Brunch as Craft: How Chef David Kirkland Builds Comfort Food at Turnstl
Brunch at Turnstl is more than a meal between morning and afternoon—it's a meeting point for flavor, neighborhood, and imagination. Owner and executive chef David Kirkland brings a rare background as both a DJ and a culinary artist, crafting plates that hit with the force of a perfectly blended set. Below, we explore what shapes Turnstl's brunch and how it delivers health-minded American comfort food in the middle of St. Louis.
Where the Kitchen Meets the Mix
Chef Kirkland often likens cooking to spinning records: layering flavors, blending textures, and chasing balance on the plate. You can taste that idea in every brunch dish, from the first sip of a Blood Orange Mimosa to the last bite of Brioche French Toast. The menu is designed to delight and satisfy, offering familiar comforts with surprising twists.
Farm-to-Table, Right Up on the Roof
Turnstl's commitment to fresh, locally sourced ingredients is unwavering. The restaurant builds relationships with nearby growers and even maintains an urban farm atop its own roof. Thanks to that sustainable approach, seasonal vegetables and herbs are often harvested only steps from the kitchen. At brunch, you'll find it in vibrant salads, creative sides like Buffalo Cauliflower Bites, and daily soups that change with the harvest.
Familiar Brunch Dishes, Rethought
The menu honors tradition while inviting you to branch out. The Biscuit Flight offers four different biscuits with seasonal house-made jam, honey, and butter—a perfect shareable start. The L.E.O. reinvents the classic lox bagel using smoked salmon, goat cheese, and dill hollandaise on rye. Plant-based guests can order the Arepa with veggie chorizo, and the Southwest Wrap welcomes add-ons such as veggie sausage or chicken chorizo. Chef Kirkland's knack for balance shines in plates like Shrimp and Grits, where creole sauce and andouille sausage meet sunny-side-up eggs, and in the Avocado Toast, lifted with pickled radishes and focaccia. Even the humble Grilled Cheese is upgraded with havarti, white cheddar, and a cup of tomato soup—comfort in every bite.
Drinks That Round Out the Meal
Brunch simply isn't complete without the right pour. Turnstl's drink list includes classic mimosas, bellinis, and a build-your-own Bloody Mary, plus creative cocktails such as the Botanical Haze, made with gin, lavender, and earl grey tea. Coffee lovers can pick from a range of espresso drinks, from a simple latte to a dirty chai. The wine list carries sparkling options and crisp whites—ideal for an easygoing weekend.
Come Brunch With Us
Turnstl serves brunch Wednesday through Friday, 9am to 2pm (last seating 1:45pm), and Saturday through Sunday, 9am to 3pm (last seating 2:30pm). While dinner service is currently on pause, brunch stays a vibrant celebration of St. Louis flavors. Whether you live nearby or are just passing through, we'd love for you to experience where music, community, and great food come together.
Order online or call us at (314) 240-5157 to book your table. Let Chef Kirkland and the Turnstl team show you how brunch can become a masterpiece.
Every Turnstl brunch is shaped by the same ideas: seasonal ingredients, a rooftop farm, and a menu that treats familiar comfort food as a canvas. Pair that with cocktails, espresso, and a room built around community, and you get a weekend ritual that feels distinctly St. Louis. Browse the stories here, then come taste the result for yourself.