20 Best Spots for Brunch in San Francisco

In our foodie opinion, starting your day with brunch increases your odds of having a great day by 100%. In a city like San Francisco that’s teeming with options, finding a brunch spot can be overwhelming. We’ve made picking that ultimate location easy for you with this collection of restaurants that feature a wide range of cuisines and price points. There’s a little something for everyone on our guide to the best brunch in San Francisco.

SEE ALSO: 22 Best Restaurants in San Francisco

20. Delarosa

Pizza for brunch? Sign us up! Delarosa has been serving up Roman-style pizzas since 2010, and has become a favorite pizzeria among San Franciscans’. We were already huge fans of Delarosa for their lunch and dinner options, so we were thrilled to discover their brunch pizza. This carbonara pizza is topped with a cream-based sauce, pancetta, a gooey blend of cheeses, and our favorite topping: the two sunnyside-up eggs. The richness of the yolk mixed with the cheese and pancetta is magical. Delarosa’s crust is one of the best aspects of the entire pizza; it features a thin but airy texture that is phenomenal. Brunch is served from 11 am- 3 pm, and reservations are highly recommended to ensure a spot for some of the best brunch in San Francisco.

19. Foreign Cinema

If you’re in search of an upscale brunch experience, look no further than Foreign Cinema. This modern fine dining eatery serves incredibly beautiful dishes – your phone will definitely want to eat first. Everything about Foreign Cinema contributes to the overall dining experience and is why they have some of the best brunch in San Francisco. From the moment you walk onto the red carpet of the renovated theater it’s housed in, you are met with a multitude of classic cinema memorabilia. Their stunning outdoor patio is the perfect oasis in the city to relax and enjoy a delicious meal. Now for the best part: the food. Start with their house-made pop tart. The flaky puff pastry and perfectly sweet filling will keep you coming back for bite after bite. The brunch bowl and heavenly scramble are favorite savory mains you can’t go wrong with. The only downside to coming to Foreign Cinema for brunch is you miss out on the nighttime movies being played on the back patio. Reservations fill up weeks out, so snag one early. We promise it’s worth it.

18. Devil’s Teeth Baking Company

Devil’s Teeth Baking Company is one of the most buzzed-about bakeries in the city, and we completely understand the hype. To experience some of the best brunch in San Francisco, you’ll want to order their claim to fame, the special breakfast sandwich. Stuffed in their house-made biscuit is scrambled eggs, bacon, avocado, melted pepper jack cheese, and lemon-garlic aioli (our favorite addition). Don’t forget to grab some pastries to go – we are obsessed with their lemon bars. Lines can get pretty long, especially on the weekends, so we suggest arriving close to opening or closing time for a minimal wait. 

17. Surisan

If you’re looking for a fun change up to your typically traditional brunch, Surisan is a great option. Located near Fisherman’s Wharf, Surisan is changing things up with their Korean brunch. Everything we’ve had here is delicious, but their pimped-up ramen is a must-have when enjoying some of the best brunch in San Francisco. Surisan has turned a classic, simple meal into an elevated dish with every add-in you could want. From the sweetness of the millionaire’s bacon to the sauteed vegetables all topped with a runny egg, this dish is a dream. Surisan’s portions are huge and are definitely shareable. Along with their delicious food options, Surisan also has a fun drink list featuring banana lattes and ube milk. Walk-ins are available, but we recommend making a reservation through their website.

READ NEXT: 16 Best Sandwiches in San Francisco

16. Schlock’s

When it comes to bagels in the Bay Area, options can be limited. Luckily, Schlok’s Bagels opened up in 2021 in the NOPA neighborhood and is giving us New York-inspired bagels with a California twist. We love getting their breakfast sandwich on a salt bagel. Made with a fried egg, cheddar cheese, and a sweet pepper butter that gives all the simple flavors a little pop. The flaky sea salt on the crust of the bagel is the perfect pairing to complete this breakfast sandwich. For another classic bagel combo, we are huge fans of their lox sandwich on a plain bagel. Make sure to ask for your bagel to be toasted as their default is untoasted. We recommend ordering ahead at Schlok’s as lines can get pretty long and there’s no sitting area. Bypass the line and enjoy your bagel from the park bench around the corner.

15. Chez Maman

Chez Maman is one of our favorite spots for French cuisine and is an essential restaurant to visit when trying the best brunch in San Francisco. We are obsessed with everything about this restaurant from the small cafe vibe to the outstanding dishes. Chez Maman’s menu is quite large, so you’ll have an assortment of brunch options to choose from. We recommend the croque madame, aka the best way to eat a ham and cheese sandwich. This sandwich is simply made and simply delicious, with a generous portion of ham, a gooey layer of cheese, and a sunnyside-up egg on top. Upgrade the side salad to the truffle fries, which are to die for. Additionally, you’ll want a side of french onion soup and/or mac and cheese. Both are fantastic and a key reason why we keep coming back to Chez Maman. Bon Appetit!

