Philadelphia, PA - Center City East, Old City & Washington Square West, hottest brunch spots in Philly. Forget white toast and greasy hash browns; these Best-of-Philly brunch menus are creating exciting flavors into our favorite meal of the week, Brunch!.
Where to Find Brunch in Downtown Philly
Bank & Bourbon, on the ground floor of the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, satisfies all types of brunch fanatic with a varied buffet of applewood-smoked bacon, shrimp cocktail, brioche French toast, cage-free scrambled eggs, and artisan cheese and charcuterie spread. There are also DIY mimosas with orange, grapefruit, or cranberry juices. 1200 Market Street, (215) 231-7300, bankandbourbon.com
Bud & Marilyn recognizes the need for old-fashioned American indulgence with items like almond-coconut-chocolate French toast, shareable pecan cinnamon rolls, and Nashville hot chicken biscuit sandwiches. The cocktails (grapefruit mimosa with St-Germain; smoked Bloody’s) more than hold up their end of the deal. 13th & Locust Streets, (215) 546-2220, budandmarilyns.com
High Street on Market has become Old City’s daily go-to for seasonal and inspired quick-service meals. Early eaters are treated to egg, kale, and mushroom sandwiches; ginger yogurt with pistachio and cardamom honey; smoked whitefish or cured salmon atop flavor-packed house-baked bread. 308 Market Street, (215) 625-0988, highstreetonmarket.com
The Continental Restaurant and Martini Bar and The Continental Mid-town help revelers keep the party going the day after with huevos rancheros and turkey clubs with caramelized apple mayo, and bacon Bloody Mary’s and espresso martinis. 138 Market Street, (215) 923-6069, continentalmartinibar.com; 1801 Chestnut Street, (215) 567-1800; continentalmidtown.com
Dutch Eating Place in the Reading Terminal Market is a quintessential stop for a real-deal Pennsylvania scratch-made pancakes, French toast, and egg platters—best accompanied by the side of crispy Scrapple. 51 N. 12th Street, (215) 922-0425, readingterminalmarket.org
Fork’s seasonal New American Sunday brunch features poached eggs and polenta with delicata squash and roasted mushrooms, house-baked pastries, and bread and local burgers, and Birchrun Hills cheese and all. 306 Market Street, (215) 625-9425, forkrestaurant.com
The Little Lion adds Southern-inspired comfort food to the Old City brunch scene with fried green tomatoes, stone-ground grits, country-fried chicken, and cornbread hoecakes. Guests should also pay attention to the killer cocktail list, featuring raspberry sangria and the Peddler Buzz, made with cold-brew coffee, Irish whiskey, milk, and vanilla syrup. 243 Chestnut Street, (267) 273-0688, thelittlelionphilly.com
Talula’s Daily stocks its pantry shelves with the makings of a quickly served but carefully crafted morning meal: just-baked bread, pastries, and granola, expertly pulled espresso shots, organic juices, and more. There’s also a great little grocery there too. 208 W. Washington Square, (215) 592-6555, talulasdaily.com
The Victoria Freehouse looks to its British motherland for culinary inspiration. Come brunch time that can mean everything from Indian influences (curried eggs, kedgeree) to a proper Full English breakfast, complete with Heinz beans and in Pimm’s Cups, to round out and wash down the meal. 10 S. Front Street, (215) 543-6089, victoriafreehouse.com
Mixto turns every Sunday into a celebration. The hopping Cuban/Colombian hotspot on Pine Street’s Antique Row cooks up authentic Argentinean steak and eggs, frittata Colombiana, and tostadas rancheros (Mexican breakfast). 1141 Pine Street, (215) 592-0363, mixtorestaurante.com
The Moshulu lets landlubbers hop aboard the ship for a smashing buffet Sunday brunch on the water. The menu includes dishes like a shrimp and crab Bloody Mary cocktail, chocolate babka French toast, and a veggie Benedict with chive hollandaise. 401 S. Columbus Boulevard, (215) 923-2500, moshulu.com
