The diner gazed at the hollandaise-sauced Crab Benedict and the Guava Mimosa, pretty in pink, set down in front of her.
“Brunch is beautiful,” she declared.
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Beautiful and big business too. More and more Bay Area restaurants are discovering the allure not just of weekend brunch but also weekday brunch. Scrambles and waffles on a Wednesday? Why not?
Here’s a roundup of several brunch-specific eateries that are new for 2025, along with restaurants that have added brunch to their repertoire. Plus the home of the aforementioned benedict and mimosa combo.
GIWA, Santa Clara
Brunch spot? Flower shop? Social media darling?
Turns out GIWA is all three. In just a few months, this restaurant has racked up 1,500 photos on Yelp, loads of Instagram followers and hundreds of reviews praising the Korean-style fusion brunch and the fresh, floral aesthetic.
A classic Korean-style wooden door opens to reveal inviting dining areas punctuated with flowers and pottery. An archway of blossoms sets off a flower mart in one corner.
Diners give high marks to the fruit-topped Creme Brulee French Toast ($20), served with cinnamon syrup; the Sausage Omurice ($23), its soft scrambled egg and tomato rice accompanied by chicken-apple sausage; and the Creamy Lobster & Truffle Pasta ($30). The Salmon Tower ($35) brings a 2-foot-tall array of smoked salmon, bagels, plus the requisite spreads and toppings, to the table.
Details: Open 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. daily at 1494 Halford Ave., Santa Clara; https://www.instagram.com/giwa_official_/?hl=en
Crumbs, Pleasant Hill
The Shakshouka at Crumbs, which has been serving brunch in Danville since 2018 and opened a second location in Pleasant Hill earlier this year. (Photo courtesy of Crumbs).
With a 20-page breakfast menu, Crumbs became a hit in Danville six years ago. In February, it opened a second location — Pleasant Hill –, bringing its entire menu and its signature upside-down umbrellas hanging from the ceiling.
“We do American classic brunch with a few twists,” Crumbs partner Amy Sidhom said. “The twists come from our backgrounds. I am originally from Egypt and my partner is from Greece, so we snuck in a few Mediterranean items from childhood and things we enjoy in our own countries for brunch. They were met with a huge welcome.”
Among the hits are the Ube Pancakes ($16.75), Mel’s Green Chilaquiles ($15.75) and the Crab Benedict ($25.25).
Details: Open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2059 Contra Costa Blvd. in Pleasant Hill; crumbsbayarea.com.
Clark’s Oyster Bar, Menlo Park
In this chic new oyster bar in downtown Menlo Park – where Ann’s Coffee Shop used to be — brunch leans heavily into fresh, elegant seafood options. Think caviar and crudo — but also, a Dungeness crab omelette, wood-grilled shrimp toast and lobster rolls.
Not feeling like fish? Try the Toasted Pullman BLT, a sundried tomato, basil and chevre quiche, or steak tartare. Round out the meal with a savory bacon, scallion and gruyere house-baked scone, or crispy marble potatoes served with chimichurri.
Such fancy bites almost beg to be paired with classy drinks. If it’s feeling too early for one of the restaurant’s signature martinis, try a low- or no-ABV spritzer, like The Trilogy, featuring Campari, Solerno blood orange liqueur, amaro, lime and sparkling wine.
Details: Brunch served weekends 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at clarksoysterbar.com/locations/menlo-park.
Peak, Alameda
A selection of dishes from Peak, a restaurant that serves Thai-fusion cuisine including brunch in Alameda. (Photo courtesy of Peak)
This women-run eatery in Alameda that opened this past winter specializes in what it hails as “American-Asian Twisted Brunch.” Expect the classics like eggs Benedicts and brioche French toast, but don’t be surprised when things arrive with Thai flavors like sweet chile and pandan cream.
The menu helpfully divides things between “Healthy” – smashed avocado with scrambled eggs on sourdough, say, or a crispy satay salad with chicken and peanut dressing – and “Sweet,” like Ferrero Rocher chocolate pancakes and that French toast with berries and pandan or Thai-tea cream. The Benedicts can be ordered with golden crab cakes or smoked duck, and the chicken and waffles is crunchy and spiked with house hot sauce.
Dishes that take you further out of the American comfort zone are worth consideration: A Peak open-face sandwich matches soft eggs with hickory-smoked pork belly, and the Thai Tom Yum Reduction translates the ingredients of the classic hot-sour soup into an entree with shrimp and Korean-style “tornado eggs.”
