Weekends are made for relaxation. After five long days of work or school, a two-day respite without a set schedule is a welcome change from the daily grind. For many, it’s an opportunity to partake in their favorite meal—brunch! Why limit yourself to only breakfast or lunch food when you can take your time and enjoy both together, maybe with a mimosa to wash it down?
Alameda has many fine breakfast and lunch places to choose from, but only a few specialize in serving brunch. Eggs Benedict, waffles with fruit, omelets, club sandwiches, and French toast are just a few of the favorite brunch servings around town. But finding the best place to enjoy them takes a little work.
Earlier this year, the community voted for their top choices in the Alameda Stars community awards, and brunch was one of the most hotly contested categories. Voters shared their opinions about nearly a dozen worthy contestants, and the following five establishments came out on top with the most votes.
Moxie Steak House, 1640 Park Street
https://www.moxiealameda.com/ | 510-671-2890Brunch served Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Moxie was the top vote-getter for the 2026 Alameda Star Brunch award. They also took top honors for Star Restaurant and Star Cocktails and came in second in the Bar category. They serve dinner and drinks Wednesday to Sunday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., offering Donna Meadows’ culinary creations alongside craft cocktails in a stylish space that opened to the public in the summer of 2024. The brunch menu features a wide range of fresh organic ingredients and brunch favorites. Choices include a flambéed tableside banana soufflé pancake, a fresh citrus salad with mint, onion-braised beef hash with a sunny-side-up egg, and brioche French toast. Although reservations are encouraged for dinner, none are required for brunch. Seating is indoor-only.
Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden, 1223 Park Street
https://juliestea.com/ | 510-865-2385Open daily 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. (kitchen closes at 3:30 p.m.)
When Julie Baron was ready to retire from running Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden for 20 years in 2024, employee and caterer Shannon Marsden stepped up and brought new energy to the Park Street mainstay. Although Julie’s was the Alameda Stars runner-up in the brunch category, voters honored the establishment with four first-place awards for Star catering, Star vegetarian/vegan food, Star coffee shop, and Star tea shop. Marsden’s touch is evident from the wide range of choices on the menu, including a sweet potato hummus, cocojune fruit toast (pictured above), an asparagus apple grain bowl, and a wide range of baked goods like floral lavender shortbread cookies and cheddar chive biscuits. There’s also a full complement of coffee and tea choices, as well as other beverages. Pickup and delivery are available and most of the seating is outdoors, featuring everyone’s favorite café cat, Baby.
Wescafé, 1518 Webster Street
http://wescafealameda.com/ | 510-522-1700 Open daily 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., open until 3 p.m. Saturday
On their website, Wescafé notes, “We collaborate with the Webster Street Farmers Market, which is our fountain of fair trade, fresh organic fruits and veggies.” The winner of the 2026 Star breakfast was also recognized in the Star Budget meal category. The extensive menu features traditional fare, including omelets, bagels, smoothies, pancakes, and French toast, as well as Mexican-influenced favorites such as huevos divorciados and burritos. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available, and delivery and pickup can be ordered online.
Café Jolie, 1500 Webster Street
http://www.cafejolies.com/ | 510-523-4500Open weekdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Café Jolie is located in the former Tillie’s Diner spot on the corner of Webster Street and Santa Clara Avenue. The building, constructed in 1916, was once home to the Alameda Dairy Company, and has been part of Joann Guitarte and Bobeck Paranadian’s growing portfolio of restaurants and food service establishments since 2012. With an attractive indoor dining room and outdoor seating as well, Café Jolie serves brunch all day long, and features all the usual favorites plus some less common choices, including beignets, croissant French toast, crab cakes Benedict, and a passion fruit mango bellini. Guitarte and Paranadian also operate Donut Petit, just two doors down on Santa Clara Avenue, which offers a variety of fresh-baked gourmet donuts every day.
Café Jolie Petit, 1501 Harbor Bay Parkway
http://www.cafejolies.com/ | 510-589-1186Open daily 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Café Jolie Petit offers many of the same menu items as the Santa Clara Avenue location, but at a Bay Farm Island spot that opened in 2023. Unlike the original venue, this smaller café was constructed from shipping containers at the entrance to Harbor Bay Business Park and offers only outdoor seating with umbrellas and a canopy for inclement weather. For Bay Farm residents, it’s a short trip for a tasty brunch without having to cross the bridge. The menu is not quite as extensive as the Webster Street location but offers a full menu of cocktails and drinks to enhance your brunch experience…