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Best Brunch In San Francisco

A hybrid of breakfast and lunch. A meal made for those who partied too hard the night before and couldn't get up in time for breakfast. An excuse to drink in the morning. Whatever your reason, brunch is perfect for the weekend as a last hurrah before facing reality again on Monday morning. Here are some of SF's best brunch locations.
Brenda's
Biscuits at Brenda's Soul Food Cafe. (frenchsoulfood.com)

Just take a seat, take a sip of a café au lait, close your eyes and imagine sitting in a café in N'awlins. Brenda's can transport you, even if for one second. From the small kitchen come out generous and filling dishes including their Andouille and Cheddar Omelette or Grillades and Grits. You can't leave without a plate of hot beignets – original, chocolate, and crawfish, ah oui! The dining area is quaint and small, so get there early.

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credit: Yuri Cortez/Getty Images

Don't mind waiting in line in a "rough part" of town? Really, it isn't THAT bad - considering hundreds make pilgrimages to Dottie's True Blue Café for their grilled chili cornbread with jalapeno jam. Guy Fieri made his own visit here and vouched that this Southwestern-inspired place is legit. Enjoy stacks of pancakes or one of their creative egg dish combinations – pulled pork or avocado and corn, anyone?

EPIC
An Epic brunch. (Joanne Boston)

Steakhouse by night, gorgeous setting for brunch by day. Sip on a Bloody Mary or some freshly squeezed OJ by the window looking onto the water and the Bay Bridge. Try their New York steak and poached eggs – a dish to make your Sunday blues go away, or The Ultimate ½ Pound Roasthouse Burger – known as one of the best burgers in San Francisco.

Foreign Cinema
Foreign Cinema's 'Pop Tart.' (Joanne Boston)

If we had a nickel for every time someone said, "It didn't even feel like we were sitting in the middle of the Mission…" Walk down the long corridor from the front door and be escorted to their roofed patio. If you're lucky, a film will be projected onto one of the walls. Order Foreign Cinema's "Pop Tarts" house made organic fruit. Seafood your style? Take your pick of Hog Island, Fanny Bay or Kumamoto oysters.

lime
A mimosa from Lime. (Joanne Boston)

This is a spot if you don't mind eating and bobbing your head to the DJ-provided beats at the same time. It's all about Bottomless Mimosa Sundays where you can drink to your heart's content. Hip mood lighting and comfy leather booths in this chic joint in the City's Castro make for one fun and flirty brunch. Here for the food? Solid egg dishes and luscious biscuits with butter and jam, but you know you're here for the mimosas.

Brunch from Mama's
Eggs Benedict from Mama's. (Joanne Boston)

Hungry patrons wait over an hour to eat at this North Beach institution. When you're peeking in through the windows, you can watch Florentine Eggs Benedict being served – 2 poached eggs with spinach and mushrooms covered with Hollandaise. Once inside, take pleasure in the pan dore - slices of sour French baguette with sautéed apples in lemon butter sauce. Food this comforting is worth waiting for.

Zazie
Brunch at Zazie. (Joanne Boston)

Many flock to this French bistro in Cole Valley for dinner, but their brunch is outstanding as well. Make your way toward the back of the restaurant to the patio and find one of the best places to dine al fresco. Their cleverly names egg dishes are delicious (try a Monaco or St. Trop) as well as their baked goods, like the Housemade Cream Cheese Coffee Cake. Can't beat eating outside on a lovely day.

Joanne Boston
Joanne Boston

Joanne Boston is a food blogger from San Francisco who is always on the lookout for great food. She loves hosting twEAT-ups with fellow foodies and enjoys learning about the restaurant scene in any city she visits. Catch her on her blog www.jobostonisafoodie.blogspot.com and on Twitter @joanneisafoodie.

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