“ Oh my gosh !!!!! What a beautiful, bright, and delicious place to enjoy brunch. Love the ambience, vibes, and decor (the community wall of pictures is a fabulous touch). Our server was amazing and so helpful. And the food, YUM! My eggs benedict with smoked salmon and grits was cooked to perfection, so savory and fresh and delicious. And we got a cherry almond donut at the end that was just the right amount of sweet! My only regret is not dining here sooner! ”

“ We went to Early to Rise on a Saturday morning without a reservation. It was still early, but the place was already filling up. The hostess was really friendly and got us seats at the counter, which was a great spot since we could watch everything being made in the kitchen. Our server was just as welcoming--he asked if it was our first time, explained the menu, and made sure we had everything we needed. We ordered a few dishes, but the surprise standout was the side of bacon. It was cooked perfectly, well-seasoned, and definitely worth ordering. Drinks: The coffee was great, and I liked that they sell bags of it to take home. I had the Italian Greyhound (on tap), which was really good. Since they don't have a full liquor license, I appreciated how they worked with low-proof and agave spirits. Instead of just throwing mimosas or wine on the menu, they actually put effort into making interesting cocktails. Food: We got the Eggs Benedict, which was spot on. Everything was cooked right, and I liked that it came with grits and greens instead of a plate full of potatoes. My husband thought he hated grits until he tried these--he said they were amazing. Atmosphere: The restaurant is well laid out. The kitchen is on the right when you walk in, with a counter for a few people and the main dining area made up of tables and banquette seating. The bathrooms have wallpaper featuring local spots, which was a nice touch. Nothing over the top, just a solid, well-run place to get breakfast or brunch. ”

“ Found my new favorite brunch spot! Everything on the menu was so good! I got the Up at Em, friends got the eggs Benedict, veggie bagel and lox bagel + side of bacon and hash browns. Note: bagels are literally just the bagel sandwich so definitely get some sides! We even split the donuts (one order is 1 donut) and were great to share at the table. Every part of the plates were delicious and fresh. Super thick toast, perfect eggs, thick bacon, fresh arugula salad, just 10s across the board. Definitely getting your moneys worth and is super filling! Service was great! Was a bit slow coming around but it was a busy Sunday so it's expected. Table did take a bit to get so I recommend coming early or snagging a spot in line and taking a stroll around NOPA. It's a beautiful neighborhood and there is a gorgeous park nearby :) Super lively, wonderful large windows that let in such great light, stained glass pieces in the top half and just overall fantastic brunch spot vibes. Will be coming back regularly - especially with the girls ”

“ I am salivating right now as I am writing this review. Early to rise is one of the best brunch spots in the city right now and it is worth all the hype. I have ordered almost every single thing on the menu and have not had a bad dish whatsoever. I would highly suggest the shrimp and grits, their doughnut of the day, or the French toast or ricotta pancakes (depending on the flavor). They also have great cocktails and the bottle of champagne is also affordable. Early to rise has that comfort food flare with a touch of fanciness. I would highly suggest making a reservation or coming here on a weekday! ”

“ I came here after my MIL was raving about the strawberry pancakes from the summer. It was initially mixed feelings when I went in January and realized that their menu changes seasonally so there were no strawberry pancakes on the menu. This just means I have to come and try each iteration of pancakes as the season changes. Instead we tried the bananas foster pancakes and persimmon pancakes which were both delicious and not too sweet. The pancakes were perfectly fluffy and filled with bananas. It wasn't overly rum-y like some bananas foster desserts which I appreciated. While I loved the pancakes, I really loved their homemade sausage patties. I'm usually a breakfast sausage person and these were packed with so much flavor and fresh herbs. I highly recommend this as a complement to any sweet main dish. Service was prompt especially since we were sitting at the bar. ”

“ Met up with some friends to try this brunch spot and I'm so sad it's not closer to San Jose. It's a small restaurant but has tons of charm. So many cute photos on the wall of different people, it felt like family and friends. I made a reservation for 9:15 but showed up a few minutes earlier. The rest of my party was running late but they had no problem seating me early . The server quickly poured water and took my drink order. She was very polite and didn't put any pressure about the rest of the party being late. I ordered The Wake Up Call to drink and omg was it delicious. The citrus mixed with the cinnamon and coffee flavors was divine. We got their daily deluxe donut to share which was so good. The flavor was chocolate chip mocha and wow. So buttery, fluffy, and not too sweet. I tried their banana fosters pancakes which were just perfection, fluffy, not too dense, not sickly sweet, and the walnuts/oats were the perfect added texture. I also tried the ham Benedict which wasn't crazy special but still very good. I opted for hash browns instead of grits, because girl loves her potatoes, and they were so crispy yet soft. You can tell how much pride they take in each plate. So much here is scratch made and it shows! Everyone was very happy with their meal. I would gladly come back and recommend to anyone needing a brunch spot. ”

“ Love the vibes and decor here! We came here around 9am and there was already a line. The food is southern inspired breakfast. We got eggs Benedict and a breakfast platter. My favorites were honestly the simple stuff on the menu. The hash brown and pancakes were the main standouts. Pancakes were so fluffy and flavorful - I actually like them more than the ones at Zazies. If I go again, I would order those with eggs instead of a main dish. ”

“ Came here for a late brunch on Saturday with 2 friends - we made a brunch reservation about ~1 week in advance! The ambience of this place is amazing - lots of natural light and plants! We shared the following 3 dishes: Eggs Benedict: The eggs were perfectly poached and the bread was very soft! The side salad was also light and refreshing. Samusa Pancake: I loved the fresh greens on top! The flavors were nice, though I think the potatoes could have been a little bit more crispy! Persimmon French Toast: This was absolutely amazing - loved the candied pecans and spices! This dish definitely brings the holiday vibes :) Overall, the quality of the food was amazing and the staff was very friendly! Will be back again soon! ”

“ I've been to Early to Rise multiple times, and I'm always excited to see the new seasonal additions to their menu. That said, I do miss certain favorites when they're gone, like the daily deluxe lavender Earl Grey donut. Food Ordered: Up & At 'Em (10/10): A classic, traditional American breakfast that never disappoints. I always go for the silver dollar pancakes--they're so worth it and are a consistent menu item, which I love. The Canadian bacon and breakfast sausage options are also excellent, making this dish a staple for me. Persimmon French Toast (9/10): A perfect balance of sweetness with a festive holiday kick from the spices. It's warm, comforting, and ideal for anyone who loves a sweet breakfast. However, the portion size is quite large, so I recommend sharing it with a friend. My go-to strategy is to pair one sweet item with a savory dish and split both for the best of both worlds! Samusa Potato Pancake (no rating because my cousin ordered it, but he said he enjoyed it). The service is always friendly, and the staff genuinely make an effort to get to know you. It does get busy on weekends, so I highly recommend making reservations--even during the week, just to be safe. The atmosphere can get pretty loud, but it works well for both small gatherings and larger groups (we went as a party of five this time). ”

“ Nice (relatively new) brunch spot in NoPa with spacious dining room, friendly service, lots of counter seating and a rock solid menu using local ingredients. The chef owner has Michelin bonafides and makes his baked goods and smokehouse meats in house. Favorites included their shrimp and grits and a delicious but simple poached pear "breakfast appetizer" with ricotta and micro greens. This is not not your typical "eggy" breakfast spot, although four dishes do incorporate eggs and they do have some more traditional brunch options, if that's your preference. All the breakfast meat is made in house to certified standards, with the bacon, added liberally to the shrimp and grits, being a real standout. ”