We LOVE all things breakfast, so we have been happily scouting out the best breakfast spots in San Diego, California. Add these must-try San Diego breakfast restaurants to your list!
The best breakfast in San Diego
Heading to San Diego in the near future? Or maybe you’re already here? San Diego is known as America’s Finest City, and for good reason. We’ve got great weather year-round, tons of fabulous activities, beaches to enjoy, and warm friendly people.
The culinary scene is in San Diego also on the rise, and breakfast is on the menu! If you are in search of the best breakfast in San Diego, look no further. In no particular order, here are some of the best top breakfast spots in San Diego, you will love these breakfast restaurants!
20 Of The Best Breakfast Spots In San Diego
1. Snooze AM Eatery
I love love LOVE this place, and my kids do, too! Enjoy the swanky orange retro decor, play a few board games, order from the full bar, and choose from creative breakfast dishes like egg dishes, benedicts, unique pancake creations (some of the best pancakes in San Diego), and tons more – their gluten-free pancakes are the best I’ve had. Three locations, La Jolla, Hillcrest, and Del Mar http://snoozeeatery.com/
2. Breakfast Republic
This is a unique California-inspired restaurant with the chicken and the egg as the center of the menu. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available, I had the chilaquiles and my kids tried a pancake flight. OMG. Seven locations, North Park, Encinitas, Pacific Beach, East Village, Ocean Beach, Carmel Valley, and Liberty Station. http://www.breakfastrepublic.com/
3. The Cottage
In the heart of La Jolla, you can find delicious coastal fare at The Cottage! Their passion is to serve tasty, classic American & Southern California influenced food. The breakfast menu boasts omelets, classic egg dishes, and a griddle menu with sweets to die for – just say YES to the lemon ricotta pancakes! Located in La Jolla, CA. http://www.cottagelajolla.com/
4. The Mission
The Mission is one of my go-to best breakfast spots in San Diego, I love their fresh fare! There is a whole gluten-free menu here, which is awesome, and they also have a lot of good Mexican breakfast items, the chilaquiles are really good. I say that The Mission french toast is a must-try dish, it is huge and delicious! Three locations, Mission Beach, East Village, and North Park. http://www.themissionsd.com/
5. Cafe 222 Breakfast
This cute little Downtown breakfast restaurant has egg scrambles, waffles, and other favorites, but they are known for their stuffed peanut butter banana french toast. OMG. YOU have to order this for the table! Located in Downtown San Diego. http://cafe222.com/
6. Fig Tree Cafe
I like this cute little rustic restaurant, they have an extensive menu with all of the breakfast favorites, and a few unique items, too. Man candy bacon is a must-try, as well as a flight of coffees or the antioxidant shots, they’re really good! Three locations, Liberty Station, Pacific Beach, Hillcrest. http://figtreeeatery.com/
8. Richard Walker’s Pancake House
Just like the name implies, this place has arguably the best pancakes in San Diego, they have so many amazing varieties! Traditional cakes, crepes, oven-baked pancakes, and gourmet griddle selections are all on the menu. Try the dutch apple pancake, it is everything you need and more! Two locations, Downtown San Diego and La Jolla. https://www.richardwalkers.com/
9. Great Maple San Diego
This chic eatery serves a tasty American breakfast, delicious donuts and beignets served on a long slab of wood, and unique cocktails. there’s nothing that you can really go wrong with! Located in University Heights neighborhood + UTC-area location. http://www.thegreatmaple.com
10. Flap Your Jacks
This fun pancake-inspired breakfast place in San Diego is super cool because you can make your own pancakes on the griddle at your table! There are lots of varieties and toppings to choose from, or you can order pancakes from the kitchen, along with a host of other breakfast favorites. https://flapyourjacks.com/
11. Parkhouse Eatery
Parkhouse is a quaint little space with a cute patio, a breakfast restaurant in San Diego known for its modern comfort foods. Breakfast menu items include fresh veggie, chorizo, smoked salmon, and chicken sausage scrambles, breakfast pizza, cornmeal flapjacks, and that churro pancake sounds amazing! Located in University Heights. https://www.parkhousesd.com/
photo: Broken Yolk
12. The Broken Yolk Cafe
Breakfast is a hearty staple here at Broken Yolk! As the name implies, there are egg dishes galore, and more favorites such as build-your-own omelets, griddle specialties, huevos con chorizo, and even fried chicken and waffles! Several locations in San Diego, https://www.thebrokenyolkcafe.com/locations/
13. Brockton Villa
Enjoy an oceanview breakfast in a little seaside bungalow at this tasty San Diego breakfast spot! Enjoy coastal-inspired fare, including crab Ipanema Benedict and Coast french toast (I’ve had this one, it has a hint of orange and it’s really good). People say this is one of the best breakfast in La Jolla restaurants! Located in La Jolla. https://www.brocktonvilla.com/
14. World Famous
People say that this is one of the best breakfast spots in San Diego, and with the ocean view and really good food, I have to agree! The breakfast menu has traditional favorites, plus a lobster benedict, a prime rib hash, and an epic berry french toast that looks sooooo good! Located in Pacific Beach. http://www.worldfamouspb.com/
photo: Searsucker
15. Morning Glory
This is a quirky San Diego breakfast restaurant in the heart of Little Italy with hip decor, lively music, and an upbeat vibe serving unique breakfast dishes, cocktails, and more.
