Soul foodjackson-wardMon-Thu 11:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-21:00
Mama J's Sunday brunch in Jackson Ward serves soul food at the family-table volume. Velma Johnson's kitchen pours sweet tea, runs the standard plate.
Order: Fried chicken and waffle with sweet tea.
Tip: Sunday morning is the family-dinner crowd; Saturday afternoon is the easier seat.
New AmericanwesthamptonMon-Tue 11:30-22:00; Wed-Thu 11:30-23:00; Fri 11:30-00:00; Sat 10:00-00:00; Sun 10:00-21:00
The Continental in Westhampton runs weekend brunch alongside dinner. Crab cake Benedict, Bloody Marys and a Grove Avenue neighborhood crowd.
Order: Crab cake benedict.
Tip: Sundays book up earliest; weekday brunch is rare but the bar pours all weekend.
Jewish delidowntownDaily 09:00-15:00
Perly's daytime menu carries brunch energy daily until 3 pm. Pastrami Benedicts, latkes and matzo ball soup; the Sunday queue snakes around the corner.
Order: Pastrami benedict with latkes.
Tip: Weekend brunch books quickly; weekday morning is the easier seat.
FrenchcarytownMon-Thu 07:00-21:30; Fri-Sat 07:00-22:30; Sun 09:00-20:30
Can Can Brasserie in Carytown runs weekend brunch in the Left-Bank-style room. Croque madames, frites, mimosas and a wood-counter bar that fills Sundays.
Order: Croque madame with frites.
Tip: Reserve Sunday 11 am; bar seating walks up faster than tables.
American dinercarytownMon-Fri 10:00-00:00; Sat-Sun 08:00-00:00
Galaxy Diner runs weekend brunch in the chrome-and-vinyl Carytown room. Belgian waffles, all-day breakfast, milkshakes and a no-reservation walk-up door.
Order: Belgian waffle and a milkshake.
Tip: Weekend mornings see the locals; midweek runs faster.
American breakfastthe-fanDaily 09:00-00:00, kitchen until 23:00
Joe's Inn runs all-day breakfast and weekend brunch from 9 am. Spaghetti a la Joe runs alongside Eggs Benedict in the Fan; daily until midnight.
Order: Breakfast plate with Joe's home fries.
Tip: Walk-up only; the wait is shorter at the bar.