The Best Restaurants for Brunch in San Francisco
San Francisco knows how to brunch.
Whether you're looking for healthy options or a boozy Saturday brunch, here are some of my favorite spots that will satisfy any appetite.
xx A
NOPA
Come here for the crafty cocktails, new American dishes and swanky vibes.
Nopa is my favorite restaurant in San Francisco. I save Nopa dinners for special occasions, but their brunch is a go-to spot for me any weekend. What to order: Nopa's menu changes and you're safe ordering anything here. I usually go for any of the egg dishes and a cocktail. They also have the best Gin Fizz in San Francisco.
BISOU
My #1 Bottomless Mimosa party brunch. Warning: Loud Music.
I love Bisou so so so so much. Just go there. Bring fun friends. Drink lots of Mimosas. Don't make plans for after. What to order: Eggs Benedict, Bottomless Mimosas.
CHAMBERS
If it's sunny in SF, always go to Chambers.
Chambers is a unique spot in the TL (stands for Tenderloin, not the nicest part of the city) and you'd never know it was there unless you, well, know it's there. Chambers is an oasis that spills out onto the pool deck at Hotel Phoenix (yes, an actual pool in San Francisco...no, you can't go in it). Grab a table outside on a sunny SF day, order a Bloody Mary and pretend you're in Palm Springs in the 1960s. What to order: Bloody Mary or Bottomless, Egg in a Hole, The Egg Sandwich. Fun fact: The mural outside is by one of my favorite artists, Zio Ziegler.
BRENDA'S
Southern comfort food that's good for your soul.
Get to Brenda's early, the wait is no joke. Come if you want a happy food coma. What to order: Beignets (get the flight), Fried Chicken Benedict, Brioche French Toast. If you want a shorter wait, their sister restaurant called Brenda's Meat & Three is also a great spot for brunch.
ZAZIE
Challah at the best French Toast in town.
Zazie is in a Cole Valley, one of the most underrated neighbors in SF (in my opinion). Put your name down early and head to Finnegans Wake, the bar next door for an award winning Bloody Mary. What to order: Challah French Toast (obviously), a Benedict (you can't go wrong with prosciutto, crab, lobster, smoked salmon...), bacon, bacon and bacon. Fun fact: there's a back patio so dogs are welcome. Max loves it here.
JANE
When you're not looking for a boozy brunch, come to Jane for healthy options and amazing coffee.
Strolling Fillmore Street is one of my favorite weekend activities. After a morning run (or SoulCycle or Barry's or whatever your exercise of choice), keep the healthy momentum going by stopping by Jane. What to eat: Avocado Mash, Granola Bowl, any seasonal salad on the menu. Oh, and don't forget a drip cup of Chromatic Coffee.
HORSEFEATHER
Get here before the rest of the city finds it. This spot is new on the block.
Divisadero Street is the best and one of the newest spots is called Horsefeather. It divides upper and lower Haight, leads South into the heart of Castro and North through Nopa (stands for North of the Panhandle, not the same as NOPA restaurant at #1 on the list). Is that confusing? Let me explain...Nopa is a district in San Francisco and both NOPA (the restaurant) and Horsefeather are in this district on the same street. What to order: Chilaquiles, The Howland cocktail or bottomless coffee, or both.
LITTLE CHIHUAHUA
Breakfast Burritos in your pajamas.
Little Chihuahua is my favorite spot when I don't want to get dressed and I'm starving. There are a couple of these throughout the city, so head to whichever is closest to you. What to order: Breakfast Burrito, Breakfast Tacos, Sightglass coffee.
THE GRIND
Casual yet hipster diner with something for everyone.
The Grind is one of those places that has so many options on the menu, you're skeptical that nothing can be THAT good. Well fear not, this place is legit. What to order: Bagel Breakfast sandwich, add avocado (always), french toast, coffee.
KATE'S KITCHEN
Traditional American with "French Toast Orgy" on the menu.
Last but not least, Kate's Kitchen feels like you're waking up at Grandma's house. Except, your Grandma recommends you have an Orgy. What to order: you can't really go wrong with anything here, but you have to try the French Toast and the Cheese and Green Onion Biscuits.
TBD Insider tips:
> NOPA, Bisou and Chambers all take reservations. You'd need to book NOPA a while in advance, but there's a first come first serve communal table and you can always try to snag a seat at the bar.
> For the healthiest choices, go to Jane.
> To keep the party going after a night out, always pick Bisou.
> If you try to get a table at NOPA and the wait is too long, walk less than a minute to Horsefeather.
> If you're going to Brenda's or Chambers, I always recommend taking an Uber or Lyft. These are in sketchier areas of the city.