April is National Brunch Month, and what better way to celebrate than indulging in the Philadelphia region’s most highly-creative and eccentric brunch offerings, from Citrus Cured Salmon Benedict at Forsythia to Duck Wings and Waffles at Square 1682, and many other covetable dishes from brunch-forward locales including The Dutch, Red Owl Tavern, Royal Boucherie, Gaul & Co. Malt House, Rex at The Royal, Stella of New Hope, Patchwork, CO-OP Restaurant & Bar, Urban Farmer, and Seaview Hotel & Golf Club.
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Royal Boucherie, Philadelphia’s atmospheric and lively neighborhood restaurant and bar, features a robust lineup of Parisian-inspired brunch offerings like Eggs Benedict ($27) with seafood mousseline, leek, and sauce béarnaise, Escargot ($18) with garlic parsley butter and Pernod, Ratatouille Tian ($12) composed of seasonal vegetables, anchovy, Parmesan, and Maldon, Steak Tartare ($20) prepared with quail egg, pickled shallot, crispy capers, and tarragon aioli, and Crème Brûlée French Toast ($16) comprised of stuffed brioche, berries, berry jam, and maple syrup. Imbibers can select from the sweeping beverage offerings including craft cocktails, zero-proof temperance cocktails, beer, and wine.
Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday 4 – 10pm, Friday and Saturday 4 – 11pm, Sunday 4 – 9pm (dinner); Saturday and Sunday 10am – 3pm (brunch).
52 S Second St, Philadelphia, PA | 267.606.6316 | www.royalboucherie.com | IG @royalboucherie
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The Dutch, the popular breakfast, lunch, and dinner eatery with a focus on reinventing the Pennsylvania Dutch classics, continues to be a fan-favorite brunch locale following last year’s move to the heart of East Passyunk Avenue. Standouts from their plethora of imaginative morning fare including Crispy Lebanon Bologna Omelet ($16), Savory Dutch Baby ($15) with kielbasa, scallion, and powdered sugar, and Ring Bologna Eggs Benedict ($15) topped with two dippy eggs and creamed chipped beef. Fresh pastries are also available every morning, courtesy of Co-Owner and Pastry Chef Jessie Prawlucki, and lunch-inspired items include Fried Chicken BLT, Corned Beef or Turkey Reuben, and a toppling Double Cheeseburger.
Since relocating to East Passyunk Avenue in March 2022, The Dutch now boasts a full-service bar with craft beer, local wines by the glass, and a host of seasonal cocktails including Passionfruit Bellini, Gin Grapefruit Collins, and Elderflower Spritz.
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8am – 3pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am – 2pm (brunch); Wednesday and Thursday 5 – 9pm, Friday and Saturday 5 – 10pm, Sunday from 5 – 9pm (dinner).
1537 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA | 215.551.5000 | www.thedutchphilly.com | IG @thedutchphilly
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Red Owl Tavern, the rustic New American kitchen and bar located across from Independence Hall, has a robust and satiating weekend brunch menu sure to satisfy tourists and locals alike. Alongside fan-favorite staples such as Breakfast Jawn ($18) crafted with pork roll, cooper sharp, hash brown, fried eggs, and long hot aioli, served on a toasted Philly muffin, and French Toast Bread Pudding ($15) with smoked bacon, salted caramel butter, and praline, Red Owl Tavern also offers a selection of craft cocktails plus the dine-in only Mimosa Brunch ($22 with purchase of entrée) that comes with a bottle of sparkling white and choice of orange or cranberry juice.
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 7:30 – 10:45am, Saturday and Sunday 8 – 10am (breakfast); Monday through Friday 11:30am – 4:30pm (lunch); Monday through Friday 4:30 – 10pm, Saturday 5 – 10pm (dinner); and Saturday 10am – 4pm and Sunday 10am – 2pm (brunch).
422 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA | 215.923.2267 | www.redowltavern.com | IG: @redowltavern
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Square 1682, the modern American upbeat kitchen located on the ground level of the Kimpton Hotel Palomar, offers popular brunch fare and artfully prepared cocktails through Mid-Atlantic lens every weekend. Offerings including Duck Wings and Waffles ($18) comprised of a buttermilk waffle, fried wings, honey, samba, lime zest, and maple syrup, Wagyu Burger ($18) prepared with a seared double patty, hickory bacon, and cooper sharp, served with fries, Cobbler French Toast ($16) topped with braised peaches and streusel, and Rittenhouse Omelet ($17) with tomato, spinach, caramelized onions, white cheddar, and breakfast potatoes.
