California Foodies Flock To This Restaurant For Some Of The Best Bacon

At Sweet Maple, bacon isn't just a side or sandwich accessory. It's the star of the show. The San Francisco brunch spot has turned an everyday staple into a cult phenomenon, drawing lines around the block and fans from around the globe. What began as a cozy neighborhood eatery in Lower Pacific Heights has evolved into a small but mighty empire with outposts in Palo Alto, Santa Monica, Cupertino, and Walnut Creek. The chain easily earns the No. 1 spot on our list of the breakfast chains with the best bacon, thanks largely to its signature creation, Millionaire's Bacon — a sticky, smoky, slow-cooked marvel that's trademarked, plastered across social media, and utterly unforgettable.

Hoyul Steven Choi, the owner of Sweet Maple, has transformed the beloved pork product into a brunch goldmine. Diners can't get enough of the thick-cut, free-range bacon lacquered in a glossy glaze of brown sugar, red and black pepper, and cayenne. Rather than tossing strips onto a scalding griddle, Sweet Maple cooks the bacon low and slow for hours, allowing the meat to absorb every last drop of spice and caramelized sugar.

Whether you're a Sweet Maple regular or visiting for the first time, chances are, you'll be wowed the moment your plate of Millionaire's Bacon hits the table. For $28, you can try the Sampler Platter, a quartet of extra-thick, perfectly chewy, flavored strips of bacon: original, citron, cinnamon, and rosemary. The Millionaire's Candy, priced at $15, presents four well-done candied bacon strips tucked in a mason jar like a savory, snackable bouquet.

Aside from the famous bacon, the Sweet Maple menu leans into Americana brunch favorites with playful, unexpected twists, including subtle nods to Korean cuisine. Fan favorites include the Bulgogi Scrambler with ribeye and gochujang, the Oscar Benedict with Dungeness crab (one of the most delicious varieties of crab) and cucumber wasabi hollandaise, the Big Hip deep-fried French toast, and an open-face salmon sandwich, along with a range of omelets and soufflé skillets served with ciabatta au levain toast.

The flagship San Francisco location boasts a 4.3-star rating on Yelp, with thousands of glowing reviews praising the friendly service, charming ambiance, and, of course, the delicious food. "The [Millionaire's Bacon] is irresistible. If you are a fan of sweet and salty (with a little bit of heat), tender bacon, it's worth sharing a plate with the table," reads one five-star review. Another customer, who designated Sweet Maple as "our favorite breakfast in town," advises arriving at a reasonable time: "Make sure to get there early ... a line out the door and around the corner is normal even a half hour after opening."