52 Best Breakfasts by Neighborhood

Bankers Hill & Hillcrest

Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant

The stylish restaurant serves favorites like the BH Burger alongside a.m.-specific dishes, including Benedicts, biscuits, and a brisket hash. Try the Milk Tyson Punch, made with bourbon, rum, vanilla, milk, and cinnamon, to wash it all down.

Sunday 10 am–2:30 pm, 2202 Fourth Avenue, Bankers Hill

Great Maple

Launched by the breakfast brains behind Hash House a Go Go and The Tractor Room, Great Maple turns out indulgent dishes in a retro-cool space. Look for pastries and mini-cocktails paraded around on 6-foot boards during brunch.

Monday–Friday 8 am–2 pm, Saturday–Sunday 8 am–2:30 pm, 1451 Washington Street, Hillcrest

Hash House A Go Go

The long lines don’t lie. This breakfast institution is beloved for a reason, and not just because of the sage fried chicken and waffle tower and gargantuan portions.

Saturday–Monday 7:30 am –2:30 pm, Tuesday–Friday 7:30 am–2 pm, 3628 Fifth Avenue, Hillcrest

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

The sunny decor feels like a shot of morning. So does the inventive menu, which includes cinnamon roll pancakes and mix-and-match eggs Benedict. aDaily 6:30 am–2:30 pm, 3940 Fifth Avenue, Hillcrest; 3435 Del Mar Heights Road, Carmel Valley

Carlsbad, Cardiff, & Encinitas

Cafe Topes

Cafe Topes

The family-owned eatery feels cozy, with a living plant wall and a vintage oven used as a coffee cart. In the mood for something sweet? Try the Cap’n Crunch French toast or their famous cinnamon rolls.

Tuesday–Sunday 7 am–2 pm, 3091 Roosevelt Street, Carlsbad

Pipes Cafe

It’s the quintessential surfer breakfast spot. Think egg burritos, scrambles, and pancakes. The Big Breakfast—a combo plate of eggs, bacon, potatoes, an English muffin, and French toast or pancakes—is ideal after a sunrise sesh. And remember: Cash only!

Daily 7 am–3 pm, 121 Liverpool Drive, Cardiff

Swami’s Cafe

The menu at this SoCal hippie spot spans multigrain pancakes, omelets, smoothies, and their popular açai bowl.

Monday–Saturday 7 am–9 pm, Sunday 7 am–3 pm, 1163 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas; 8284 La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa; 2920 University Avenue, North Park; 608 Mission Avenue, Oceanside

Coronado

Crown Bistro

This under-the-radar gem offers sunny patio seating and some of the best breakfast eats on the island. Try the lemon poppy seed pancakes and bananas Foster French toast.

Daily 8 am–2 pm, 520 Orange Avenue

The Crown Room

Leave it to Hotel del Coronado to elevate breakfast to a white tablecloth affair. Their lavish Sunday brunch—$90 for adults, $25 for kids ages 6–12, and free for kids 5 and under—features a seafood buffet, carving station, Bloody Mary bar, desserts, and more. Come hungry!

Sunday 9:30 am–1 pm, 1500 Orange Avenue

Tartine

Settle into this casual, Euro-style café for a coffee and pastry. (Hello, gruyère and bacon scones!) Or better yet, take advantage of its proximity to the ferry landing and grab your treats to go. Then take a stroll along the water.

Daily 6 am–9 pm, 1106 First Street

Downtown  & East Village

Bottega Americano

The bustling food hall leans equal parts breakfast and lunch, offering everything from a breakfast calzone to gnocchi.

Sunday 10 am–3 pm, 1195 Island Avenue, East Village

Cafe Chloe

Get a taste of Paris at this polished East Village bistro, which specializes in French fare, like croque madame and moules frites. Don’t miss the delightfully oozy poached eggs, served with wild mushrooms and a sage-truffle butter sauce.

Monday–Friday 8 am–3 pm, Saturday–Sunday 8:30 am–3 pm, 721 Ninth Avenue, East Village

Cafe 222

Their all-American breakfast has gotten love from Bobby Flay and Gourmet magazine. Think buttermilk pancakes, eggs Benedict on house-made biscuits, and red velvet waffles.

