Best Brunch In Philadelphia: The Definitive Guide
Philadelphia’s food scene has so much more to offer than Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches. There are world-class restaurants ranging from upscale bistros to hole-in-the-wall joints that locals, and the most knowledgeable foodies, swear by. Philadelphia also has a few neighborhoods where scrappy up-and-comers are pushing the needle on Philadelphia food. Because of the variety and quality of restaurants throughout the city, brunch in Philadelphia is a worthwhile activity when you visit. There is an amazing variety of cuisines represented among Philadelphia’s best brunches, with options ranging from hangover-helping breakfast burritos to breakfast with an Indian twist.
Naturally, Philly has its fair share of chicken and waffles, bottomless mimosas, and avocado toast. However you want to approach your brunch in Philadelphia, you can’t go wrong. Here are a few of the best weekend brunch places in town.
La Llorona Cantina
South Philadelphia | Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
With its extensive menu and #bruncheando Instagram campaign, it’s not surprising that La Llorona Cantina is one of the best places for brunch in Philadelphia. The menu has Mexican-insired classics like huevos rancheros, micheladas, and complimentary pastries. Of course, bottomless mimosas, and Bloody Marias are on offer, with a flat purchase for two hours at a time. Feeling like you need something healthy? La Llorona's avocado toast is made with corn sope, and habanero escabeche for a punchy, slightly spicy dish. Their French toast is made with rompope, which is Mexican eggnog, and topped with strawberries and whipped cream. The breakfast chimichangas with chorizo and salsa verde will obliterate any and every hangover.
Just about everything on the menu has a Mexican twist of some sort, whether it be poblano peppers or Chihuahua cheese, and everything on the menu is absolutely delicious. With an energetic brunch crowd and sidewalk seating, La Llorona is the perfect place to start off a beautiful afternoon.
K'Far
Rittenhouse | Wednesday to Sunday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
This Middle Eastern restaurant near Rittenhouse Square is widely regarded as one of Philly’s best brunch places and for good reason. The main brunch options to get here are kubaneh toasts (a thick, buttery Middle Eastern bread) topped with ricotta. There are also amazing egg sandwiches on Jerusalem bagels. They also serve amazing Israeli-style pastries with both sweet and savory options. All in all, these are lighter options, which is a good alternative to some of the more indulgent brunch menus out there.
There’s a charming patio that is spacious and comfortable, and the Middle Eastern twist on brunch is perfect for impressing foodie visitors and first dates. K’Far does not take reservations, and its popularity generally means that a 30-minute wait isn’t a rare occurrence on weekends. They do have counter service, so savvy travelers in small groups can find a space to post up and enjoy the inventive menu and a mimosa.
Alma Del Mar
Italian Market | Open Every Day 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Another one of Philadelphia’s outstanding Mexican food scenes, this fashionable brunch spot is serving some of the best food in the Italian Market neighborhood. The huevos rancheros and tofu scramble are some of the best veggie-friendly options. The tres leches pain perdu is an indulgent dessert-like dish for anyone with a sweet tooth! The seafood-heavy menu of Benedicts contains some of the most popular brunch dishes. Scallops and poached eggs? They go way better together than you might think.
Alma Del Mar’s dining room was designed by the Queer Eye Cast, so the vibrant floral accents, neon signs, and trendy wallpaper are certainly worth the Instagram posts. Their patio is shaded and spacious, so it’s a great spot to post up for an afternoon, and with being BYOB, it can be a reasonably-priced brunch.
Walnut Street Café
University City/Cira Green | Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
If you travel through European cities like Budapest and Prague, you’ll find Shakshouka (shakshuka) on most menus. This dish is comprised of eggs poached in tomato sauce with peppers, onion, garlic, and loads of paprika. It’s like Eggs in Hades, with incredibly vibrant flavors and spices. There is a full menu of boozy cocktails like Irish Coffee and an Orange Sweet Cream Espressotini. Located in University City, this is a great place to visit if you’re visiting The University of Pennsylvania, or are just looking for one of the best Shakshoukas in the country.
