13 Mississippi Brunch Cafés Everyone Loves Coming Back To (And It’s Easy To See Why)
Mississippi brunch has a way of making mornings feel like a celebration.
I wandered through cafés where the smell of fresh pastries and sizzling bacon fills the air, and every table buzzes with laughter and conversation.
Some spots serve classic Southern favorites, while others offer creative twists that surprise with every bite.
It’s easy to see why locals return again and again. Each café offers a mix of flavor, warmth, and charm that makes brunch unforgettable.
1. Mockingbird Cafe
Tucked away with the kind of charm that makes you want to whisper, Mockingbird Cafe serves up brunch magic that’ll have you planning your next visit before you’ve finished your first bite.
Their biscuits are legendary, flaky enough to make a pastry chef weep, and the gravy? Pure velvet.
Locals swear by the shrimp and grits, which balance creamy comfort with a kick of spice that wakes up your taste buds.
The cafe’s quirky vintage vibe adds personality to every meal, making you feel like you’re brunching at your coolest aunt’s house.
2. Big Bad Breakfast (Oxford)
John Currence didn’t mess around when he opened Big Bad Breakfast.
This Oxford institution takes morning food seriously, serving up platters that could fuel a marathon runner or cure the worst case of Sunday scaries.
Their cathead biscuits are the size of actual cat heads, no exaggeration needed. Pair them with the house-made preserves, and you’ve got breakfast poetry.
The restaurant buzzes with energy from students, families, and food pilgrims who’ve driven hours just to taste what everyone’s raving about.
3. The Midtowner
Cool without trying too hard, The Midtowner nails the balance between hip and homey. Their menu reads like a love letter to brunch classics with just enough twists to keep things interesting.
Order the breakfast tacos if you want something handheld and delicious, or go for their famous pancakes that arrive fluffy as clouds.
The mimosa game here is strong, with fresh-squeezed juice that tastes like sunshine in a glass. Weekend mornings see a steady stream of regulars who’ve claimed their favorite booths.
4. Broad Street Baking Company & Cafe
Walking into Broad Street feels like stumbling into a European bakery, except with better sweet tea.
The aroma of fresh-baked bread hits you first, followed by the sight of pastries that belong in a magazine spread.
Their quiches rotate daily, each one packed with farm-fresh ingredients and enough flavor to make you reconsider your breakfast loyalties.
Don’t skip the cinnamon rolls, which are sticky, generous, and absolutely worth the napkin count. The cafe attracts everyone from business meetings to first dates.
5. Primos Cafe
Since 1929, Primos has been slinging breakfast with the kind of consistency that builds legends. This ain’t fancy, and that’s exactly the point.
What you get here is honest, hearty food that sticks to your ribs and satisfies your soul.
The pancakes are thick and golden, the bacon comes crispy, and the eggs are cooked exactly how you ordered them.
Regulars have their usual orders memorized by the staff, who treat everyone like family. It’s the kind of place where conversation flows as freely as the coffee.
6. Restaurant Tyler
Fancy pants alert! Restaurant Tyler elevates brunch to an art form, serving dishes so beautifully plated you’ll hesitate before digging in. But dig in you must, because the taste matches the presentation.
Chef Ty Thames brings fine dining chops to breakfast classics, transforming eggs Benedict into something transcendent.
The seasonal menu means you’re always tasting the freshest ingredients Mississippi has to offer. Dress codes are relaxed, but the food demands your full attention and appreciation.
7. The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen
Fire changes everything, and The Manship proves it with every dish that emerges from their wood-fired kitchen. Brunch here tastes like someone bottled smoke and sunshine, then drizzled it over your plate.
Their wood-fired pizzas make a surprising brunch appearance, topped with eggs and bacon that crisp perfectly in the intense heat.
The cocktail menu deserves its own standing ovation, mixing creativity with drinkability.
Located in a renovated historic home, the space feels both intimate and celebratory, perfect for special occasions or treating yourself.
8. Brent’s Drugs
Step back in time at Brent’s Drugs, where the soda fountain still works and the malts are thick enough to require serious straw effort.
This Jackson landmark has been serving brunchers since 1946, and they’ve perfected the formula.
The menu keeps things simple: burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast plates that won’t break the bank or your diet plans.
Their milkshakes are Instagram-famous for good reason, towering creations that pair perfectly with a greasy, glorious breakfast burger. Sitting at the counter feels like visiting your grandparents’ favorite hangout.
9. Anjou Restaurant
Ooh la la, Anjou brings French sophistication to Mississippi mornings without any pretension. Their brunch menu reads like a vacation to Paris, except you don’t need a passport or deal with jet lag.
The crepes alone justify the visit, delicate and filled with combinations that make your taste buds do a happy dance.
Pair them with a mimosa made with actual champagne, not cheap sparkling wine, and you’ve got yourself a proper celebration.
The restaurant’s intimate setting makes every brunch feel like a special occasion worth dressing up for.
10. The Chimneys (Gulfport)
Down on the Gulf Coast, The Chimneys has been feeding brunchers since way back when, and they’ve got the loyal following to prove it.
This Gulfport gem combines southern hospitality with coastal flavors that taste like vacation. Their seafood omelets stuff fresh Gulf catches into fluffy eggs that’ll make you reconsider landlocked living.
The biscuits arrive warm and begging for butter, while the grits come creamy enough to convert even the skeptics.
Families pack the place on weekends, creating that joyful chaos that signals you’ve found somewhere special.
11. Lady May (Ocean Springs)
Bohemian vibes meet coastal cool at Lady May, where the brunch menu skews fresh, light, and Instagram-worthy.
Ocean Springs’ artsy community has claimed this spot as their unofficial headquarters, and one visit explains why.
Their avocado toast comes piled high with extras that justify the price tag, while the acai bowls burst with color and nutrition.
Coffee here is serious business, roasted locally and poured with the kind of care that caffeine lovers appreciate. The outdoor seating lets you soak up that Gulf breeze while contemplating your next order.
12. Southbound Bagel & Coffee
Who says you can’t find a decent bagel in Mississippi? Southbound Bagel proves the haters wrong with chewy, authentic bagels that would make a New Yorker nod in approval.
They boil them properly before baking, giving each bagel that perfect crust and tender interior. The schmear selection runs wild, from classic cream cheese to inventive spreads that change with the seasons.
Grab your bagel sandwich, a strong coffee, and find a sunny spot to enjoy breakfast done right. The casual vibe welcomes everyone from students to suits.
13. Half Shell Oyster House (Gulfport)
Oysters for breakfast might sound wild, but at Half Shell Oyster House, it makes perfect sense. This Gulfport favorite serves Gulf-fresh seafood that tastes like the ocean decided to join you for brunch.
Their brunch menu balances seafood specialties with traditional options, so picky eaters and adventurous types both leave happy.
The raw bar gleams with fresh oysters ready for slurping, while the shrimp and grits compete for the title of best on the coast.
Casual and fun, it’s where locals bring visitors to show off Mississippi’s seafood prowess.