When you have kids, your weekends start to look a lot different — and involve much less sleeping in. But let’s look on the sunny side, and gobble up some sunny side eggs while we’re at it.

Waking up early means you beat the crowds at the hottest brunch spots, and can snag a table before all the child-free patrons roll out of bed and line up outside, squinting at the sun behind their hangover shades. If it’s not getting first dibs on a no-reservations spot, there’s the opportunity to reserve a spot (and a highchair) and try something a little more upscale and special before it gets too crowded and intimidating. So go ahead and order that mimosa — here are our top picks for brunch with kids.

Be sure to check out our guide for family-friendly restaurants around the city to explore lunch and dinner options as well!

The Early Bird Gets the Pancakes

This first section features a lot of the usual Philly brunch suspects — you may have even lined up on the sidewalk at some of these, since they don’t take reservations. But since your day started at 6 am with a small human jumping on you, you’re the one getting a table! #sorrynotsorry

Sabrina’s Café

2101 South Street
1804 Callowhill Street
227 N. 34th Street

This popular spot opens at 7am on the weekends, so get in there! All locations have kids’ menus and plenty of variety on the regular menu, both sweet and savory. You can also just go all in on the sweet, and share some signature Stuffed Brioche French Toast—a breakfast confection of epic proportions. There are locations on South Street, and in the Art Museum and University City neighborhoods.

Green Eggs Café

33 S. 18th Street
1306 Dickinson Street
1301 Locust Street
2327 Gaul Street
2800 W. Girard Avenue

This place also opens at 9 am, and that’s your best time to go. The Center City location shares a building with Nest, so you can go play afterwards, just when the sidewalk is filling up with hopeful diners. There are plenty of kid-friendly options, as well as indulgent choices like red velvet pancakes.

Morning Glory Diner

735 S. 10th Street

This classic, cash-only diner is sure to please, and it’s right across from Palumbo Playground, so you can go burn off the sugar you just ingested from that Cinnamon Crunch French Toast. The cozy spot opens at 8am and neighbors begin lining the block shortly after to grab a bite, you won’t want to miss dining at this local gem!

Schlesinger’s

1521 Locust Street

Come to this Jewish deli for great omelettes, challah French toast, matzo brei, bagels and lox platters, and more. Stay for the giant sandwiches and free pickle bar, if you’re on the lunch side of brunch. They also have a very reasonable kids menu. Our little girl always angles for a window booth so she can wave to Locust Street pedestrians (and a homemade cookie sandwich — she has high hopes).

Ants Pants Café

2212 South Street

This small, cash-only café serves Australian-inspired dishes, so brunch seekers can indulge in their brekkie platter, hash, or even their rich brie stuffed French toast. For kids, you can actually order a single pancake or grilled cheese, so they’ll be thrilled, especially if you throw in a smoothie.

Honey’s Sit ‘N Eat

800 N. Fourth Street

This comfort food spot opens at 8 am, so even though it gets crowded, you can beat the rush and get out of there with your bellies full of latkes and scrambled eggs. Honey’s combines traditional Jewish and Tex Mex cuisine to provide options ranging from tofu scramble to challah French toast, and everything in between. Bonus: if you’re looking for quick coffee any day of the week, they have a coffee window that opens at 7 am.

Café Lift

1124 Spring Garden Street

Café Lift is all about brunch — they serve it every day, from 8 am to 3pm. You can go as simple as two eggs with traditional breakfast sides, or go nuts with Nutty Monkey Crespelle (an Italian-style crepe with Nutella and bananas). You get free refills of Forever Coffee, which — let’s be honest — you probably need more than anything.

The Tasty

1401 S. 12th Street

At first glance, The Tasty looks like a charming little traditional diner, serving up waffles, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, and more. What’s the twist? It’s all vegan! You won’t miss a thing at this plant-based haven — you can even get some tater tots alongside your tofu scramble, if your kids don’t gobble them up first!

Make a Reservation

If you prefer certainty to beating the crowds, go somewhere that takes reservations, and go for one early enough to make it home for naptime. These places run the gamut from American comfort food to Moroccan-accented cuisine, yet all welcome kids for brunch time!

Parc

227 S. 18th Street

Parc serves up French sophistication and prime people watching on Rittenhouse Square while still being kid-friendly. They have the fanciest changing table in town, a bread basket that puts all others to shame, and are very attentive and accommodating to little ones — they had no problem making off-menu scrambled eggs for our picky toddler and brought her meal with a side of frites in place of the potatoes Lyonnaise.

Figs

2501 Meredith Street

This Moroccan restaurant in Fairmount has plenty of flavor and ambiance while still being highly kid-friendly. For kids, we recommend pancakes with fruit or raisin challah French toast; and don’t leave without their amazing lemonade made with lemon sorbet!

Front Street Café

1253 N. Front Street

When you make your reservation, ask for patio seating. It’s highly coveted, but will make your family dining more enjoyable—plus you’re getting there right at 8am, aren’t you? This Fishtown farm-to-table has fresh, varied options ranging from chicken and waffles to acai bowls, and everything in between. You’re right by PlayArts, so head on over there after brunch!

Suraya

1528 Frankford Avenue

Another Fishtown pick, but worlds different than our previous entry, this Lebanese café and market is one of our favorites. The space is ornate, and the flavors are authentic, yet they are welcoming to even their littlest habibis, and will even bring them a little activity book to keep them busy. With fresh flatbreads, yogurts, and pastries, your kids will have plenty of treats to choose from. Get the mezze plate for the table while you’re at it, and treat yourself to a spicy Bloody Mary or a unique café selection like Lebanese chai made with pistachio and flower petals.

Harp & Crown

1525 Sansom Street

A create-your-own donut station with all the fixings? Yes, please! Harp & Crown’s prix fixe brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays, and includes the donut bar, made-to-order omelettes, fresh juices, meat and cheese boards, sandwiches, and much more. It is a wonderland of brunch, basically. Plus, after filling up, you can head downstairs to bowl a game at Elbow Lane.

Urban Farmer

1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

You’ll have just as much fun as the kids, because brunch at Urban Farmer features a DIY mimosa kit with seasonal fresh fruit juices and fruits tableside, and a Bloody Mary Cart! Oh, right, back to the kids. They’re already coloring because the staff at this Logan Hotel spot is on it and brought diversions before we even noticed. They even asked us if we wanted our daughter’s meal to come earlier, because they just get it. They also have a kids menu, along with an inventive and varied adult brunch menu. Plus you’re next door to Academy of Natural Sciences, and steps away from all the other Parkway attractions, so the transition to your next stop will be seamless.

Experience the Joy of Brunch

Let’s face it, heading to a sit-down restaurant with kids in tow isn’t always the easiest feat. However, if you follow our suggestions, these local spots will take the lead and allow you some quality family time over a delicious meal. What’s better than french toast and smiles?

Lead photograph courtesy of Visit Philadelphia.