Sometimes the best brunches come from the most unexpected places. These San Francisco and Oakland spots may specialize in wine, but their sumptuous morning meals are worth waking up for.
Scopo DivinoCourtesy of Scopo Divino/Facebook
Scopo Divino
Hammered gold leaf on the ceiling and back-lit wine cases add a bit of vintage New York glitz to this classy but comfortable Pac Heights enoteca. At the bar's new weekend brunch, Scopo Divino serves up hearty dishes including beef pot roast hash and meatball sandwiches, alongside eye-opening cocktails and wines by the glass. // 2800 California St (Pac Heights), scopodivino.comParigoIn the international auxiliary language Esperanto, Parigo means "pairing;" at this streamlined Marina bar, the name is a nod to the complementary and contrasting wines they recommend with every dish. At brunch you'll find mouthwatering eats like eggs in brioche with pistachio and duck sausage and Brussels sprout pesto, or crispy pork belly with cheddar grits. There are, of course, wine cocktails, as well as a variety of mules and a bloody mary bar. // 3232 Scott St (Marina), parigosf.com
Indian Paradox
This friendly neighborhood spot, painted in tones of purple, offers a unique interpretation of what a wine bar should be. After moving to the Bay Area from southern India, Kavitha Raghavan scrapped her plans to study electrical engineering and decided instead to try and fuse the food traditions of her native home with Northern California wines. At the aptly named Indian Paradox, you can start the day on a different foot with street food snacks, masala omelettes, and dosas. // 258 Divisadero St (Lower Haight), indianparadoxsf.com
Noeteca Wine BarCourtesy of Noeteca/Yelp
Noeteca Wine Bar
A Noe Valley staple, this simple, cozy cafe has been keeping the neighborhood lubricated for years with its robust wine list. At brunch, you'll find Frenchie fare such as quiche lorraine and the fanciful croque Napoleon, a savory bread pudding with layers of smoked ham and cheese. Do not miss the truffle paté plate and nutella bomboloni. // 1551 Dolores St. (Noe Valley), ordernoeteca.com
Bellanico is a comfy-casual neighborhood spot specializing in Old World (especially Italian) vintages. For brunch, you can indulge in both antipasti—think hand-crafted burrata—and seasonally rotating breakfast fare such as duck confit hash with poached eggs. For a morning meal of champions, try Bellanico's three-course brunch tasting with wine pairings ($42). // 4238 Park Blvd. (Oakland), bellanico.net
PerleCourtesy of Perle/Facebook
Perle
Brightly lit with a marble topped bar and open kitchen at the back, Perle is a welcoming favorite in Oakland's Montclair Village. The wine bar's French-inspired, seafood-heavy menu shines at brunch with delectable bites like fried oyster deviled eggs and foie gras French toast. // 2058 Mountain Blvd (Montclair), perlewinebar.com
District
At District, the exposed wood beams, brick walls and dark leather and velvet seating create a men's club meets industrial factory vibe. But while whisky, in addition to wine, may dominate in the evenings, brunch is all about bottomless mimosas. Drink as many as you can alongside District's buffet brunch, laden with biscuits and sawmill gravy and buttermilk pancakes with butter rum syrup. // 216 Townsend St. (SoMa), districtsf.com
Herlen PlaceCourtesy of Herlen Place/Yelp
Herlen Place
This bright, modern coffee and wine bar in Union Square is a chic escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Their brunch menu is exceedingly simple—just a few hearty, seasonally inspired dishes from chefs Laurent Manrique and Patrick Albert—but among them you'll find Herlen's interpretation of the Impossible Burger, the groundbreakingly "bloody" vegetarian hamburger smothered in your choice of toppings including blue cheese and caramelized shallots. // 334 Grant Ave (Union Square), herlenplace.com
Uva Enoteca
The European-inspired Uva Enoteca serves up an extensive menu of Italian wines and eats in a sophisticated but unfussy setting. At brunch, pair Uva's bottomless bellinis with truffled egg toast with fontina cheese, or go family-style with pizzas and pastas such as the boar bolognese lasagna with bechamel and Parmigiano-Reggiano. // 568 Haight St (Lower Haight), uvaenoteca.com
