Much like airports—where you might see people napping in their seats or having a beer at 8 AM—brunches in SF are lawless occasions where time stands (delightfully) still. Showing up in sweats to guzzle coffee and breakfast burgers? Welcome. Taking your grandparents out for a charming meal? Brunch it is. Ordering bottomless drinks at 10 AM? More power to you.

But given our favorite 7x7’s wide range and stellar reputation for food, narrowing in on one place for your mid-morning meal can be more than daunting. To get you to your eggs benedict with the speed and delicious results you deserve, here are our favorite eateries in SF for brunch.

14 Essential Places for Brunch in SF

Brenda’s French Soul Food

This spot in the Tenderloin gives Big Easy vibes upon entry. Brenda’s French Soul Food serves delicious, hearty Louisiana/Creole meals with fresh twists. You'll find traditional po’boys, eggs benedict, biscuits and gravy, and full beignet flights with fillings like chocolate, Granny Smith apple, and crawfish.

Where: 652 Polk St, San Francisco, CA
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District

The only thing better than the District’s exposed brick walls, plush couches, and quirky artwork? The fact it serves a bottomless brunch of classic American staples, like freshly made pancakes and mimosas. It even has a few surprises, like a delicious fried sweet plantain dish and a make-your-own Bloody Mary bar.

Where: District at 216 Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA
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Tartine Manufactory

Simply put, Tartine serves some of the best bread in the country—the kind of croissants, pastries, and loaves you end up daydreaming about. Swinging by for brunch at this spot in the Sunset District is never a bad idea. Try something savory like the Brisket Hash or Smoked Salmon Tartine, and grab one of their renowned breakfast pastries to go.

Pro-Tip: Get there early to score a coveted morning bun before they run out for the day.

Where: 595 Alabama St, San Francisco, CA
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Zazie

It’s hard to say what the best part of Zazie is: the seasonally updated French plates or the garden patio you can enjoy them in. Hailed by many as the best brunch in SF (you'll probably have to wait for a table), this bistro offers a substantial and delicious array of options, including a plats du jour sample menu that changes daily. You can never go wrong with the classics, though—this spot is known for its exceptional French toast and pancakes.

Where: Zazie at 941 Cole St, San Francisco, CA
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Palette Tea House

This upscale Dim Sum spot serves a full Cantonese tea brunch consisting of steamed buns, dumplings, rice noodles, and other traditional treats. Not only is Palette’s food satisfyingly delicious, but it's also incredibly photogenic, thanks to the artful designs of menu items like the Swan Taro Puffs and colorfully wrapped Xia Long Bao.

Where: 900 North Point St b201 (inside the Ghirardelli building), San Francisco, CA
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Sweet Maple

With decadent deep-fried French toast resembling funnel cake, thick slabs of slow-cooked, sugar-glazed “millionaire’s” bacon, and whiskey-infused maple syrup, Sweet Maple flawlessly blends indulgence with substantial portions and unique flavors.

Check the scrambles: the Bulgogi includes marinated rib-eye, and another is topped with curry chicken. We also love the elevated morning cocktail list, sporting an excellent Espresso Martini and “Beermosa."

Where: 2101 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA
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Chubby Noodle

Chubby Noodle offers a clubby atmosphere with the likes of Drake and E-40 thumping in the background while you eat your way through a noodle-focused bottomless Dim Sum brunch. This place gets hyped to the point that its playful menu specifically states not to “chug” or “double-fist” drinks. So come ready to go hard...just not too hard.

Where: 570 Green Street, San Francisco, CA
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Causwells

Two words: breakfast burgers. These are the must-tries of the menu, but this vibey spot in the Marina has everything you need: eggs, mimosas and cocktails, and popular small plates, like the Brioche French Toast Bites with maple syrup and powdered sugar. We recommend coming early to try and score an outdoor table on a sunny day.

Where: 2346 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA
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The Dorian

Aside from the fact that The Dorian is one of the prettiest restaurants in SF, it also puts on a world-class seafood-infused brunch. The vibe is bougie and boozy, and it generally hosts a younger crowd, so think chilled oysters and caviar, nitro cold brews, and bruschetta benedict. But you'll also find hearty menu items like the Dorian Smashburger and Tiramisu French Toast to balance things out.

Where: 2001 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA
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Outerlands

Outerlands may be a trek for someone living in the heart of the city, but this Sunset joint is worth it. The handcrafted, soothing space may present the expectation of a straightforward brunch menu, but this spot is anything but. The Dutch Pancake is a work of art on a plate, and you'll be hard-pressed to find anything like the Smoked Trout Toast on Sourdough.

Where: 4001 Judah St, San Francisco, CA
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The Lapisara Eatery

The Lapisara is an American-Thai fusion restaurant serving breakfast and brunch by day and dinner by night. The chic space is sophisticated enough to take your parents for a nice meal (without breaking the bank), and the Dungeness Crab Benedict is unforgettable.

Where: 698 Post St. Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA
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MyMy Coffee Shop

MyMy Coffee Shop is a locally loved Nob Hill gem serving some of the best upscale diner food around. Think soufflé and lemon ricotta pancakes, corned beef hash, and crab and shrimp cake benedict. Plus, as the name suggests, great lattes and coffee. Grab a table inside the colorful cafe or on the sun-drenched and dog-friendly patio.

Where: 1500 California St, San Francisco, CA
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The Grove

The Grove welcomes patrons in with squashy sofas, mismatched chairs, and walls filled with eclectic Western decor. You order your food upfront from a menu filled mostly with healthy, simple stuff like the Malibu Breakfast Bowl and Avocado and Egg Toast.

The challenge is then not to impulse buy one of the tantalizing breakfast cakes in the display glass at the counter. Just kidding, you should definitely spring for the Homemade Banana Brown Sugar Crumble Bread.

Where: 2016 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA
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El Techo

El Techo is one of the most popular rooftop restaurants in the city for good reason. The spot gets wind protection just right with glass walls, heat lamps, and even a retractable cover when the weather is unexpectedly too much. And the brunch is just as excellent as the design; it was named one of the 100 best brunch restaurants in America by OpenTable. Come feast on bunuelos, huevos rancheros, and pitchers of margaritas to see for yourself.

Where: El Techo at 2516 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
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