The Best Spots for Brunch in Philadelphia

From hot debuts to bottomless brunch, here’s where to have brunch in Philadelphia right now.

Middle Child Clubhouse | Photo by Ian Shiver
Middle Child Clubhouse | Photo by Ian Shiver

Why let another weekend go by without some brunch in your life? It’s the ultimate way to infuse some easy decadence into your off-the-clock hours, whether you’re hunting for a hearty sandwich on the go or an endless multi-course affair. Depending where you land in Philly, each can be equally transportive.

Whether your brunch is looking bottomless or you need a hangover cure ASAP, the city has plenty of options. Here we’ve rounded up 15 of our favorite destinations for brunching in Philly right now.

Wilder
Photo courtesy of Bondfire Media

Wilder

Rittenhouse
$$$$

It’s no surprise that this newer Philly favorite completely delivers when it comes to brunch. Every weekend from 11 am to 3 pm, treat yourself to a long winding meal that has a bit of everything. The Wilder Plateau features a smattering of Raw Bar specialities, including crab claw and a dozen oysters, while hit-the-spot breakfast sandwiches like the Mushroom Melt Madame can satisfy most cravings. If you’re really in for something hearty, take your pick from the pizza menu—the Sweet & Spicy with honey and soppressata is not to miss—or try the Bucatini Carbonara if you’re looking forward to a post-meal nap.
How to book: Tock

Rex At The Royal
Photo by Neal Santos

Rex At The Royal

Graduate Hospital
$$$$

Rex hits the spot for a number of needs: late night bites, a bottle of wine to go, and a great espresso martini. Add brunch to the list as well, which can be as laid back or extravagant as you wish. The Rex Burger with spicy pimento cheese is a must-try if you prefer a savory breakfast, but that’s not to discount the Shrimp & Grits or spicy Crawfish Pot Pie. Rex has an in-house cafe for all your coffee-related needs, as well as spritzy seasonal cocktails, including the Spring Mimosa made with prosecco, orange, and herbed honey.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Available for Reservations

Suraya

Fishtown

Suraya offers a calming atmosphere to ease into the weekend in style. The garden-forward, indoor-outdoor Lebanese cafe and restaurant offers a $37 brunch tasting menu, starting with Hummous, Baba Ganoush, Labneh, Muhammara, and Taboulé for the table to share. From there you can choose nine dishes for the table to share, including egg, omelet, kebab, and seafood options. If that doesn’t seem like enough for you, add on the $25 Pastry Basket for a sampling of the fresh, in-house specialties like Cruller, Olive Oil Cake, Labneh Coffee Cake, and more.

Available for Reservations

Aqimero

Avenue of the Arts
$$$$

If you’re brunching at the Ritz-Carlton, you’re probably already expecting the best. Aqimero lives up to the challenge with a la carte and bottomless brunch options, whether you’re opting for Mexican Chocolate French Toast or going all-out with a four-course meal with endless bubbly for $70. The prix-fixe option starts with your choice of Bakery Basket, Cheese & Charcuterie Board, or Parfait, before moving on to assorted toasts for the table—just save room for the Churros dessert course. Aqimero also sets its brunch hours for the sleepy heads among us, kicking off at noon and running until 3 pm.

Available for Reservations

Booker’s knows how to do brunch the right way. The hangout offers brunch Monday through Sunday from 10 am to 2:15 pm, so clearly Booker’s takes the meal seriously. Raise a glass over Shrimp Cocktail and Wisconsin Cheese Curds before settling into a bigger entree. The Cheesecake French toast with graham cracker crust is a favorite for your sweet tooth, while the Fried Chicken & Waffles gives the best of both worlds. Try to save room for some Limoncello Cake for dessert.

Available for Reservations

The Breakfast Boutique

Multiple locations
$$$$

Classic breakfast foods are all the better at the Breakfast Boutique thanks to an all-day menu that gives you a little bit of everything. With locations in Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy, and River Falls, owners Desiree and Robert Pollard have Northwest Philly covered with delectable dishes like Red Velvet Pancakes, Blueberry Waffle, or the six-ounce ribeye Steak & Eggs with potatoes or grits. Even better, when you simply can’t choose what you want, spring for the Boutique Sampler, which comes with a slice of French toast and two kinds of pancakes.

