The Ultimate Resy Guide to Brunch in Philadelphia

The very center of a Venn diagram of diners, bars, and lounges is where you’ll find Silk City, which merges the best of these three worlds. This classic diner has something for everyone, whether you’re in the mood to dig into chicken and waffles, or go light with avocado toast with everything bagel spice.

Brunch buffets across the country are back and better than ever, and Harp & Crown is leading the charge in Philadelphia. On Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 10:30 a.m., $38 gets you entry to a brunch buffet like no other: a create-your-own-doughnut station (complete with a toppings bar), made-to-order omelets, fancy sandwiches, freshly squeezed juices, bagels, lox, pastries, and so much more.

You probably love Sidecar for its generous happy hour menu and Detroit-style pizzas, but if this spot isn’t in your brunch rotation, then you’re missing out. If eggs are how you like to start your day, then you’ll love the selection of Benedicts on offer. Get a veggie-forward hippy benny with avocado, arugula, and pickled onion with breakfast potatoes and a mixed green salad, or go bold with the Texan benny served with chipotle pulled chicken, colby Jack, slaw, and pickled jalapeños. For brunch-time sweets, try the fluffy pancakes or the bourbon and brown sugar apple crisp French toast.

The weekend brunch menu at Harper’s Garden plays the hits in a way that only the Harper’s Garden team can play them, whether you’re there for the food (eggs Benedict, crème brûlée butter on the short stack, potato pancake!) or the craft cocktails (Bloody Mary, espresso martini, Aperol spritz).

The super-cool, industrial setting here is the perfect complement to the food. At brunch, the move is to get something with eggs. Brunch purists will gravitate toward the steak and eggs or the ricotta pancakes, but if you know Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, you’ll know that you’ll want to try the breakfast pizza with bacon and maple syrup, too.

There’s a reason it’s called Bar Hygge, after all. This is a place that embodies the spirit of Danish coziness, serving upscale bar food in a laid-back atmosphere. At brunch, that means home fries, biscuits and gravy, and breakfast sandwiches. And of course, an herbaceous Bloody Mary, made with St. George green chile vodka and garnished with speck, cheese, and olives.

You should always be able to eat hummus and have pancakes during the same meal. This sleekly styled restaurant offers diner vibes, but dishes out a mix of decadent brunch classics and Middle Eastern comfort foods.

Brunching in Rittenhouse is a Philly rite of passage. Lucky for us, the neighborhood has a swanky option. Restaurant Aleksandar offers some creative options: Think a hashbrown with smoked salmon and milk bun French toast — along with classics like steak and eggs.

James Beard Award nominee Dionicio Jiménez, an alum of Vetri and Starr restaurants, offers a huge menu of his signature Mexican fare at brunch time. You’ll want to try everything, so plan to share Mexican French toast with chocolate and agave syrup, chicken tinga in puff pastry, chilaquiles in yellow mole, queso fundido, and so much more.

Along with a new menu and direction (gastropub fare with Asian influences), Ember & Ash recently added brunch to its offerings. The new steak frites and smoked chicken from the dinner menu are available Sundays starting at 11 a.m., as well as more classic morning fare. Think a breakfast sandwich of eggs, ham, and Gruyere; French toast with roasted quince; and an egg-topped burger. The friendly East Passyunk restaurant known for its hearth cooking is also offering a variety of vegetable-forward brunch dishes, including a grilled avocado, charred mushrooms, and a grain bowl with shaved vegetables and green goddess dressing.