Walk in on a Saturday around 10 and you will find regulars at the counter, families clustered around tables, and a host quietly working the wait list.
Set in St. Louis, MO, Java Plus Cafe has carved out a corner of the city's weekend brunch scene with a personality of its own. The room comfortably seats a mix of solo diners working through a coffee and a newspaper, couples splitting a stack of pancakes, and friend groups settling in for a slow, three-hour Saturday.
Order the pancakes and you'll get a stack tall enough to make you reconsider lunch — fluffy, lightly tangy from buttermilk, and finished with a generous pour of warm maple syrup.
Menu highlights
Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at Java Plus Cafe. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.
- Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice and seasonal cold-pressed juices
- Eggs Benedict with house-made hollandaise on a toasted English muffin
- Smoked salmon plate with cream cheese, capers, red onion, and a toasted bagel
- Shakshuka with feta, herbs, and warm pita
- Country-style biscuits and sausage gravy
- Smoked brisket hash with two eggs and pickled onion
- Lox bagel sandwich with everything seasoning and dill cream cheese
- Single-origin pour-over coffee from a local roaster
Service is friendly without being chatty, refills come without asking, and nobody rushes you out of your seat.
Their breakfast burrito is the kind of thing locals order with eyes still half closed — eggs, chorizo, a scrape of refried beans, melty cheese, and salsa with real heat.
Pro tip from the regulars: arrive before 9:30 on Saturdays or after 1 on Sundays to skip the worst of the wait.
Like a lot of the best brunch spots in St. Louis, Java Plus Cafe is at its most magical on weekend mornings, when the kitchen is firing on all burners and the room slowly fills with the kind of low, happy hum that only good food and unhurried company can produce. It's the kind of brunch that reminds you why we made brunch a tradition in the first place.
Tips from the regulars
- Tip generously — the brunch shift is the toughest in any restaurant, and the staff here keeps it warm even at peak rush.
- Save room: the pastry case at the front is part of the experience.
- Best time to go: arrive before 9:30 a.m. on weekends to skip the worst of the wait at Java Plus Cafe.
- Best for: groups of 2 to 4 — larger parties may want to call ahead.
- Don't miss the daily-special chalkboard near the host stand — it changes weekly and tends to feature the kitchen's best ideas.
Hours
Specific opening hours rotate seasonally — call ahead to confirm, especially around holidays. Most weekend brunch service runs from late morning through early afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Java Plus Cafe open for brunch?
Specific hours rotate seasonally, but Java Plus Cafe typically opens for brunch service in the morning and serves through early afternoon. Call ahead on holidays.
Does Java Plus Cafe take reservations?
Most brunch spots in St. Louis are walk-in friendly, with a wait list during peak hours. Larger parties (5+) should call ahead to ask about a reservation.
Is Java Plus Cafe kid-friendly?
Yes — Java Plus Cafe welcomes families. Most brunch menus include simple kid-friendly options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Highchairs are usually available.
What kind of cuisine does Java Plus Cafe serve?
It's classified under cafe — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in St. Louis.
Is there outdoor seating at Java Plus Cafe?
Yes — outdoor seating is available, weather permitting.
Location
Located at 211 North Broadway. Coordinates: 38.6278, -90.1901. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.