14. Mama’s

Since 1951, Mama’s has been a staple of the city’s food scene and one of the best brunch spots in San Francisco. This family-owned establishment has a menu full of an abundance of all the brunch classics, but our go-to is the French toast sampler. Here you’ll be able to try three of Mama’s signature french toast flavors including cranberry orange walnut, banana walnut, and cinnamon. Each of these flavors has a unique taste, but we are still drooling over the banana walnut. Made with fresh banana bread, this French toast is out of this world. If french toast isn’t for you, try their classic eggs benedict or any of their unreal baked goods. Mama’s doesn’t do reservations, so make sure to get here early as wait times are known to be long. 

13. Judahlicious

Vegan cuisine is more accessible than ever in San Francisco, and Judahlicious is serving up some amazing vegan options. Head over to the Sunset District to experience Judahlicious and some of the best brunch in San Francisco. Judahlicious has a sizable menu, but our brunch go-to is their açaí bowl. It’s served simply with two large scoops of acai, fresh bananas, and the most amazing housemade granola. Don’t let the simplicity of this dish fool you – it’s packed with flavor and perfect when for when you’re looking for a lighter brunch option. Enjoy this yummy acai bowl in their cozy cafe or take it to-go and visit the nearby beach locations.

GET YOUR PASTRY ON: The 9 Best Bakeries in San Francisco

12. Breakfast Little

If you love breakfast burritos as much as we do, then Breakfast Little is a must-visit stop on your search for the best brunch in San Francisco. We absolutely love their OG breakfast burrito. This bundle of joy comes with a fresh tortilla, fluffy scrambled eggs, sausage (you can substitute for bacon), delicious garlic aioli, and our favorite part: the tater tots. The fried potatoes add the perfect crunch to each bite. We also recommend adding avocado and hot sauce for a little extra fun for your burrito. Our only wish is that the burritos were bigger so we could have more to enjoy. The wait at Breakfast Little can get a little long, so bring a friend to catch up with while waiting in line. 

11. Tartine

Known for being one of the most famous bakeries in the country, Tartine is easily one of the best brunch spots in San Francisco. For brunch, you’ll absolutely want to get their seasonal vegetable quiche. This quiche is filled with mushrooms, squash, and other seasonal veggies, all baked in a flakey, buttery crust that melts in your mouth with each bite. Their avocado tartine, made with house-made country bread and loaded with a mountain of avocado and salsa seca, is another favorite you can’t go wrong with. Now, a visit to Tartine wouldn’t be complete without grabbing a pastry (or a few) from their amazing selection. Everything here is unbelievably delicious but a few of our favorites are the almond croissant, banana cream tart, and morning buns. Yum! 

10. Sweet Maple

Known as the birthplace of the iconic Millionaire’s Bacon, Sweet Maple is an essential spot on your hunt for the best brunch in San Francisco. Sweet Maple has a pretty large menu, but anything with their bacon is the way to go. The Blackstone eggs benedict, which comes with two pieces of the famous Millionaire’s Bacon, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes all on top of a lightly toasted English muffin, is phenomenal. The flavor combo is unlike any other benedict we’ve had before, with a savory complexity coming from the veggies and lemony hollandaise sauce, which was a delicious contrast to the sweet millionaire’s bacon. The fried french toast, which has a similar texture and flavor to funnel cake, is perfect for any sweet tooth. Sweet Maple doesn’t take reservations, so arrive early to snag a table before the brunch rush hits. 

9. Manny’s

Head over to the Mission District to Manny’s, one of the most unique restaurants with the best brunch in San Francisco. Cafe by day event space by night, Manny’s is giving the community a special place to use their voices while enjoying some delicious food. Manny’s menu is inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine with a California spin. Our go-to order is the shakshuka. It’s served in a personal-sized cast iron skillet and is one of the best shakshukas we’ve had. This saucy dish is made with simple ingredients yet is complex in flavor and is everything you could want for a hearty brunch. From the sauteed onion and peppers to the rich egg yolk, your taste buds will be dancing. Use the pita bread to scoop up all the delicious goodness going on.  

TACO MOOD? READ: 10 Best Tacos in San Francisco

8. Good Luck Dim Sum

In a city like San Francisco, dim sum is an absolute must when brunching. For quick to-go dim sum that is always delicious, our go-to is Good Luck Dim Sum. Ordering here can be overwhelming to a newbie, but we’re here to help. Some of our favorites include the pork siu mai, shrimp dumplings, chive dumplings, and bbq pork buns (a must). From the sweetness of the baos (buns) to the plump fillings inside, we can’t stress enough how delicious each item is. For a sweet treat to end (or start) your meal, we also love the egg custards and fried sesame balls that are filled with red bean paste. You can get all this for under $25, which is an amazing value when eating in San Francisco. Good Luck Dim Sum is take-out and cash only, so make sure to come prepared when visiting one of the best brunch spots in San Francisco. 

7. Hilda and Jesse

Hilda and Jesse is making a splash in the San Francisco food scene. Known for their innovative and modern menu and spunky decor, Hilda and Jesse has quickly become one of our favorite restaurants and one of the best brunch spots in San Francisco. Start your meal off with one of the most creative renditions of avocado toast we’ve had. The “toast” is a tempura fried sweet potato (genius!) that is topped with a creamy mixture of horseradish, sour cream, onions, and, of course, avocado. The horseradish packs a punch in the best way possible without overpowering the other ingredients. After, order the Pancakes Without Boundaries. With a light and airy texture that still has the sturdiness of a traditional pancake, they are topped with grilled strawberries + grilled strawberry syrup. Seriously next level. We can’t recommend Hilda and Jesse enough for brunch.

