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Spectacular Center City Brunches

As a neighborhood in the heart of Philly, it’s no wonder Center City has so many delicious restaurant options. Though some may say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, we say it’s brunch. With the perfect combination of lunch and breakfast, sandwiches and waffles, there’s no other meal like brunch. Plus, how often do you get the excuse to drink at 11 a.m.? We’ve put together a list of the top brunch restaurants to try in town.

friends having brunch in center city restaurant

Whether you like a traditional brunch, want to try a new kind of cuisine, or are looking for modern takes on brunch classics, Center City is home to restaurants perfect for all of it. From BYOB spots to places with full-service bars, you’ll be able to get your drink on at almost any of these brunches, too. Keep reading to learn a bit about each brunch!


Parc

227 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 545-2262
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Looking for a French restaurant for brunch in Center City? Look no further than Parc. This local bistro takes on the authentic design of a cafe in France, so you’ll feel like you’ve taken a flight to Paris. Serving authentic French cuisine, this is perfect place to try new flavors.

Brunch is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Parc. We recommend the quiche lorraine, smoked salmon, or croque madame. Be sure to sip on a cocktail or some wine with your food!


Cafe Lift

428 N 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: (215) 922-3031
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With over 1,000 reviews, it’s no surprise Cafe Lift is such a popular spot for brunch in town. This local restaurant serves brunch and lunch filled with classic American cuisine. With art covering the walls and laid-back atmosphere, this is the perfect spot for a relaxing meal.

Cafe Lift’s menu is full of your favorite breakfast and lunch dishes, so whatever you’re in the mood for you’ll be able to find something you love. Be sure to try the spring frittata, cannoli french toast, smoked salmon bagel, or warm grain bowl!


Winkel

1119 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (267) 639-3453
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This brunch-specific restaurant is another popular place to grab a bite. Winkel is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., so it’s great for any time in the morning or mid afternoon. With plenty of glowing reviews about the service and food, you won’t want to miss this spot.

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Winkel’s menu is full of amazing dishes to choose from, so if you’re having a hard time deciding what to order try out the deep fried french toast, chicken and waffles, hot chicken sandwich, or Winkel smash burger!


Harper’s Garden

31 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (267) 886-8552
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If you’re all about the freshest cuisine, be sure to check out Harper’s Garden. This local restaurant focuses on seasonal dishes and the use of locally-sourced ingredients. Housed in a beautiful building with an open-air concept and a garden, this is the perfect spot to soak up some vitamin D.

Harper’s Garden serves a modest yet delicious menu for brunch. We recommend the cornmeal Dutch baby pancake, asparagus and mushroom galette, fried chicken and biscuit, or or cardamom glazed cruller. Be sure to sip on a mimosa or bloody mary too!


The Love.

130 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 433-1555
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Another seasonal menu spot with great brunch is The Love. This local restaurant serves American cuisine and is all about hospitality. With hundreds of review raving about the service, it seems like they’ve certainly lived up to this goal.

The Love’s menu changes monthly, so you’ll have to visit frequently to try a bit of everything. Currently, be sure to try the take me away, miniature lemon-lavender scones, shrimp and grits, or ricotta ravioli. Don’t forget to sip on a cocktail as well!


Cafe La Maude

816 N 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: (267) 318-7869
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An additional spot that’s perfect for that French feel is Cafe la Maude. This local restaurant serves French-Lebanese cuisine, so it’s great for trying something new. Family-owned and focused on family recipes, you can count on this brunch being filled with love.

Cafe la Maude’s menu is filled with amazing creations to taste. Try out the red velvet tiramisu pancakes, apple pie banana pancakes, green shakshuka, or the N-liberties. Make sure you bring some champagne or wine as this spot is BYOB!


Walnut Street Cafe

2929 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215) 867-8067
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With a team of award-winning chefs, it’s no wonder Walnut Street Cafe is a popular spot for brunch. Serving American comfort food, you can count on the food being delicious. They also prioritize the use of local and seasonal ingredients.

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Brunch is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Walnut Street Cafe. We recommend the fig swirl coffee cake, breakfast sandwich, or eggs benedict. Be sure to grab a mimosa or bloody mary on the side!


Morning Glory Diner

735 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 413-3999
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Looking for a cozy diner to grab some brunch? Try out Sam’s Morning Glory Diner. This local restaurant is quite popular with over 800 reviews on Google. Sam’s is a cash only establishment, so be sure to come prepared to pay for your meal.

Brunch is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Sam’s Morning Glory Diner. Be sure to try the monkey french toast, foccacia breakfast sandwich, or breakfast pizza. Don’t forget to BYOB!


The Victoria Freehouse

10 S Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (215) 543-6089
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Last but not least on our brunch list is The Victoria Freehouse. This local restaurant has a pub-like atmosphere and serves traditional British cuisine. With beer on tap and sports on the TVs, you’re bound to have fun at this spot.

The Victoria Freehouse serves brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. We recommend the full English breakfast, victorian curried eggs, Guinness burger, or kedgeree. Be sure to order a brunch cocktail to complete your meal!


There’s nothing better than brunch on a late Sunday morning, and this neighborhood in Philly sure does have a lot of places to grab some. With plenty of different cuisines and flavor profiles, there’s a brunch for every mood you’re in.

Which brunch are you most excited to try? Let us know! Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you drop us a line and we’ll check it out!

Why Trust Us?

When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 5 credible sites and blogs, including Opentable.com and Tripadvisor.com. 

We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible. 

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Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 5 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.

https://www.opentable.com/features/best-brunch-restaurants-center-city-philadelphia-pa
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g60795-zfn20931985-zfp10606-Philadelphia_Pennsylvania.html
https://www.phillymag.com/foobooz/best-brunch-philadelphia/
https://philly.eater.com/maps/best-brunch-restaurants-philadelphia
https://bucketlisters.com/inspiration/188-best-brunch-spots-in-philly

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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.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.