Dim sum is, of course, a venerable tradition all its own, but in a stateside context, it doubles as brunch, and this successor to Emperor Palace does a bang-up job of it. In addition to all the cart-borne classics — barbecue pork buns, pan-fried leek dumplings, chicken- and mushroom-studded sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf, Chinese sausage–laced turnip cake, and so on — diners should keep their eyes peeled for the shrimp-stuffed green peppers and Phoenix sand buns.

Modern Mexican fare fills the bill at this festive new Berkeley outpost of an Evergreen favorite: Come for the chilaquiles verdes, huevos rancheros, or tres leches French toast; stay for another round of micheladas and carrot margaritas. Inside, find warm lighting, cushy chairs, and a couple of bar televisions from which to watch whatever the game of the season is.

An airy, pastel-hued Berkeley space sets the tone for the rise-and-shine repertoire of Lydie Lovett of Chicken Rebel fame, served Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to featuring her signature fried bird in various forms, the menu emits California vibes via dishes like the wild-caught crab cake Benedict; the “fancy breakfast pizza” topped with asiago, pancetta, arugula, lemon-basil dressing, and fried eggs; the Baja breakfast burrito stuffed with carne asada, eggs, cheddar, guacamole, fries, and jalapeño crema; and the portobello mushroom burger with red-pepper coulis and whipped goat cheese. Carafes of rosé sangria match the mood.

This neighborhood nook par excellence doubles down on the good cheer it emanates with a brunch repertoire featuring everything from spiced custard French toast with pumpkin pastry cream and kimchi-laced turkey melts to strawberry–black pepper mimosas and “breakfast shots” with butterscotch schnapps, OJ, and bacon. (Speaking of booze, the bar concocts not one, not two, but three different espresso-spiked cocktails to turn an afternoon siesta into a fiesta.)

In sprawling, high-energy environs, this RiNo addition to a Miami-based franchise pulls out all the brunchtime stops: Kicking things off with Bloody Marys made tableside as well as bacon- and maple syrup–infused Old Fashioneds, it whips up a wide range of Southern-tinged dishes like cinnamon rolls with salted bourbon caramel and cream-cheese frosting; fried green tomato BLTs with pimiento cheese; and, of course, chicken and waffles tricked out with honey hot sauce and chilled, spiced watermelon.

This jazzy bistro in the 9+CO development builds its brunch menu around French classics — croques madames, crepes Suzette, moules frites — while adding some Senegalese flair in honor of the owners’ heritage: Think Brie and baobab preserves or chicken yassa on brioche washed down with the hibiscus-infused tequila cocktail called Le Bissap.