With more than 800 restaurants on the menu, Richmond’s kaleidoscopic dining scene offers an ever-brimming bowl of intriguing options for locals and visitors. But now brunch fans have another reason to eat out here, with the opening of the first ever Western Canada branch of a popular Quebec-based chain.
Launched more than 25 years ago in downtown Montreal, Eggspectation has expanded to the US, India, Dubai, and beyond in recent years. But their latest Canadian restaurant—now open at the Accent Inns Vancouver Airport Hotel (10551 St. Edwards Drive)—is the first time they’ve ventured west of Toronto.
With an empty belly and a love of all-things brunch, we headed over to check it out. And don’t worry if brunch or breakfast isn’t usually on your agenda: the restaurant is open from 6:30am to 9:30pm daily and their evening menu includes lots of tempting pasta, burger, and flatbread pizza options—plus 10 ‘Brunch for Dinner’ choices. Read on for details on Eggspectation, plus a list of five more brunch restaurants to check out in Richmond.
Eggspectation
With arguably the biggest breakfast and brunch menu of any restaurant in Richmond, there’s an almost bewildering array of choices here. Once you’re seated—the bright, window-lined room is studded with white chairs and tables but the booth seats are the way to go—give yourself plenty of time to consider your options.
If visiting Eggspectation gives you a newfound love for brunch, you’ll find plenty of other options in Richmond. Read on for five more brunch hot spots to check out in the city. And don’t forget to mix it up a little with some dim sum—this Chinese tapas-style meal is served at dozens of local restaurants here, traditionally between 10:00am and 2:00pm.
Steveston Seafood House
3951 Moncton Street
The weekend-only brunch at this Steveston Village charmer includes excellent French toast and eggs benedict staples. But it’s also the perfect pilgrimage spot for seafood fans: special brunch options include grilled salmon served with home fries; seafood hot pot stuffed with prawns, halibut, mussels, and more; and delicious Dungeness crab and shrimp-stuffed crepes that will have you swiftly returning to Steveston Seafood House for another helping.
The Deck Kitchen + Bar
3500 Cessna Drive
With its view-hugging riverfront deck (and lots of picture windows if you want to sit inside), the Deck Kitchen + Bar at the Pacific Gateway Hotel offers a weekend-only 11:00am-to-3:00pm brunch covering all the classics and more. You can’t go wrong with salmon eggs benedict or country sausage hash here, but dive deeper into the menu and you’ll also discover mussels and frites, bison tartare, and several temping flatbreads—including one topped with clams, prawns and bacon.
Cimona Cafe
#210 - 3791 Bayview Street
When all you want is friendly service, a belly-filling brunch, and a side order of diner-esque kitsch, head to this Steveston favourite. Inside, you’ll find vintage radios, old motorcycle advertisements, and wall-mounted vinyl records. Menu-wise, the served-all-day breakfast and brunch options range from eggs bennies to French toast to traditional eggs and bacon. But many locals dive straight into the breakfast bowls, with six versions including grilled veggie hash or smoked meat poutine.
Flying Beaver Bar & Grill
4760 Inglis Drive
One of several brunch-friendly Richmond pubs, its hard to beat the sterling waterfront views here. Breakfast at the Flying Beaver Bar & Grill is served from 9:00am to 11:30am on weekdays but on weekends that stretches to a more leisurely—and decidedly brunchy—1:00pm. Expect heaping plates of traditional favourites such as waffles, omelettes, and the ever-popular bacon-sausage-and-eggs Biggie Breakfast. But for something a little different, consider their crab cake benny or short rib skillet options.*Please note that the restaurant will be closed for kitchen renovations until January 17.*
Buffet at River Rock
8811 River Road
If you’ve fully abandoned your New Year’s diet resolution, dive headfirst (not literally) into the heaping Sunday buffet at River Rock Casino Resort. There are breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets here every day, but Sunday’s special 11:30am-to-2:45pm brunch version is extremely popular with resort guests and visitors. A multitudinous fusion of Asian and Western dishes—plus irresistible desserts—you’ll find more than enough to fill you up for a week here.