This little cafe in the heart of the Tenderloin has a host of delicious breakfast options offered at reasonable prices. Favorites include the variety in omelets, eggs, sausages, hash browns and other vegetarian options. Wonderfully presented fresh fruit is also served with almost everything and the service is friendly. There are also sandwiches and other lunch options. Come early if you want to avoid the wait.

This little place lends an undeniable taste of the French countryside to a bustling Mission District intersection. Though sweet items like cakes, pies, buns, cookies and pastry may be Tartine's mainstay, the decidedly savory, heartiest and most-Béchamel-drenched open-faced croque monsieurs keep neighborhood folks lining up for more. And speaking of bread, if you arrive early enough, you just might score yourself a loaf of the divine rustic country bread served (and constantly raved about) at sister bistro Bar Tartine. Just can't shake that sweet tooth? Opt for one of their beloved Morning Buns marbled with cinnamon and orange or the decadent Bread Pudding. Whatever you order, enjoy it at the big communal table gazing through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the entry of the 18th Street corridor.

This contemporary American bistro is a godsend to people who like to eat late at night. It makes a great alternative to 24-hour greasy spoons. This modern diner has a retro feel. Sit on the red padded bar stools at the chrome counter and slurp up a chocolate milkshake. Located in the theater district, a block from Union Square, Cafe Mason serves breakfast, lunch or dinner whenever you want and at affordable prices. The cooks make most things from scratch including home-made pastas, desserts, soups, and sauces. Nothing beats hot buttermilk pancakes topped with pure maple syrup at 4a.

Sears Fine Food is a good option for breakfast till 3pm everyday for all the sleepyheads and also for the sheer joy of digging into Swedish pancakes with maple syrup and fresh whipped butter. If you are going there for breakfast, be prepared to queue up. Lunch and dinner menus are also appetizing and they have a great wine selection to go with it. Old school decor in the recently refurbished restaurant keeps the old world charm intact and the staff add an extra dose of charm.

Breakfast is undeniably the most important meal of the day, and no one does it better than Sweet Maple. With a menu composed of fluffy scrambled eggs and omelets, steaks, pizzas, sandwiches and more, breakfast at this restaurant is sure to leave you feeling happy and content all day long. Their lunch menu is just as impressive, with salads, panini, burgers and cheesesteaks that are sure to satisfy your appetite and comfort your soul. No matter what you choose to eat, be sure to try some of their Millionaire's Bacon, and you will surely not be disappointed. A favorite amongst locals, Sweet Maple is the perfect place to grab a hearty meal before a long day, or enjoy a leisurely brunch with family and friends.

Opened by a team that believes dinner and a movie are a natural combination, this courtyard restaurant and bar keeps an internationally intellectual atmosphere by projecting the films of Fellini, Godard and company on its neighbor’s walls. Tableside speakers add a drive-in feel to the French bistro fare, letting the films function as either the background or a main attraction. Reservations are recommended as Foreign Cinema is one of the leading contestants in the Mission hipness race.

This bright, airy and lush restaurant features a breakfast buffet with enough food to satisfy even the hungriest eaters. It is open throughout the day and features an enjoyable afternoon tea menu for all the ladies in your quilting circle and poker matches. Tea, sandwiches, scones, tarts and pastries are served in such a lovely display that Queen Elizabeth herself would be pleased. The court's ceiling is made of glass, allowing for warm sunlight to filter through, feeding both the plants and the patrons with healthy Vitamin D rays. The quality of the service and food are both superb. American favorites are featured in this bright spot that attracts tourists as well as an older, more conservative local clientele.

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so then it is logical to do breakfast right. To experience this, the Pork Store Café is a place to be. Though small in dimension, the food here is huge. Every plate served is colossal, and, more importantly, delicious. It touts lots of meat on the menu (it's called the Pork Store, after all.) Ham, bacon, sausage, chops, all served with eggs, potatoes, toast and endless cups of strong coffee is served up by the friendly wait staff. If you are not feeling carnivorous, order a short stack of pancakes, omelet, French toast, or a veggie and tofu scramble. Sit at a window table or choose a stool at the counter, where you can watch all that fabulous food being prepared.

Even on famously dreary San Francisco fog-filled days you will still find a line forming out the door of Ella's, a classic American-style restaurant. Well-heeled patrons flock to Ella's for the freshly baked goods. Everything from the pot-pie crusts to the hamburger buns are kneaded, rolled and baked on the premises. The menu changes weekly but you will always find American favorites such as hearty burgers and the to-die-for chicken pot pie. You will also find classic drinks such as Gibsons and Manhattans available from the bar. On Saturdays and Sundays the brunch crowd is advised to get an early start, because hungry stomachs start the line half an hour before the restaurant opens its doors.

Named after the Louis Malle film Zazie dans le Metro, this charming French bistro that was voted "Best Brunch" in 2007 boasts delectable French and Basque cuisine with a decidedly California accent. Owner and chef Jennifer Piallat uses many of her French husband's family recipes, often adding a touch of fresh herbs or native Cali veggies. The plates are on the simple side, but with a complexity of flavor that would please any gourmand. The brunch menu, however, Piallat has left unchanged since she took over for former owner Catherine Opoix, but why alter tradition when the sidewalks overflow week-end after week-end with those eager to try their favorite of the varieties of egg dishes offered? Show up early to snag a table on their garden patio, sample one of their tasty wines and get a taste of French leisure on California shores.

Mama's on Washington Square has long queues that will keep you waiting on the sidewalk for half an hour. But once you are inside and seated, be prepared for a great breakfast that puts the wait in perspective. Mama's has been around for almost 50 years and it has aged gracefully to say the least. On the menu you will find many different omelets and French toasts made from different types of bread. Make sure you try their home-made jams. Mama's also serves lunch, also in generous quantities. Try the Monte Cristo which has turkey, ham, cheddar cheese in bread dipped in egg white and grilled.

Serving breakfast until 4p each day, this popular weekend brunch spot is the place to be. Combining traditional Thai cuisine such as pad thai and tiger prawns with typical American breakfast fare of pancakes and omelets makes for a diversified menu. The atmosphere is laid back and features modern decor plush seating, fireplace and patio. Be sure to try one of their acclaimed stone pots or the millionaires bacon.