Mother's Day Brunch: A Delicious History

If you’ve ever wondered how Mother’s Day brunch became the unofficial national sport of the second Sunday in May, picture this: a century‑long relay race where tradition, marketing, and a whole lot of eggs Benedict pass the baton.

Tip your head to the left slightly and you can smell the waffles!

A Holiday is Born

In 1914, when Mother’s Day officially joined the calendar, Anna Jarvis imagined a soft, sentimental day — handwritten notes, church services, maybe a simple meal at home. No buffets. No carving stations. Definitely no bottomless mimosas. It was a holiday built on gratitude, not gastronomy.

Restaurants Smell Opportunity (and Coffee)

By the 1920s, restaurants realized something: if the whole point of the day was to give mothers a break, maybe — just maybe — someone else should cook. Cue the first wave of Mother’s Day specials. Linen tablecloths. Set menus. The promise that Mom wouldn’t have to lift a finger, except perhaps to reach for another roll.

By mid‑century, dining out on Mother’s Day wasn’t just a treat — it was a cultural shift. And brunch, that charming hybrid meal with no rules and all the carbs, was waiting in the wings.

OG's Perfect Mimosa: Combine 3oz of fresh orange juice with 3oz of dry champagne and 1/2 oz of Grand Marnier

Brunch Takes the Stage (Champagne Included!)

From the 1960s through the 1980s, brunch became the star of the show. Hotels rolled out buffets that could feed small nations. Chefs carved roast beef with theatrical flair. Champagne cocktails flowed with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for New Year’s Eve.

Mother’s Day quickly became one of the busiest restaurant days of the year. Brunch wasn’t just a meal — it was an event.

The Modern Era: Farm-to-Table Meets Tradition

By the 1990s, the ritual was cemented. Today, Mother’s Day brunch is a blend of nostalgia and modern taste:

• farm‑to‑table menus

• artisanal pastries

• multi‑generational gatherings

• and yes, still plenty of mimosas

It’s a tradition that honors the original spirit of the holiday — gratitude, connection, and giving Mom a break — but with a little extra sparkle.

What are your plans this Mother's Day?