CassavaFound beyond the fog in the Outer Richmond’s up and coming shopping district, Cassava has mastered the art of a Japanese breakfast (brunch…). founders Kris Toliao and Yuka Ioroi make sure that their dishes are served with the upmost elegance that is both approachable and oh-so-chic. If you haven’t been, a great starter is their famed “Japanese Breakfast” which shows the traditions of a Nippon-style palette. // 3519 Balboa St, Outer Richmond, cassavasf.com
Dottie’s True Blue CafeServing a large helping of an Americana brunch, the staff of Dottie’s True Blue Cafe believe that love starts in the stomach and a food coma is no such thing. We devoured their blueberry cornmeal pancakes and black bean cakes with eggs served with grilled chili-cheddar corn bread and home fries, topped with sour cream & pico de gallo. OMG. // 28 6th Avenue, Laurel Heights, facebook.com/dottiestrueblue
Early To RiseChef Andrew delivers the fine comforts and respite you deserve at the end of an intense week of life in the Bay. Bagels and English muffins from scratch, home-smoked bacon and lox, potatoes browned deeply in pork fat – this is what gets us there. Join Chef Andrew every Sunday in the Dogpatch for his latest menu and a meal around a table with friends. Early to Rise is a weekly brunch pop-up, hosted in theLab café. // 801 22nd Street, Dog Patch, earlytorise.strikingly.com
Farm:tableAmerican breakfast & lunch sourced from local farms, in a rustic space with a lone communal table. Farm:table is a quite a small squeeze but the ability to get close to a friend and have a chat over their various pastries is something we wouldn’t take for granted. // 754 Post St, Nob Hill
HeartbakerHeartbaker is pastry chef Sybil Johnson’s labor of love. Her handcrafted baked goods combine professional refinement and homemade flavor. From delicious breakfast treats to exquisite cakes for any occassion, Heartbaker aims to provides reliable service and impeccable quality. Sybil’s innovative style blends traditional and familiar recipes with unexpected and creative flavors, resulting in an utterly delicious and completely unique product. // 1408 Clement St, Inner Richmond, theheartbaker.com
Just For You CafeA true SF classic, Just For You Cafe started out in 1990 as a little bitty diner on 18th Street in Potrero Hill, a sleepy neighborhood on the east edge of San Francisco. The diner had two tables and a countertop that sat a dozen folks elbow-to-elbow. The place was always packed with patient customers eager for some good home-cooking, even if it meant waiting 45 minutes for Sunday brunch at the one table they had that could seat four people. Their white, wheat and cinnamon-raisin bread is baked in-store, with no additives or preservatives. Getting all the people pressed in line for more. // 732 22nd St, Dog Patch, justforyoucafe.com
Kitchen StoryNow if you wanted to talk about a line, Kitchen Story takes the brunch cake with the most out of control line. Of course, for good reason. The prices may seem steep but the overwhelming amount of food you’re served out weighs the surprising bill. The staff encourages you to experience their passionately crafted breakfast foods that have grown up with many who love and crave their dishes. From the Eggs Benedict to the, perhaps infamously addicting, Millionaire’s Bacon® — food coma’s may happen. // 3499 16th St., Castro, kitchenstorysf.com
LaLeThe Sunset doesn’t have to worry about delicious food but add another to the list, LaLe creates acasual, contemporary cafe with tulip murals serving a mix of Mediterranean & American entrees. Most customers agree that the “Ricotta stuffed French toast was amazing with a cup of sightglass coffee on a rainy San Francisco morning.” Agreed. // 731 Irving St, Sunset, lalesf.com
Mama’s on Washington SquareIt’s all in the family at Mama’s and family always comes first. The three generations have been serving up breakfast on North Beach’s Washington Square Park since Mama and Papa Sanchez first opened their doors over 50 years ago. Today the brunch spot continue a tradition of fluffy omelettes, homemade jam and fresh baked breads and pastries. We recommend the Smoke Salmon Scramble or Dungeness Crab Omelette Pastries to order (specialty items made in house — You can smell them from outside) // 1701 Stockton St., Washington Square, mamas-sf.com
