The Top 10 Brunches In Oakland, California

A diner selling produce with a gorgeous waterfront, Oakland Grill promises to be a family favorite Sunday brunch place. Breakfast is served anytime. All egg dishes (except for huevos rancheros and chicken fajitas) are prepared with house potatoes topped with sour cream, fruit garnish, and a choice of English muffin, wheat, sourdough or rye toast. As for lunch dishes, all sandwiches and burgers are served with a choice of French fries, a cup of soup, or mixed green salad. If you need to fill that appetite, try house favorites such as Bagel Plate and Joe’s Special.

Described as a ‘cozy local cafe serving homey comfort food with a Southern and Southwestern twist,’ Aunt Mary’s Café is a hotspot for brunch. Due to the fact that they offer weekend brunch specials, expect your food to arrive up to 30 minutes after you place your order. However, don’t let the wait deter you — the food will make up for it. Choose the famous pain Perdue, which is a Cajun-style French toast made with baguettes soaked in a whiskey laced custard. It is served with red and white wine compote and fruit. Or, opt for the classic gingerbread ricotta pancakes with poached pear and ginger buttermilk syrup.

An artsy location for groups to chat and eat in on a weekend morning or afternoon, Rockridge Café gives its visitors a classic, old cafe feel. A favorite brunch dish is the ricotta pancakes with warm citrus sauce. Additionally, other favorites are the brussel sprout and bacon hash as well as the carnitas tacos. The brussel sprout and bacon hash comes with a hefty amount of perfectly ripe avocado. Meanwhile, the carnitas tacos is served with a spicy red salsa and is overall authentic. Be sure to make a pit stop here if you desire simple casual American brunch food.
The Fat Lady Bar & Restaurant | © Sarah Stlerch/Flickr

With its cozy and warm atmosphere, The Fat Lady Bar & Restaurant is another Oakland brunch favorite. Weekend specials consist of house specialties, eggs and omelets and sandwiches and salads. For house specialties, popular dishes are Mama Pat’s hotcakes and smoked salmon scramble. For eggs and omelets, popular dishes are Fat Lady Special and steak and eggs. In terms of sandwiches and salads, popular dishes are Mediterranean veggie baguette and baked crab sandwich.

Open on Sundays from 10am to 2pm for brunch, Camino is a rustic Californian venue with many dishes to offer to its customers. Examples include homemade doughnuts with wood oven-roasted apples or grilled homemade pork and herb sausages. There are also smoked oyster frittata with beets, radishes and smoky lentils, and stoneground oats with brown butter, maple syrup and pecans.

A local pub focused on sharing the best fresh, locally grown ingredients, Grand Tavern offers a different perspective on brunch. With its assortment of vegetable and meat bites, one has the option to select from a number of dishes to create his or her own brunch meal. If you’re feeling a bit creative, swing by this spot.
Taco de Carne Asada Grilled beef taco | © Ron Dollete/Flickr

Cactus Taqueria is a restaurant dedicated to freshness, sustainability and the traditional flavors of Mexico. Its weekend brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays until 2pm, so plan your time accordingly to grab some of their delicious treats. Their Huevos Divorciados consists of two fried eggs, sunny side up, topped with ranchera sauce and tomatillo-green chile sauce, fresh cheese, and your choice of beans. An alternative dish is Chilaquiles. This consists of cactus chips with scrambled eggs, onions, fresh cheese, Mexican cream and your choice of ranchera sauce or tomatillo-green chile sauce.

Named the best restaurant and open-air beer garden in Oakland, Portal has a lot to brag about. Luckily, it can also brag about its brunch menus, which are available on both weekdays and weekends. While enjoying the beautiful view here, order some delicious food such as the Portal Benedict (grilled polenta, tomatoes, hollandaise, basil, crispy potatoes). Or choose The Cowboy (two eggs of any style over grilled polenta, drenched in tomato chili sauce) or the Tempeh Scramble (seasonal vegetables, goat cheese and crispy potatoes).

A neighborhood favorite near the famous Oakland Jack London Square, Chop Bar is a great restaurant that lives up to the hype. Most of its egg dishes are served with home fries and grilled Acme baguette. The brunch menu includes famous classics like French toast, bacon, eggs and cheese sandwich and eggs Benedict. In addition, the menu features Yucatan grilled chicken sandwich, Chop Bar burger, and grilled pork banh mi.

A special restaurant thriving in Mexican culture and inspired to bring food diversity to the Bay Area, Doña Tomás will undoubtedly give you a special experience. Traditional homemade Mexican dishes include Chilaquiles verde (tortilla chips, tomatillo salsa and cheese, scrambled eggs, avocado, queso fresco, crema, scallions and cilantro). There are also dishes such as carne y huevos (grilled bavette steak with jalapeño salsa, two fried eggs, pico de gallo, mashed pinto peans, tortilla) and Budin con huevos horneados (two baked eggs, corn and zucchini pudding, green salad, handmade corn tortillas). Prepare to indulge in these tasty and authentic meals.