In this town, brunchin’ ain’t easy but it’s necessary. Whether you’re on the hunt for fluffy eggs, fried chicken + waffles or mind-blowing bloody marys, the options can get as overwhelming as the lines at times.
Luckily, you have us to scout things out. We listed a whole bunch of brunch options, along with menu recs, pro tips, and more. Plan your weekend + pour those mimosas.
Hours listed are brunch only.
Weekday wonders
Watson’s Counter, 6420 24th Ave. NW | Daily, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Come for the cereal-coated French toast, stay for the underrated coffee game. It’s new location in Ballard has more room to roam, too.
Rachel’s Bagels, 5451 Leary Ave. NW | Wednesday-Monday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | The name says it all. Check out “The Everything” with wild-caught PNW lox or one of those chunky one-pound breakfast burritos.
The Whale Wins, 3506 Stone Way N. | Daily, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Chef Renee Erickson’s bright cafe is still a standout. Be sure to pick up some of the fancy pantry items like smoked herring.
El Parche Colombiano, 11740 15th Ave. NE | Daily, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Get the calenta’o, a hearty Colombian dish with rice, red beans + eggs mixed together — add some carne asada, too, if that’s where your heart leads you.
B-Side, 421 E. Thomas St. | Daily, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | This place makes a mean avocado toast and perhaps the best egg sandwiches in town.
Jade Garden Restaurant, 424 7th Ave. S. | Daily, 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. | You’ll find varied dim sum menus here with steamed prawn dumplings that are to-die for.
Off the Rez Cafe, 4300 15th Ave. NE | Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | After a sweet frybread or Indian breakfast taco, make a day of it by strolling through the Burke Museum.
The Fat Hen, 1418 NW 70th St. | Wed-Fri., 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | There are occasionally some long lines here, but be patient — the skillet shakshuka is worth it.
Geraldine’s Counter, 4872 Rainier Ave. S. | Daily, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | One of the city’s old standbys is holding the fort down in Columbia City. The corned beef hash is delightful, but you can’t go wrong with any of the scrambles.
Weekend musts
Ben Paris, 130 Pike St. | Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | The State Hotel’s bright bistro delivers on celebratory-worthy items like ricotta pancakes, avocado toast with pepitas, and a smoked salmon omelet.
Glo’s, 928 E. Barbara Bailey Way | Daily, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | Capitol Hill’s longtime favorite found a new spot to help accommodate the crowds and has added some booze to the menu. You still might want to put your name in early.
Fat’s Chicken and Waffles, 2726 E. Cherry St. | Saturday + Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Pour on the syrup for this savory + sweet delight. The “Fat’s breakfast” has generous portions, so feel free to order one to share.
Jules Maes Saloon, 5919 Airport Way S. | Saturday + Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Georgetown’s venerated institution has a kitchen that can slash some solid hash browns — they come stuffed with creme fraiche, cheese, and jalapeños.
Pioneer Square D&E, 314 2nd Ave. S. | Saturday + Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Nutella French toast is worthy, but you can also get shrimp + grits topped with a fried egg. Doesn’t get much better than that.
Tilikum Place Cafe, 407 Cedar St. | Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | This place known for its dutch babies can get packed. You may have to get there before noon for a seat.
Champagne Diner, 945 Elliott Ave. W. | Saturday + Sunday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. | This Interbay spot delivers on great Bennies. But the chilaquiles with braised pork are great too, especially if we’re feeling sluggish after a few drinks the night before.
Alpine Diner & Bar, 9635 16th Ave SW | 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily | Enjoy ski lodge vibes and breakfast all day at White Center’s new addition from the owners of Capitol Hill hot spot Lost Lake.
Daytime party
Dreamland Bar and Diner, 3401 Evanston Ave. N. | Saturday + Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Dance through the disco ball hallway, and grab a vegan grasshopper slushie with thighs + fries for a perfect weekend kickoff.
Unicorn, 1118 E. Pike St. | Sunday, 1-4 p.m. | This drag show brunch includes an all-you-can-eat buffet for $13, a campy take on “Sister Act” + mimosas galore — be sure to hydrate.
Kamp Social House, 2800 E. Madison St. | Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Chicken and beignets is a wonderful combo, but be sure to save room for the excellent soft serve.
Rapport, 700 Broadway E. | Saturday + Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | You can down some pineapple, orange, and guava juice mimosas or French 75 Brunch Punch and more. Soak it all up biscuits and sawmill gravy.
Kangaroo & Kiwi, 2026 NW Market St. | Saturday + Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Things can get a little rowdy during game days at this Aussie-centric pub in Ballard. Try the decadent Brekky Pie with provolone and fried egg to get in the spirit.
For a special occasion
Cafe Campagne, 1600 Post Alley | Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Pike Place’s classic French restaurant rarely disappoints no matter the time of day. But poached eggs in a red wine foie gras sauce — oui oui.
STK, 610 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue | Saturday + Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Treat yourself to some fancy items like lobster Benedict and truffle steak + eggs.
