The Mimosas, Marys and Maple Syrup Are Calling Your Name!
Written By: Bianca Kasawdish Best Breakfast in San Diego
While we know there’s no shortage of hotspot eateries in San Diego, it’s time to take a look at ones that feature the most important meal of the day: breakfast. Whether you’re into savory with bacon and eggs or sweet like Belgium waffles, there’s surely something for any type of breakfaster to enjoy….Even those who claim they don’t eat breakfast (crazy, we know). It’s time to wake up and smell the pancakes—these amazing breakfast eateries around San Diego are calling your name. And if the food isn’t enough to grab your attention, there’s always mimosas. Indulge a little.
Best Breakfast in San Diego
LOCALe FAVe: Coconut Pistachio Kanafee Best Breakfast in San Diego
An all-day brunch spot, Toast Gastrobrunch gives you all the vibes of a modern eatery. From the Instagrammable menu items to their dreamy cocktails, it’s everything you could want in a brunch-inspired breakfast. Their Southern Fried Benny is the perfect combination of salty and sweet, with crispy chicken, cheddar cornbread (wow), garlic spinach, béchamel, scallions and poached eggs. For a sweet escape, their signature dish, Coconut Pistachio Kanafee is a delicious treat made with shredded phyllo, ricotta and jack cheese filling, orange blossom syrup and toasted brioche topped with pistachios. Totally dreamy!
Toast Gastrobrunch
5970 Avenida Encinas
Carlsbad, CA, 92008
760.438.1212
LOCALe FAVe: Breakfast Power Bowl
Gather at Ranch 45 for local farm-to-table dishes with all-day breakfast, lunch, happy hour and cooking classes—yes, cooking classes! A modern take on casual dining, all of its menu items are locally-sourced and high-quality—just what we like to hear. Their avocado toast is a fan favorite; it features heirloom tomato relish, lemon zest and sea salt on grilled country levain. Pro tip: add fried egg to kick it up a notch. The breakfast power bowl with scrambled Eben-Haezar egg whites, quinoa, spinach and seasonal vegetables will leave you fueled and ready to go. As for drinks, you can’t go wrong with the white mocha or lemonade kombucha.
Ranch 45
512 Via De La Valle, Ste 102
Solana Beach, CA 92075
858.461.0092
LOCALe FAVe: Open-Hearted
A series of plant-based restaurants, Café Gratitude is clean, green and gourmet. If you’re looking for a little more gratitude in your meals, go with Open-Hearted: three gluten-free buckwheat flax pancakes served with mixed berries or cashew whipped cream. A tried-and-true fave? Their Peaceful Avocado Toast is topped with creamy avo, micro greens and apple cider vinaigrette—no judgment if you order both!
Café Gratitude
1980 Kettner Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101
619.736.5077
LOCALe FAVe: Jumbo Sticky Buns
Situated beachside, there’s good vibes only at JRDN. As for a must-try, the jumbo sticky buns are to die for. Order on your next visit to see what delicious creation Chef Melody came up with—it changes daily! You also cannot go wrong with chicken and waffles, the perfect mix of a little salty and sweet. Whole grain waffles, crispy fried chicken, chili-garlic honey, bourbon maple syrup and whipped butter…It’s pretty hard not to crave these.
JRDN at Tower23
723 Felspar St
San Diego, CA 92109
858.270.2323
LOCALe FAVe: Sweet Sunny Side Up
The chic allure at Provisional Kitchen is enough to draw you in. With a full menu of breakfast favorites, the flight mimosas are the best way to start. The apple mimosa and hibiscus lavender are absolutely amazing. As for breakfast, the carnitas hash are an absolute must. But the real spotlight-stealer? The Sweet Sunny Side Up, a version of breakfast dessert that looks like a traditional eggs and bacon brekky!
Provisional Kitchen at Pendry San Diego
550 J St
San Diego, CA 92101
619.738.7000
LOCALe FAVe: Chorizo Plate
A local hotspot, PB Shore Club should not be skipped for breakfast (or the view!). Aside from serving all the breakfast classics, you won’t want to miss out on the chorizo plate with Mexican chorizo, scrambled eggs, rice, beans, cheese and your choice of corn or flour tortillas. *Cue stomach grumbling.
PB Shore Club
4343 Ocean Blvd
San Diego, CA 92109
858.272.7873
LOCALe FAVe: Chilaquiles
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The ocean view should be enough to get you up and at ‘em at Cody’s La Jolla. With more than just comfort food, the menu is stocked with favorites like the Awesome French Toast with candied walnuts and strawberries. On the savory side, the chilaquiles are also a favorite, all set with tortilla chips, house-made Mexican tomato sauce, medium eggs, black beans, queso fresco and crème fraiche. Yum!
