Brunch in Monmouth County comes in more flavors than most people realize.
There's the holiday brunch — Easter and Mother's Day tables booked weeks out. The celebration brunch — bridal showers and baby showers built around mimosas. And the lazy Sunday version, where the only agenda is good food and no rush. Here's how to do each one right at the Jersey Shore.
What Makes a Great Brunch Spot
The best brunch experiences share a few things: a kitchen that takes the meal as seriously as dinner, a drink program that goes beyond a token mimosa, and a room comfortable enough to linger in. In Monmouth County, that rules out the grab-and-go crowd and points you toward full-service restaurants that treat late morning like an occasion.
Holiday Brunches: The Big Ones
Twice a year, brunch becomes the main event. On Easter Sunday, The Squire serves both brunch and dinner, with seasonal specials alongside the full menu. On Mother's Day, the brunch service brings classic favorites, seasonal features, and bottomless mimosas. Both days book up well in advance — if a holiday brunch is your tradition, reserve as early as the menus are announced.
Celebration Brunches: Showers & Private Events
For bridal showers, baby showers, and post-wedding brunches, a private brunch event beats fighting for a big table on a Sunday. At The Squire and Branches in West Long Branch, daytime celebrations run from intimate private dining to full mimosa brunch receptions. Our guide to brunch events in Monmouth County walks through the options in detail.
The Sunday Alternative: Long Lunch, All-Day Happy Hour
Here's the local secret for ordinary Sundays: skip the pancake line and go long on lunch instead. The Squire runs happy hour all day on Sundays — $4 beers, $7 wines, $8 cocktails, plus $15 appetizers, $13 bar pies, and $15 pasta. Pair that with the full lunch menu and you've got the leisurely weekend meal brunch promises, with better food and no wait for a table at 11 AM.
The Sunday Play at The Squire:
- Start easy: A cocktail or glass of wine at happy hour prices — all day
- Share first: $15 appetizers and $13 bar pies are made for the table
- Go as big as you like: Gourmet salads and sandwiches to fresh seafood and steak
- No alarm required: The whole afternoon counts — this is brunch on your schedule
Planning a Brunch Gathering? Think Ahead
- Holidays book early: Easter and Mother's Day tables in Monmouth County go weeks out
- Showers need a room: Private spaces mean speeches, gifts, and games without an audience
- Mimosa math: Reception-style packages usually beat by-the-glass for groups
- Summer Sundays fill up: Shore season crowds extend to restaurants — reserve ahead
Brunch, Your Way, in West Long Branch
Whatever brunch means to you — a holiday table with the whole family, a shower celebration with mimosas flowing, or a slow Sunday afternoon that starts at noon — The Squire has a version of it waiting in West Long Branch, minutes from Long Branch and the shore.
Make Your Sunday Plans
All-day Sunday happy hour, holiday brunches, and private celebration packages await.
