Sometimes there’s nothing more daunting than trying to figure out which one or two items you’re going to select from a menu — especially with a meal like breakfast or brunch when there are so many good options. Are you feeling a protein-packed plate of goetta and eggs? Or are you looking to fuel up on carbs, and maybe a little sugar, with pancakes or waffles? That’s where the humble breakfast and brunch buffet steps in, with chafing dishes full of every kind of food you could want for this most important meal of the day.

While the pandemic may have reduced the number of buffet options out there, Greater Cincinnati still has a number of restaurants serving up breakfast and brunch spreads, mostly on the weekends. From the classic Frisch’s Big Boy breakfast bar and a cereal bar with dozens of options for a nostalgia-fueled Saturday morning to places with prime rib-carving and make-your-own omelet stations — and let’s not forget about the boozy mimosa flights and Bloody Marys — here’s where you can still dish out your own breakfast and brunch.

Greyhound Tavern 2500 Dixie Highway, Ft. Mitchell While Greyhound Tavern may be best known for its Southern-style comfort foods like its ​​secret-recipe fried chicken, Kentucky hot browns and meatloaf, but it also offers an award-winning brunch buffet on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a heaping plate of eggs, sausage, potatoes, French toast, goetta and even that famous fried chicken for just $25 per adult and $16 per child in the comfort of Greyhound Tavern’s cozy dining room. Photo: facebook.com/greyhoundtavern
Frisch’s Big Boy Multiple locations Embattled Frisch’s has recently seen a number of its restaurants evicted and closed, but the Big Boy has made a point of saying it’s here to stay and your favorites won’t be going anywhere — and what’s more beloved than their breakfast bar? Frisch’s has been a breakfast staple in the Cincinnati community for decades and has been known to bring in quite the crowd for their breakfast buffet, which includes all the American classics like french toast, biscuits and gravy, meats, eggs, fruit and more. The breakfast bar is currently open at participating locations on Saturdays until 1 p.m. and Sundays until 2 p.m. for just $12.99. Some locations also offer the breakfast bar for “Brupper” on Wednesdays from 4-8 p.m. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Market Street Grille 205 Harrison Ave., Harrison Make sure you go to Market Street Grille’s brunch buffet hungry because you’re going to want to try everything. Every Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the restaurant lays out a feast of breakfast and lunch options ranging from classic eggs, goetta, sausage and pancakes to smoked salmon, fried and baked chicken, a beef carving station, pasta and more. Market Street Grille also offers a make-your-own omelet station, as well as dessert for the sweet tooths: donuts from Harrison Home Bakery and even a chocolate fountain. Photo: facebook.com/MarketStreetGrille
Barleycorn’s Brewhouse 402 Licking Pike, Wilder Get your weekend started off right with a boozy brunch buffet at Barleycorn’s Wilder brewery. On Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Barleycorn’s Brewhouse offers its brunch buffet along with a menu of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink options for $15 for adults and $8 for kids 10 and under. Pair their selection of waffles, bacon, biscuits and gravy, goetta sliders and more with one of the beers on tap, or enjoy brunch cocktails like the mimosa flight, Bloody Mary or Irish Coffee. Photo: facebook.com/barleycornsbrewhouse
The 1931 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown The 1931 opened in the past year in the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, replacing Orchids at Palm Court, but the space is still the same art-deco marvel, featuring Brazilian rosewood, soaring painted ceilings and vintage Rookwood pottery. Now imagine having a delicious brunch and handcrafted cocktail here. On Sundays, you can make a reservation from 9-11:30 a.m. to enjoy The 1931’s tasteful breakfast and brunch buffet and extravagant dining room for $42 a person. And for $19 more, you can add bottomless mimosas to the experience. Photo: facebook.com/netherlandplaza
Saturday Morning Vibes 3539 Reading Road, Suite 101, Avondale If you crave those memories of grabbing a bowl of cereal and plopping yourself in front of the TV to watch Saturday morning cartoons, this new cereal bar can help you relive those days. The nostalgia is real at Saturday Morning Vibes as it features cereals from around the world, as well as toppings like strawberries, whipped cream and more to add to your bowl. Their menu also has avocado toast, waffles, muffins, bagels, fresh fruit and local coffee. Photo: facebook.com/saturdaymvcafe
Oak Leaf Restaurant at Aston Oaks Golf Club 1 Aston Oaks Drive, North Bend If you want to fuel up with a delicious breakfast before hitting the links on a beautiful weekend morning, you can do both at the Aston Oaks Golf Club. On Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. enjoy the spread of Glier’s Goetta, bacon, potatoes, donuts, fruit, made-to-order waffles and omelets at the club’s Oak Leaf Restaurant. Golfers can get one plate for just $6.95. Adults can dine for under $15 and seniors and kids ages 7 to 14 for under $13. The price includes the buffet as well as non-alcoholic beverages. Reservations are recommended. Photo: facebook.com/astonoaksgolfclub
Roney’s (Cleves) 151 Cooper Ave., Cleves Milford fast-casual restaurant Roney’s, best known for its cowboy-themed decor and roast beef sandwiches, celebrated the grand opening of its new restaurant in Cleves this October. While the Cleves location is similar to Milford in most ways, they do have a key difference: a weekend breakfast buffet. From 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, Cleves Roney’s guests can enjoy a selection of breakfast favorites like bacon, sausage, eggs and French toast sticks. Photo: facebook.com/@roneysrestaurant
Eighteen at the Radisson 668 W. Fifth St., Covington Enjoy an upscale Sunday brunch with the view at Covington’s revolving restaurant, Eighteen at the Radisson. Located on the top floor of the Radisson Hotel, Eighteen offers scenic views of downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, as well as a buffet that includes several stations, including prime rib-carving, omelet-making and waffle- and crêpe-making. They also offer plenty of breakfast staples, fruit, rotating lunch items and an assortment of desserts for a tasty and filling start to your day. Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she...