Daily 7 am–1:45 pm, 222 Island Avenue, Downtown

The Westgate Hotel

San Diego goes Versailles chic here, with breakfast in the regal Westgate Room (dress code: smart casual), as well as a Sunday brunch buffet with crêpes, a chocolate fountain, Champs, and more for $50 per person. (Get the scoop on Westgate’s brunch here!)

Daily breakfast 6:30–11:30 am, Sunday brunch 10 am–2pm, 1055 Second Avenue, Downtown

Golden Hill & South Park

Big Kitchen Cafe

That a pre-fame Whoopi Goldberg worked here—there’s a dish named after her—isn’t the only reason to visit this spot. Big Kitchen whips up pancakes, home fries, plenty of veg options, and crazy good coffee cake. Choose from the diner-style interior or the patio, with live music on Sundays.

Daily 7:30 am–2:30 pm, 3003 Grape Street, South Park

Counterpoint

If it’s cool and off-the-radar you’re after, check out Counterpoint’s weekend brunch, which veers heavily toward comfort eats, like biscuits, praline croissants, and a chicken and waffle Benedict.

Saturday–Sunday 10 am–2 pm, 830 25th Street, Golden Hill

Piacere Mio

The Italian resto offers great values for breakfast, ranging from $7.50 for a berry French toast to the more hefty Piacere Mio Breakfast (two eggs and two mini English muffin hamburgers topped with Swiss cheese fondue for $13.50).

Sunday 9:30 am–2 pm, 1947 Fern Street, South Park

The Rose

Wine bottles and bistro tables fill this cozy space, which serves a short but well-edited weekend brunch menu. The Rose’s semiregular Yoga Mosa event, held in an adjacent space, gets you a yoga class, mimosa, and brunch for $35.

Saturday–Sunday 11 am–3 pm, 2219 30th Street, South Park

Kensington

Bleu Bohème

Feeling fancy? This upscale French restaurant goes chichi with a lobster Benedict, rum-soaked salmon crêpe, and more options à la française.

Sunday 10 am–3pm, 4090 Adams Avenue

Kensington Café

The neighborhood spot has waffles, scrambles, sandwiches, salads, and a fun kids’ menu that includes the Humpty Dumpty (cheesy eggs with potatoes).

Monday–Friday 6 am–4 pm, Saturday–Sunday 7 am–4 pm, 4141 Adams Avenue

La Jolla

Catania

Bellissima is the best way to describe the Italian-style breakfast coupled with Catania’s impeccable view. Highlights include a farro oatmeal, puff pastry with mushrooms and poached eggs, and baked eggs with Tuscan kale and guanciale.

Saturday–Sunday 10 am–3 pm, 7863 Girard Avenue

Cody’s La Jolla

The view of palm trees and the Pacific from this quaint beach cottage feels quintessentially SoCal. The a.m./p.m. menu is served all day; don’t leave without trying the much-loved crab cake Benedict.

Daily 8 am–3 pm, 8030 Girard Avenue

The Cottage

A staple of the La Jolla breakfast scene, The Cottage has been serving consistently tasty American fare for more than 20 years. Weekend waits can be rough, but they offer free coffee to those in queue.

Daily 7:30 am–3 pm, 7702 Fay Avenue

Harry’s Coffee Shop

This family-owned institution, open since 1960, offers a robust list of omelets, as well as creamed chip beef (sliced beef on an English muffin, slathered in gravy—”A United States Navy classic”) and a waffle-Benedict combo.

Daily 6 am–3 pm, 7545 Girard Avenue

Prepkitchen

Hip yet casual, cozy yet refined—Prepkitchen hits a brunch sweet spot. Try the chilaquiles or ricotta donut holes.

Saturday–Sunday 10 am–3 pm, 7556 Fay Avenue; 1660 India Street, Little Italy; 1201 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar

Little Italy

The Crack Shack

High-quality chicken and egg dishes—including sandwiches and an “anti-salad” power bowl—are the stars of this outdoor eatery co-founded by Top Chef’s Richard Blais.

