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55+ great brunch restaurants to try in San Diego

Check out these brunch restaurants, cafes, and diners in San Diego, serving a variety of egg dishes, mimosas, bloody marys, and more.

Morning Glory San Diego

Get thee to the pink “pancake church” that is Morning Glory.

Photo via @foundpleasures

In this town, brunchin’ ain’t easy but it’s necessary. Whether you’re on the hunt for fluffy eggs, fried chicken and waffles, breakfast burritos, or mind-blowing bloody marys, the options can get as overwhelming as the lines at times.

Luckily, you have us to scout things out. We’ve rounded up 55+ brunch options around SD, along with menu recs, pro tips, and an interactive map to track ‘em. Plan your weekend and pour those mimosas.

Hours listed are when brunch menus are available, while price estimates are based on general entrees, and don’t include drinks, tax, or tip.

$ ~ $20 or less per person
$$ ~ $20-40 per person
$$$ ~ $40+ per person

Hash House A Go Go san diego

Hash House A Go Go’s famous dish: Andy’s Sage Fried Chicken + Waffle Tower.

Weekday wonders

Morning Glory | Daily, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | $ | Dripping in velvet + Instagrammable vibes, this Little Italy “it” spot is known for its soufflé pancakes; slide in during the week to avoid the weekend crowds.

Madi | Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. + Friday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | This hip, colorful eatery on Adams Avenue makes brunch a whole lifestyle, and we’re not mad about it. Pro tip: Those Waffle Churro Sticks are game-changers.

Hash House A Go Go | Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. + Weekends, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | $$ | Huge hankering for brunch? Hit up this farmhouse-focused eatery in Hillcrest, order the Sage-Fried Chicken + Waffles, and for sure share with a friend.

Entrance to Malibu Farm San Diego with a sign up from the the building behind it.

All brunch meals come with a view of San Diego Bay on the side.

Photo by Michael Beausoleil + SDtoday

Malibu Farm | Daily, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | $$ | This newish Seaport Village restaurant serves farm-to-table meals inspired by California cuisine. You can sit down for brunch with views of San Diego Bay, or head to the cafe downstairs for coffee and a pastry to-go.

Crushed | Daily, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (Pacific Beach brunch hours) | $ | Go for the sweet stuff — aka “Bresserts” — like the French Toast Sticks or Blueberry Cheesecake Pancakes at two locations: Pacific Beach + North Park (open weekends only, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.).

Hot chocolate, whipped cream, and croissants and a nice table.

What’s a French brunch without a croissant and a hot drink — du chocolat chaud, perhaps?

Photo via Little Frenchie

Sheldon’s Service Station | Daily, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | This cute La Mesa café will help you fuel up with its mouthwatering menu — the Caprese Avocado Toast is calling our name.

Brockton Villa | Opens at 9 a.m. Monday-Friday + 8 a.m. on weekends | $ | The Coast Toast — a soufflé-style twist on French toast — has been this La Jolla restaurant’s jam for 30+ years.

Little Frenchie | Daily, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | $$ | This beautiful bistro on Coronado Island will transport you to France for “le brunch” — housemade pâtiserries and all.

SD Werewolf brunch

We’re howlin’ for brunch at Werewolf.

Photo via @werewolfsd

Werewolf | Daily, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | $ | Order a round of Breakfast Balls for the table — hush puppies with country gravy + bacon.

Pacific Del Mar | Daily, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | $$ | The brunch offerings are small but mighty at this upscale spot — we see you, Honey Marscarpone Stuffed French Toast + Sugar-Spiced Salmon Hash.

The Cottage La Jolla

The historic Cottage celebrates its 30th anniversary as a restaurant on Tuesday, Dec. 6.

Truckstop | Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. + Friday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | $ | Classics like Country Fried Steak N’ Eggs and Avocado Toast are calling our name on this robust breakfast menu.

The Cottage La Jolla | Daily, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | $$ | This seaside staple turned 30 in late 2022 and is beloved for its breakfast items like the famous Brioche French Toast, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, and Southern California Omelet. Pro tip: If you’re in North County, try The Cottage Encinitas.

Mission Valley Breakfast Company | Daily, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | $ | Pop into this cute eatery for everything from a California Breakfast Burrito to the S’mores Waffle.

Little Lion Cafe | Wednesday-Monday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | $$ | Don’t miss the toasts and Superfood Bowl at this cute Point Loma eatery.

The great maple san diego

Three words: Maple Bacon Donuts.

Photo via @thegreatmaple

Pastry paradises

The Great Maple | Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. + weekends, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | $ | Elevated comfort food shines at the Hillcrest eatery — including those signature glazed Maple Bacon Donuts.

Sunny Boy Biscuit Co. | Daily, 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | $ | This cute café’s name says it all — the Southern-style biscuits with honey butter + jam are the must-try specialty.

