Fully-Loaded and Wrapped With LoveāJust How We Like āEm!
Where there are beaches, there should always be burritosāand lucky for us, San Diego is home to the best of both. Authentic taco shops light up the city, satisfying everyone from the early risers to the late-night bar crowd with some shops open a full 24 hours. Satisfy any hunger with endless combinations of carne asada, pollo asado, chorizo, eggs, hash browns and more snuggled up in giant, fluffy homemade tortillas. The early bird gets the best burritos, and weāre rounding up our favorites to make sure you hit the right spots.
Breakfast Burritos San Diego
Ranch 45
Must-Try: Breakfast Burrito
Properly named for what it prides itself on most, Ranch 45 places an emphasis on the farmers, ranchers and fisherman that put the hard work into the beauty they present on the plates. Find options from farm to sea at this community-focused restaurant, complete with a butcher shop and cooking classes! Pop in for breakfast and lunch every day of the week or dinner on Thursday through Sunday.
Location: Solana Beach
Taco SurfĀ
Must-Try: Build-Your-Own Burrito
Taco Surf in Pacific Beach does things a little differently: this taco shopās BYOB. Itās not what you thinkāyou have the option to build your own burrito! Start with a base of either a breakfast burrito, California burrito or veggie burrito and choose up to three or four add-ins. Where there is surf, there must be tacosāand may the opposite also always reign true.
Location: Pacific Beach
PB Shore Club
Must-Try: California Burrito
A good time is always a shore thing at PB Shore Club, serving up non-stop eats, drinks and good vibes. Well-known for its beachfront location and events nearly every night, this iconic boardwalk-facing establishment also serves up delicious seafood plates and sides, including a classic California Burrito. No burrito excursion would be complete without this San Diego classic.
Location: Pacific Beach
Cafe Coyote
Must-Try: Machaca Burrito
Lay back and lounge a while at Cafe Coyote, a historical landmark in the heart of Old Town San Diego. Open 364 days a year, enter to find a constantly buzzing atmosphere among burritos galore being served up for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Watch tortillas made āa manoā (by hand) right from your table alongside traditional Mexican entertainment and mariachis.Ā
Location: Old Town
Barrio Star
Must-Try: Barrio Breakfast Burrito
Soak in the feels of self-proclaimed Mexican soul food at Barrio Star, Bankerās Hillās premier restaurant featuring classic dishes with a bold Latin flair and Asian touches. Pair their healthier renditions of traditional Mexican fare with a delicious cerveza or an inventive cocktail like their roasted jalapeƱo blackberry margarita! With bold flavor comes bright decor, of course; stay a while and lounge in their lively, vibrant ambience.
Location: Bankerās Hill
Vallarta Express Mexican Eatery
Must-Try: Huevo Ranchero Burrito
If youāre stopping off at Vallarta Express Mexican Eatery, chances are youāre on your way down to the water. Start your day on the right foot by ordering their surf and turf burrito, packed to the brim with rice, sour cream, guacamole, shrimp and steak. Stop in and keep it super casual in their classic taco shop interior, or you can grab and go to enjoy with a side of sunshine.
Location: Pacific Beach
QuimƩrico CafƩ & Deli
Must-Try: Breakfast Burrito
Tijuanaās beloved brunch spot has brought its imagination-fueled menu north, opening its first U.S. cafĆ© in Encinitas. While locals are buzzing about the matcha pancakes and banana bacon French toast, itās the breakfast burrito that seals the deal. Packed with bold flavors and crafted with the same artistic flair that made QuimĆ©rico a hit across the border, this burrito is destined to become North Countyās newest obsession.
Location: Encinitas
Casero Taqueria
Must-Try: Machaca Breakfast Burrito
Enter homemade heaven at Casero Taqueria, featuring a chef-inspired menu perfectly complemented by housemade tortillas, salsas, marinades and guacamole. Their Baja-influenced menu serves up burritos, tacos, soups and salads and of course, deliciously balanced margaritas to boot. Enjoy your chosen company as you experience the lively Casero culture in this community-forward, casual restaurant.