Tuesday–Sunday 7–10:30 am, 2266 Kettner Boulevard

Davanti Enoteca

Indulge in the DIY Bloody Mary bar, with more than 75 hot sauces, pickled vegetables, and bacon. Their new Bubbles Bar is a build-your-own mimosa station including prosecco, juice, fruit, and fruit purées.

Saturday–Sunday 10 am–2 pm, 1655 India Street, Little Italy; 12995 El Camino Real, Carmel Valley

Monello

Polenta e uova, pasticcio, marmellata alle fragole—Monello’s brunch feels molto Italiano. Dishes include frittatas and baked pasta, but don’t miss their cream-filled croissants. Saturday–Sunday 10 am–3:30 pm, 750 West Fir Street

Queenstown Public House

Inside the Craftsman home decked out in Anthropologie-style decor is a menu of New Zealand–inspired eats, like the Kiwi Breakfast, which comes with soft-boiled eggs, burrata, and traditional Vegemite.

Saturday–Sunday 9 am–2 pm, 1557 Columbia Street

Mission Hills

Bourbon Dutch pancakes at The Patio on Goldfinch

The Red Door

Comfort food goes farm-to-table at The Red Door, where all egg dishes are made with certified organic, cage-free eggs and produce comes from co-owner Trish Watlington’s Mount Helix farm. We love the Blossom Benny, made of goat cheese-stuffed squash blossoms, eggplant, citrus hollandaise, and tomatoes.

Sunday 10 am–3 pm, 741 West Washington Street

The Patio on Goldfinch

Weekday breakfast is an abbreviated selection of chilaquiles, burritos, pancakes, and parfait, while weekend brunch offers more elaborate fare like Grand Marnier French

toast and bourbon Dutch pancakes. In the namesake patio area, bring your pooch for an indoor brunch date.

Monday–Friday 8–11 am, Saturday–Sunday 8 am–3 pm, 4020 Goldfinch Street

Normal Heights

Cafe 21

The cast-iron omelets are the star, as are the long list of a.m. libations, like a ginger beer mimosa and “cofftea,” a breakfast tea blended with cardamom and coffee.

Daily 8 am–3 pm, 2736 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights; 802 Fifth Avenue, Downtown

Hanna’s Gourmet

Chef Hanna Tesfamichael spins the globe for her menu, which includes eggs and fava beans cooked in African spices and a croque madame. And the carrot cake pancakes are a must.

Saturday–Sunday 8 am–3 pm, 2864 Adams Avenue

North Park

Breakfast Bacon Mac ’n Cheese at Breakfast Republic

Breakfast Republic

The bright decor and cheeky rooster motifs are bold, brazen, and a bit in-your-face, much like the menu of churro pancakes and s’mores French toast. Plus, 20 beers on tap!

Daily 7 am–3 pm, 2730 University Avenue; opening in Liberty Station this summer

The Mission

This San Diego staple is beloved for its cinnamon bread French toast and Mexican-leaning breakfasts. The fresh tortillas are perfect for scooping up their deliciously runny eggs.

Daily 7 am–3 pm, 2801 University Avenue, North Park; 3975 Mission Boulevard, Mission Beach; 1250 J Street, East Village

Urban Solace

Feeling country? Head to Urban Solace’s Sunday bluegrass brunch, where biscuits, butter-pecan French toast, and their cinnamon rolls are served with a side of banjo and fiddle.

Sunday 9:30 am–2:30 pm, 3823 30th Street

Wow Wow Waffle

Don’t let its location behind a laundromat fool you. Wow Wow is one of the city’s best spots for a waffle—Liège pearl sugar waffles, to be precise. Order from about 10 different topping choices and dine in a backyard-like space.

Friday–Saturday 8 am–3 pm, Sunday 9 am–2 pm, 3519 30th Street

Ocean Beach & Point Loma

Bali Hai

Your Champagne flute runneth over at Bali Hai’s buffet brunch, where traditional breakfast fixings, a cold seafood bar, made-to-order omelets, stir-frys, and flowing Champs are on the menu. And new this year, a DIY pho station!

