New York, May 10, 2026, 09:05 EDT
Scoring a Mother’s Day brunch table keeps getting harder. This year’s OpenTable 2026 Top 100 Brunch Restaurants list reveals just how fierce the competition is, with most sought-after reservations clustered in a few key U.S. cities. California dominated, claiming 19 spots. New York restaurants landed 12 places, Texas followed close behind with 11, and Illinois posted 10.
Timing is key here: Mother’s Day falls on Sunday in the U.S., and for restaurants, the occasion has shifted from a simple family meal to a bigger, full-service affair. OpenTable reports 62% of Americans say eating out is important for the holiday, and among mothers and mother figures, 42% put a restaurant meal with family at the top of their wish list.
For operators, that spike means crowded dining rooms, larger tables, and plenty of prix fixe offerings. The set-price menu, or prix fixe, gives kitchens tighter grip over hectic service, especially with crowds clustering at brunch and early dinner. Robert Mahon, managing partner at Mahon Hospitality Group in New York, told Fox News Digital that Mother’s Day reservations could surge “by 30 or 40% at a minimum.” Fox News
The data highlights a geographic pinch: over half of U.S. states didn’t have a single restaurant make the Fox-cited OpenTable list. That means families in those areas largely miss out on the nationally ranked brunch picks, instead turning to hometown cafés, hotel buffets, or just showing up at neighborhood spots.
OpenTable pulled together its U.S. brunch rankings using over 10 million verified diner reviews, plus diner ratings and reservation data during March 1, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026. Last year, noon led as the top Mother’s Day reservation slot, but 5 p.m. bookings jumped 14% from the previous year—hinting that the holiday is stretching into the early dinner window.
According to restaurant executives, the brunch landscape looks different now. Mahon described brunch as a “major factor for hospitality,” and Bo Bryant, who founded Brunch Kitchen & Cocktails in Arizona, sees it shifting beyond the plate: “People aren’t just going out to eat anymore.” Bryant puts brunch somewhere between a social ritual and “affordable luxury.” Fox News
Premium offerings are reflecting the change. According to Trend Hunter, Toronto’s Windsor Arms Hotel put together a Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet for May 10, featuring pastries, live egg and carving stations, and complimentary mimosas for adults. The price: $155 per adult, $65 for kids 12 and under, before tax and tip.
Local restaurants are all after that key family crowd. On WCNC’s Charlotte Today, Mother’s Comfort Food & Cocktails got a sponsored spotlight, described as a brunch spot focused on hearty meals meant to gather the family.
It’s not just upscale spots in the mix. National chains are working to grab a slice of Mother’s Day dollars, too: Ruth’s Chris Steak House rolled out a weekend brunch starting at $49 a head, People reported. P.F. Chang’s pushed a campaign featuring gift-card giveaways, while Pizza Hut revived its heart-shaped pizzas, available through May 10.
Still, the data only goes so far. OpenTable’s rankings lean toward spots using its reservation system, leaving out countless local diners, cafés, and walk-in joints where families gather. Pricy buffets and set menus can also nudge would-be diners to chain restaurants, less busy time slots, or just skipping the outing altogether.
Cheryl Paniagua, who heads restaurant sales and services at OpenTable, noted that the company’s data confirms “dining out is the gift moms want most.” She said early planning matters, with most people reserving tables over a week ahead. The company also highlighted its “Notify Me” alert system, which pings users when a reservation slot opens up. OpenTable
This year’s holiday market is divided. Securing a spot at top-rated brunch rooms in major states has become a challenge, but restaurants not featured on those coveted lists are focusing on comfort, convenience, and extra-large tables. Late to book? The best table left probably isn’t the one everyone knows—it’s the one nobody’s grabbed yet.
