelming looking at their big-ass chalkboards listing 15+ varieties of juice, syrups, and champagne. You can order them in a 12-ounce curvy glass ($7.50) or a quart-sized Big Bertha in a large Mason jar with ice. Alternately, Jam is happy to bring a bucket of prepped mimosa supplies ($18) to your table: a bottle of champagne, ice, and your choice of juice (orange, grapefruit, pineapple, or cranberry) plus flavoring (lavender, peach, mango, strawberry, prickly pear, blood orange, guava, raspberry, or lychee) mixed together in a carafe. Please note: Jam does not skimp on the champagne. I ordered a sweet and floral lavender mimosa on my last double date here, following it up with a prickly pear (on special), and then sipping on a mango-flavored variation. I regret not trying their new yuzu (Japanese citrus fruit) mimosa, also on special, but brunching at Jam is super filling. Their extensive menu never fails to give you something to look forward to on your next visit. (2239 SE Hawthorne, breakfast daily 7:30 am-3 pm)
Brix Tavern
While I typically visit this Pearl District for their all-night happy hour on Sunday and Monday, Brix Tavern appears to be one of the few remaining places in Portland offering refillable mimosas ($9.50) as part of a stellar brunch experience. So it should come as no surprise that it’s also the type of place where reservations (yes, for brunch) are recommended. Especially during high sportsball season, when everyone and their whole family intends to catch a game on one of Brix Tavern’s multiple flatscreens. But the path forward after getting a table is a no-brainer: Take a seat. Order the $9.50 refillable mimosas (or $6 for a single). Snack on complimentary donuts. Get the shrimp and grits. (1338 NW Hoyt, brunch: Sat and Sun 9:45 am-2:45 pm, reservations recommended)
Broder Nord
Never again will I go to Broder’s tiny Southeast location when I know that the larger, more accessible Broder Nord has much more reasonable wait times. A bitch would like to enjoy her œbleskivers (AKA those light and fluffy Danish pancakes) in a timely fashion. While the Nordic restaurant doesn’t do refillable mimosas, they do offer a trio of additional flavors—tangerine, grapefruit, raspberry apple—on top of the classic OJ, and they’re serving ’em up strong. My date and I shared a tangerine and raspberry apple mimosa on a recent visit (both were equally tasty; they’re not skimping on the champagne here either), and then followed it up with an original mimosa and Broder’s Elderflower mimosa ($10) which is sweetened with a floral St. Germaine liquor and garnished with orange peel. Despite the fact there’s zero juice in the Elderflower, it doesn’t taste as alcoholic as it most certainly is. It’s surprisingly pleasant, slightly floral, not too strong or too sweet. (2240 N Interstate, breakfast served weekdays 9 am-3 pm, weekends 8 am-3 pm)
Bread and Honey Cafe
This semi-lowkey spot on North Vancouver offers a weekends-only mimosa pitcher for $18, which serves 4-5 people. Mimosas by the glass ($6) are available all week. During a recent Sunday afternoon visit, the Bread and Honey had an apple cider mimosa on special ($7) with (you guessed it!) champagne and apple cider. This is when I came to the conclusion that apple juice and champagne are great together, and actually rival OJ for best mimosa combo; it essentially tastes like alcoholic Martinelli’s sparkling cider. That is to say,
yum. Another special was the Kombosa ($7), AKA a kombucha and champagne mimosa, so you can get tipsy and get your probiotics in the same fizzy gulp.
Highly recommend ordering one or two biscuits to go with your champagne cocktails. (3526 N Vancouver, weekend brunch: Sat and Sun 8 am-2 pm)
Eastburn Public House
When I heard the words "mimosa flights" in regards to Eastburn's daily brunch I knew I needed to get myself there. This place is a good option when you don’t have the patience to wait 45 minutes to an hour for brunch, but still enjoy breakfast foods while in a swing chair or gazing at Bob Ross paintings from your table. The mimosa flight ($8) includes four baby mimosas made with black currant, apricot, white Peach, and blood orange puree. While all were tasty and heavy on the bubbles, surprisingly, the black currant is the most blah, and the apricot is the most yah! (They also offer a brunch flight, so you can try their Bloody Mary, coffee nudge, and a greyhound in addition to a classic mimosa.) Another option: order a classic single mimosa with OJ ($5), and get it refilled for just $2, or level-up with the "Moremosa" ($6), which includes eight ounces champagne, and your choice of fresh fruit purée (prickly pear, guava, grapefruit, pineapple, or any of the flight flavors), which can be refilled for $3. (1800 E Burnside, brunch daily)