Location: Carlsbad
6th & G Breakfast Co.
Must-Try: Breakfast Burrito
Bright, playful, and full of flavor. 6th & G Breakfast Co. in downtown San Diego knows how to do brunch with personality. Their breakfast burrito comes stuffed with three scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, ham, soyrizo, potatoes, cheddar cheese and crema, served alongside house potatoes and a punchy red salsa. Feeling extra? Pair it with one of their over-the-top sweet creations like a Maple Bacon waffle pop or Matcha Flood pancakes. Between the whimsical decor and the indulgent, photo-ready plates, this spot makes mornings feel like a party.
Location: San Diego
Earlybird
Must-Try: Spiced Soyrizo (VG)
Start your morning strong at Earlybird where breakfast burritos are built to satisfy. The Spiced Soyrizo burrito is a vegetarian standout, layered with three fluffy eggs, crispy tater tots, tortilla strips, melted cheese, chipotle sour cream and guacamole for good measure. Itās hearty, flavorful, and anything but an afterthought for plant-based eaters. Not into soyrizo? Their Firebird Burrito with fried chicken tenders and sriracha aioli turns mornings into a spicy adventure. Whether you grab-and-go or settle in, this San Diego favorite is all about fueling your day with bold bites.
Location: San Diego
Los Panchitos
Must-Try: Steak & Egg Burrito
Point Loma locals know Los Panchitos as the spot for hearty Mexican plates and fresh seafood, but their breakfast burritos deserve the spotlight, too. The Steak & Egg Burrito brings classic comfort with tender steak, fluffy eggs and melty cheese all wrapped up in a warm tortilla. If youāre in the mood to mix things up, the Bandidos Burrito with green chilaquiles, beans and sour cream is a flavorful twist that feels like brunch and lunch rolled into one. Affordable, filling and fast, Los Panchitos makes starting the day easy.
Location: Point Loma
Breakfast Burritos San Diego
Ranchos Cocina
Must-Try: Buenos Dias Burrito
Known for their wide variety of vegan and vegetarian burritos and dishes, thereās something for everyone at Ranchos Cocina. Find vegan shrimp, vegan chicken or even vegan carne asada at this all-inclusive spot, which gathers many of its fresh ingredients from local farmers markets. Get your burrito fix and shop local for breakfast, lunch and dinner made with love! Donāt be surprised if you leave dreaming of coming back, and you can even try their extensive catering menu for your next event!
Location: North Park
SeƱor Burro
Must-Try: The Hash Brown Burrito
Just like mom used to makeāor honestly, a slight step aboveā SeƱor Burrosā homestyle Mexican fare is a must-taste. With a menu encapsulating all of the goodness each burrito should have wrapped into one, thereās no such thing as a wrong decision here. Give your day a little bit of spice and try the Diablo Shrimp Burrito, complete with hot sauce, rice and white sauce. Itās super hotābut as their slogan goes, your taste buds will never be the same.
Location: La Mesa
Jaclyn is a sunshine chasing San Diego native with an extensive writing background. When she isnāt word-smithing, you can find her playing beach volleyball, skating the boardwalk, or on a rooftop enjoying a drink in the sunshine with her pals.
A California local, Kathleen Hokit grew up on a farm but spent every chance she could at the beach. After earning her graduate degree in the social sciences in Finland, she built a 17+ year career writing and editing across lifestyle, entertainment, and culture. A longtime magazine lover, she now lives the dream as part of the editorial team at LOCALE. When sheās not on deadline, sheās hiking or sneaking in a beach day with her husband and son. Kathleen loves all things artāfrom writing and photography to spending time on the dance floor, where she teaches ballet to everyone from tiny tots to grown-ups on their pas de bourrĆ©e path.