Details: Open for brunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (dinner on same days from 5 p.m.-8 p.m.) at 1405 Webster St., Alameda; peakalameda.com
The Cats, Los Gatos
At The Cats in Los Gatos, smoked meats — Filipino style and Texas style — rule at the brunch buffet. Eggs play a supporting role. (Photo courtesy of The Cats)
Heading to the beach in Santa Cruz and looking at a long line of cars ahead of you on Highway 17? You may want to fuel up for the ride at the new brunch launched at The Cats, the legendary roadhouse along that route.
Offered since early June, the buffet brunch showcases Texas barbecue plus Filipino favorites from chef Carlos “Redd” Cordova: St. Louis Pork Ribs, Brisket Tapas, Pulled Pork Adobo and Manila Chicken in a sweet-and-savory Filipino marinade.
Eggs are available too, but at this brunch they play a supporting role to the smoked meats. Side dishes include the classic Filipino noodles, pancit, along with coleslaw, mashed potatoes and garlic rice.
Thanks to the drive-by traffic, the brunch is gaining in popularity every week, according to Richard Tam, owner of The Cats and founder of Chef Century. Will this buffet continue past summer? Yes, he says, this will be the main brunch feature going forward.
Details. Offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the brunch is priced at $29.95 for adults, $19.95 for youths ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and under eat free. 17533 Santa Cruz Highway, Los Gatos; make reservations at www.thecatslosgatos.com/bbq-brunch-buffet.
Kaia’s Island Kitchen & Tiki Bar, Danville
A Sunrise Plate at Kaia’s Island Kitchen & Tiki Bar in Danville. (Photo courtesy of Kaia’s Island Kitchen & Tiki Bar)
Opened in April by the owners of Danville Brewing Co., Kaia’s is serving up tiki classics, exotic island cocktails, bubbles, wine and Danville beer to go with its interesting brunch selection.
Katsu chicken with ube waffles ($21), lilikoi pancakes with house made passionfruit sauce and coconut whipped cream ($15) and kalua pork hash with a fried egg, kalua pork, cabbage, potatoes, grilled scallion, red bell pepper, katsu sauce, Hawaiian roll ($17) are among the highlights.
Details: Open daily at 11:30 a.m. and weekends at 10:30 a.m. at 480 Hartz Ave. in Danville; kaiasdanville.com.
Garden’s Gate Cafe, San Jose
After running a popular restaurant in Newark for a few years, San Jose native Elizabeth Rivera has opened her second restaurant, Garden’s Gate, in her hometown. And family members, she says, are helping her “build something meaningful for our community.”
The menu boasts an impressive array of Newark-tested dishes: Eight types of benedicts, seven omelettes and seven pancake versions, five French toast options, five waffles, not to mention breakfast classics and lunch items. Finding new fans in San Jose are the Corned Beef Hash Benedict ($18), the Monkey Waffle ($13), with Nutella and bananas, and both the Chilaquiles Verde and the Spicy Chilaquiles ($19 each).
Can’t decide between sweet and savory? If you’re eating with two or three others, the Breakfast Boards ($30-$35) that combine both have been extremely popular, Rivera says.
Details: Open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1530 Southwest Expressway, San Jose; https://gardensgatecafe.com
Tanzie’s, Berkeley
Housemade Chaing Mai-style sausage with lava eggs at Tanzie’s Cafe in Berkeley, Calif. (Courtesy Tanzie’s Cafe/Madelyn Sonoma Markoe)
Is Thai brunch the new thing? It sure feels like it with the slew of Asian-inflected breakfast haunts popping up around the Bay, a gold-star example being this charming cafe in Berkeley.
When Tanzie’s opened last year it immediately astounded Instagram with “lava eggs,” spiraling mountains of scrambled-egg goodness served over rice. These are paired with “mom’s recipe” for sai oua – homemade sausages typical of Chiang Mai in north Thailand — caramelized pork jowl with local honey or vegan mushrooms, pounded herbs and no-fish fish sauce.
The owners worked at the Michelin-starred Kin Khao in San Francisco, and their flavors are on point. The khanom krok (bite-sized coconut cakes) are a delight, arranged like a painter’s palette with brightly colored corn and yam, and heartier “skillets” like gaeng hung le with fried rice and soft pork belly will make you warm and fuzzy until dinner. Don’t forget the Thai beignets for dessert.