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8 – 11am (breakfast); Monday through Thursday 11:30am – 2pm, Friday 11:30am – 3pm (lunch); Tuesday through Thursday 5 – 10pm, Friday and Saturday 5 – 11pm (dinner); Friday and Saturday 3 – 5pm (mid-day menu); Saturday 8am – 3pm, Sunday 8am – 2pm (brunch).
121 S 17th St | https://square1682.com | 215.563.5008 | IG @square1682
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Forsythia, Old City’s contemporary French restaurant and bar helmed by Chef Christopher Kearse, has recently expanded operations with the re-launch of weekend brunch service, following a brief hiatus in December 2022. Available every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am – 2pm, brunch-goers and food-enthusiasts alike can enjoy an elegant and elevated brunch brimming with French-focused small plates, entrées, and a variety of unique takes on modern brunch dishes. Highlights from the newly-rejuvenated brunch menu include:
- Ricotta Beignets: Coconut Caramel
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Wagyu Beef Tartare Tartine: Mighty Bread Co. Sourdough, Dijon, Cured Egg Yolk
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Shrimp & Anson Mills Grits: Beech Mushroom, Pistachio, Grand Marnier Syrup
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Soufflé Pancakes: Citrus Curd, Pistachio, Grand Marnier Syrup
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Citrus Cured Salmon Benedict: Dill, Potato Rösti, Sour Cream, Meyer Lemon Hollandaise
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French Omelette: Melted Leeks, Midnight Moon Gouda, Matsutake Shoyu Beurre Blanc, Fines Herbs
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Steak and Eggs: Short Rib, Potato Rösti, Sunny Egg, Sauce Au Poivre
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Jambon-Beurre: Duck Prosciutto, Pickled Cucumber, Cultured Butter, Gruyere Brioche, Quail Egg
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Burger Royale: Two Smash Patties, Onion Jam, Comeback Sauce, Comté, House Pickles
Brunchtime imbibers can enjoy a plethora of beautifully-crafted seasonal sippers utilizing locally-sourced, farm-to-glass spirits, modifiers, and ingredients like Forsythia’s traditional Mimosa and signature Bloody Mary, or go the craft cocktail route with Metro A fashioned with rye whiskey, salted maple, dry vermouth, and orange bitters, and I’m A FUN GI comprised of mushroom-infused Pisco, Luxardo Maraschino, soy, celery, and ginger bitters.
Hours of operation: Wednesday through Sunday 5 – 10pm for dinner service, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am – 2pm for brunch service
233 Chestnut Street • Philadelphia | 215-644-9395 | www.forsythiaphilly.com
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Gaul & Co. Malt House, the neighborhood gastropub known for good food, booze, and people, and home of the “Wit-or-Witowski” Kielbasa Cheesesteak, offers an indulgent weekend brunch menu at both the Port Richmond and Rockledge locations. Brunchers looking to recover from Friday or Saturday night revels can seek comfort in Hangover Hash ($12) comprised of seasoned fried potatoes loaded with fried kielbasa, caramelized onions, Cooper Sharp cheese sauce, cherry pepper relish, and topped with a dippy egg or the NOTORIOUS F.I.G. ($12), a grilled cheese with gruyere on brioche with onion fig jam and a side of tomato basil soup. Additionally, Gaul & Co. Malt House features a selection of classic brunch cocktails including a Mimosa Trio ($12), a flight of their original, grapefruit, and blood orange varieties.
2619 E Indiana Avenue, Philadelphia, PA | 215.423.7878 | www.gaulandco.com
704 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA | 215.935.6443 | www.gaulandco.com
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Rex at The Royal, Philadelphia’s home for elevated Lowcountry fare housed in the historic and newly rejuvenated Royal Theater, offers a bevy of unique brunch options, including Southern-inspired twists on classic dishes such as the Shrimp and Grits ($29), prepared with fresh shrimp, cheesy speckled grits, andouille sausage, and trinity, Hot Dipped Chicken Biscuit ($15), prepared on a brioche bun with an all-beef burger, crispy red onions, spicy pimento cheese, butter lettuce, and smoked bacon, as well as raw bar options such as Oysters on the Half Shell ($19), served with house hot sauce and pickled cucumber mignonette. Diners with a sweet tooth can dig into the indulgent Banana French Toast ($19), crafted with banana pudding brioche and pecan praline sauce, or stick with classic Buttermilk Pancakes ($12 short stack/$16 tall stack).
