Some meals are functional. Others are an experience. Unique breakfasts and brunches often fall into the latter category — especially when shared with good company.
From iconic beignets in New Orleans to an old gristmill in the Smoky Mountains, certain places and foods turn the morning meal into something unforgettable. These five destinations stand out for their history, setting or signature specialties, offering groups a reason to slow down and savor the start of the day.
Rebel Bread
Denver
For those who appreciate the craft behind every crusty loaf and flaky croissant, Rebel Bread in Denver offers something special — loaves and pastries that are inspired by the classics while adding a unique twist.
“Our products are made with 100% regional grains and are naturally leavened whenever possible,” said Zach Martinucci, owner and founder of Rebel Bread and Gino Panino.
While this small-batch artisan bakery is best known for its sourdough and laminated pastries, it’s their behind-the-scenes tours that makes it stand out.
“Rebel Bread’s best group offering is a guided tasting experience in our kitchen, where guests can taste their way through almost our entire menu and hear about how recipe development and production work in our kitchen,” said Martinucci.
Guests will have the chance to enjoy a variety of signature pastries and breads, along with rotating specials and new creations from the bakers. The tour features tastings of approximately 16 pastries and eight different loaves, complemented by some of Rebel’s Bread’s favorite pairings, such as nut butters and house-made jams. Soft drinks and coffee are included.
“Connecting and creating shared memories around food is something we are very passionate about, and we think others are too,” said Martinucci.
Tastings last one hour and group tickets must be booked in advance through the website. Private groups can also book behind-the-scenes bakery tours with advanced reservations.
The Old Mill
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Set along the Little Pigeon River in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, The Old Mill is a step back in time, where cast-iron skillets sizzle with country ham, and golden cornbread arrives at the table with a smear of butter.
“We still use the power of the Little Pigeon River to turn the massive flint granite stones, and our products are weighed out and bagged by hand and hand-tied with a traditional miller’s knot,” said Jimmy Proffitt, The Old Mill’s brand strategist and historian.
For those heading into the Great Smoky Mountains or spending the day at Dollywood, a stop here is the perfect way to fuel up. The Old Mill Restaurant’s menu highlights Southern comfort classics — from fluffy biscuits with seasonal preserves to thick-cut bacon with smoky edges.
“For breakfast in particular, every table gets a sharable and refillable bowl of our stone-ground grits, which are still ground at our grist mill right next door for which the restaurant gets its name,” said Proffitt. “Our signature jam brought to every table is called Triple Berry and is made from strawberries, blackberries and blueberries right in our Farmhouse Kitchen across the street.”
Groups can also stop by the mill’s second eating spot, the Pottery House Café, for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
“We feature a couple of different benedict dishes made with fresh buttermilk biscuits, and French toast made with cinnamon raisin pecan bread,” said Proffitt. “We bake fresh daily in-house a house-made praline sauce served over chicken and waffles and other items served in cast iron skillets.”
Groups can tour the working mill to see the grinding process in action.
“We have lots of groups that visit us, and some tour groups do give us a heads-up that they will be visiting our destination here in the heart of Pigeon Forge, so we are prepared to accommodate them as much as possible,” Proffitt said.
Café du Monde
New Orleans
Café du Monde is a New Orleans institution. Established in 1862, the open-air café sits in the heart of the French Market, where the scent of fresh beignets and chicory coffee drifts through the air. Powdered sugar coats every surface, from tables to fingertips, as patrons bite into the café’s signature beignets — pillowy squares of fried dough served in a trio, piled high with sugar.
The menu is simple: beignets, café au lait and a few variations of coffee (including their famous dark-roasted coffee with chicory), all of which pair perfectly with the lively atmosphere of the Quarter. Visitors can also take home a classic souvenir — Café du Monde’s signature chicory coffee, sold in its iconic cans.
Groups can find plenty of seating under the café’s green-and-white-striped awning, making it a convenient gathering spot before a day of sightseeing. Open 24 hours, Café du Monde offers a taste of New Orleans’ rich culinary history any time of day, but there’s something special about experiencing it in the quiet hours of the morning, when the city is just waking up.
Russ and Daughters
New York City
A New York City breakfast doesn’t get more classic than bagels and lox, and Russ and Daughters has been perfecting the combination for over a century.
“Russ and Daughters is one of the last remaining appetizing stores, and we’re committed to preserving this unique food tradition, which sprung up among Eastern European Jewish immigrants to the New York area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries,” said Emily Cintron, director of communications and change for Russ and Daughters. “Appetizing is best understood as ‘the foods one eats with bagels’ — smoked and cured fish, dairy spreads and homemade salads, and traditional baked goods like babka. It’s distinct from a delicatessen, which is where you go to get meat like pastrami.”
For those seeking a quick bite, the original shop on East Houston Street, established in 1914, remains a must-visit and a great place to pick up some on-the-go snacks or a sandwich. For a sit-down experience, the Russ and Daughters Café, a short walk away, offers a more relaxed setting with a full breakfast menu.
“We offer a full menu of appetizing classics like smoked fish, bagels and herring, as well as egg dishes, homemade matzo ball soup and babka French toast,” said Cintron. “We also have a full bar with inventive cocktails and Bloody Marys.”
Bread Furst Bakery
Washington, D.C.
Known for its rustic, old-world approach to baking, award-winning Bread Furst Bakery is a neighborhood favorite in Washington, D.C. Tucked into a quiet stretch of Connecticut Avenue, this artisanal bakery specializes in naturally leavened breads, crackly baguettes and pastries that draw morning crowds.
“We are quite unique in the variety of foods, breads and pastries we make fresh every day,” said Scott Auslander, general manager and director of Sales at Bread Furst. “Our breads and sandwiches are our stars, as well as our selection of pastries.”
During the week, the bakery’s cases brim with everything from fruit and nut loaves to glossy morning buns, but it’s the weekend brunch that makes it a true destination. Groups can gather over vegetable frittatas, smoked-fish platters, or the bakery’s beloved egg-and-cheese sandwich — an indulgent, messy stack on a house-made English muffin. “We have lots of outdoor seating and are located in walking distance to Rock Creek Park and The Hillwood Estate,” said Auslander.