Blackmarket Bakery | Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. + weekends, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. (North Park location) | $ | Loaded croissant sandwiches, cookies, muffins, tarts + other treats make this menu a sweet one.

The pink and white exterior of a French cafe in San Diego; half of the wall features pink, black, and white tiles and French words are scrolled on the windows.

Get here early for the fresh croissants — trust us.

Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

Pâtisserie Melanie | Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. + weekends, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | This cute cafe offers the French experience through its incredible pastries and brunch dishes (available starting at 9:30 a.m.) like the Croque Monsieur, Croque Madame, and Quiche Lorraine. Get there early to try the fresh croissants, kouignettes, and chaussons.

Sugar and Scribe Bakery | Daily, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | Double-stacked Rice Krispie treats, cupcakes, cookies + pastries for days.

Claire’s Too | Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Friday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | $ | Don’t miss this sweet little Solana Beach spot — and its muffin tops.

Breakfast and bubbles san diego

Cheers to brunch.

Bottomless mimosas

XOXO by Breakfast + Bubbles | Daily, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | Another Instagram-worthy brunch spot where the selfies + mimosas flow — and the menu shows up and shows out. Get us that Tower of Sweetness, stat.

Duck Dive | Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. + weekends, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | $ | The weekday + weekend brunch menus differ slightly, but the good times roll daily at this PB favorite.

Bootlegger | Weekends, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | $ | Make your brunch extra bubbly with $25 bottomless mimosas — paired with plenty of solid eats.

GARAGE Kitchen + Bar | Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | $ | We recommend the bottle of house bubbles with two juices or a mimosa flight paired The Best Breakfast Sandwich Ever with wild boar sausage.

Baja Betty’s | Weekends, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | Come for the yummy Mexican food + lively ambiance at this Hillcrest restaurant — stay for the $19.95 bottomless mimosas.

Flap your jacks San Diego

The kiddos will love Flap Your Jacks in North Park — you can make your own pancakes.

Photo via @FlapYourJacks

For the fam

Snooze: An A.M. Eatery | Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. + weekends, 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | $ | Three words: Signature Pancake Flight; don’t hit the snooze button — it’s worth getting up.

Flap Your Jacks | Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. + weekends, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | $ | Each table is outfitted with its own pancake griddle, so you can flip your own pancakes — and add all kinds of toppings.

Breakfast Republic | Daily, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | $ | The kiddos will love the selection of pancakes — from Oreo Cookie to Churro — and French toast offerings at the 11 locations across San Diego County.

The Trails Eatery | Daily, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | This adorable café offers special dishes for kids 12 and under, including French toast + pancake combos, and a classic cheesy scramble.

Mama Kat’s | Monday + Wednesday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. + weekends, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. (closed Tuesday) | $ | This restaurant + pie shop in San Marcos has a downhome family feel — and a great selection of comfort food and organic cold-pressed juices.

A spread of brunch dishes at ARLO in San Diego including breakfast potatoes, a wagyu burger, fluffy pancakes, a waffes, and avocado toast.

ARLO is putting a spin on the most important meal of the day with its weekend “DJ Brunch.”

Photo via ARLO

Veggie focused

Farmers Bottega Restaurant | Daily, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | $$ | Fruits and grains, omelets, frittatas, pancakes + French toast, anyone?

Second Nature | Weekends, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | The brunch menu at this spot in North Pacific Beach features fruits, grains, omelets, and scrambles — we see you, Cali Brah Omelet with cilantro aioli and hemp seeds.

Kindred | Weekends, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | So many veggie standouts on one menu — for its summer 2024 selections, the Doom Bloom dish with fried mushrooms has our attention.

Donna Jean | Weekends, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | $ | We spy tofu + breakfast potatoes in The Motherload scramble, Chicken Fried Shrooms, and Biscuits & Gravy.

Cafe21 | Daily, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | $ | You had us at Vegan French Toast and the Roasted Eggplant Crumpet. The Gaslamp location is closed for renovations, but the University Avenue location is open.

The Presley San Diego

Decisions, decisions. Are you a savory or sweet brunch person?

Photo via @thepresleysd

Weekend musts

ARLO | Weekends, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | This eatery launched its DJ Brunch in summer 2024, which mixes a fun brunch menu with a DJ spinning beats while you eat. Try the Croffle — it’s a croissant-meets-waffle.

The Presley | Weekends, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | This breezy Liberty Station restaurant with plenty of patio seating boasts savory + sweet offerings; start your meal with the Parker House Rolls.

The lime green bar at Hasta Mañana Cantina in downtown San Diego; the restaurant's walls are lined with colorful murals and TVs.

Hasta Mañana Cantina is new to the SD brunch scene — but coming in hot.

Hasta Mañana Cantina | Weekends, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | $ | This new downtown SD restaurant joined the weekend brunch scene in late August 2024 with a menu created by Chef Kevin Templeton that includes chilaquiles rojo, steak + eggs, and concha French toast.

