Sacramento Brunch: Where Mediocre Eggs Cost $21 and Patience Dies
Let’s be real. Some brunch places in Sacramento are like exclusive clubs for basic eggs. You stand in line forever, your mimosa is $13 and 80% ice, and when your food finally arrives… it tastes like regret on sourdough.
If you’re over the “Instagram-famous but flavorless” scene, this one’s for you.
Here are five actually good Sacramento brunch spots where the food’s hot, the coffee’s strong, and you won’t have to sacrifice your entire Saturday just to be fed.
1. Orphan Breakfast House
Location: 3440 C St, Sacramento
Why It’s Not a Tourist Trap: No sign. No website. No hype. Just damn good food.
Tucked in East Sac, Orphan serves up flavorful Latin-inspired dishes like chile verde scramble and plantain pancakes without the TikTok crowd. Coffee’s solid, staff is lovely, and it’s one of those spots where everyone just shuts up and eats because it’s that good.
What to order: The Zen Breakfast (tofu scramble with house potatoes) or the Banana Blackberry Pancakes.
Website: Orphan Breakfast
Wait time: 15–25 mins on weekends, usually less if you go early.
2. Bacon & Butter (But go to the Tahoe Park location)
Location: 5913 Broadway, Sacramento
Why It’s Not a Tourist Trap: They’re actually worth the hype—but only this location.
Yeah, yeah, the name alone screams “brunch flex.” But B&B makes a damn good biscuit sandwich and their seasonal menu changes often. The Tahoe Park location feels like a local secret compared to the chaos of midtown. Pro tip: get there before 9:30 a.m. or risk the brunch gods punishing you.
What to order: Griddled Corn Cakes or the B&B Breakfast Sandwich with bacon jam.
Website: baconandbuttersac.com
Wait time: 20–30 mins if you plan it right. Takeout also slaps.
3. Tower Café
Location: 1518 Broadway, Sacramento
Why It’s Not a Tourist Trap: Okay, technically it’s famous, but the food actually lives up to the hype.
Tower Café’s been around forever, but unlike some “veteran” brunch joints, they haven’t gotten lazy. Their menu is wildly eclectic, the garden patio is vibey, and their French toast might send you into a sugar coma—in a good way.
What to order: Famous French Toast. Just do it. Or the Thai Steak & Eggs.
Website: towercafe.com
Wait time: 10–20 mins if you get there before the influencers roll in.
4. Fixins Soul Kitchen
Location: 3428 3rd Ave, Sacramento (Oak Park)
Why It’s Not a Tourist Trap: Flavor over filters. Comfort over clout.
Fixins is soul food, but make it brunch. Chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, bottomless mimosas, and music that slaps harder than your cousin’s iTunes playlist from 2009. This place brings energy—but also real food you’ll still be thinking about next week.
What to order: Fried Chicken & Waffles. Don’t argue.
Website: fixinssoulkitchen.com
Wait time: 10–15 mins if you reserve, 30+ if you roll in fashionably late.
Pro tip: use Yelp Waitlist on weekends.
5. Poppy by Mama Kim
Location: 533 53rd St, Sacramento
Why It’s Not a Tourist Trap: Low-key spot. High-key flavor. Hidden gem energy.
If “cozy neighborhood bistro with fresh, creative brunch” sounds like your vibe, go to Poppy. The menu rotates with the seasons and the staff treats you like you’ve been friends for years. It’s one of those rare spots that’s never trying too hard—and still wins.
What to order: Sweet potato waffle with fried chicken. Or literally whatever the special is.
Website: poppybymamakim.com
Wait time: Usually none if you go before 11. Bonus: easy parking.
Honorable Mentions (For When You’re Feeling Brave):
- Siblings– Great for gluten-free brunch. Bad for social anxiety (it’s always packed).
- The Morning Fork – Delicious but tiny; get there early or bring patience.
- Fox & Goose – British pub-style brunch and great vibes, but slow AF on weekends.
Final Thoughts: Brunch Like a Local, Not a Line-Waiting Lemming
Sacramento has more to offer than the same five Instagram-famous spots everyone flocks to. Skip the chaos, dodge the $19 toast, and brunch smarter—not harder.
Whether you’re into chicken & waffles or Zen tofu vibes, one of these five will feed your body and restore your brunch faith.
Now go forth and brunch, but if you do end up waiting 2 hours… at least don’t order the eggs.
Or follow our food fails and finds on Instagram using #SacBrunchTruth.
If you prefer to stay home instead check out my mum’s apple crumble recipe!
