Take BART to brunch

Last Updated On May. 11, 2023

Photo courtesy of Capullo Cocina Mexicana.

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Some would argue that grabbing brunch is a year-round pursuit. There is no argument, though, that brunch is a great way to spend Mother's Day since the Bay Area has great brunch options around most of our stations. Because of our varied dining scene, brunch is much more than eggs and bacon. We've compiled a list of some great diverse brunch spots, all BARTable and all worthy of the brunch title.

San Francisco

Fresh-baked pastries and breads like hot cross buns pop up on Absinthe's brunch menu. Photo courtesy of Absinthe Brasserie & Bar.

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar | Civic Center/UN Plaza

Hayes Valley is one of the best BARTable neighborhoods to snag brunch, and Absinthe Brasserie & Bar is one of the original restaurants that anchored the trendy neighborhood. Since 1998, they have welcomed the brunch crowd with innovative brasserie fare. Saturday and Sunday brunch commences at 11am; book a reservation and dine on quiche Lorraine or strawberry-basil French toast. Indoor and outdoor dining options. Travel 0.4 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza to 398 Hayes St.

 Piglet & Co specializes in nostalgia-driven comfort food. Photo courtesy of the SF Eater.

Piglet & Co | 16th St Mission

Sunday brunch at the newly opened Piglet & Co is a good thing. The space and menu are influenced by the owners’ travels and dining experiences at Taiwanese night markets. The brunch menu is compact; choices include a comforting bowl of rice porridge, milk tea French toast and triple-fried chicken wings. 11am-3pm; reservations are recommended with a limited amount of space for walk-ins. Piglet & Co at 2170 Mission St is 0.2 miles from 16th St Mission.

Expect seasonal pizzas and macarons for dessert at Rooftop 25. Photo courtesy of Raul Ricano.

Rooftop 25 | Powell St

The 25 Lusk team recently decided to maximize space and open a rooftop dining and drinking area. Many dishes are cooked in the oak-fired oven, so look for modern pizza and grilled asparagus. There are also lots of great starters like crawfish guacamole and house-made pretzel bites to pair with a seasonal sangria or a spring-inspired charcuterie board. Friday and Saturday brunch runs from 11am-10:30 pm. Reservations recommended. Travel 1.0 mile from Montgomery St to 25 Lusk.

Dine on elevated classics like these grits topped with pork belly, cheese and a fried egg. Hayes Valley's Hazie's. Photo courtesy of Hazie's.

Hazie’s | Civic Center/UN Plaza

Celebrity chef Joey Altman and Hat Trick Hospitality Group opened Hazie’s last year with the intention of serving all-American grub. The brunch menu skews towards today’s America—Latin ingredient-infused dishes, New Orleans’ inspired items like beignets and southern specialties like roast pork belly with eggs and grits. Cocktails are highlighted, so if you imbibe them, you’ll want to toast the weekend with one. Brunch hours start at 11am on Saturday and Sunday. From Civic Center/UN Plaza, travel 0.5 miles to 501 Hayes St.

East Bay

United Dumplings makes things interesting with delicious combinations like this crunchy shrimp toast. Photo courtesy of United Dumpings.

United Dumplings | Rockridge

This is the third and most recent outpost for co-owners Sandy Zheng and Julia Zhu who are friends and chefs. Though a family dumpling recipe was the initial spark that started this mini-chain, it's the fun and creative way the chefs choose to fill them that has made their restaurants so popular. There’s more than just dumplings on the menu and lots of brunch options like steamed buns and noodles. Grab brunch any day except Tuesday from 11am-2:30pm. From Rockridge, travel 0.4 miles to 6247 College Ave.

Enjoy fresh breakfast bowls, Mediterranean dips and classic brunch options at Berkeley's Zino. Photo courtesy of Zino.

Zino | Downtown Berkeley

Brunch at the Mediterranean restaurant, Zino, includes one of the region’s most popular items—shakshuka. Zino’s version is green with lots of herbs, leeks and preserved lemon. Other classic brunch dishes also have a Mediterranean spin like eggs and Merguez sausage. On Saturday and Sunday, brunch starts at 8am and runs until 1:30pm, giving you the opportunity to dine and still make time for other fun. Zino is located inside Berkeley’s Hotel Shattuck Plaza at 2086 Allston and can be reached by traveling 0.1 miles from Downtown Berkeley.

Ube pancakes from Castro Valley's Denica's. Photo courtesy of Denica's Real Food Kitchen.

Denica’s Real Food Kitchen | Castro Valley

Brunch and decadent waffles are synonymous, so if you are in the mood to splurge on some carbs, then Denica’s is the place. With two other East Bay locations, Denica’s has quite the following for indulgent treats. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 7am-3pm; limited outdoor seating. From Castro Valley, travel 0.8 miles to Denica’s Real Food Kitchen at 2723 Castro Valley Blvd.

French toast with fresh berries. Photo courtesy of Capullo Cocina Mexicana.

Capullo Cocina Mexicana | Walnut Creek

This family-run establishment exudes warmth. The regional Mexican food delivers value and flavor. Brunch offerings include chilaquiles, molletes, menudo and a chorizo breakfast sandwich. Enjoy the covered outdoor parklet; heat lamps are also an option if the day turns cold. Or, opt for one of their breakfast cocktails like Mexican Coffee or Morning Mule. Brunch runs from 10am-3pm. Travel 0.6 miles from Walnut Creek to 1518 Bonanza St.

Let us know where you go for brunch?

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