6. Nopalito

Since opening in 2009, Nopalito has been a San Francisco hot spot and favorite at Female Foodie, so it’s no surprise to find them on our guide to the best brunch in San Francisco. For brunch, you’re here for the chilaquiles. Made with their house-made tortilla chips, fluffy scrambled eggs, and a salsa made from guajillo and arbol chiles that adds a mild kick to the dish, these chilaquiles are legendary. With the amount of sauce and toppings on these, it’s a wonder they still keep a beautiful crunch that leaves each bite as good as the one before. Nopalito serves chilaquiles only after 11:30, so be sure to plan accordingly. Finish your meal with a concha or take it to-go – either way, you’ll want one. Check out our taco guide for other delicious eats at Nopalito. 

5. Kantine

Kantine is changing up the San Francisco brunch scene with their delicious Scandinavian cuisine. Unfortunately, this place is no secret to San Franciscans, and there will almost always be a line, but the wait is well worth it. We love ordering the brunch board option for a sampling of a variety of traditional Scandinavian dishes. Choose from a selection of breads, cheeses, meats, and more. Honorable mentions go to the beet hummus, spiced bacon, and housemade yogurt bowl, which are all so unique and delicious. The boards come with the option for five or seven items and are great for sharing. Don’t forget to grab some Scandinavian pastries before you leave. Kantine’s pastry selection is constantly changing, but regardless of what is available, you’re in for a treat. The mushroom and goat cheese danish and Swedish selma, in particular, are standouts.

CRAVING FOR SWEETS? READ: 10 Best Ice Cream in San Francisco

4. Outerlands

We love Outerlands for many reasons: their family-friendly environment, great location with proximity to the beach, and, of course, the always delicious food. It is no surprise they are on our guide for the best brunch in San Francisco. Everything at Outerlands is amazing, but we are obsessed with their dutch pancake, also known as a dutch baby. If you haven’t had a dutch pancake, Outerlands is the spot to experience it, as their toppings change based on what fruit is in season. In winter, the apple and pecan topping that’s available is unreal. From the warm cinnamon apples to the subtle crunch from the pecans and, our personal favorite, a dollop of house-made creamy ricotta, this dish was incredible. We also recommend getting a side of smashed potatoes, which is served with one of our favorite garlic aiolis. Wait times can get long at Outlerands, and they don’t take reservations, so you’ll want to plan ahead.

3. Palette Tea House

Located in a very tourist-centric area of San Francisco, Palette Tea House is anything but a tourist trap. This modern dim sum establishment is serving up some of the best brunch in San Francisco. Everything here is outstanding but a few honorable mentions are the classic shrimp ha gow, cha siu bao (bbq pork buns), and the pork XLB soup dumplings. Palette Tea House also offers a sampler of the XLB soup dumplings which includes unique flavors like kale, crab, and truffle, and is a great way to get a little taste of everything. Palette Tea House is very family-friendly and is great for both a casual or celebratory meal. They take walk-ins but it’s best to make a reservation on their website.

2. Plow

We take brunch quite seriously, and at Plow in Potrero Hill, they do too. Now, it is no secret to San Francisco that Plow is delicious, as wait times can be up to 2+ hours long. We recommend going right at the opening or having a friend to chat with during your wait. Once you’ve endured the wait, you’ll want to start your meal off with an order of fresh biscuits. Plow makes their biscuits in-house daily, and they are the best way to start off your meal. With a nice crispy shell and a fluffy core, you won’t want to share. Make sure to spread a generous portion of their honey butter on top to get the full biscuit experience. For the main dish, if you’re like us, it can be hard to decide with so many options. Luckily, Plow has an entree called “The Plow” that gives you a little bit of everything. You will leave completely satisfied with a pile of potatoes, two eggs (get them sunnyside-up to dip your potatoes in the yolk), house-made pork sausage patties that are packing some serious flavor, and the lemon ricotta pancakes. These pancakes have a very fluffy/airy texture and lemon-heavy flavor, which give a lighter component to the overall hearty meal. Plow is easily one of the best brunch spots in San Francisco and an absolute must-try. 

1. Automat

From the moment you step foot into Automat, you are met with the aromas of fresh bread and coffee. Automat has cafe-style ordering which gives you time to look at the pastry cases and watch the bread being made while waiting in line. Once it’s your turn to order, start with the cinnamon roll. Served with a heavenly vanilla glaze on top of the freshly warmed roll, you’ll want to eat the whole thing but we recommended sharing. For the main attraction: the breakfast sandwich. For starters, they use their housemade “wondermat” bread, which is fantastic on its own. It just gets better and better with a thick sausage patty, fluffy omelet eggs, and herbed pimento cheese. As a whole, this sandwich is simply amazing. Automat is the real deal, and we can’t recommend it enough as one of the best brunch spots in San Francisco.