The Best Brunch Restaurants in San Francisco

The name "Sessions" might inspire visions of beery revelry, and that's good, because this is a very beer-focused restaurant indeed. The Letterman Drive eatery is part of the ever-growing craft beer revolution, but also prides itself on craft cocktails and craft cuisine, including a diverse and intriguing brunch menu. Cardamom-spiced beignets rub shoulders with purgatory eggs, with a host of small and large plates in between. Their Kennebeck fries are the stuff of dreams -- crispy outside and melt-in-the-mouth soft within.

What's the best way to prepare for a full-on exploration of one of San Francisco's most culturally exciting neighborhoods? With an excellent brunch, of course. SoMa's Marlowe classes itself as a neighborhood bistro, offering up a meat-centric menu sure to set any carnivore's mouth watering. They even do a cocktail called "The Butcher." Guests don't need to worry though -- that one is meat-free! The brunch menu includes indulgent treats like half a dozen fresh oysters, or comfort food such as candied bacon and fried chicken sandwiches. Add in the excellent Marlowe hospitality, and you've got some of the best brunch San Francisco has to offer.

Alamo Square is home to Nopa, a favorite late-night hot spot that also offers a brunch menu for those perhaps needing to recover from a late night! The philosophy at Nopa is using seasonal ingredients to make simple food, and that's reflected in the varied yet accessible menu. Brunch seekers can indulge in some Huckleberry scones, topped with ginger sugar and lemon curd. Or for something more substantial, fried farm eggs with fennel sausage might be the way to go. Widely regarded as some of the best brunch in San Francisco.

This airy restaurant in Market Street's Civic Center has a bit of a reputation as the place for the best brunch in San Francisco. Their seasonal weekend menu changes from time to time, but staples include wood-fired pizza with unique touches such as Wagon Wheel cheese and grilled orange. Their classic American fare such as warm biscuits with jam and salty butter contrast with unusual additions including Manila clams and chicory salad. Enjoy some creative fare amongst beautiful, contemporary surroundings.

Smart, classy, and comfortable, Foreign Cinema in the Mission District is something of a San Francisco brunch institution. Consistently rated as one of the top 100 restaurants in San Francisco, this restaurant even has its own special day in honor of its contribution to the local community. Enjoy the unique atmosphere with some upmarket brunch classics like East or West Coast oysters, farm eggs done six different ways, or sandwiches ranging from Croque Madame to Tandoori Prawn.

Chef Mark Sullivan's swanky spot in Presidio Heights is a beautiful and welcoming place to gather with friends or family. Famous as a venue for special occasions and celebrations, Spruce also offers a weekend brunch menu showcasing the best of Californian cuisine. Traditional thick-cut bacon and omelets are available for brunch purists, while more intriguing dishes like veal and pistachio boudin tempt the adventurous. Need a pick-me-up? The Corpse Reviver cocktail can find anyone's get-up-and-go, no matter where it's got up and gone to.

Halfway between Union Square and Yerba Buena Gardens stands this modern and extremely popular brasserie. Quirky décor starts conversations and the excellent cuisine keeps it flowing. The brunch menu is available Saturday and Sunday, and is a great mix of favorites and surprises. A Croque Madame combines house-smoked ham with chives and Mornay sauce, while a savory Shakshuka has the added protein kick of garbanzo beans. Urban yet welcoming, booking is essential at Bluestem.

A huge and welcoming restaurant offering the best dim sum brunch outside of Chinatown. Service is fast and efficient, and there's always plenty of choice. The carts that roll around the restaurant carrying plates of various dumplings are constantly refilled, so everything is hot and fresh. Try the Xiao Long Pao for a flavor explosion, or savor one of the house Shanghai dumplings. Guest can choose to wash their dim sum down with traditional tea, or a more American brunch mimosa. Top tip: half portions are available on request.

The Infatuation calls Wayfare "Comfort food done right," so diners know they're heading for some of the best brunch in San Francisco. Located in the heart of the financial district, Wayfare is the signature restaurant of celebrity chef Tyler Florence. His goal is classic American fare, and that includes organic fried chicken with roast garlic and lemon, baked mac and cheese, and the Tavern Burger -- with smoked bacon and red onion marmalade. Brunch favorites include the deviled eggs and donut plate. Very accommodating for vegetarians and vegans.

If relaxing in Washington Square Park after some hearty brunch sounds ideal, it's time to book a table at North Beach's Park Tavern. A concept by the team behind the legendary Marlowe, Park Tavern is the spot to get a perfect Bloody Mary, eggs, and avocado toasts, in classy surroundings. Keep it fresh with the house salad with "green goddess" dressing, or go all out with smoked corned beef hash and chili hollandaise. Book to avoid disappointment.

