There’s no better weekend pastime than a homey, filling, and preferably boozy brunch — and Bay Area residents know it. Seriously, we’ll line up for literal hours to snag a table at our favorite spot! Next time you’re rolling out of bed on Saturday and want to splurge on a mid-morning meal, here are some places that are worth the wait.
Last Updated January 15, 2025
San Francisco
(1801 McAllister St // NoPa)
After a very successful and much-buzzed-about pop-up run in Nob Hill, the team at Early to Rise is settling into their new digs in NoPa in the former location of Automat. As their name suggests, this restaurant is all about morning meals, and they take it seriously (they even cure and smoke their own bacon in house). Given that they just opened in March 2024, excitement is high, so be sure to get there, um... early.
(941 Cole St // Cole Valley)
We could never sleep on this SF classic. From pancake flights (yeah, you read that right) to scrumptious sammies, you can always count on Zazie to deliver a cozy brunch. You’ll be able to stay toasty while you eat, too, thanks to their heated patio!
Via Kitchen Story
(Castro // Oakland)
You probably know Kitchen Story for their iconic Millionaire’s Bacon — if you haven’t tried it yet, do so ASAP — but their rest of their brunch bites are nothing to scoff at. The mascarpone-stuffed french toast is heavenly (and, PSA, so are the bottomless mimosas).
(Multiple Locations)
Kitchen Story’s sister restaurant Sweet Maple keeps it a little simpler: their brunch feels like a home-cooked meal, hearty and delicious. Come here for pancakes dripping with syrup, omelets paired with a hefty serving of crispy potatoes, or a cheesy “happy morning” pizza.
(301 Hayes St // Hayes Valley)
Brunch doesn't have to be heavy on butter and bacon. Rad Radish, a vegan fast-casual restaurant in Hayes Valley does the most important meal of the day without animal products. And it's delicious! Try their avocado toast (a classic vegan dish everyone can get behind) or nosh on their chilaquiles — made with JUST Egg.
(558 Castro St // Castro)
Fable’s Instagram-worthy garden patio is a date night mainstay as well as an excellent backdrop for a leisurely morning meal. But after a few bites of decadent chocolate chip banana bread or steak eggs benedict, your surroundings will probably be the last thing on your mind!
Via Plow
(1299 18th St // Potrero Hill)
Let’s be real — the morning queues here are not for the faint of heart. If you manage to brave them, though, you’ll soon find yourself plowing through (sorry) comfort food galore. We still can’t stop thinking about their lemon ricotta pancakes (or the chicken apple sausage, or the prosciutto and gruyere toast … )
(4001 Judah St // Outer Sunset)
Before you head out to nearby Ocean Beach, fuel up with Outerlands’ lovely brunch. Whether you’re sticking with a tried-and-true scramble or branching out into unconventional options like trout toasts and mushroom sandwiches, they’ve got you covered.
Via Hilda and Jesse
(701 Union St // North Beach)
If you’re into bougie brunch, this retro-reminiscent North Beach stop is the ticket. Really lean into it and spring for the three-course tasting menu or the Chef’s Adventure Menu, both complete with wine pairings (it’s five o’clock somewhere!) and fun ingredients like rye pudding or fennel confit.
(1701 Stockton St // North Beach)
Into something a bit more understated? Put in your order at Mama’s, a brunch staple that never gets old. Scrambles, omelets, pancakes, french toast, sandwiches, salads — you’ll find all of your faves here, and you truly can’t go wrong with anything.
East Bay
Via La Note
(2377 Shattuck Ave // Berkeley)
Stop by this cute French bistro on the weekends and you’ll find droves of Cal students sipping warm coffees and digging into eggs scrambled with goat cheese, creamy oatmeal, and buttery tartines. “Delicious” doesn’t even begin to cover the fare here. No matter how long the wait is, we promise it’s worth it.
(2050 University Ave // Berkeley)
Bottomless mimosas and Korean fried chicken? Say less. Another standby for the college clientele, Berkeley Social Club’s plentiful brunch offerings are a supreme accompaniment to late afternoon gatherings with friends. Save room before you go!
(900 Grayson St // Berkeley)
Located in an industrial corner of West Berkeley and a bit off the beaten path, 900 Grayson is well worth the excursion. Locals love this unpretentious cafe, and you'll often find them contently waiting for a table in the restaurant's small dining room or back patio. Their Demon Lover chicken and waffles is legendary. Pro-tip: dress any dish up with their Fresh-N-Hot pickled hot sauce, and buy a bottle to take home with you.