Barbuzzo Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar
Center City | Open Friday to Sunday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
This restaurant specializes in bar food with a Mediterranean twist. While there are familiar brunch options like French toast covered in rich vanilla custard, there are a variety of offbeat dishes like pear and date oatmeal, Spanish steak and eggs, and a spicy roast pork and egg breakfast sandwich. There are pizza options, which highlight Barbuzzo’s focus on fresh ingredients. Their Margherita pizza will hold up to any pizza snob’s standards and there are also breakfast pizzas. The ever-popular Shakshuka dish makes an appearance on this menu, and it’s easily one of the best brunch dishes in Philadelphia. Barbuzzo is also located near Center City’s theater district, so brunching here is the perfect pre-game before a matinee show.
Café La Maude
Northern Liberties | Open Friday to Sunday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Is there any meal more reliable than brunch at a French restaurant? This Northern Liberties bistro churns out some of the best brunch dishes in the city. While there are traditional French pastries and dishes on the menu, the Lebanese and Mediterranean items are some of Café La Maude’s best. Moroccan chicken, Baklawa pancakes, and a green shakshuka are some of the most popular, but there is a rotating menu of specials that really demonstrate why this bistro is an essential brunch in Philadelphia.
It’s BYOB, so buying some ingredients for mimosas is highly recommended. There are no reservations at Café La Maude, so you may find yourself waiting outside for a few minutes, luckily there’s a bespoke plant shop next door that offers charming window shopping while you wait.
The Breakfast Den
Southwest Center City | Open Friday to Sunday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Located at 15th Street near the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, the Breakfast Den serves one of Philadelphia’s most interesting brunch menus. There is a strong Vietnamese influence throughout the menu and this twist results in some truly amazing dishes. Vietnamese pulled pork hash, and breakfast banh mi sandwiches are the highlights. There are dependable breakfast bowls with crispy tofu or ginger-seasoned meat. The brioche French toast sticks are drizzled with condensed milk to make for a sweet-tooth satisfying brunch. Their Maggis Breakfast Burger is one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Philadelphia, period. If you are a fan of Vietnamese food or brunch in general, this is a can’t miss destination.
Winkel
Washington Square West | Thursday to Sunday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
This scratch kitchen uses a Northern European twist to churn out some of the more interesting hearty brunch dishes in Philadelphia. Their Belgian waffles are topped with seasonal fruit for a sweetness that’s juxtaposed with the gravy-drenched fried chicken it's served with. Their matso brei comes with smoked salmon, sour cream, homemade pickles, and scrambled eggs. Their Benedict is comprised of Maryland crabcake and Old Bay hollandaise so anyone traveling from the Chesapeake region will love this. Their hearty breakfast sandwich is a reliable option, with smoked gouda and an incredible aioli providing the rich flavor. With a hearty menu and cozy atmosphere, Winkel is one of the best brunch restaurants during the winter months.
Milkcrate Cafe
Fishtown | Everyday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
This cafe and restaurant is located in Fishtown, one of Philadelphia’s coolest neighborhoods to explore. This is brunch in heaven for any music nerd because Milkcrate Cafe also functions as a record shop. With vinyl records lining the walls, and a trendy atmosphere, don’t be surprised to find hipsters lining up to eat at Milkcrate. The geekiness doesn’t end with the vinyl records, all of their menu items are named after bands and artists. The Notorious E.G.G. is your standard breakfast sandwich on a Philly muffin. The Biggie Bavon Egg and Cheese is another sandwich served on a hoagie roll and covered in caramelized onions. Their Flying Breakfast Burrito Brothers might be the tastiest thing on the menu, and when paired with their coffee from La Colombe, will treat even the most vicious hangovers. At Milkcrate Cafe, come for the records, and stay for brunch!
