It wasn’t until I moved to San Francisco that I truly understood the ritual that is brunch in the city. It takes many forms and often includes “Millionaires Bacon”, bottomless mimosas, and really long waits. I think how you brunch sets the pace for your day, and sometimes your entire weekend.

Below I have listed some of my favorites, and tried to add some detail about what they are known for and what you can expect on a given Saturday/Sunday. A spot designated at breakfast opens before 10:00am and anything else is a brunch.

 

Breakfast

• Sweet Maple – Lower Pac
  • absurdly long line
  • go for the Millionaires Bacon, deep fried french toast, their house potato blend, and any of the scrambles
• Surisan – Fisherman’s Wharf
  • same concept as Sweet Maple but takes reservations, also open for dinner with separate menu
  • Millionaires Bacon, deep fried french toast, KFC Benedict, brussels sprouts hash
• Mama’s – North Beach
  • another crazy line with no reservations
  • amazing chocolate covered french toast, not really worth the wait on a weekend
• Plow – Dogpatch
  • worth the wait – any day
  • everything is amazing
• Devil’s Teeth – Sunset
  • Bakery with amazing Breakfast Sandwiches
  • favorite things – Special Breakfast Sandwich,  the peanut butter chocolate cookie, the cheddar biscuit, and Sunday Beignets
• Rose’s – Marina
  • outdoor patio for when you have a dog in tow
• Outerlands – Sunset

Brunch

• Don Pistos – North Beach
• Beretta – Mission
• El Techo –
• Foreign Cinema – Mission
• Nopa – NoPa