The Best Vegan Brunch Spots in Philadelphia

Tempeh Bacon, Tofu Scramble, Soy Lattes, oh my!

BY MARISSA OSWALD Forget boozy weekend happy hours and fancy-schmancy gourmet dinners; brunch is Philly’s reigning champ of weekend feasts.  Who wouldn’t love to roll out of bed around noon, sit outdoors, and lazily sip endless coffee between bites of bacon and omelet? Although the first part of this equation sounds spectacular, the second may leave the alcohol-coated linings of your stomach permanently scarred.

But then there came the vegan brunch, a blend of savory-sweet options that include sizzling plates of tofu scramble, tempeh bacon, soy lattes, and egg-free french toast.  The city’s most legendary brunch joints may have a plant-based option to suit you, whether you’ve been craving the big breakfasts from your pre-vegan days, or you’re looking for something a bit healthier post-hangover.

Dos Segundos Cantina

Heavy on enticing and flavorful ingredients (including exotic prickly pear cactus and papaya) this Northern Liberties burrito and tequila hotspot provides equally satisfying brunch long after the last margaritas have been sipped dry.  Call ahead to see what’s featured on the vegan chalkboard.  Regular items include french toast with fresh berries, tofu scramble, and tempeh breakfast burritos.  Top it off with a pitcher of cinnamon margaritas or a blood orange mojito, and make sure you sit outside to enjoy the lively strip of shops along 2nd St. And the best part isbrunch is available every day of the week.

11am-4pm daily
931 N 2nd St
Northern Liberties
Philadelphia, PA 19123
215-629-0500

Mi Lah Vegetarian

100% vegan, this Center City brunch spot overwhelms vegans accustomed to only having a choice between plain oatmeal and fruit salad with plenty of options.  Indulge in Vegan omelets, red bliss and sweet potato home fries, pumpkin pancakes, and the intriguing Yards beer-battered seitan atop Belgian waffles- the closest to a vegan McGriddle sandwich you could invent.  Opt for Mi Lah for the best tasting and wallet-friendly brunch in all of the city.

218 South 16th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 732-8888
Sat & Sun 10am- 3pm

Mugshots Coffeehouse and Cafe

Although Mugshots is technically a Cafe, their vegan sandwiches make it the ultimate pit-stop during any weekend hangover.  Vegan sausage & pepper jack cheese, and Vegan sandwiches such as meat, egg & cheese, BLT, and reuben.  In honor of their cafe status, Mugshot’s soy chive cream cheese-slathered bagels and soy ginger cream iced lattes aren’t too shabby, either, while keeping prices relatively modest. Their seating is hang-out friendly at any of their trifecta of locations:

Fairmount Location
2100 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia
514-7145
Monday – Friday 6:30am - 10pm
Saturday: 7:30am – 10pm & Sunday 7:30 – 8pm

Manayunk Location
110 Cotton Street
Philadelphia
482-3964
Monday– Thursday: 6:30am – 6pm
Friday: 6:30am-6pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 6pm

Brewerytown Location
2831 W. Girard Avenue
Philadelphia
717-3327
Monday– Friday: 7am – 7pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 5pm

Honey’s Sit-N-Eat

If this brunch spot was a movie, it’d be an instant cult classic.  Folks start to line up to grab some of the cute outdoor seating to eat their amped-up diner-style dishes.  There is only one vegan offering, but it’s a helluva good one: the cliche tofu scramble, served spicy, veggie-filled, and sizzling on an iron skillet alongside toast, and seasoned potatoes.  The orange juice machine and aproned waitresses rip the classic 1950’s diner with the hip poster-clattered cork board and indie music floating over steaming dishes and conversation.  Good outdoor seating is a trade-in for a long wait and less veg-conscious options.  If you do have a long wait, walk a block south to The Random Tea Room, where you’ll find quirky art and collectibles, yerba mate filled gourds, and the most knowledgeable tea barista in the upper hemisphere.

800 North Fourth St Philadelphia, PA 19123
215-925-1150
Mon-Fri 8am-10pm
Sat 8am-9:30pm
Sun 8am-4:30pm

Memphis Taproom

Read Memphis Taproom’s on-site proclamation for prove that, “Our vegetarian and vegan options will knock your non-leather shoes off!”  Chow down on pub-style vegan entrees between sips of craft beer.  While the food options are limited to the veggie burger and tofu scramble, and the Vegan Rooster (Tofu scramble with vegan blood sausage, smoked coconut, roasted new potatoes and toast- whoowee!) the variety of morning libations will assure you’re not sober until Monday morning.

Memphis Taproom
2331 East Cumberland Street
Philadelphia, PA 19125
215-425-4460
Sat & Sun 11am- 3pm

A Full Plate

The word “homemade,” can be used to describe every element of A Full Plate, from the light fixtures and painted walls to the beverages served in mason jars.  The food itself is self-described as “home cooking, Southern influenced, healthy food,” and though this sounds like a fried chicken and potatoes sort of place, the influence of a vegetarian owner has given a vegan face-lift to many southern classics.  Some of these include vegan Mexican Breakfast Pizza, Vegan granola crusted french toast served with homefries, BBQ Veg riblet sandwich, and even vegan mac’n cheese.

1009 N. Bodine St
Philadelphia, PA 19123
215-627-4068
Sat & Sun 10am-3pm