Happy Tuesday! 

Do any of you enjoy eating alone? I used to a lot (not just for work) but particularly brunch/breakfast. If I had a free Saturday or Sunday, I would wake up super early at 7 a.m. to go to my favorite brunch place. I’d eat my meal in comfy sweatpants and a sweater, be in a borderline food coma, then drive home and go back to sleep until noon or later. It was the best.

Anyway, even though 7 a.m. is not technically the right time for brunch, it counts to me! If you like brunching with people, you should join us at Mykie’s this coming Sunday, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.! If you see any of us, feel free to chat with us. We are so excited to have the time to get together! 

Now, I want brunch. Let me know your favorite brunch, or if you have other ideas about meals that I should write about around Salem, at [email protected]. 

Preparing for brunch, 

Em Chan

Brunch can be a few things. The special weekend combination breakfast and lunch meal. The meal any day that is not your breakfast but also not quite your lunch. Whatever it is, it’s a delicious time solo or with a gaggle of friends and family. Here is a breakdown of some options around Salem. 

Fortunately, this city’s selection is not too expensive, but technically not qualifiable as “cheap” - but in this economy, this the best way for most restaurants to balance offering quality experiences with the rising cost of everything for their businesses.  

If you’re looking for some indulgence or a showstopping destination to impress your from-out-of-town guests, you can swing by these spots. 

Magnolia on the Green is located on the Salem Golf Club property, with views of the golf course. The cozy interior, great views and meals make for an expensive experience. If you’ve got the appetite, definitely try the Magnolia Platter (which includes an 11 oz smoked pork chop!) or if you’re looking for lighter fare, the avocado prosciutto toast. 

Clink! is one of Salem’s newest additions to the brunch scene, as the restaurant offers French-American fare inside of downtown’s The Forge. I mean, no where else in Salem can you order a caviar bump with a champagne shot with your meal. The menu changes seasonally, so try the mushroom crepe or splurge on a duck confit leg while it is still around. 

The Cozy Taberna is synonymous with a fancy meal - but thankfully brunch is more approachable. The torrija with Cava blueberry compote is a delightful bread pudding, while any of the breakfast sandwiches are also good options. What will ring up your bill are the fancy cocktails, like a pitcher of Sangria Rojo for $29. 

This section is stacked with great options - I couldn’t even list every restaurant, because so many can be classified in this category. I will do a quick and dirty of each place.

Mykies: Chill vibes, standard breakfast fare selection and more alcohol, if you like - join us this Sunday for some live music and a hang! 

The Easy Otter: The food truck turned brick and mortar spot is small but mighty. You can find beignets, fried chicken sandwiches and an amazing salmon chowder. Located in downtown with a cute otter-themed interior, the counter service restaurant is best enjoyed by those looking for a leisurely morning in groups of 5 or fewer. 

Lively Station: The quieter location is a bit away from downtown, in a log cabin-esque building. They serve a seasonally rotating menu, but mostly spins on American classics. The skillets are always delicious. A nicer spot for larger groups. 

Black Sheep Cafe and Catering: This lovely restaurant is a true “if you know (Salem), you know” kind of spot. A tried and true Salem classic, anything off their menu is good but my absolute favorite is the blackened catfish rice bowl. The spot is located in the south Salem industrial area, where there’s been a lot of roadwork/construction, so they need your love more than ever! 

Noble Wave Louisiana Kitchen: You can’t miss the blue building in downtown! You can find Southern, Cajun and Creole-style food with a killer Bloody Mary - chicken and biscuits or chicken and waffles is the way to go. Brunch is all-day Sunday, rather than the whole weekend.

Word of Mouth Bistro: The icon of Salem brunch, located in a house-turned-restaurant. The small intimate space is great for smaller groups or you and a significant other. I recommend the creme brulee French toast and any of the omelettes are doubly divine. Also, mimosas!

Annette’s Westgate: Located in West Salem, this is a nice spot if you’re already in the area. It offers American breakfast fare with an emphasis on bacon - any of their meatier options will hit the spot for the carnivores in your life. 

Sybil’s Omelettes: The classic Sybil’s has some of the best egg-based dishes, for groups large and small. But the various benedicts and omelettes will never steer you wrong - also, they are customizable! 

Honey & Co.: Tucked in downtown Salem, this homey brunch is perfect for a no-frills brunch. The avocado toast is nice, you can’t go wrong with the benedicts or the seasonal specials - they also have a weekly rotating vegan menu. 

ACME Cafe: The venue is a good option if you’ve got a big, hungry party. The menu is huge, and my personal favorites are on the “house favorites” section like the loco moco, but sweets like the lemon ricotta or the blueberry pancakes are great options too.

Brunch is known to be boujee, but what if you’re not on a boujee budget? These places have a cheaper meal but depending on your appetite, unfortunately there is not a one stop shop for the cheapest brunch… unless you’re willing to go to a chain restaurant. Sorry!

Anyway, don’t forget to tune in next week whether you’re joining us at Mykie’s or not. I’m so excited for more fall festivities, albeit not a big fan of spooky scary Halloween… What do you all look forward to this time around town? Let me know by emailing me at [email protected]

Switching into my autumn wardrobe,

Em Chan

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