From Catfish to Croque Monsieur: Great Mother's Day Brunches in the Seattle Area

If planned correctly, brunch out on Mother’s Day is hard to beat. To help, we’ve assembled below a round-up of great local brunch choices for Mom's hallowed day in greater Seattle — from classic joints to special Mother’s Day events.

Moms, we recommend printing out this list, circling what you want (in red!), and then posting it in a most conspicuous place. (And tell us what we missed in comments!)

Special Mother's Day brunches

Mother's Day Brunch at Playdate Cafe
If you have young kids, this might be your dream brunch: The super-popular Playdate Cafe in  Lynnwood is doing its first-ever Mother's Day brunch, featuring strawberry waffles and more. More importantly, you can follow brunch with play time in the fantastic play space, including a chance for kiddos to crank out some Mom's Day cards and a chance for you to get a mini-massage.
When: Sunday, May 12, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: 4114 198th Street SW, Suite 3, Lynnwood
Reserve: Book online; they have a seating for 15 families every hour
Prices: Menu prices start at $6 for waffles; playtime is $8/child; $6/siblings or crawlers
Menu: Waffles, quiches, breakfast sandwiches, bagels and more.

Mother’s Day Brunch at Teatro Zinzanni
Celebrate an artsy Mom’s Day with the Viking spirit at Teatro Zinzanni! In addition to a four-course gourmet banquet, enjoy Dinner at Wotan’s, ZinZanni's Nordic-themed show (that we loved, by the way).
When: Sunday, May 12 at 11:30 a.m.
Where: 222 Mercer St., Seattle
Reservations: Online
Price: $96-$121/person
Menu: Appetizer, soup, salad, choice of entrée like TZ beef wellington or Dungeness crab and wild prawn frittatta, and dessert. Plus champagne.

The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad’s Annual Mother’s Day Brunch
A classic Mother’s Day event on the vintage steam train at Mt. Rainier. A gourmet lunch is served at Mineral Lake, and each mom will receive a fresh flower corsage as she boards the train. Book soon — these fill up!
When: Sunday, May 12 at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.  
Where: Trains depart from the station in Elbe, WA, at 54124 Mountain Hwy E.
Reservations:  Make reservations online.
Price: $46/adults, $36/children 4-12, children under 4 free
Menu: Gourmet brunch

Gospel Brunch at the Royal Room
Want a rockin' brunch that will inspire you for the year? Columbia City's newish, hot music spot, the Royal Room, hosts a gospel brunch every Sunday. For Mother's Day, it features the awe-inspiring powerful voices of the Total Experience Gospel Choir.
When: Sunday, May 12, brunch starts at 11 a.m., show at 1 p.m..
Where: 5000 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle
Reservations: Call 206-906-9920
Price: Brunch buffet $15/person; a la carte $7-$12.
Menu: Smokey enchilada, scrambles, mac and cheese, French toast

Remlinger Farms Mother's Day brunch
This one is about playtime! The much-loved family farm in Carnation is hosting a Mother's Day buffet brunch in its restaurant, featuring all kinds of old-fashioned favorites, from buttermilk biscuits to honey-glazed ham. With a brunch purchase moms get in to the Remlinger Family Fun Park for free. The Farm Market also opens this Friday.
When: Sunday May 12, 9:30-noon
Where: 32610 NE 32nd Street, Carnation
Price: $12.95 a person; $7.95 for kids 10 and younger
Menu: Country style

Mother’s Day brunch and children’s fashion show at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel
This benefit for the World Association for Children and Parents (WACAP) delivers all the elegance of the Fairmont, plus the opportunity to do some good while eating in fine style.
When: Sunday, May 12, 11 a.m.
Where: 411 University St., Seattle
Tickets: Purchase tickets online by May 6, 2013
Price: $36/adults; $15/children 12 and under
Menu: Seasonal favorites such as crustless quiche with sun-dried heirloom tomatoes, fresh asparagus, local mushrooms and sweet onions, and Yukon gold potato hash. And don't forget the champagne! The kids’ menu features chocolate chip pancakes.

Tacoma Art Museum Mother’s Day Brunch
Art-loving moms will appreciate the atmosphere at TAM's annual Mom's Day brunch, and it includes a free family photo and admission to the galleries (think Eric Carle exhibit).
When: Sunday, May 12 at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m.
Where: 1701 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma
Reservations: By phone 253.272.4258 x3017 or online
Price: $20 members, $25 non-members
Menu: Rosemary and oregano roasted potatoes with sauteed red bell pepper and onion, center-cut maple-cured bacon and fresh sausage links, and French toast dusted with lavender powdered sugar, served with marionberry syrup.

Copperleaf Restaurant at Cedarbrook Lodge
Calling all foodie moms! Copperleaf, the top-flight Northwest restaurant near SeaTac Airport, is offering two Mother’s Day choices: a prix fixe four-course tasting menu or a grand brunch buffet. If you want this one, book early.
When: Sunday, May 12 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: 18525 36th Ave. S., Seattle
Reservations: By phone 206-214-4282 or onlinehttp://www.cedarbrooklodge.com/eat.php#reservations
Price: Prix Fixe costs $49.95/person; Grand Buffet costs $52/adult, $39/seniors, $24.99/ages 7-12.
Menu: On the buffet, upscale, locally sourced takes on classics such as smoked salmon and King crab legs; a meat-carving station and omelet station, plus a Theo hot chocolate fountain (!). The four-course menu boasts local, seasonal specialties of the chef such as Neah Bay halibut.
Prix Fixe Menu http://www.cedarbrooklodge.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Mothers-Day-Copperleaf-Menu.pdf
Grand Buffet Menu http://www.cedarbrooklodge.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Mothers-Day-Grand-Buffet.pdf

Breakfast and brunch

Macrina
Macrina — in three Seattle locations — offers dependably fabulous baked goods and  much more. It’s also a terrific option for picking up and bringing home goodies for Mom. The brunch menu incorporates regional ingredients and organic grains and changes every weekend.  
Where: Locations in Belltown (2408 1st Ave., Seattle); Queen Anne (615 W. McGraw St., Seattle); and SODO (1943 1st. Ave. S., Seattle)
When: Weekends starting at 8 a.m.
Reservations: Unavailable
Price range: Entrees run  $10-12
Menu: The Mother’s Day menu includes sweets such as chocolate raspberry mousse cake and mini rustic almond cake, as well as a seasonal brunch menu ,which changes weekly.