NoVY RestaurantFrom being Panos’ for a total of 20 years — flash-forward 17 years, the Gianaras family have reclaimed the space, with daughters Kristen and Kathryn running the show. NOVY offers a casual and affordable menu of California cuisine that is fresh, local and organic whenever possible. The Benedict menu runs down to the floor offering multiple options when it comes to stuffing, trimmings, and dietary restrictions. // 4000 24th St, Noe Valley, novysf.com
OuterlandsIf you’re a fan of interiors then you’ll find this brunch spot near the ocean to be absolute goals. Outerlands is dedicated to supporting the environment by utilizing sustainable local resources at every opportunity. Their commitment to sustainability is reflected in the relationships with local organic farms, ranches, and specialty foods purveyors. Here are some of the farms and suppliers they are proud to be working with: Andante, All Star, Brokaw, County Line Harvest, Devoto, De Santis, Dirty Girl, Four Barrel, Full Belly. // 4001 Judah St, Outer Sunset, outerlandssf.com
Park ChowEstablished in 1997, Chow is proud to offer fresh & healthy, high-quality comfort food at affordable prices with our signature warm, friendly service. They are our neighbors, sporting multiple locations in the Sunset, Oakland, Danville, and many more spots. Their goal is to provide a civil food system that is good, clean, organic, and fair. Veggie Scramble or California Poached Eggs are always on our list of things to eat. // 1240 9th Ave, Inner Sunset, chowfoodbar.com
Red Door CafePossibly the strangest cafe on our list — Red Door Cafe doesn’t disappoint when it comes to entertaining their guests. Picture: European-inspired dishes available in a cozy setting with a retro vibe. The antiques, cool serving methods, and vulgarity in the best way possible is the perfect spot to bring out of townees! Warning: 18+ is recommended. // 1608 Bush St, Nob Hill
StrawStraw is your Hayes Valley neighborhood spot serving carnival-inspired comfort food. There are accents from your favorite carnival throughout our decor and menu. Oh yeah, and a Tilt-A-Whirl booth. Picture yourself strolling the midway with food in one hand and a (spiked) drink in the other. Put ’em down for a second and win your special someone a prize. Straw wants you to feel like the host of your own party every time you come in, and to leave carefree and wide-eyed. If you’ve been in, then you already know. // 203 Octavia Blvd, Hayes Valley, strawsf.com
The Blue FigThe home of fluffy waffles and an outdoor patio — Blue Fig crafts waffles made from organic blue corn and served with fig reduction, fresh fruit, and whipped cream. The fig reduction is the star of the show here. It’s big, it’s sweet, it’s rich — this is the perfect waffle to split with a friend. // 990 Valencia St, Mission
Universal CafeFirst opening its doors in spring of 1994, Universal Cafe has survived the test of time and become a Mission District, San Francisco institution. Lead by executive chef Leslie Carr-Avalos, Universal showcases a menu firmly rooted in classic American cooking influenced by the eclectic bounty of Northern California. With her roots in traditional farmhouse cooking, Leslie is still taken by combinations that are classic but now reinvented with a modern, clean, California twist. // 2814 19th St, Mission, universalcafe.net
Velo Rouge CafeKnown for being a bike spot, Velo Rouge Cafe has been serving Inner Richmond locals hearty to-go brunches. This cozy coffee spot serves breakfast & lunch fare while rarely changing the menu. We suggest the Arguello breakfast: two eggs any style served with two slices of 9-grain or sourdough toast and grilled country potatoes. // 798 Arguello Blvd, Inner Richmond
ZazieZazie was opened in Cole Valley in 1992 by Catherine Opoix, who named her neighborhood bistro after the main character in Louis Malle’s film Zazie dans le Métro. Voted among the SF press as the best brunch in the Bay Area — Zazie is always so humble. Celebrating 25 years as Cole Valley’s neighborhood bistro, Zazie is proud to be home to a fantastic staff and a family of regular guests. // 941 Cole St, Cole Valley, zaziesf.com
// Feature photo by Rachel Park. Did we miss a brunch spot you loved? Write in and clue us in.