Details: Open 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday-Monday at 1453 Dwight Way, Berkeley; www.tanziescafe.com
La Casa de los Huevos, San Mateo
The Mexican-American breakfast restaurant Casa de los Huevos is located in San Mateo along El Camino Real. (Kate Bradshaw/Bay Area News Group)
With a name that translates to “The House of Eggs,” San Mateo’s new La Casa de los Huevos has a lot to live up to, breakfast-wise. That’s why you’ll find eggs served as omelettes, scrambled or as crepe fillings in seven styles, plus benedicts, and a choose-your-own 2x2x2 adventure: that’s two meat choices, two eggs in any style and two pancakes, or another side. But if you’re not feeling breakfast, there are also plenty of sandwiches, salads and Mexican plates to choose from.
Bringing the kiddos along? Cute egg cartoons on the menu add to the sense of whimsy. And on the kids menu, you’ll find special-occasion treats like Mickey Mouse or Oreo pancakes. Meanwhile, to please the 21-and-up crowd, mimosas, micheladas and Bloody Marys await.
The restaurant is by the same owners of Sushinaloa in North Fair Oaks, Mariscos El Pata Salada in East Palo Alto and El Camaron de Sinaloa.
Details: Open 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily at 1214 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo; lacasadeloshuevos.com.
Bun Bun Chinese Food, Fremont
When one thinks “brunch” the mind normally doesn’t head to Tianjin, the large Northern-Chinese city. But comforting and carbolicious, the offerings at this just opened place in a Fremont will scratch the same itch.
Bun Bun offers two dining periods, with a kitchen break inbetween, and during the earlier one customers might order from the part of the menu labeled “Tianjin-Style Brunch.” There are steamed pork buns (baozi) and savory crepes with eggs and youtiao (fried dough sticks). Tofu pudding comes in sweet and savory varieties.
A smattering of dim sum dishes make an appearance, and then there is the rest of the expansive menu with stir fries, noodle soups, clay pots and “dry pots” with chicken wings or pork intestines.
Details: Open 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday-Monday at 39933 Mission Blvd., Fremont; 510-771-9638
Johnny’s, Half Moon Bay and soon San Mateo
Lemon ricotta pancakes are on the menu at Johnny’s in Half Moon Bay. The restaurant is expanding to San Mateo later this year. (Courtesy Jonathan Mitchell)
OK, so Johnny’s isn’t exactly new. It opened two years ago, but it has been such a resounding success on the Coastside that the family-owned operation is expanding to a new Peninsula location later this year, in San Mateo.
Wife-husband duo Betsy and George del Fierro own the retro-modern diner alongside It’s Italia in downtown Half Moon Bay, and they run the restaurants with their daughters: Maile is the executive chef and Camille is the general manager. Their son Rene is expected to manage the new San Mateo location, at the Brickline Flats building at the corner of N. B Street and Baldwin Avenue.
Popular items include the Johnny’s potatoes ($6) — smashed, parboiled and fried — plus the bruleed French toast ($16), lemon ricotta pancakes ($18) and chilaquiles ($22), according to Betsy del Fierro. Try it to get a taste of what’s coming soon to San Mateo.
Details: Open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday at 547 Main St., Half Moon Bay; johnnyshmb.com.
Breakfast Club at Midtown, Livermore
California French Toast is one of the options for the Midtown Trio on the menu at The Breakfast Club at Midtown in Walnut Creek, CA on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. The restaurant opened a new branch in Livermore in 2025. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
This local chain seems to open a couple of new locations every year. It’s no surprise, given it’s pretty much the platonic ideal of a good brunch restaurant – huge portions, decadent ingredients and high-octane drinks to blast away last night’s cobwebs.
The eggs Benedict come in all sorts of variations from Spinach-Avocado to New York Lox to Surf-and-Turf to Crab Cake. Same with the pancakes, which can be griddled with bananas and pecans, blueberries and ricotta, red-velvet mix and cream-cheese drizzle. Can’t decide between all the offerings? Tasting combos let you try many at once and are served on a platter the size of an Amazonian canoe, draped with fresh fruits and berries. Wash it all down with a Melon Smash with Midori liqueur and pineapple, perhaps, or a Baltimore Bloody Mary with Old Bay spice and a lemon prawn.
Details: Open 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. daily at 1960 First St., Livermore; www.bcmidtown.com
Le Bubble Brunch & Cafe, San Jose
This Willow Glen newcomer is a two-fer — a brunch cafe by day, a wine bar and restaurant at night. And bubbles, naturally, are available to accompany any meal.