Cody’s La Jolla
8030 Girard Ave
La Jolla, CA 92037
858.459.0040
LOCALe FAVe: Loaded Deviled Eggs
Nestled in the urban streets of North Park, Waypoint Public’s garage doors are perfect for people watching early in the a.m. Their loaded deviled eggs are unlike any other—all set with cheddar ranch yolk, bacon, chive and topped with breadcrumbs. They also have a house-made cinnamon roll with an orange-vanilla glaze that’s finger-lickin’ good.
Waypoint Public
3794 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104
619.255.8778
LOCALe FAVe: Pumpkin Waffles
Giving you all the cozy feels, Café 222 is a waffle-famous eatery that will satisfy any craving you throw their way. The blueberry cornbread waffles are a must. Because who doesn’t like cornbread? But featured in Gourmet Magazine, the pumpkin waffles steal the show with moist cakes that taste just like pumpkin pie. “They” say you can’t eat pumpkin all year. “They” are wrong.
Café 222
222 Island Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
619.236.9902
LOCALe FAVe: Breakfast Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese
The drink selection and crafted espresso drinks at each of Breakfast Republic’s seven locations are enough to draw you in, but their unique menu of totally Insta-worthy breakfast offerings will make you a stay (and come back over and over again). Change your life with the Breakfast Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese, served with juicy bacon and topped with parmesan breadcrumbs, chives and three eggs—it’s a must!
Breakfast Republic
2730 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92104
619.642.0299
LOCALe FAVe: Maple Bacon Doughnuts
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In the chic midcentury modern vibes of Great Maple, dig into an expansive menu of classic breakfast dishes with a modern twist on comfort food. Where do we begin? Enjoy crazy pancake flavors—from chocolate bacon to fruity pebbles—and savory egg scrambles, but your visit won’t be complete without Maple Bacon Doughnuts.
Great Maple
1451 Washington St
San Diego, CA 92103
619.255.2282
LOCALe FAVe: The Big O Sage Fried Chicken and Waffle Tower
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One of the original breakfast spots in San Diego, Hash House is award-winning for their Midwest-inspired breakfast, and known for their generous servings. Try out their N.Y. Times Favorite The Big O Sage Fried Chicken and Waffle Tower. Yes, it’s a (delicious) mouthful with a smoked bacon waffle, sage fried chicken breasts, hot maple reduction and two fried eggs. A little bit of everything, this is the ultimate breakfast dish.
Hash House A Go Go
3628 Fifth Ave
San Diego, CA 92103
619.298.4646
LOCALe FAVe: The Zen Breakfast
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An SD staple, The Mission reigns as one of the best breakfast places in the city. With a no-frills decor, the restaurant goes straight to what’s important: amazing food. Their menu covers all your breakfast bases with french toast, pancakes, omelets and the works, but if you’re looking for a healthy option without losing the flavor, you’ll want The Zen Breakfast. Made up of scrambled egg whites, braised tofu, brown rice, grilled zucchini and squash with tomato and onion, the dish will leave you feeling not-so guilty and totally full.
The Mission
3795 Mission Blvd
San Diego, CA 92109
858.488.9060
LOCALe FAVe: Braised Short Rib Cast Iron Omelete
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With a dreamy urban atmosphere, feel like you’re on the East Coast at Café 21. Start off with a sage Paloma, then for the main dish, go for the short rib cast iron omelet with braised short rib, bell pepper, caramelized onions and blue cheese. That’s only after you’ve snapped a few photos for the ‘Gram first!
802 Fifth Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
619.795.0721
LOCALe FAVe: Breakfast Sushi
A perfect mix of urban and modern, Fig Tree Café offers unique dishes you won’t find anywhere else, except at their three locations throughout San Diego. Try out their breakfast sushi (yeah, you read that right): three thick bacon rolls baked with brown sugar and paprika, rice and scallions, and served with fresh fruit and plum sauce. You heard it here first, sushi for breakfast is always a good idea. For a sweet indulgence, go for their stuffed French toast with mascarpone cheese, mangos and strawberries.
Fig Tree Café
5119 Cass St
San Diego, CA 92109
858.274.2233
LOCALe FAVe: Mexicali Benedict
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Here’s another view in La Jolla you won’t be able to resist. For the ultimate SoCal breakfast, check out The Cottage’s Mexicali Benedict with soy chorizo, poached eggs, guajillo chile hollandaise on top of fluffy corn cakes. If you’re into pancakes, you can’t go wrong with the cinnamon swirl pancakes or stuffed French toast.
The Cottage
7702 Fay Ave
La Jolla, CA 92037
858.454.8409
LOCALe FAVe: Bonfire Pancakes
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Country chic is how to describe Farmer’s Bottega. With a pretty big menu of traditional items and eight different kinds of Benedicts, there’s no shortage of egg dishes here. However, for a sweet twist on a camp favorite, the Bonfire pancakes with marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate sauce will leave you very happy.
Farmer’s Bottega
860 W Washington St
San Diego, CA 92103
619.458.9929