Brunch in Dallas, long celebrated for its significance on par with the city’s steak and barbecue culture, is experiencing a notable transformation. The recent surge of all-you-can-eat brunch options is changing the dining landscape and bringing new excitement to this cherished meal.
The trend began when Crown Block introduced a lavish Sunday brunch buffet inspired by Las Vegas at the top of Reunion Tower in September 2023. Despite a slow start, this fine dining establishment set the precedent for a new dining experience with a $80 per person price tag.
Crown Block’s brunch featured a diverse range of offerings, including beef carving stations, a sushi bar, pastries, cereals, bagels with all fixings, and a dedicated juice bar. Diners also had the benefit of ordering a main entrée from a set menu delivered right to their table.
As inflation continues to challenge both consumers and restaurateurs, with food costs reportedly rising nearly 24 percent since 2020, it’s no surprise that more restaurants are embracing the buffet brunch model in 2025. Dallas eateries are exploring various approaches to this trend, catering to different demographics and preferences.
This past spring, additional fine dining establishments joined the all-you-can-eat brunch movement. Catch unveiled its Sunday Brunch Experience in March, boasting seafood towers, carving stations, an impressive array of pastries, and a specialized sushi bar. The menu also included “brunch classics” such as chicken and waffles and chilaquiles, along with a robota grill offering options like steak and salmon.
By April, Nobu followed with its own Sunday brunch featuring favorites selected by the chefs. This event showcased live stations, including sushi, salads, pastries, and desserts, and highlighted both ribeye and Scottish salmon carving stations. Additionally, Nobu elevated its brunch atmosphere with a DJ, offering all-you-can-eat for $75 per person, with cocktails available at an extra cost.
Some may view this micro-trend as an influx of flashy brunch formats from out-of-town restaurants that provide ease for staff. However, local restaurant Culpepper Cattle Co. made waves on June 1 by launching its own weekend brunch buffet at locations in Deep Ellum and Rockwall. Featuring Tex-Mex and comfort food favorites such as made-to-order omelets, chicken-fried steak, and monkey bread, adults can partake for an economical $28, while children enjoy it for just $10, and kids under five eat for free.
Patrons can enhance their experience with a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar for an additional $8 or DIY mimosas for $5. With such diverse offerings, restaurants are hoping that the buffet brunch format will help them save on labor costs given its minimal requirement for table service, while also attracting bargain-seeking diners.
In contrast to the traditional buffet format, the newly opened Flamant in Plano is offering a unique take on brunch. This restaurant focuses on table service, aiming to replicate a European midday meal with small plate offerings. For $40 per person and $20 for children under 13, diners can enjoy dishes like fried spinach and artichoke toast, frittatas, and cannoli French toast made with smoked sourdough.
Flamant’s more intimate setting sets it apart from its larger competitors, as it relies on achieving high diner volume to justify its pricing. As this brunch resurgence continues, it will be interesting to see how these diverse approaches and price points shape the future of brunch dining in Dallas.
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