Brunch is available Sunday from 11am – 2:30pm.
1524 South St. | www.rexphl.com | 267.319.1366
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The Twisted Tail, the Southern-inspired restaurant, bar and live music venue on Headhouse Square, offers a Southern comfort brunch menu accompanied by live music to start (or continue) the weekend on the right note.
Guests can enjoy Southern-inspired brunch highlights such as Crawfish Mac & Cheese ($8), Cheesy Grits ($13) with sharp cheddar, bacon crumbles and an egg; Chicken & Waffle ($18) with bourbon batter and a winter spiced-maple syrup; Brioche French Toast ($14), crafted with creme brulée, whipped cream, and doused with powdered sugar.
Any dish on the menu can be paired with a draft beer, cocktail, or one of many brown spirits on The Twisted Tail’s extensive whiskey list. For guests with no post-brunch plans, The Twisted Tail boasts a coveted weekend happy hour, featuring $5 glasses of house wine and half off draft beers.
Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday 4 – 10pm, Friday 4pm – 12am, Sat 11am – 12am, Sunday 10am – 10pm
509 S. Second St., (across from Headhouse Shambles) | 215-558-2471 | www.thetwistedtail.com
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Stella of New Hope, Bucks County’s modern American restaurant overlooking the Delaware River, serves a farm-to-table brunch that’s worth the 45 minute drive to picturesque New Hope from Philadelphia. Executive Chef Michael O’Halloran of Beat Bobby Flay fame approaches the weekend meal with a degree of elevation typically reserved for dinner hours.
With spring coming in early, locals and visitors of New Hope can grab a front row seat on the restaurant’s rustic-chic waterfront patio to bask in the Delaware River while enjoying some of Stella of New Hope’s showstopping brunch dishes including highlights like Buttermilk Eggs Benedict ($13), Lemon Ricotta Pancakes ($14), Petit Filet & Farro Grain Salad ($22), and Creamy Chicken Pot Pie ($16).
Stella of New Hope also offers a rare brunch dessert menu for sweet tooth weekenders to indulge in, featuring Caramelized White Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse ($12), Stella Sundae ($14), and Mixed Fresh Berries ($10), perfect for pairing with a selection of dessert wines and after brunch cocktails.
Hours of operation: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 4 – 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 4 – 10 pm, and weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am – 2 pm
50 S Main Street | (267) 740-2691 | www.stellanewhope.com
50 S Main Street | (267) 740-2691 | www.stellanewhope.com
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Patchwork, a lively restaurant and bar focused on New American cuisine, located on the second floor of Hyatt Centric Center City, boasts a deluxe weekend-long brunch. Executive Chef Jonathan Dearden takes the weekend meal to another level with Duck & Waffles ($24), featuring Pekin duck from Berks County-based Joe Jurgielewicz & Son, made with Tunisian Spice and served on a perfectly fluffy-on-the-inside-crispy-on-the-outside house-made waffle with a side of Pennsylvania Maple Syrup.
The well-rounded, Philadelphia rowhome-inspired menu also includes an Everything Philly Muffin ($16), topped with a fried egg, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, and breakfast potato hash; the Patchwork Burger ($24) prepared with cambozola, onion marmalade, lemon garlic mayo, and served on a brioche bun; and Shrimp & Grits ($22) flavored with chipotle and served with piquillo aioli, bacon and scallions.
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 7:30 – 10:45am (breakfast); Monday and Tuesday 4:30 – 9pm, Thursday and Friday 4:30 – 10pm, Saturday 5 – 10pm (dinner); and Saturday 8am – 4pm and Sunday 8am – 3pm (brunch).
1620 Chancellor St | 215.985.1234 | www.patchworkphilly.com
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CO-OP Restaurant & Bar, an open air-restaurant located on 33rd and Chestnut Street, at the crossroads of University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, has recently launched weekend brunch service for the first time since announcing its culinary refocus to elevated Mid-Atlantic cuisine last fall. Now available Saturdays and Sundays from 7am to 2pm, the new brunch menu draws inspiration from regional cooking techniques, blending traditional and contemporary practices paired with locally sourced ingredients.
