Sometimes, you just want a nice, satisfying breakfast. This often abbreviated meal can truly set the tone for your day, so we put together a list of the best breakfasts in San Francisco. Whether you’re in the mood for classic brunch pancakes and eggs or yearn for a perfectly plated benedict, these spots have you covered.
1. St. Francis Fountain
The moment that you set foot in “SF’s oldest diner,” you’re transported back to the days of the neighborhood soda fountain and corner candy shop. Don’t let the sweets fool you; this old-timey restaurant serves up deeply satisfying breakfast classics, including buttermilk pancake and egg combos, corned beef hash, and perfectly spiced huevos rancheros, among others.
đź“Ť Location: 2801 24th Street, San Francisco, CA (Mission District)
2. Eddie’s Cafe
Eddie’s is a rare breed in SF, a working-class restaurant that serves generous portions of delicious food at an affordable price. You’ll find plenty of breakfast classics like omelets, pancakes, grits, and hamburgers. Coffee is served in an assortment of mismatched mugs that line the back wall. Eddie’s isn’t fancy, but it’s deeply satisfying and unlike anywhere else in SF.
đź“Ť Location: 800 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA (NoPa/Alamo Square)
3. Devil’s Teeth Baking Co.
Devil’s Teeth Baking Co has earned a reputation as one of the best breakfast sandwiches in San Francisco, and this writer heartily agrees. Bacon, egg, and cheese are nestled between their house-made biscuits and wrapped in aluminum foil for easy transportation to the beach. They also serve a variety of pastries, bread, and other house-made treats, including some of SF’s favorite breakfast burritos. Expect a line, but know that it’s worth the wait.
đź“Ť Locations:
- 3876 Noriega Street, San Francisco, CA (Outer Sunset)
- 3619 Balboa Street, San Francisco, CA (Outer Richmond)
4. Equator Round House Cafe
This round Art Deco building overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge offers one of the best breakfasts in San Francisco with a view. At Round House Cafe you can sip on high-end coffee from one of the city’s best coffee purveyors, order an everything bagel or overnight oats, and enjoy one of the most famous views in the world.
đź“Ť Location: Golden Gate Bridge Plaza, San Francisco, CA
5. Kate’s Kitchen
This cozy restaurant is absolutely heaven for any breakfast lover in your life. With unique menu items like New England Flannel Hash, French Toast Orgy, and the Flanched Farney Garney (a flipped egg and cheese sandwich), it’s unlike any other SF breakfast menu.
đź“Ť Location: 471 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA (Lower Haight)
6. Brenda’s French Soul Food
For a taste of New Orleans in SF, it’s tough to beat Brenda’s. Both the original location downtown and Brenda’s Meat and Three are well worth a visit. Pillowy beignets, plus gourmet takes on Southern classics like biscuits and gravy and shrimp and grits, are served with a side of classic Southern hospitality.
đź“Ť Locations:
- 652 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA (Tenderloin)
- 919 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA (NoPa/Alamo Square)
7. Mama’s on Washington Square
Ask a few San Franciscans about brunch in North Beach, and 9 out of 10 will immediately mention Mama’s. For over 60 years, they’ve been known for both their long lines and deeply satisfying food. You can get hearty breakfast classics like omelets, benedicts, and their famously flavorful French toast.
đź“Ť Location: 1701 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA (North Beach)
8. Plow
Known for its fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes and no-reservation policy, Plow is definitely worth waiting in line for. The casual dining room and adjacent parklet offer are warm and rustic and make you feel like you’re having breakfast at a friend’s house –a friend who happens to be an expert chef. The farm-to-table menu includes mouthwatering favorites like custard French toast, soft scrambled eggs with stinging nettles, and shiitake mushrooms, and prosciutto & gruyere toast, to name a few.
đź“Ť Location: 1299 18th Street, San Francisco, CA (Potrero Hill)
9. Sweet Maple
Priding itself on being “a laid-back and unpretentious neighborhood restaurant, coffeehouse and meeting place,” Sweet Maple is a must-visit spot for some of the best breakfast in San Francisco. The entire menu is a delight, but they’re most famous for their “Millionaire’s Bacon,” extra-thick, sweet, and spicy bacon that is slow-cooked for hours with brown sugar and spicy peppers. It’s truly a bacon connoisseur’s dream come true.
đź“Ť Location: 2101 Sutter Street (Lower Pacific Heights)
10. Chloe’s Cafe
This neighborhood staple has been serving Noe Valley residents for over 35 years. Snag their cinnamon croissant French toast or oatmeal griddle cakes, which are both served with real Vermont maple syrup. Chloe’s also offers a variety of scrambled egg combos and salads if you’re trying to avoid gluten.
đź“Ť Location: 1399 Church Street, San Francisco, CA
11. Home Plate
Home Plate has been cooking up tasty plates of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and other classics for the Marina community since 1989. The interior has big mid-Atlantic beach house vibes, with big cozy chairs, a fireplace, and a rustic chandelier. House specials like their chicken fried steak & waffles, corned beef hash, and crab cakes definitely set them apart from most other breakfast spots in SF.
đź“Ť Location: 2150 Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA (Marina District)
12. Zazie
Zazie has been serving delicious French food since 1992, when it first opened in Cole Valley. The neighborhood restaurant draws people from all over, especially for its famed weekend breakfast in San Francisco. The large menu has everything from scrambled dishes to sophisticated salads and classic pancakes. In truly European style, the restaurant is tip-free, with prices reflecting a 20% profit share and extensive benefits for all employees. Brunch is walk-in only, so be sure to arrive early to secure a table. Luckily, you can check out the scenic neighborhood if you have to wait.
đź“Ť Location: 941 Cole Street, San Francisco, CA (Cole Valley)
13. Rose’s CafĂ©
Rose’s Cafe delivers a slice of Italian breakfast to San Francisco. The charming cafĂ© serves an assortment of baked goods, breakfast pizzas, and a mouth-watering French toast. Ingredients are freshly sourced from local farms, and in-house bakers prepare baked goods from scratch daily. The restaurant only takes reservations for their dinner service, but it is well worth the wait for a great Italian breakfast.
đź“Ť Location: 2298 Union St, San Francisco, CA (Cow Hollow)
14. Mercury Cafe
The homey environment at Mercury Cafe is a delightful place to enjoy freshly baked scones and pies, often still warm from the oven. They open nice and early at 7:30am for those who want to treat themselves to a nice breakfast before work.
đź“Ť Location: 201 Octavia St, San Francisco, CA (Hayes Valley)
15. Loquat
SF’s world-class bakery scene gained a valuable player with Loquat, which highlights delicious foods and flavors from the Jewish diaspora. Try the poppyseed walnut babka, eggplant feta bourekas, and savory breakfast platters.
đź“Ť Location: 198 Gough St, San Francisco, CA (Hayes Valley)
From Zazie’s to Loquat, anyone seeking the best breakfast in San Francisco will find a great restaurant to satisfy their cravings. Where will you visit first?
Written by Grant MacHamer and Jamie Ferrell