(5353 Claremont Ave // Oakland)
This Eritrean spot is only open for breakfast and lunch, so you know their brunch game is on point. Located across from the DMV, of all places, Alem’s dishes out spicy stews and egg scrambles that are sure to perk you up in the morning.
Via Low Bar
(2300 Webster St // Oakland)
While the sun was down and you were busy sipping on Low Bar’s creative cocktails and noshing on their late night "Chisme" menu, you might have missed their bangin’ brunch menu. Don’t worry, we’re here to enlighten you: try their breakfast tacos and thank us later. While they open at 4 pm on weekdays, on weekends they open at 11 am.
(2701 8th St #118 // Berkeley)
Despite what the name suggests, the exceptional food here is anything but “standard.” The brunch menu is only served on Saturdays, but it’s good enough to look forward to all week. Sourdough waffles, anyone?
South Bay + Peninsula
Via The Table
(1110 Willow St // San Jose)
We love the delicious seasonal food at The Table, including to-die-for ricotta beignets and savory prosciutto and grits. The best part? They serve up bottomless mimosas all day. If you’re not in the mood for OJ, you can also pick from a range of other creative brunch cocktails.
(Multiple locations)
For over 45 years, Bill’s Cafe has been feeding hungry Bay Area customers with generous portions of brunch essentials. The choices here are endless — seriously, the menu’s huge — so even the pickiest eater will be able to find something they love.
Via Apple Fritter
(1901 South Norfolk St // San Mateo)
Two words: Donut. Sandwiches. Apple Fritter’s menu is abound with playful provisions reminiscent of childhood sugar rushes, from Fruity Pebbles french toast to Nutella Banana pancakes. If you don’t have a sweet tooth, their hashes, breakfast sandwiches, and scrambles (including plenty of vegetarian options!) will do the trick.
(1696 Laurel St // San Carlos)
Former Top Chef finalist Dale Levitski is the chef at Johnston’s Saltbox, so it’s safe to say their food is up to snuff! Even Padma Lakshmi would be hard-pressed to find a flaw in any of the brunch dishes here, which range from fresh scones (yum) to a fried chicken sandwich with buffalo jalapeno hot sauce (double yum).
Via Zona Rosa
(Belmont // Palo Alto // Sunnyvale)
This beloved Bay Area cafe chain has been serving hearty breakfasts at its numerous South Bay and Peninsula locations for nearly 50 years. They have all the basics — from huevos rancheros to buttery pancake stacks — but no trip to Hobee's would be complete without a slice of blueberry coffee cake. Every decadent slice comes to you hot, with a generous scoop of soft butter slowly melting into the crumbly cinnamon-and-sugar top crust. They've got locations in Redwood City, Palo Alto and Sunnyvale — with a new San Jose outpost in the works.
(San Jose // Los Gatos)
Think a breakfast burrito is something intended to be eaten in a hurry on your way to work? Think again. This upscale Mexican restaurant makes a morning time wrap worthy of savoring with a fork and knife (but you can eat it with your hands if you wish). They've also got huevos rancheros, chilaquiles verde, and a potatoes-and-carnitas hash to die for. Be sure to order one of their excellent cocktails or a sweet, cinnamon-infused cup of hot café de olla.
North Bay
Via Le Garage
(85 Liberty Ship Way #109 // Sausalito)
If munching on a croque monsieur while taking in picturesque waterfront views sounds très bien, then Le Garage is the brunch place for you. Housed in a converted garage overlooking the marina, this bistro’s cuisine (especially les apéritifs) will inject you with some joie de vivre.
(101 San Anselmo Ave // San Anselmo)
A well-known neighborhood favorite, the titular bread and butter alone is worthy of weekend crowds. Other offerings, like cinnamon sugar toast and fried egg sandwiches, are just the delectable cherry on top.
Via Boon Fly Cafe
(4048 Sonoma Hwy // Napa)
Next time you’re in wine country, take a break from the vino and give this modern roadhouse eatery a try. Take a seat inside Boon Fly’s rustic red barn for their signature donuts, green eggs and ham, corned beef hash, griddle cakes, and more homestyle cooking.
(27 Main St // Tiburon)
Anchors away, seafood lovers! Fried calamari, crab benedicts, lobster rolls, cioppino — the brunch menu at Sam’s is a true pescatarian paradise. If you’re looking for a savory meal that puts the lunch in brunch, you can net some stellar seafood here.
By Grace Orriss & Nick Veronin
