8 Best Vegan Brunch Spots in the Bay Area

Brunch is usually synonymous with egg-based, meat-heavy, and dairy-laden dishes, but these Bay Area spots are challenging that stereotype by whipping up creative plant-based spins on all the classic brunch offerings that are just as delicious without the cruelty.

The Butcher’s Son (Berkeley):

Level 8 Vegan at @thebutchersson_. Toasted bagel, cream cheese, fried chickn, bacon, avocado, green leaf lettuce, & tomato. Plus a cherry cheesecake in the back. 100% #vegan.

A post shared by Rosie (@rose_petalz) on Oct 22, 2016 at 12:26pm PDT

Opening just last year, in February 2016, The Butcher’s Son reflects a new trend in the plant-based food movement—with the openings of several other vegan butcher shops and delis across the country—proving that even the most traditionally meat- and dairy-based dishes can be made vegan. Their gourmet brunch menu could fool any omnivore with dishes like #ThisIsMyAddiction featuring scrambled "egg," grilled mozzarella, avocado, and bacon on garlic ciabatta.

Must-eat dish: The Level 8 Vegan, a toasted bagel with fried chicken, bacon, cream cheese, lettuce, tomato, and avocado

Crêpes Bistro (San Jose): 

Garden crepe with vegan pesto and cheese and French Affection with coconut creme 🙌💘 #crepesbistro #vegancrepes #veganfood #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #southbayvegans #plantbased

A post shared by Sarah Sanchez (@veganmademoiselle) on Nov 14, 2016 at 2:48pm PST

A Bay Area hidden gem, Crêpes Bistro is cooking up a myriad of vegan dishes, and nearly everything on their menu is vegan or can be made vegan. They offer a variety of savory and sweet crêpes, fresh baked pastries, and açaí bowls. A vegan crêpe is a rare find even in the veg-friendly Bay Area, but this San Jose eatery is filling that gap by offering more than a dozen different variations.

Must-eat dish: Royal Veggie Crêpe​ with vegan cheese, roasted eggplant, mushrooms, avocado, tomatoes, carrots, marinated white onion sauce, lemon tahini sauce, and spinach

Hella Vegan Eats (Oakland):

Brunchtastic Fantasies are coming true right NOW! See you cuties every Saturday and Sunday 11am to 3pm!!!!😘😘😘

A post shared by ✨ Dreamy Vegan Eats ✨ (@hellaveganeats) on Feb 26, 2017 at 12:48pm PST

You’re definitely in the Bay Area when “hella” starts getting thrown around, and as the name states, this food truck turned beer garden offers an abundance of dreamy, eye-catching vegan eats—their Instagram is chock full of over-the-top gourmet doughnuts and platters of fried seitan and waffles. But what makes Hella Vegan Eats even more dreamy is their no-hold bars approach to social justice—openly supporting intersectional causes, while promoting amazing vegan eats.

Must-eat dish: Gluten-Free Fried Chicken & Waffles with peach maple syrup and lavender sage butter

Millennium (Oakland):

Rosemary-Cranberry-Ginger Sourdough French Toast house made bread, baked apple compote, whipped tofu sweet butter, hazelnut granola #millennium #millenniumoakland #vegan #vegansofig #vegansofinstagram #frenchtoast #veganfrenchtoast #local #seasonal #sustainable #organic

A post shared by Millennium (@millenniumrestaurant) on Dec 18, 2016 at 5:27pm PST

If you’re looking for a more upscale brunch with dishes that are as creative as they are delicious, Millennium—recently relocated from San Francisco to Oakland—will fit the bill. A gourmet vegan Bay Area hot spot for over two decades, Millennium only gets better with age. Huckleberry scones, sourdough beignets, and buckwheat griddle cakes with caramelized brandied apples and whipped coconut cream are just a few of the dishes you’ll find on this indulgent brunch menu.

Must-eat dish: Mushrooms & Grits with smoked portobello, king trumpets, runner beans, roasted tomato étouffée, braised collard greens, and salsa fresca

Sanctuary Bistro (Berkeley):

Such a delicious brunch at Sanctuary Bistro. Polenta scramble, gluten free waffle with peaches & tofu rancheros. Amazing food & amazing friends @bigrichski @caroline5alive @flywithdes

A post shared by Rosie (@rose_petalz) on Aug 24, 2014 at 1:15pm PDT

The go-to spot for organic, sustainable, and locally sourced vegan fare, Sanctuary Bistro has a compassionate approach to food and community—frequently hosting fundraisers for nonprofit animal-rights organizations. Their brunch menu features many hard-to-find plant-based dishes, from a housemade cheese plate to vegan omelets, making this restaurant a highlight among the many veg-friendly eateries in the Bay Area.

Must-eat dish: Shiitake Bacon & Cheese Waffle with cashew chèvre and a potato cashew cream drizzle

Saturn Cafe (Berkeley and Santa Cruz):

We're renaming Sunday to Brunchday!

A post shared by Saturn Cafe (@saturncafe) on Aug 28, 2016 at 11:09am PDT

This quirky longtime Bay Area vegetarian establishment—first opened in 1979—is out of this world! The retro space-themed interior creates a fun atmosphere that is reflected in their equally fun menu. Saturn is known for their decadent milkshakes and crave-worthy late-night menu, but their Sunday brunch with bottomless mimosas is not to be missed! They even have a dog-friendly patio so you can bring your four-legged friend along with you. Their Bay Area location is in Berkeley, but they also have a second location in Santa Cruz, home of VegNews HQ (and yes—we eat there often).

Must-eat dish: Coconut Cream Pie French Toast with whipped coconut cream

St. Francis Fountain (San Francisco):

Yoga really works up an appetite 🤸🏼‍♀️🥞 @stfrancisfountainsf #whatveganseat

A post shared by Cheyenne 🦋 The Urban Gypsy (@urban.gypsy) on Jan 3, 2017 at 12:42pm PST

This retro ice cream parlor and soda fountain shop—opened in 1918—would be the last place you would expect to find an extensive menu with several vegan options, but you’ll find a multitude of plant-based offerings tucked among their animal-based counterparts on the menu. With everything from a classic tofu scramble, to cheesy vegan rancheros, and strawberry pancakes, you’ll be able to satisfy all of your brunch cravings while you down mimosas.

Must-eat dish: A stack of their hot-off-the-griddle Banana Walnut Pancakes

Timeless Coffee (Oakland):

Last February brunch before the menu changes. Come and get your tacos. Photo by @cupcakepeonie

A post shared by @timelesscoffee on Feb 26, 2017 at 9:46am PST

A one-of-a-kind Bay Area establishment, Timeless Coffee offers an impressive array of baked goods and coffee drinks—and you don’t have to worry about peeking over the counter to make sure the barista is using almond milk! During the week you can find savory frittatas, creamy danishes, and buttery scones stocking the glass counter cases—but on the weekend, Timeless offers rotating brunch specials. This month’s specials menu features a Monte Cristo sandwich with VeganEgg, Chao cheese, and Tofurky ham on sourdough, and a blueberry buckwheat waffle piled high with fresh fruit, strawberry preserves, and coconut whip cream.

Must-eat dish: A slice of their Apple Tea Walnut cake and a mug of their house-roasted coffee

Sarah McLaughlin is an Editorial Assitant for VegNews who thinks weekend brunch is the best meal of the week.