Volunteer Park Café
This beloved and vibrant community spot in Capitol Hill prepares brunch with fresh, seasonal, local, and sustainable ingredients, as well as herbs and edible flowers grown in the garden behind the cafe. Plenty of kid-friendly noise will make you feel right at home. Caveat: Brunch gets very busy so plan to arrive early.
When: Weekends from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Where: 1501 17th Ave. E., Seattle
Reservations: Make reservations online.
Prices: Under $15
Menu: Daily quiche and strata, homemade granola, salads and sandwiches

Hue Ky Mi Gia
Located in Seattle’s International District, this local-favorite Chinese noodle house has been celebrated in national magazines. Plus, it’s affordable enough that your family can splurge elsewhere.
Where:  1207 S. Jackson St., Seattle   
Reservations: Unavailable — plan to arrive early, as the restaurant gets busy at brunch time.
When: Weekends starting at 10 a.m.
Price: Under $10
Menu: A variety of rice and signature noodle dishes, plus tasty appetizers and soups

St. Clouds
This Madrona neighborhood treasure is always a special place, with standout modern comfort food, a warm vibe engendered by the world's most friendly proprietors and staff, and community initiatives such as a monthly opportunity to cook meals for the homeless. As for brunch, start with a hunk of Grandma Hazel's sour cream coffeecake and move on from there.
Address: 1131 34th Ave. Seattle
Reservations: Recommended as this place gets busy! By phone 206-726-1522.
Price range: Mostly under $10
Menu: “Not so standards” such as the St. Cloud’s egg benedict, the Asian-themed Imperial Mix-Up, tofu and special scrambles. Did we mention the coffeecake? Don't forget the coffeecake.

Purple Café & Wine Bar, with locations in Bellevue, Kirkland, Woodinville, Seattle
All four locations of the the popular Purple Cafés will open early on Mother’s Day (10 a.m. at Eastside locations, 11 a.m. in Seattle) and serve brunch. Make reservations!
Where: Four locations
Reservations: Online
Price: $12-$29 for entrees
Menu: Check out the Seattle brunch menu for specials like quiche, seafood, and a kids’ menu.

Trellis at the Heathman Hotel
A splurge-worthy spot with a surprisingly affordable brunch, Trellis specializes in superb farm-to-table cuisine. You can get both lunch and brunch – combine it with walk along the Kirkland waterfront.
Where: 220 Kirkland Avenue, Kirkland
Reservations: Online
Price: $8-$21 for entrees
Menu: Find it online; it includes Belgian waffle, organic granola, salmon niçoise salad, a Trellis burger.

Bellevue Whole Foods
Bellevue’s Whole Foods has a nice annual Mother’s Day brunch event. For extra fun, visit on Thursday, May 9 for Mom-O-Rama or Saturday, May 11 for Mother’s Day cookie decorating.
When: Sunday, May 12 from 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: 888 116th Ave. N.E., Bellevue
Menu: Hot bar breakfast favorites, in addition to waffle, crepe, and omelet stations, with brunch classics like in-house cured bacon.

Plum Bistro
This one’s for the vegan moms out there! Plum is an outstanding spot that’s earning accolades from omnivores and vegans alike.  The brunch menu has many pancake options for kids and unique dishes for the adults. (Or check out the new Plum Market at Seattle Center's Armory Building and, weather permitting, get some sun by the fountain at Seattle Center.
Where: 1419 12th Ave., Seattle (Capitol Hill), Plum Market (in the Armory Building at Seattle Center)305 Harrison St.
When: Weekends 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Reservations: Only for parties of 6 or more; reserve online.
Price range: Under $15
Menu: Specialty crepes, scrambles, and pancakes

Southern Kitchen
This Southern foodie gem in Tacoma has earned regional awards, as well as a spot on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. Be warned: Diets not applicable.
Where: 1716 6th Ave. Tacoma
When: Weekends starting at 8 a.m.
Reservations: Available for parties larger than six; call 253-627-4282.
Price range:  Most dishes $10-$15.
Menu: A Southern-style brunch with classics like homemade biscuits and gravy and fried catfish and grits

Babblin’ Babs
Located in Tacoma’s Proctor District, Babblin’ Babs is known for its quirky menu and award-winning food. It’s tiny and they don’t take reservations, so arrive early.  
Where: 2724 N. Proctor St., Tacoma
When: Weekends from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Reservations: Unavailable
Price range: Under $20
Menu: Chef’s signatures like true grits with shrimp, homemade crab cakes, slow-roasted Hawaii-style pork, and vegetarian specials

Le Grand Bistro Americain
You can’t fly to Paris for the weekend, but you can head to this French-style Kirkland bistro to enjoy your croque monsieur with wonderful views of Lake Washington.
Where:  2220 Carillon Point, Kirkland
When: Weekends, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Reservations: Online or call 425-828-7778
Price range: $11-$25
Menu: Eggs florentine, croque madame et croquet monsieur, steak and eggs, even “breakfast americain”

This article was originally written in May 2012 and updated in May, 2013.