5 Fave Brunch Spots

5 Fave Brunch Spots

Scene: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 When it comes to brunch, Philadelphians are spoiled for choice. City dwellers can step into any one of the myriad bars, restaurants and cafes that spill out onto sidewalks and color side streets, and they'll likely find options, or at the very least Sunday brunch.

 

For suburbanites living on the Main Line, it's a whole different story. Decent brunch spots were not always easy to come by. In fact, five years ago when Bryn Mawr was still 'home', to say we could count them on one hand was a stretch. So much for us marathon brunchers!

 

Fast-track to today, and as best we can describe, the Main Line is seeing somewhat of a renaissance. Long overdue. Coffee shops, retails stores and eateries have been cropping up faster than we can keep up, and to meet the growing demands of a hungry populace, more restauranteurs than ever are serving up a pretty damn good brunch.

 

We've rounded up our Top 5 Brunch Spots from the city to the suburbs to share with you! Some are old faves; the rest we've just recently visited and thought it only fair to give you the 411.

 

Quiche of the day and a blue salad at A Taste of Britain. 

 

A Taste of Britain (503 West Lancaster Ave.)

We've been frequenting this old gem for years, even before the tea house expanded into its current, beautiful space! The interior is delightfully decorated to make you feel like you really are attending a tea party, and the tea is served up in vibrantly colored tea pots and floral cups and saucers. Tucked in one corner of the space near the hostess station, an incredible variety of imported British goodies is reason enough to get excited - think British chocolates, cookies and jams! The menu also abounds with sweet and savory selections, British favorites and so many options for tea! Full afternoon tea is presented as three tiers of deliciousness, with tea sandwiches, petite-fours and a scone to top it all off. We recommend going for the Frittata of the Day with a side of Blue Salad and a pot of Coconut Almond tea. Your taste buds will thank you later.

 

Isn't the exterior of Metropolitan Bakery just darling?

 

Metropolitan Bakery & Café (264 S 19th St.)

This little bakery is a favorite among neighborhood locals, and on the blustery day in which we decided to pay a visit, it beckoned as a cozy little hotbox and welcome reprieve from the cold. Step inside and the heady scents of buttery pastries mingled with steamy soups and savory tarts is enough to knock any hungry man or woman off their feet. The extensive menu of iced and hot latte's, americano's and cappuccino's will please any coffee enthusiast, while the bounty of scrumptious sweet and savory offerings will have you eagerly planning your next visit. As the space is small, stop by during off-hours to avoid the crowds and guarantee yourself a perch by the window.

 

Nudy's Cafe Ardmore (11 Cricket Ave.)

Nudy's is no solo act. They've been around for years, and very likely, you've given their breakfast or lunch menu a whirl. Granted, some of their cafes are in better shape than others, but it wasn't until we slid into an inviting booth at their new Ardmore location (their 10th!), that we were smitten.  The interior is remarkably warm and cheery - just your friendly neighborhood watering hole - where families pass around plates of pancakes and french toast, the undergrads dig into crispy bacon and the tastiest home fries you'll ever savor, and as for us? We're perched at the breakfast bar, inhaling our veggie scrambles and fueling our addiction for caffeine. 

 

Turning Point (925 West Lancaster Ave.)

A no frills addition to the Bryn Mawr Village, Turning Point's atmosphere is casual, its furnishings, spartan. Yet on the weekends, it draws crowds. Likely because the menu options are plentiful, the servings are large, and the omelette's are delicious. Highly recommended is their Garden Frittata, served with toasted wheat pita and fresh fruit. And as for their cappuccino's? They're frothy AF and so very satisfying. Top marks from us. 

 

 Can you tell we like quiche and cappuccino? Brunch at Parc.

 

Parc Restaurant (227 S 18th St.)

If you adore Pareee like we do, this darling Parisian Brasserie, reminiscent of the high society café's of Le Belle Epoque, will certainly hit the spot. Set in the heart of Rittenhouse Square, Parc's welcoming interior is nothing short of grand, and a touch romantic, with orbed lighting overhead to illuminate the space, dark wood finishings, mosaic tiled flooring, and hints of merlot red. As for the bar, that's a scene in itself, with mixologists whipping up fanciful cocktails and coffee's, and the best cappuccino's we've had the pleasure to sip in Philadelphia. The quiche is a tried and true favorite, generously sized and incredibly filling. A must-try during your next visit downtown.