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Try These University City Brunch Restaurants ASAP

University City, a neighborhood surrounding the local universities in Philadelphia, is the perfect place to grab some food or drinks, especially at affordable prices. And when you’ve had a little bit too much to drink the night before, there’s no better hangover cute than brunch. The good news is, this neighborhood is full of tasty brunch options and we’ve narrowed it down to our top picks.

two young women eating brunch in university city

Whether you prefer pancakes and waffles or salads and sandwiches, these brunch spots are sure to satisfy any of your cravings. And if you’re in the mood for a drink or two, our list has restaurants perfect for that too. From mimosas to margaritas, they’ve got it all. Keep reading to learn a bit about each brunch!


Renata’s Kitchen

3940 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (267) 275-8254
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Craving some Mediterranean food? Check out Renata’s Kitchen in Philadelphia. This local restaurant serves plenty of authentic cuisine for lunch and dinner, but the real star at this spot is their brunch.

Brunch is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Serving everything you can imagine on their brunch menu, Renata’s Kitchen has a little bit of something for everyone. We recommend the chocolate french toast, feta wrap, apple crumble pancakes, or smoked salmon benedict.


White Dog Cafe

3420 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215) 386-9224
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If you’re trying to be environmentally friendly, head over to White Dog Cafe. This local restaurant uses locally-sourced, organic ingredients and uses eco-friendly equipment like LED lights in their restaurant.

White Dog Cafe offers brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to try the churros waffle, tofu “egg” salad open face sandwich, or Green Meadow Farm double cheddar burger. They also mark all of their meals with allergens, so you can avoid specific ingredients like wheat or dairy!


Walnut Street Cafe

2929 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215) 867-8067
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Serving American comfort food Walnut Street Cafe is a popular spot for brunch in University City. This local restaurant has an award-winning team of cooks, so you can count on the food being top notch. Additionally, they prioritize the use of local and seasonal ingredients.

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Brunch is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Walnut Street Cafe and feature many tasty dishes. Try out the fig swirl coffee cake, eggs benedict, belgian waffle, or steak and eggs. Make sure you order a mimosa or bloody mary to go with your meal!


Copabanana University City

4000 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215) 382-1330
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In the mood for Mexican food? Head over to Copabanana University City. This local cafe serves amazing Mexican-American cuisine as well as delicious cocktails to go with it. Locals love the affordable prices at this spot.

Copabanana offers brunch on the weekends, so visit Saturday or Sunday to try this tasty menu. We recommend the burger benedict, banana stuffed french toast, or yucatan omelette. Be sure to grab a margarita or mojito on your way out!


Louie Louie

3611 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (267) 805-8585
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Louie Louie, named one of the most beautiful restaurants in the country, is another popular brunch spot for its food and French cafe/70s themed decor. This French-American bistro also has outdoor seating, perfect for a Sunday afternoon brunch.

Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Louie Louie. We recommend the creme brulee french toast, shrimp and grits, red velvet waffle, or french dip. Be sure to sip on a brunch cocktail like a bellini or bloody mary!


Jezabel’s Argentine Cafe & Catering

206-208 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215) 554-7380
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If new flavors are what you’re in search of, we recommend Jezabel’s Argentine Cafe & Catering. This local Argentinian restaurant serves a few classic pastries and dishes. Orders must be made at least two hours in advance, but will be ready when you arrive, so be sure to plan ahead.

Jezabel’s brunch is available on Sundays consists of four components: two Argentine pastries of the day, a green salad with dijon vinaigrette, Spanish-style pickled gigante beans, and tortilla de patatas. Brunch is only $32 and is the perfect serving for two!


Sabrina’s Cafe

227 N 34th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215) 222-1022
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With nearly 1,500 reviews, it’s no surprise this spot is so popular for brunch. Sabrina’s Cafe is open from early morning to mid-afternoon, so it’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. This restaurant serves New American cuisine and is also BYOB, so come prepared if you’re hoping to drink.

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Sabrina’s Cafe serves a menu with plenty of sweet and savory options, so whatever you’re craving you’ll find. Try out the cannoli french toast, ultimate mexi scramble, buffalo chicken sandwich, or jerk shrimp tacos!


Federal Donuts

3428 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (267) 275-8489
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Rounding out our list of brunches is Federal Donuts. This local restaurant is a straightforward establishment that serves chicken, donuts, and coffee. With hundreds of glowing reviews, it’s no wonder this is a popular spot.

Federal Donuts’ menu is modest, but the options are endless if you combine the dishes. We recommend the breakfast sandwich, blueberry cheesecake donut, or fried chicken/wings. The chicken and wings come with multiple dry seasonings or wet glazes to choose from and also come with a honey donut!


We don’t know about you, but we’re already making brunch plans for the weekend after reading this list. It’s obvious University City is the perfect spot for brunch with countless options to choose from whether you’re looking for something sweet, savory, or even boozy.

Looking for the best happy hour deals in the area? Check out our favorite happy hour spots in University City in this list.

Which brunch will you try next? Let us know! Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you mention it down below and we’ll check it out!

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

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