This has become a super popular breakfast restaurant in San Diego. Go early, they get super packed! https://morningglorybreakfast.com/
16. Claire’s on Cedros
We love this little cottage-style breakfast restaurant in the Solana Beach area of San Diego! They serve all of the breakfast favorites, such as pancakes, eggs, omelets, oatmeal, Benedicts, French toast, and more. They even have a little coffee bar and bakery that serves your favorite lattes and baked goods. https://www.clairesoncedros.com/
17. Breakfast at Hash House A Go Go
If giant plates of food are what you want, this is the place to get it! Hash House is one of the best breakfast spots in San Diego, They have a lot of waffles, pancakes, and southern fares, like biscuits and gravy, fried, chicken, mashed potatoes, and eggs.
I have been here several times and I liked to get the sage chicken and smoked bacon waffles plate with a maple reduction, eggs, and fried leeks, it is amazing and I am so sad to be gluten-free now! Located in Hillcrest neighborhood (and more locations in TX, NV). http://www.hashhouseagogo.com/
photo: Clayton’s Coffee Shop
18. Clayton’s Coffee Shop
This cute, yet smaller breakfast restaurant is on Coronado Island and features a classic diner-style look and menu that is just delicious!
They serve all eggs and omelets, pancakes, waffles, french toast, benedicts, and Mexican-style breakfast plates, and they even make some really good coffee and espresso drinks. https://www.claytonscoffeeshop.com/
19. Mary Jane’s Diner
If you are in the Gaslamp Quarter in Downtown San Diego area, Mary Jane’s is a fun, retro-themed breakfast place to try. They are located in the Hard Rock hotel, which is very close to the Convention Center and other area attractions.
Mary Janes serves up some really good breakfast dishes, such as the loaded “Bloody Maryjane,” brioche french toast, carne asada chilaquiles, and more amazing menu items. https://www.hardrockhotels.com/san-diego/mary-janes.aspx
photo: Farmer’s Table
20. Farmer’s Table
This is becoming a popular breakfast restaurant in San Diego for their tasty brunch menu and fresh “farm-to-fork” ingredients from local vendors. Enjoy a short rib benedict, breakfast burrito, strawberry banana nutella waffles, and so much more at this cute farm-style restaurant for brunch 7 days a week.
There are multiple Farmer’s Bottega locations in San Diego, pick your favorite! https://myfarmerstable.com/
Cheers to your journey to finding the best breakfast in San Diego!
Whether you’re looking for great pancakes or some good ol’ fashioned scrambled eggs, these San Diego breakfast restaurants have just what you need. No matter which of these places you choose, you’ll love everything they’ve got on the menu. I know, it’s hard to just choose one!
If you are looking for an amazing all-you-can-eat brunch (Sundays only) with an omelet bar, Benedicts, waffles, breakfast meat, fresh seafood (crab legs, lobster claws, oysters, anyone?), greens, short rib, tri-tip, desserts, and so much more, we have always loved Tom Ham’s Lighthouse. We didn’t add this to the list because it is not always open for breakfast. It is pricey but soooo worth it!
Good luck, and enjoy your breakfast in San Diego.
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