Ever dream of backpacking around the world, experiencing cultures and sampling delicacies of every kind? For those of us who can’t take the time off of work, there’s no better way to embark on a foreign adventure than starting your day with a worldly brunch. Here’s our roundup of brunches from around the world that you can find right across the bay in Berkeley.

1. France
If you’re lucky enough to grab a table at La Note on a Sunday afternoon, you’re in for a delightful Parisian treat. Choose from any number of their menu items; whether it’s their creme fraiche pancakes or cinnamon brioche French toast, you’re sure to be satisfied. Sitting in La Note’s back patio or under the Eiffel tower, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between where you were with one of La Note’s baguette sandwiches in hand. Be warned, for groups larger than two, arriving at La Note after 11am without reservations will mean at least a 40-60 minute wait. Mon-Fri 8am - 2:30pm, Thu-Sat 6pm - 10pm Sat-Sun 8am - 3pm, 2377 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley

2. South of the Border
Tomate serves plenty of traditional American orders like hotcakes and sides of sausage and eggs, but you’ll see people coming in for their Huevos rancheros or their special Cuban breakfast that consists of shrimps, plantains, organic basmati rice, black beans, eggs, and greens. There’s comfortable indoor seating or you can choose to enjoy your meal and bask in the sun on their private backdoor patio. Mon-Fri 8am - 3:30pm, Sat-Sun 8am - 3pm, 2265 5th St, Berkeley

3. East Asia
Sleep in on a Sunday morning and head over to the Thai Temple on Russell Street. From 10am-1pm, you can exchange your dollars for special tokens to order any number of fresh Thai menu items from vendors with entrees averaging $6-7. Popular items include the pad thai, mango with sticky rice, and Thai iced tea. Sun 10 am - 1 pm, 1911 Russell St, Berkeley

4. The Mediterranean
Sail across the Mediterranean Sea for a Greek-inspired brunch with excellent attentive service atZut! Choose from seating within the restaurant or out on the sidewalk patio and enjoy any number of Zut!’s Mediterranean entrees made with fresh local ingredients like their roasted beet salad with mint and grapefruit or one of their thin-crusted pizzas with fresh mozzarella and basil. Mon-Thu 11:30 am - 9:30 pm, Fri 11:30 am - 10:30 pm, Sat 10:30 am - 10:30 pm, Sun 10:30 am - 9 pm, 1820 4th St, Berkeley


5. Germany
Gaumenkitzel; it’s not only German for “delight of the taste buds” but a great getaway for some delicious menu items with more letters than ingredients in their name. Enjoy authentic home-style German cooking by pairing your Schnitzel & Egg with a Mimosa with German Kupferberg (dry Riesling). You might as well be in the Alps. Tue-Thu, Sun 11:30 am - 9 pm, Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 10 pm, 2121 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley

6. American  
There’s nothing like home sweet home and our pick for a classic American breakfast goes to Bette’s Ocean View Diner. There are not many brunch items that can beat their souffle pancakes, unless of course you ordered the fried chicken and waffles from 900 Grayson.  If you cannot go on a random weekday, expect a large crowd at Bette’s for brunch on the weekend. But fear not, there are plenty of shops to peruse though on Fourth Street as you wait for your table. Mon-Fri 6:30 am - 2:30 pm, Sat-Sun 6:30 am - 4 pm, 1807 4th St, Berkeley