Cafe Lift
Center City | Everyday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Cafe Lift serves brunch all day, every day. This cafe and restaurant in the Callowhill area of Center City is widely regarded as one of the best brunch spots in Philadelphia. The Polish Benedict with kielbasa and a rich hollandaise is perfect for those cold Philly afternoons, and their Italian crepes with bananas and Nutella are an ideal way to satisfy a sweet tooth. They have a small but outstanding menu of vegan options, which usually rotate specials like a vegan breakfast sandwich or grain bowls. Cafe Lift is BYOB, so definitely grab your ingredients for bloody marys or mimosas on your way down 13th Street.
Veda - Modern Indian Bistro
Rittenhouse | Saturday to Sunday 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
This Rittenhouse Square eatery is famous for its bottomless, and we mean bottomless weekend brunch. With a $20 all-you-can-drink offer, this restaurant is the perfect place for big groups and birthdays. But the food here really shines. Masala egg roast with Kathi rolls headline a brunch menu with an Indian twist. There are some fusion dishes like masala omelets and Amritsari tacos. So grab a reservation for your crew and get your bottomless brunch on before sampling some of the best shopping in Philadelphia or exploring the neighborhood.
Nom Wah Philadelphia
Center City | Thursday to Sunday 11:30 AM - 8:00 PM
While the original locations are in New York, Philadelphia has really taken to dim sum institution Nom Wah. Most people won’t associate brunch with potstickers and steamed soup dumplings, but dim sum really is the original brunch. Everything is meant to be shared, and the lazy susan setup of the round dining tables is perfect for social situations. So trade your mimosa for a cold Tsingtao or one of their amazing small-batch teas, and get ready to dumpling!
Green Eggs Café
Fishtown | Everyday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Another hipster-friendly brunch spot in Fishtown, Green Eggs Café serves its audience well with an environmentally conscious approach to healthy-ish brunch. Their incredible challah French toast menu offers options that are perfect to split with the group as a dessert. Creme Brulee, Snickers, and Cookie Dough Stuffed French Toast will confound even the most decisive sweet tooth. They also have amazing eggs benedict creations. Their Chicken Tinga Benedict and Chicken and Waffles Benedict are tasty combinations of classic brunch dishes.
Like any hipster-leaning restaurant, the brunch cocktails are inventive with recipes that will have you Googling multiple ingredients. But even the hipster versions of a Bloody Mary and Mimosa options are excellent. Green Eggs Café is cash only, so come prepared if you want that challah French toast!
Dutch Eating Place
Center City | Thursday to Sunday Brunch Served 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
This Amish restaurant in Center City’s Reading Terminal Market celebrates all things Pennsylvania. When the air gets a little crisper (or downright frigid) there’s nothing better than a serving of warm apple dumplings or one of their unbelieved bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwiches. There are also hotcakes stacked high and covered in fresh fruit, and their apple cinnamon stuffed French toast is famous. This no-reservation spot isn’t always easy to navigate, but the wait for this weekend brunch is well worth it!
Booker's Restaurant & Bar
West Philadelphia | Thursday to Sunday Brunch Served 10:00 AM - 2:15 PM
Booker’s Restaurant celebrates weekend brunch using the Southern and Mid-Atlantic culinary traditions. Breakfast grits are a thing, and Booker’s has perfected the dish. The Fried Chicken & Waffles are served with shrimp and strawberry butter. Their breakfast burritos are served with avocado crema and home fries. The huevos rancheros? Served with charred jalapeno that will really bring the heat. Booker’s specializes in comfort food, and its outstanding menu has turned it into one of the best brunch spots in Philadelphia.
Brunch is one of the most fun ways to spice up a trip. It can function as the perfect pre-game for visiting one of Philly’s best museums, exploring its amazing and distinctive neighborhoods, or even be a “life saving” measure to bounce back from last night’s exploits. However you want to approach this fun and social meal, brunch in Philadelphia surely won’t disappoint. Let a Bounce luggage storage in Philadelphia take care of your bags while you indulge in eggs benedict, bottomless mimosas, and brioche french toast.