The Dutch

East Passyunk
$$$$

Led by executive chef Kevin Watters and occupying the former Fond space, The Dutch is one of Philly’s finest spots for brunch fare. The menu features some classic staples from The Dutch’s former location in Pennsport, including Ana Banana Pancakes and Savory Dutch Baby. On your way out, be sure to snag a pastry for the road, which are made daily in-house.
How to bookTock

Available for Reservations

Forsythia

Old City
$$$$

Forsythia is chef Christopher Kearse’s destination for modern French fare in Old City, and the spot’s brunch menu offers something different to the neighborhood. Elevate your brunch game with items like Soufflé Pancakes, Ricotta Beignets, and a Crispy Pig Face sandwich on brioche. You can also seek comfort in more familiar favorites, like the Burger Royale with comté cheese. Like the rest of the menu at Forsythia, brunch selections are seasonal and ever-evolving, so there’s always something new to try.

Available for Reservations

Green Eggs Café

Multiple locations
$$$$

All five locations of this Philly brunch staple offer decadent offerings like Short Rib Benedict and Apple Pie French Toast, and the weekly specials are just as over the top. Choose from savory bites like Chicken Tinga Egg Rolls or get an all-encompassing skillet like the Kitchen Sink, featuring scrambled eggs, gruyere, potatoes, sausage gravy, and jumbo biscuit.

Middle Child
Middle Child Clubhouse | Photo by Ian Shiver

Middle Child

Multiple locations
$$$$

When the thing you want most for brunch is the perfect sandwich, Middle Child has your back. Stop by the original Center City location for a larger-than-life breakfast sandwich on the go, or make a morning of it at Fishtown’s Middle Child Clubhouse for a sit-down meal featuring the Classic Breakfast Sandwich with fluffy eggs on potato bread, the Biscuit and Mushroom Gravy, and Hashbrown.

Available for Reservations

Renata’s Kitchen & Bar

University City
$$$$

From Spiced Cauliflower and Fried Haloumi to Benedicts and plenty of sweets, Renata’s is a Mediterranean BYOB with plenty to choose from. The brunch menu, led by Executive Chef Yasser Aiq, shows off a massive selection boasting Shakshuka in warm Moroccan salsa alongside a Cuban Breakfast platter, plus seven omelet varieties and some scrumptious vegetarian-friendly sandwiches served with a side of Sumac Fries.

Available for Reservations

TBD. The Breakfast Den

Graduate Hospital
$$$$

A mingling of American- and Vietnamese-style breakfast plates and comfort food means you can find Breakfast Rice Bowls topped with fried eggs and Crispy Pork Belly; Banh Mi Op La with fried eggs, bacon, and sausage; and sweeter options like the Hannah Banana Cakes with zesty lemon banana chocolate chips mini pancakes. The cozy corner spot is also ideal for getting a delicious caffeine boost through a variety of lattes coffees made with La Colombe beans.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Wm. Mulherin’s Sons boasts a plentiful brunch menu to enjoy out of its historic hub in Fishtown. The Italian-influenced menu starts off with smaller plates like the Sicilian Pistachio Croissant and Arancini with truffle aioli. Other standouts include the Agnolotti pasta with braised beef cheek or the Pancetta & Egg pizza—any brunch that can put an egg on pizza gets an A+ in our book.

Available for Reservations

Via Locusta

Rittenhouse
$$$$

Treat yourself to a stylish brunch of pasta and small plates at Via Locusta. The Schulson Collective hotspot right by the park is ideal for neighborhood ambiance and people watching, but even better for handmade pasta like the buttery Ravioli or Caramelle with asparagus. If you’d prefer something beyond the pasta family, you can’t go wrong with the Pancakes, served with ricotta, and a side of Polenta.

Available for Reservations

48th Street Grille

Cedar Park
$$$$

Saturday brunch at 48th Street Grille is a perfect blend of Jamaican and Caribbean specialties alongside the usual suspects of pancakes and brunch burgers. The Jamaican French Toast comes with mascarpone cream and berries, while you can add collard greens to On the Bayou, which includes fried catfish over a cornbread waffle with gravy. Add fried plantain to the side and you have all the fixings for a no-nonsense brunch.

Marielle Mondon is a contributor for Thrillist.