The brunch menu skews French-American with such dishes as the Egg Benedict Croissant ($17), Baked Brioche Pullman French Toast ($14) with fresh strawberries, housemade compote and candied pecans and Le Mushroom ($13), a toasted boule topped with the chef’s mix of mushrooms, brie and truffle oil.
Among the touches that customers will appreciate: Breakfast and brunch dishes come with the option of a side salad instead of potatoes for those watching their carbs. And 3-ounce pours of the wines on tap are available.
The array of coffee beverages is appealing, with the lavender, pistachio and tiramisu lattes ($6-$7) especially popular.
Details: Open at 9 a.m. Wednesday-Sunday at 820 Willow St., San Jose;
The Peach, Oakland
The Peach is a new restaurant serving Asian-inspired brunch cuisine in Oakland, Calif. Pictured: Curry Shrimp Congee. (Courtesy The Peach/Erin Ng)
Located in stylish digs a peach pit’s throw from Lake Merritt, this new eatery from the Jo’s Modern Thai team mixes long brunching hours with creative Asian flavors.
A meal might start on the peach-colored patio with a Matcha Mojito or a refreshing mimosa, the latter which can be made “bottomless” on weekdays for $25. There are breakfast standards like ricotta pancakes with berry compote and a Lucky Peach Plate with eggs, fingerling potatoes and chicken-apple sausage. Enjoy shrimp and grits? The twist here is it’s grilled shrimp over rice porridge with coconut curry, poached egg and chili crisp.
Other surprises come from the Fancy French Toast — milk bread topped with vanilla custard, peach/guava compote and miso-whipped cream – and the hearty Char Siu Toast, made with Nueske pork belly, maple glaze and Kewpie mayo.
Details: Open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at 3257 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland; www.thepeachbrunch.com
Augustine, San Jose
This Santana Row restaurant from the Bacchus Management Group (Pizza Antica, Village Bakery and the Michelin-starred Village Pub and Selby’s) takes a wide view of brunch. As in, from the simple to the decadent, from the early-morning standards to swanky dinner-for-brunch options.
You can start with a classic done the Bacchus way like the Giant Cinnamon Roll ($11) or Freshly Baked Croissants ($15) or Breakfast Sandwich ($21) with white cheddar and salad greens.
The Sea and Bites menus beckon with Roasted Branzino ($49), Gratineed Oysters ($28) and Fred Chicken & Caviar ($49). And naturally, there’s an impressive lineup of wines to match.
A Bacchus classic, freshly baked Old-Fashioned Crullers ($14) with creme Anglaise, leads the dessert list.
Details: Brunch is served on weekends starting at 10 a.m. at 377 Santana Row, San Jose; www.augustinerestaurant.com
Mornings on First, Livermore
The Western-ranching vibe of Livermore is reflected in this downtown eatery’s early hours (open at the crack of dawn) and portion sizes that’d simmer down a bucking bronco. It’s aiming to be a family-friendly breakfast spot, and indeed you’ll find all ages chowing down in the restaurant’s Hawaiian-themed digs, including a nice outdoor patio.
“This cafe is dedicated entirely to the morning experience,” asserts their website. There are favorites like eggs Benedict and Liege sugar-sprinkled waffles, country-fried steak with eggs and Western omelettes with cheddar and bell peppers. Specialties include Mexican-inspired dishes like chilaquiles with chorizo and salsa verde, plus breakfast burritos the dimensions of a small airplane carry-on. There’s a kid’s menu with chicken Turbo Tenders – also a fluffernutter with peanut butter and marshmallow – and strong coffee or “Party-starters” like a Bloody Mary or a Breakfast Shot for grownups.
Details: Open 6 a.m.-3 p.m. daily at 2086 First St., Livermore; morningsonfirst.com
Breaking Dawn, Los Gatos
That’s a green pandan waffle peeking out from under the pieces of fried chicken in the Resting Brunch Face dish at Breaking Dawn Brunch in Los Gatos. (Bay Area News Group)
Having opened in early 2024, this restaurant isn’t new but has become a very popular addition to the Los Gatos brunch scene, especially on Sundays when the farmers market sets up at the plaza across the street.
“Every bite is a tribute to our Asian heritage, a nod to our American roots,” reads one of the restaurant mottos. (Another is “We make brunch our b*tch.”)
