Brunch is a meal which is eaten in the late morning or afternoon, generally between the hours of 10 in the morning and two in the afternoon. A typical brunch combines elements of lunch and dinner, reflecting the fact that it is supposed to serve for both meals. Many people associate brunch with the weekends, particularly Sundays, perhaps because many people are able to sleep in on the weekends, making a late breakfast/early lunch combination more appealing. However, brunch can technically be served on any day of the week.

The term is a portmanteau of “breakfast” and “lunch,” and its first appearance was in 1896, in Punch magazine. Evidence seems to suggest that brunch originated in the British upper classes. Many upper-class homes gave servants partial or full days off on Sunday, so the servants would lay out a buffet spread in the morning which allowed people to graze for breakfast and lunch items. Punch originally brought up brunch to lampoon it, and the tradition of making fun of brunch endures to this day in some circles.

Any number of foods can be served at brunch, ranging from traditional breakfast foods like pancakes and sausages to more lunch-like items, like seafood cocktails. Brunch often features heavy, greasy foods, perhaps because people are frequently hungover when they consume it, and such foods are treated as hangover cures in some communities. Upscale brunch is often accompanied with mixed drinks like mimosas or bloody Marys, and sometimes champagne is served as well, especially at a celebratory brunch.

Before attending afternoon events such as weddings and sports matches, some people like to eat brunch. The idea is that a single filling meal will sustain people into the early evening, when dinner will be served. Brunch is also viewed as a luxury in some regions of the world, and it may be offered to people on their birthdays and on other special occasions. Brunch in bed in particular is considered a form of pampering reserved for particularly special days.

Many hotels serve brunch to their guests on the weekends, as do resorts, cruise ships, and other vacation destinations. Some restaurants may offer brunch, especially if they already do a regular lunch service. People can also make brunch at home, although many people view brunch as a meal which is eaten outside the home.