The Village Belle’s El Levante is elegante.
Rise and shine with brunch cocktails sweet and savory.
Oyster House
Seafood riffs on standard brunch fare rule here—think shrimp and grits, and smoked fish-cake hash—so it is no surprise that the creativity with crustaceans spills over to the cocktail menu. The Bloody Caesar is a twist on the traditional Bloody Mary, with a house-made mix and a splash of clam juice. 1516 Sansom St., 215-567-7683
Valanni
The fashionable crowd that toasted to last call just the night before is likely to pick up where they left off over brunch at Valanni, served Saturdays and Sundays. Take a seat at the lively bar and sip house specialties like the Patrón-filled Brunch-rita, or Champagne confections laced with spirits such as the Chambord with St-Germain. 1229 Spruce St., 215-790-9494
Cuba Libre
Thanks to its spirited ambience, every day feels like the weekend at Cuba Libre. That laid-back Caribbean mood is reflected in the authentic drinks list. Libations such as red and white sangria or the mimosa rojo, which consists of Cava and fresh watermelon and sugar-cane juices, pair well with small plates from chef Guillermo Pernot’s recently revamped menu. 10 S. Second St., 215-627-0666
R2L
Settle in for a leisurely Sunday brunch at this sky-high restaurant as much for the sweeping views as for the delectable brunch cocktails. R2L’s new “mix your own” concept allows you to check off the flavors of your choice on a card: Order a Bloody Mary with Old Bay or curry powder spice, or mix coconut purée or cilantro and basil juice into your mimosa. 2 Liberty Pl., 37th Fl., 215-564-5337
Distrito
Tequila fans will be won over by the inventive concoctions at Jose Garces’s colorful ode to Mexico City. There are excellent margaritas, of course, but the tequila infusions, like the chile-enhanced Hemingway and the fruity Spanish Fly, offer original tastes you won’t find anywhere else. Distrito serves brunch Saturdays and Sundays. 3945 Chestnut St., 215-222-1657
Jones
Why not start your morning by pairing a basket of the highly addictive monkey bread at Jones with an equally sweet indulgence from the brunch cocktail menu? We prefer the raspberry truffle, a martini featuring fresh raspberry purée, Stoli vodka, and Godiva chocolate liqueur with a crown of whipped cream. 700 Chestnut St., 215-223-5663
Village Belle
Wash down the Mediterranean brunch fare at this welcoming Queen Village restaurant with one of its tempting morning medleys. The Queen Street Tea, made with sweet tea vodka and limoncello, or the Fitzy Water, a mix of gin and house-made quinine, will wake you up in the sweetest way possible. 757 S. Front St., 215-551-2200
Amis
Bellinis that reflect the freshest tastes of the season are just a sampling of the cocktails at Marc Vetri’s rustic Italian eatery. The Amis Punch is a house favorite, as is the classic granita, a semifrozen libation made with red wine. Both are worthy complements to warm pasta dishes and farm eggs with homemade polenta scrapple. 412 S. 13th St., 215-732-2647
Adelphia Restaurant & Lounge
The brunch spread is worth saving room for at South Jersey’s Adelphia, where the Sunday service runs from 9 am to 2 pm. The traditional brunch buffet, omelet station, carving station, and mountains of fluffy pastries baked in-house are best washed down with one of the popular mimosas or Bloody Marys. 1750 Clements Bridge Road, Deptford, NJ, 856-845-8200
