4 new brunch spots that don’t disappoint in the Daytona, Flagler area

Whether you like something syrup-drizzled, gravy-smothered or oven-baked in the morning, the best part about brunch is you, in fact, can have it all. Arguably the best meal of the day, brunch satisfies sweet and savory cravings of all kinds, with versatile plates that combine the very best of breakfast and lunch selections, offering everything from shrimp and grits and loaded waffles to eggs Benedict and frittata — not to mention a slew of morning cocktails at our fingertips.

Lucky for us, there never seems to be a shortage of recently-opened, picturesque brunch options in the Daytona Beach area, so for those looking to stop in somewhere new this month, check out four of the Daytona, Flagler area’s best brunch spots that started serving their new morning menus within the last six months.

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Rise at the Island

1224 S. Ocean Shore Blvd., Flagler Beach; 386-693-4966, Facebook.com

Located within South Ocean Shore Boulevard’s Topaz Motel, Rise at the Island (The Island Grille's brunch service) is one of Flagler Beach’s newest brunch additions which has quickly earned the culinary approval of Flagler-area residents. The cozy new spot, whose eclectic, old-school charm is evident at every turn of the 1920s space, seats guests ocean front, watching the waves roll in — mimosa in hand. Whether you’ve got a hankering for something sweet or prefer to start your morning with a savory, bacon-layered bite, Rise at the Island has just the right variety.

The eatery’s menu, broken down into fun categories like “Brunchie Munchies,” “Simply Southern” and “Sweet Love,” ranges from the biscuits and gravy to various omelets, grilled pineapple-topped pina colada French toast and chicken and waffles.

My recent selections included the Southern Benedict — a split biscuit stacked with poached eggs, tavern ham and creamy hollandaise sauce; and the avocado tartines — a classic morning favorite, layering avocado spread, poached eggs, arugula and sunflower seeds on toasted 14-grain bread. Sprinkle a bit of the dish’s accompanying Mediterranean salad on top — as recommended by my server —and you’ll never look back. The beachfront gem also offers several on-theme drinks, including the Brunch Punch and bottomless mimosas.

Norwood’s Restaurant and Treehouse Bar

400 E. Second Ave., New Smyrna Beach; 386-428-4621, Norwoods.com

While Norwood’s Restaurant and Tree House Bar has been keeping the New Smyrna Beach community’s stomachs full for years, the popular restaurant’s brunch menu, released earlier this year, is a newer weekend favorite that I, like many, can’t keep from craving. The vibrant scratch kitchen never fails to deliver on top-notch ambiance and flavors to match, with live music dancing through the treehouse until 2 p.m. on weekends, and a brunch menu, available 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, that's not your average eggs-and-bacon-saturated variety.

The cozy restaurant’s mainly savory selections include chicken and waffles, Mediterranean grilled mahi, stuffed haddock and cabernet-braised mushroom tartine, alongside a handful of drink specials, including $6 mimosas and bloody marys and $8 Smyrna sangria. My recent standouts include the picture-worthy Pancake Sampler — 15 golden mini pancakes served alongside pecan nut butter, smoked maple syrup, orange curd, whipped cream and strawberry jam to customize each small stack to your liking; and the Eggs Valencia — a hearty helping of andouille sausage and eggs topped with Manchego cheese and baked in a rich sofrito sauce over soft home fries.

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Barnhill’s Café, Bar and Grill

202 S. Central Ave., Flagler Beach; 386-338-3041, Barnhills.com

Barnhill’s Café, Bar and Grill began serving the Flagler community an indulgent range of internationally influenced brunch plates shortly after the new year. The upscale restaurant, overlooking Veterans Park, was designed to captivate customers in a warm, cabin-like escape where owners Ted and Marge Barnhill’s well-traveled lives would gleam through every diverse plate. The eatery, which offers indoor, deck and rooftop seating, flaunts an indulgent menu of sweet and savory French crepes and fresh-baked pastries, breakfast sandwiches, Maryland-style crab cakes and hearty breakfast bowls, alongside mimosas, English teas and various coffee beverages, like the artistic lavender vanilla latte.

Recently, I’ve enjoyed the chocolate “cannoli-style” crepe — a dessert-like breakfast, layering chocolate whipped mascarpone cheese, chocolate chips, chocolate and pretzel “confetti” and powdered sugar in a thin, delicate white crepe with enough elasticity to keep from easily tearing. Alongside the textured dish, the French toast-style blueberry house muffins were another hit, layering the moist, freshly baked pastry with Chantilly cream, fresh berries and maple syrup.

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HT’s Sand Bar and Bistro

4950 S. Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet; 386-767-7676, htrestaurant.com

HT’s Sand Bar and Bistro of Ponce Inlet sits right on the water, offering diners a quaint space to enjoy their brunch while overlooking passing boaters and paddle boarders alike.

The local spot, tucked away on the inlet, rests at an ideal proximity to Ponce Inlet’s iconic light house, Marine Science Center, and Hidden Treasure Rum Bar and Grill — owner Scott Weber’s neighboring restaurant location. The newly-opened scratch kitchen boasts gourmet breakfast dishes in a casual, lowkey setting, offering everything from decadent Belgian waffles, breakfast bowls and avocado toast to fresh seafood sandwiches, flatbreads and chowder — not to mention a brunch buffet from 7 – 11 a.m. on weekends, priced at $19.99 for adults and $14.99 for children.

Several standouts as of recently include the Fancy Grilled Cheese — warm Gruyere cheese, Dutch smoked gouda and tri-colored heirloom tomatoes on crisp, golden sourdough toast; and the Belgian blueberry waffle — a fluffy, sweet selection layered with light whipped cream, a handful of fresh blueberries and side of maple syrup. The pet-friendly gem also features a paws menu with steak and eggs, ice cream and more for visitors’ furry friends.

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This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Best new brunch restaurants in NSB, Flagler Beach, Ponce Inlet