The eclectic fusion menu features Vietnamese spring rolls ($15), Pho Poutine with beef short rib ($15), the Crab Benedict ($29), Ooh BAE Pancakes (Ube, get it? $23) and a fun and filling riff on chicken and waffles called Resting Brunch Face ($25), which sets fried chicken atop a pandan waffle.
Vietnamese coffee leads the beverage list, and mimosas come in orange, pineapple or guava juice varieties.
Details: Brunch is served from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, until 5 p.m. Sunday. 160 W. Main St., Los Gatos; www.breakingdawnbrunch.com
The Lighthouse Cafe, Pittsburg
The Lighthouse Cafe had its grand opening in Pittsburg on Tuesday (photo courtesy of The Lighthouse Cafe).
Big servings of hot breakfast is served all day at The Lighthouse Cafe, which just had its grand opening this past week.
Owner Arezki “Ross” Dahmouh had previously owned and operated Big Daddy Ross’s Cafe in Bay Point, but the cafe closed in December after 26 years of service.
Dahmouh said it was important to him that he revive the original menu from Big Daddy Ross’s while adding a few new items, like the banana split waffles ($15.50) and the nutella and fruit pancakes ($13.95).
“Why change it if people really like it?” Dahmouh said.
Details: Open weekdays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and at 7 a.m. on the weekends, at 690 Railroad Ave. in Pittsburg.
The Pressroom, San Jose
Among the brunch entrees with cheeky names at The Pressroom is the Duck Cheney & Vice Waffle. (Linda Zavoral/Bay Area News Group)
The buzzy new restaurant at San Pedro Square downtown — set on the site of the old Times Mercury, circa early 1900s — adds some headline humor to its weekend brunch.
Revisit outrageous news stories when you order the yogurt parfait named “Monkey Business” (remember the photo from that yacht?) or the steak-and-eggs dish called “I Am Not a Crook.” The “Fyre Fest Chilaquiles” (a “hot mess” named after that festival debacle) has been particularly popular.
We couldn’t resist ordering the “Duck Cheney & Vice Waffle* ($32), a confit duck leg set atop a blueberry-dotted waffle and served with spiced syrup, and musing about that incident between bites. Thankfully for the then-VP, he only injured his buddy in that 2006 hunting mishap.
Details; Served weekends form 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 189 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose; https://pressroomsj.com
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Antioch
The family-owned restaurant just opened a second location in Antioch following the 2022 opening of its original spot in Oakley.
It aims to connect its community to first responders and military veterans, “serving those who serve,” while providing classic breakfast dishes like french toast ($12.95), Fort Miley eggs benedict ($16.95), and Police Captain’s NY steak and eggs ($22.95).
Details: Open at 8 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and at 11 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, at 2737 Hillcrest Ave. in Antioch; https://www.wtfrestaurantbargrill.com.
Mo’s Deli and Cafe, Belmont
Yazan Adw, employee at Mo’s Deli & Cafe in Belmont, takes a moment to pose after preparing a pistachio butter-stuffed croissant topped with chocolate, crushed pistachios and strawberries. (Kate Bradshaw/Bay Area News Group)
Hearty breakfast sandwiches and sanburgers – that’s sandwiches on burger buns – are among the fresh, creative offerings at Mo’s Deli and Cafe in Belmont, which recently hosted its grand opening. Look for the special bagel option – a bagel topped with cream cheese, egg, cheese, turkey, avocado and arugula, or the za’atar croissant, or lunch options like the roast beef royale, made with roast beef, arugula, tomato, red onion and provolone cheese.
It claims it’s the first outfit in California to serve Dubai chocolate croissants — a luxurious butter croissant sliced in half and filled with pistachio butter and knafeh and topped with chocolate, strawberries and crushed pistachio. Fresh juices and coffee drinks round out the restaurant’s offerings.
Details: Open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily at 1602 El Camino Real, Ste A, Belmont.
Yin Ji Chang Fen, San Lorenzo
Yin Ji Chang Fen recently opened its fifth Bay Area location in San Lorenzo and it’s already swarming with customers; Google reviewers say lines are out the door as early as 11 a.m.
The restaurant’s website says its signature dumplings are commonly served as breakfast and made from thin, crepe rolls made from rice noodles and filled with shrimp, beef, veggies or other ingredients.
Details: Open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 15828 Hesperian Blvd. in San Lorenzo; yinjichangfenusa.com.
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