Bustling and exciting, this Mission eatery serves some of the best brunch in San Francisco with some of the best coffee to wash it down with. Flat breads, avocado, and coddled eggs grace the weekend brunch menu, while breakfast choices include a range of pastries freshly made every day. Favorites include the almond croissant, the lemon cake, and the brownies. Brunch here is very much in demand so be sure to book!

Comstock Saloon in North Beach has taken some brunch classics and made them just a bit more dramatic and indulgent. Slide into a comfortable booth opposite a shiny, wooden bar and take some time to peruse the exciting menu. Like eggs? "Eggs on Eggs with Crunchy Things" is a genuine menu choice, and much loved by regulars. Char Sui Pork Egg Benedict combines the charm of a dim sum brunch with the traditional egg dish and created something new, vibrant, and tasty. Ask for the Szechuan pepper gravy.

Parallel 37 is the upscale restaurant inside of SF's Ritz Hotel. Unlike other high-class establishments, this spot in Chinatown is extremely flexible. If anyone in your party has special dietary needs, including allergies, sensitivities, or simple preferences, this is one place you can go and still get a luxury experience. In addition to breakfast classics like avocado toast or scrambled eggs, they also have healthy juices and upscale choices like a black truffle omelet. This place is pricey, but they are worth every cent.

Our perspective is coming soon. In the meantime, please enjoy the restaurant’s description: One of San Francisco’s most romantic restaurants, the Magic Flute, has a new and exciting menu reflecting California-Italian Cuisine. Located in fashionable Presidio Heights, the restaurant with sponge-painted walls and hardwood floors is reminiscent of a family-run trattoria found in a small Tuscan village. Sunlight streams in through large picture windows in the front dining room, and after dark, Florentine wrought-iron chandeliers, imported from Europe, infuse the room with soft light. The equally beautiful rear dining room looks onto a lovely, flower-filled patio with white Italian marble tables and large Italian market umbrellas that make the heated patio the ideal spot for al fresco dining. Phil LaCavera sees to it that service is personal and attentive. The staff also takes great pride in making each party and wedding a memorable occasion. You won’t find a more enchanting ambiance for your special celebration.

Our perspective is coming soon. In the meantime, please enjoy the restaurant’s description: Australian Brewpub located in the the Mission Bay Neighborhood at the base of One Mission Bay. Conveniently located across McCovey Cove near Oracle Park!

Zazie is one of the most famous brunch spots in the Cole Valley area of San Francisco. The French-inspired bistro offers a friendly welcome to tourists and locals alike, and the good news is that Zazie serves brunch all week. So, there's no need to wait for the weekend to enjoy their "miracle pancakes" -- check out the specials board for the flavor of the day. Zazie offers no less than seven types of eggs Benedict and a further eight styles of scrambled egg, plus a range of French brunch classics such as a melting Croque Monsieur with baked Black Forest ham.

Not too far from the Golden Gate Bridge in Presidio Heights is a Mexican restaurant with a real cultural and historical heritage. It's located in the old Presidio Officers' Club building, and named after the first Mexican governor of Alta California. Award-winning Chef Traci des Jardins serves up an exciting menu including Saturday and Sunday brunch. This weekend fare includes Huevos a la Mexican with black beans and Oaxaca cheese, or hearty chicken enchiladas. Be sure to book as this popular Presidio restaurant soon fills up!

Close to City Hall and convenient for the Symphony, Opera, Jazz Center, and Orpheum, Corridor Café and Restaurant is popular for big dinners, business lunches and, of course, brunch. There's an unusual three-course brunch pre-fixe, which includes sweet or savory breads for the table. Breakfast tostadas combine avocado with eggs and beans, while fried chicken and country gravy brings a touch of the rustic. Brunch aficionados need to get their mouths around the "Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich" -- a symphony in ham, cheese, egg, and chili.

Love tapas? Love brunch? Combine the two with a trip to Barvale just by Alamo Square Park. The vibrant tapas menu lends some of its color and flavor to the brunch menu with results such as classic and perfectly executed pan con tomate, spicy Huevos Diablos with serrano ham, and fried Patatas Bravas. For those that like their brunch a little less savory, there's French toast with date syrup, cream, and bananas. Top up with a brunch mimosa, or for something stronger, try one of the signature gin and tonics Barvale is famous for. Brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and booking is essential.