Off Alley, 4903 ½ Rainier Ave. S. | Sunday, 12-4 p.m. | Be sure to check the daily menu, because items rotate frequently, but the quality local ingredients are constant.
Pomegranate Bistro, 18005 NE 68th St., Redmond | Saturday + Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | You can indulge on buttermilk waffles or hot puffs rolled in cinnamon sugar — and the breakfast firebread lives up to its name.
For the fam
Ludi’s Restaurant, 120 Stewart St. | Daily, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | After a long hiatus, this Filipino diner favorite and its ube pancakes are back at a new location. Ludi’s makes for an especially great oasis if you’re out with the kids near Pike Place and need to refuel.
Portage Bay Cafe, Multiple locations | Various hours | There’s a kid’s menu for those looking to dine out with the family. The Mini Phil’s includes scrambled eggs, a slice of pepper bacon, and roasted organic potatoes.
Woodinville Cafe | 14170 NE Woodinville Duvall Rd., Woodinville | Daily, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | Brunch is best done here with an order of cinnamon rolls while you wait for your California omelet.
Kauai Family Restaurant, 6324 Sixth Ave. S. | Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | They stop serving short stacks at noon, but that’s okay — the loco moco is waiting.
Bebop Waffle Shop, 2600 California Ave. SW | Wednesday-Monday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Rainbow Madness waffles topped with Fruity Pebbles is fun to look at and eat. The Kate McKinnon has local Shipwreck honey on it.
Luna Park Cafe, 2918 SW Avalon Way | Daily, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Mickey Mouse pancake is playful and satisfying. Adults can find plenty of delights, too, from breakfast burritos to beermosas.
Veggie focused
Ba Bar Green, 500 Terry Ave. N. | Daily, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Ba Bar’s offshoot in South Lake Union is dedicated to vegan-friendly offerings like papaya salads and dairy-free Vietnamese coffee.
Cafe Flora, 2901 E. Madison St. | Saturday + Sunday, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | You really can’t go wrong at this mega-popular vegetarian restaurant, but the cinnamon rolls are an experience unto themselves.
Bounty Kitchen, 550 19th Ave. E. + 7 Boston St. | Daily, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Delectable items like the gluten-free griddle cakes are served all day long.
Terra Plata, 1501 Melrose Ave. | Saturday + Sunday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | The three egg scramble is made with herbs from the rooftop garden — sign us up.
Pastry paradises
Fuji Bakery, 526 S. King St. + 1030 Elliott Ave. W. | Various times | Head to this Japanese spot early for fresh croissants + matcha custard malasadas, or hit it up for an egg salad sando at lunchtime.
Ben’s Bread, 216 N. 70th St. | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | This highly anticipated Phinney Ridge bakery is still fresh — but we can’t wait to see the brioche apricot danishes and other goodies coming out of that oven.
Salvadorean Bakery, 1719 SW Roxbury St. | Monday-Saturday, 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m. + Sunday, 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m. | If it’s the morning, then carne deshilada should hit the spot. In the afternoon, indulge in pupusas or basically anything from behind the packed pastry case.
Volunteer Park Cafe + Pantry, 1501 17th Ave. E. | Wednesday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | The breakfast sandwich made with oh-so-gooey cheese is wonderful as is the eggplant + feta toast. But don’t forget about those sweets.
Saint Bread, 1421 NE Boat St. | Tuesday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. + Sunday, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Enjoy the flaky croissants, the egg sandwich on melonpan, and the okonomiyaki tortilla calling to you from carb heaven.
Quick and easy
Marination, various locations | Various hours | The popular Hawaiian-Korean spot offers Benedict burritos and tocino bowls at its Columbia City outpost, taking over for the former Super Six.
Rubinstein Bagels, various locations | Daily, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | Can’t go wrong with a basic bagel, but don’t be afraid to try more unusual flavors like cacio e pepe.
Zylberschtein’s, 11752 15th Ave. NE | Daily, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Seattle’s bagel game is strong in part because of this Pinehurst deli. Its babka is a beast, too, baby.
Morsel, 5000 University Way NE | Daily, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Those biscuits are best fresh in the morning and they’re delicious even if you keep things simple with maple butter or tomato jam.
Easy Street Records and Cafe, 4559 California Ave. SW | Daily, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | After your classic greasy spoon diner meal, peruse the aisles for vinyl sales.
Memorable mimosas and marys
Hattie’s Hat, 5231 Ballard Ave. NW | Saturday + Sunday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. | Any of the famed bloody marys are sublime, but the “five alarm” is not for the faint of heart.
Blue Star Cafe and Pub, 4512 Stone Way N. | Daily, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Really, this place is all about the extravagance. You’ll find bloody marys dressed with jack cheese cubes + bacon and $24 mimosa carafes.
Lowell’s, 1519 Pike Place | Everyday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. | You’ll have a hard time finding bloody marys more creative than this diner’s smoked salmon or the rosemary fennel versions.
Beardslee Public House, 19116 Beardslee Blvd., Bothell | Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Meat meister John Howie founded this spot, so you know the smoked pork loin Benedict is ridic. The $22 bottomless mimosas ain’t bad, either.