Sunday 9:30 am–2 pm, 2230 Shelter Island Drive, Point Loma

Fig Tree Cafe

Fig Tree’s menu reads like a breakfast encyclopedia, with omelets, Benedicts, French toast, pancakes, scrambles, sandwiches, and salads. Take it all in on the garden-style patio and go for a post-brekkie walk through Liberty Station.

Daily 7 am–3 pm, 2400 Historic Decatur Road, Liberty Station; 416 University Avenue, Hillcrest; 5119 Cass Street, Pacific Beach

Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern

Given the prime waterfront location, it’s surprising that this spot doesn’t have a longer wait. Bloody Marys served with a Ballast Point lager chaser, seafood, and meats of all varieties abound.

Sunday 10 am–2 pm, 4990 North Harbor Drive, Point Loma

Little Lion Cafe

This chic, minimalist café is the antidote to erstwhile indulgence. Think balanced options like chia seed pudding, a quinoa and black bean superfood bowl, and poached eggs served on local greens.

Tuesday–Sunday 8 am–3 pm, 1424 Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, Ocean Beach

Oceanside

Beach Break Cafe

It’s almost always a full house at Beach Break—they dole out coffee for those in line—but their classic breakfast fare and delicious coffee cake are worth the wait.

Daily 7 am–2 pm, 1802 South Coast Highway

Hill Street Cafe and Gallery

Pair a breakfast burrito with a Mexican mocha at Hill Steet, which prides itself on being green. They recycle all glass, plastic, and paper, compost coffee grounds

and food waste, and are a Styrofoam-free eatery.

Daily 8 am–9 pm, 524 South Coast Highway

Pacific Beach

Crushed

The mimosa flights take center stage at this all-day brunch spot. Bonus: The entrées are easy on the wallet, at $7–$10 each.

Daily 8 am–4 pm, 967 Garnet Avenue

Kono’s Cafe

The portions at this boardwalk legend could feed a small family, and with absurdly low prices, waits even on a weekday are inevitable. Cash only!

Monday–Friday 7 am–3 pm, Saturday–Sunday 7 am–4 pm, 704 Garnet Avenue

World Famous

An expansive ocean view plus lobster Benedicts make for a perfect breakfast pair. The World Famous Wipeout includes eggs; pancakes with ham, bacon, or sausage; and potatoes, refried beans, or fruit.

Monday–Friday, 7–11 am, Saturday–Sunday 7 am–3 pm, 711 Pacific Beach Drive

Solana Beach & Del Mar

Beach Grass Café

This laid-back spot near the beach offers breakfast all day, with Benedicts, scrambles, and omelets, as well as pancakes and French toast in full and half orders. Beach Grass also makes its own jams, which are available for purchase.

Daily 7:30 am–3 pm, 159 South Coast Highway 101, Solana Beach

Claire’s on Cedros

Housed in a beach bungalow, Claire’s serves their signature “Clairecake” pancakes, omelets, and a unique quinoa Benedict, made with veggies and a curry hollandaise.

Monday–Thursday 6 am–3 pm, Friday 6 am–9 pm, Saturday 7 am–9 pm, Sunday 7 am–3 pm, 246 North Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach

Cucina Enoteca

Brunch goes high-design at Tracy Borkum’s meticulously decorated restaurant. The $28 menu includes one entrée, with access to the all-you-can-eat antipasti bar, plus $15 bottomless mimosas with seasonal mixers.

Sunday 11:30 am–2 pm, 2730 Via de la Valle, Del Mar

T’s Cafe

The old-school spot has Benedicts and un-Benedicts (without hollandaise), potato skillets, Mexican-inspired dishes, and a “Little Eater” menu for kids. They also sell bottles of their famous Bloody Mary mix. Bottoms up!

Monday–Saturday 7am–2pm, Sunday 7am–2:30 pm, 271 North Highway 101, Solana Beach