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Best Brunch Restaurants in Chinatown (94108)

6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: February 2026

Our Top Pick
City View Restaurant
Made-to-order dim sum with quick turns and reliable pacing.

Notable Picks

$$$ Chinatown
Refined, cart-free dim sum that lands hot and well-paced—ideal for a Chinese brunch near Portsmouth Square. Comfortable seating and attentive service suit groups who want classic dumplings without the chaos.
Must-Try Dishes: Har gow (shrimp dumplings), Siu mai, Baked BBQ pork buns
What makes it special: Made-to-order dim sum with quick turns and reliable pacing.
$ Chinatown
High-volume Chinatown counter turning out hot, freshly fried pastries alongside classic dim sum. Expect fast-moving lines and consistent execution on donut-adjacent favorites like sesame balls and fried dough sticks.
Must-Try Dishes: Sesame Balls (Jin Dui), Chinese Donut (Youtiao), Sweet Egg Puffs
What makes it special: Takeout-only pace with reliably fresh, fried pastries.
$$$$ Union Square
Union Square’s glass-dome dining room pairs polished service with a quietly excellent burger-and-fries plate. Fries are hot, crisp, and consistent—perfect with popovers and a martini at lunch.
Must-Try Dishes: Rotunda Burger & Fries, Lobster Club with Fries, Truffle Fries
What makes it special: Refined, under-the-dome burger-and-fries experience in a landmark room.
$$ Chinatown
Parisian-style brasserie at the Chinatown Gate with photogenic plating, a newsstand vibe, and sidewalk tables. Locals stop for classic bistro fare, all-day espresso, and a lively Union Square backdrop made for the feed.
Must-Try Dishes: Steak frites, French onion soup gratinée, Croque monsieur
What makes it special: Old-world brasserie energy steps from the Dragon Gate.
$$ Nob Hill
Hotel dining room serving modern American breakfast that functions well for an unhurried, upscale brunch. Ingredients skew local with clean execution and attentive pacing.
Must-Try Dishes: Avocado toast with poached egg, Buttermilk waffles, Smoked salmon plate
What makes it special: Polished hotel brunch with locally sourced staples and calm pacing.

Worthy Picks

$$$$ Union Square
Casual Union Square standby known for all-day plates and a reliable burger-and-fries combo. Fries are classic diner-style—crisp, salty, and quick from the kitchen for a pre-shopping refuel.
Must-Try Dishes: Roxanne Burger & Fries, Crispy French Fries (side), Chicken Sandwich & Fries
What makes it special: Quick, classic diner-style fries right off the Powell cable car line.