With May in full swing and the spring season starting to merge into summer, Philly brunch and lunch activities in the city are certainly picking up. And if you’re looking for your next go-to mid-day treat, we’ve got some tasty options for you.
Frame
Frame opened in early 2022 as a new stylish space to enjoy carefully crafted cocktails, dishes and a unique atmosphere right here in the city. The next year, the Old City space added the Unframed Nightlife experience as a late-night add-on to its venue, and in 2024, Frame once again has added another addition — brunch.
Frame is the epitome of “vibe dining”, the space is stylish and chic, very much like a lounge, but there are tables with comfortable seating and even a small (but cozy) outdoor area there to keep things feeling homey as well. On the menu, locals can indulge in dishes like lamb & eggs, fried French toast (complete with vanilla ice cream), a smoked salmon platter, short rib omelet, eggs benedict (with your choice of salmon, spinach, ham, short rib or crab) and much, much more.
Cocktails span the normal brunch additions (like Bloody Mary’s and bottomless mimosas), but the space has plenty of other mixed options from a Martinez (gin, sweet vermouth, luxardo maraschino and bitters), to an American Gothic (bourbon, ginger, lemon, blackberry and club soda), to a Pisco Sour (pisco, citrus, egg white and angostora bitters) and everything in between.
222 Market St., framephl.com
Butcher Bar
In Center City, Butcher Bar is a go-to for many happy hour lovers and meat aficionados. Now, the venue is aiming to be a go-to with their new lunch menu as well, every Wednesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Some stand-out menu items include the Bang Bang Shrimp Salad Bowl ($15, with baby arugula and iceberg, shaved red onion, carrots, candied cashews, Poi Dog Chili Peppah Water aioli and ginger dressing), Smashed Meatball and Spaghetti Sub ($15, pork ragu and provolone on a toasted garlic bread roll), House Smoked Turkey Club ($17, with lettuce, tomato, applewood smoked bacon and rosemary aioli on toasted sourdough with a pickle spear), jalapeno corn bread, smoked gouda mac and cheese and much more. Reservations are not required, but are available.
2034 Chestnut St., butcherbarphilly.com
Red Owl Tavern
Old City’s Red Owl Tavern serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily (brunch is on the weekends), but to spice up your day-time meal, Philadelphians can also now opt for a new activation that has added dubbed the ‘Spill the Tea’ menu. Debuting May 16 and running on-site until June 30, this new libation-led change features drinks inspired by the Regency era.
Options span “The Bee Sting” ($16), a blend of Kinsey 4-Year Bourbon, Lemon Verbena Honey Syrup, lemon juice, and Canton ginger, “Duel at Dawn” ($17), featuring Chai Tea, Diplomatico Mantuano Dark Rum, Mr. Black, and espresso, and the “Pink Lady” ($16), comprised of mint tea-infused Bombay Sapphire, Lillet Rouge, pomegranate, and lemon juice. And as a release notes, as an added touch, each beverage is accompanied by a pre-written “gossip card,” to “stir up scandalous conversations at the table” as well.
433 Chestnut St., redowltavern.com
Rival Bros Coffee
The well-known local name has debuted a new space in Brewerytown, and it’s serving up some great fare for day-time treats. This new locale marks the third cafe location for the brand, alongside their upscale Center City spot, Enswell.
Right now, Philadelphians can find a variety of beverages crafted from Rival’s freshly roasted beans, breakfast sandwiches, their signature toasts, and pastries from Mighty Bread Co, and in the near future, the menu will include made-to-order sandwiches and salads as well.
As a release notes, the space is inspired by the neighborhood’s industrial warehouse aesthetic, and the cafe design celebrates raw textures that echo the area’s rich history. Notable features include a graffiti mural by local artist Jimmy McMenamin of Glossblack and a custom-painted La Marzocco 3-group espresso machine by Archetype Paint Studio, boasting a gold fade with pearl satin finish.
3145 W. Jefferson St., rivalbros.com
