Mother’s Day brunch reservations are filling weeks in advance, and a new OpenTable-based ranking of the Top 100 Brunch Restaurants in America shows just how concentrated the demand has become. California has 19 restaurants on the list, New York has 12, Texas has 11 and Illinois has 10, while more than half of U.S. states have none.
Robert Mahon said brunch has become a major factor for hospitality in general over the last 10 years, from boozy brunches to more polished afternoons with family. Bo Bryant put the shift even more plainly: “We’re living in an experience economy,” he said, adding that people are not just going out to eat anymore, they are going out “to feel something — to mark a moment.”
The rankings are based on OpenTable diner data and measure both reservation volume and ratings, which helps explain why the same handful of states dominate the list. Brunch has evolved into an experience-driven outing in major dining markets, and Mother’s Day remains one of the most celebrated days for it at American restaurants.
That pressure is already showing up on the calendar. Bryant said some restaurants begin taking bookings as early as 10 weeks in advance, and Mahon expects Mother’s Day reservations to jump “by 30 or 40% at a minimum.” Bryant said, “If you want your first choice, you need to secure it well in advance.”
The split between crowded reservation books in big markets and empty spots in much of the country is the story here. The list is not just a popularity contest; it is a map of where brunch has become a ritual, and where restaurants can turn a holiday table into one of the biggest service days of the year.
