<div class="tldr">On July weekends, Brooklyn cafés such as Café Luluc and Sunday in Brooklyn have reported long wait times for outdoor brunch tables. Staff shortages have led to service delays, according to owners.</div>\n\n<ul class="key-facts">\n <li>Reported wait times surpassed 45 minutes on July 9 at several locations.</li>\n <li>Restaurant owners estimate a 20% increase in outdoor seating requests since late June.</li>\n <li>Staffing levels remain below pre-pandemic numbers at many independent cafés.</li>\n</ul>\n\nMany Brooklyn cafés are experiencing longer wait times during weekend brunch hours in July. Café Luluc in Cobble Hill and Sunday in Brooklyn in Williamsburg each saw crowds lining up before doors opened on recent Sundays. Outdoor seating, a pandemic-era adaptation, remains in high demand despite the heat.\n\nRestaurant owners say the surge in outdoor diners is not matched by available staff. “We have five fewer people than last summer, but we’re seating more tables,” said Anna Morales, owner of a Prospect Heights café. Many restaurants have posted signs warning of possible delays and urging patience.\n\nWorkers report the conditions are challenging. “Even with fans and umbrellas, it’s rough serving in 90-degree weather,” said Jamal Reed, a server at a Park Slope eatery. Several employees cited fatigue and difficulty filling open positions as ongoing issues.\n\nThe New York City Hospitality Alliance, an advocacy group, confirmed that staffing remains below 2019 levels across the borough. Some owners have temporarily reduced hours or capped outdoor reservations. The situation could persist through August, depending on weather and staff retention.\n\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>\n<h2>Which Brooklyn cafés are most affected by outdoor brunch crowds?</h2>\n<p>Cafés in popular neighborhoods like Cobble Hill, Williamsburg, and Park Slope, including Café Luluc and Sunday in Brooklyn, have reported the longest wait times and highest outdoor seating demand during July weekends.</p>\n<h2>Why are staff shortages persisting into summer 2024?</h2>\n<p>Owners cite ongoing hiring difficulties and increased turnover among servers and kitchen staff. Many independent cafés have struggled to offer competitive wages and schedules versus larger restaurant groups since the pandemic.</p>\n<h2>How are restaurants adapting to increased demand and heat?</h2>\n<p>Many cafés have installed fans and shade for outdoor tables and posted signs about possible service delays. Some have limited outdoor reservations or adjusted hours to help existing staff manage the workload in high temperatures.</p>