Standout dishes include the Lancaster Omelet ($17) with mushrooms from Kennett Square (the mushroom capital of the world), Fried Chicken Sandwich ($17) on a brioche bun with housemate pickles, and a classic Breakfast Sandwich with scrambled eggs, bacon, english muffin, cheddar stuffed in an English muffin. Sweet and savory sharables include a Cheese Board ($22) with local cheeses and homemade compote; a selection of pastries and breads made in-house daily, such as savory Morning Buns ($12) with Manchego, Swiss chard and pesto, and a Dutch Baby covered in powdered sugar and New Jersey blueberries.
Guests can pair their meal with a Make Your Own Mimosa Flight ($50), boasting a bottle of Prosecco and a trio of rotating fresh juices, such as orange, The Study fruit blend (apple, pineapple, passionfruit, lemon) and pineapple juice, perfect for sharing. Additional beverages include a selection of brunch cocktails such as a Bloody Mary ($13) and Espresso Martini ($13).
Hours of operation: Monday through Sunday, 7 am –2 pm, 4 pm –10 pm; Brunch Saturday and Sunday 7 am — 2 pm; Bar menu only Sunday through Tuesday, 4 pm–10 pm
20 S 33rd St | 215.398.1874 | https://www.coopphilly.com
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Urban Farmer, Logan Square’s rustic chic modern American steakhouse, boasts a wide assortment of options during their brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am to 3 pm. Executive Chef Sonny Ingui has a line up of steaks including Filet, New York Strip, and Ribeye, and a Steak Tasting ($75) including three six-ounce steaks. Interesting takes on traditional brunch items include Shrimp and Grits ($26), a Crab Omelet ($24) with grilled onions and béarnaise, and Short Rib Hash ($22) mixed with Kennet Square mushrooms, peppers, spinach, béarnaise, sunny-side up egg.
Urban Farmer’s collection of starters include sharables like a Charcuterie Board ($17/34) with house-cured meats and artisanal selections, Kabocha Squash and Apple Bisque ($13), and Chilled Shrimp served with cocktail sauce, pickled red onion, and cucumber. A lineup of brunch cocktails are available to accompany the dishes including the Farmer #4 with Tito’s vodka, St. Germain, lime, and grapefruit, and the Racing the Sun mixing xicala mezcal, carrot juice, tumeric, honey, and lime.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday, 8am – 9pm, and Sunday, 8am – 3pm
1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215.963.2788 | www.urbanfarmersteakhouse.com
1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215.963.2788 | www.urbanfarmersteakhouse.com
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Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, the New Jersey Shore’s quintessential resort, hosts hotel guests and visitors for their award-winning brunch buffet every weekend in their elegant Main Dining Room Sundays from 11:30 am until 2 pm. Seaview’s brunch buffet boasts a variety of stations including an Omelet Station with choice of fresh eggs or egg whites, a Breakfast Station with fresh baked goods, yogurt & granola, fluffy scrambled eggs, bacon, pork sausage, blueberry stuffed pancakes, and more; SaladStation; Fresh from the Sea station provides smoked salmon with traditional accompaniments and Old Bay poached shrimp; Carving Station with herb roasted prime rib and au jus; Main Entrees like “Great Bay” Clams, Sauvignon Blanc & Garlic Broth Bell & Evans Chicken Paillard, and Saffron Rice Pilaf; and the Sweet Temptations Station offers an array assorted desserts and cookies. Champagne, mimosas, and sparkling cider are included.
The brunch is $49.95 per person (tax and gratuity not included) and $19.95 for children ages 6-12, while children under 5 are complimentary.
In addition to the brunch buffet, Seaview hosts a Make Your Own Bloody Mary Bar in the Lobby Bar from 9 am to noon every Sunday, where visitors can fine-tune their own Bloody Mary with a plethora of accouterments like crispy bacon, pickled veggies, and more. Each Bloody Mary is $9 and includes unlimited garnishes.
401 S New York Rd., Galloway, NJ | 609.652.1800 | https://www.seaviewdolcehotel.com/
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– Eleni Sterious