Brunch pizza, mountains of caviar, incredible burgers and eggs a million ways — the San Francisco brunch scene has never been more interesting. When San Francisco’s varied culinary scene does brunch, it does it with flair. From classic dishes to refreshing takes on pretty much any cuisine imaginable, here are the best options for the most exciting, satisfying brunches in town.
Merkado
Colorful and lively, Merkado is part restaurant, part market selling specialty items from Mexico and Spain, which makes brunching here a unique experience. The menu features Mexican egg classics like chilaquiles, alongside dishes that might be harder to find elsewhere, like the enmoladas, an especially flavorful take on enchiladas with mole.
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The first brick-and-mortar from a beloved brunch pop-up, Chef Andrew McCormack’s bright and chic Early to Rise serves nothing but brunch items, Thursday through Monday. Everything, from the scones to the sauces, is made-in house, and even the most familiar items feel fresh and new. The hearty steak and eggs are a must, and so are the spicy samosa potato pancake and the pampering stack of blueberry-ricotta pancakes.
The Post Room
An Art Deco vibe and live music with your Mimosa? The Post Room, located inside the historic Beacon Grand Hotel downtown, has you covered. The festive atmosphere is nicely complemented by vibrant and surprising dishes like jamon and fig salad, octopus with preserved lemon, and steak and eggs.
The Vault Garden
Hiding inside an official-looking building, the Garden is a little corner of chic and decadence. For its recently launched brunch, the restaurant goes all out with a dazzling shellfish platter, caviar service, salmon Benedict and other brunch classics, amped up. Cocktails are a must here, and the plump Parker House rolls are too — get them to share.
True Laurel
The iconic Mission bar may be known for its cocktails, but in the daytime the space comes alive in a different way, awash in sunshine. Sit in the booth and order away: the grilled cheese and omelette sandwich and the legendary patty melt are excellent choices. For drinks, don’t sleep on the True Brew, a special brunch cocktail guaranteed to energize and buzz.
Hilda and Jesse
No brunch guide is complete without this colorful, inventive North Beach spot. Brunch here is unlike anywhere else in the city, served in adorable ceramics and infused with Euro flavors. The shrimp toastie and Pancakes Without Boundaries are classics for a reason. The creative cocktails add an extra layer of fun.
Dalida
Ever since opening in the Presidio a year ago, Dalida has won hearts and bellies with its sophisticated Mediterranean fare. For brunch, the gorgeous restaurant dishes out Turkish eggs with garlic yogurt, borek (an addictive, flaky savory pastry), and a colorful plate of preserves and spreads, best eaten with Dalida’s impossibly fluffy pita.
Causwells
The Marina restaurant known for its fail-proof hamburger also happens to serve one of the best brunches in town. A brunch burger — complete with a fried egg, bacon and pickle — is a natural standout, while additional hearty dishes, like the chorizo and egg sandwich and the breakfast jambalaya, make decisions difficult. Toast the spread with a well-balanced Bloody Mary, another item this spot excels at.
Copra
The stunning Fillmore space is at its photogenic peak during daytime, which is a nice bonus alongside the main draw: the food. Chef Srijith Gopinathan pays special attention to the brunch menu, with exciting dishes like fragrant dosa with chutney and sambar, and cardamom and fruit jam toast. Grab a cocktail to complete the experience, and relax into Copra’s well-appointed splendor.
Kaiyo Rooftop
Brunch is always tastier with killer views. Climb up to take a seat at Kaiyo Rooftop, one of the city’s only Nikkei restaurants, and enjoy a colorful spread of not-your-typical-brunch dishes, such as ube mochi waffles and sashimi salad.
Terrene
For a brunch that feels like a trip abroad, head to Terrene, the official restaurant of 1 Hotel San Francisco. The relaxing, earthy decor enhances the vegetable-forward brunch menu, on which diners can find wood-fire oven flatbreads, sweet potato waffles and other staples. A nice selection of salads lightens things up.
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