Queenstown Public House | Weekends, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | The New Zealand-inspired favorites shine here — including the Breakfast Poutine + Meat Pie.

Kettner Exchange | Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | This Little Italy hotspot offers a rotating brunch menu on Sundays only, always based on seasonal ingredients.

Kettner Exchange San Diego

The Sunday brunch menu at Kettner Exchange is back + revamped.

Photo via @jtran_photos

Trust | Weekends, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | With shareable plates, Trust brings the closest friends closer through pancakes + fried chicken, French toast, and pork belly poutine.

The Whiskey House | Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | $ | This downtown San Diego spot holds the Guinness World Record for the most varieties of whiskey/whiskey commercially available — and it also serves up a mean brunch. If you’re looking for savory, try the Breakfast Enchiladas; for a sweet treat, try the Trio of Pancakes Plate.

SD Brunch Guide The Whiskey House

The Breakfast Enchiladas at The Whiskey House in downtown San Diego

Voltaire Beach House | Weekends, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | $ | This breezy, dog-friendly beach spot welcomes pups to its weekend brunch + the menu offers everything from breakfast burritos to bowls.

The exterior of the Louisiana Purchase restaurant in San Diego with oak wood beams, a patio with seating, and a peek at the interior dining room featuring tables and chairs.

Louisiana Purchase in North Park offers a weekend brunch menu inspired by The Big Easy.

Louisiana Purchase | Weekends, 12-3 p.m. | $$ | The North Park restaurant with New Orleans vibes offers a weekend brunch menu that’ll have you dreaming of The Big Easy. We spy Garlic Cheddar Biscuits with honey butter and jam, the Catfish Monica, and Gator Omelette.

94th Aero Squadron Restaurant | Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | $$ | Like to graze? The unlimited champagne brunch buffet boasts a little of everything — breakfast classics, salads, seafood + more.

SD Brunch Guide The Smoking Gun

This downtown hotspot offers a 1980s-themed brunch on the weekends dubbed “Wake Me Up Before You Yolk Yolk.”

Photo via The Smoking Gun

The Smoking Gun | Weekends, 11 a.m.1- p.m. | This trendy downtown eatery offers a 1980s-themed weekend brunch dubbed “Wake Me Up Before You Yolk Yolk,” which focuses on stacked sandwiches inspired by songs of the decade. Try the “Loxxane” with smoked salmon and cream cheese, the “Don’t Stop Brielieving” stuffed with brie and cranberry, or the “You Smoked Me All Night Long” featuring Wagyu brisket with au jus.

The Corner Drafthouse | Weekends, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | While you enjoy libations like the Drafthouse Chilaquiles, check out the 70 draft beers on tap.

Pink, green, and yellow neon lights cover the entrance and dining room of the Beginner's Diner inside the LaFayette Hotel in San Diego.

The retro-style Beginner’s Diner at the renovated LaFayette Hotel is open 24/7, but brunch is offered on weekends.

Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

Beginner’s Diner | Weekends, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | $$ | Tucked inside the historic and newly renovated LaFayette Hotel in North Park, this diner gives 1940s energy and a weekend brunch menu that includes the Latkestrami Benedict (latkes and pastrami), Deviled Eggs, and the Grav Lax Tower — homemade gravlax, pickled herring, bagels, cream cheese, and accouterments, perfect for sharing.

The interior of Miss B's Coconut Club in San Diego; one wall is painted with a tropical mural featuring green leaves, pink and orange hibiscus flowers, and a blonde woman holding a coconut drink.

We’re feeling the Caribbean vacation vibes at Miss B’s Coconut Club.

Daytime party

Miss B’s Coconut Club | Daily, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | The sun is out and brunch is on with Miss B’s unforgettable Breakfast Tacos.

Urban Mo’s Bar and Grill | Weekends, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | $ | Try the Hangover Burger to keep the party vibes going at this buzzy hangout in the heart of Hillcrest.

King & Queen Cantina | Weekends, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | Mexican cuisine, mimosa towers, Pancakes Churros, Breakfast Tinga Taquitos, and Birria Benedicts — a brunch menu fit for royalty.

The Local Pacific Beach | Weekends, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | Enjoy a bubbly 3-liter Champagne Tower with your friends to top off your weekend daze. 🥂

Spill the Beans

Bagels + specialty coffee by the bay? Yes, please.

Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

Quick and easy

Parkhouse Eatery | Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. + weekends, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | $ | Savory scrambles + so much more in the cutest little café atmosphere.

Atypical Waffle | Friday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | Waffles in every which way — don’t miss the Berry Patch with mixed berries, kiwi, banana, vanilla whip, guava jam + micro basil.

Eggies | Daily, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. | $ | Stacked breakfast sandwiches + layered egg creations served in jars make this an egg-cellent spot to grab a laid-back brunch across several locations: PB, North Park, and East Village.

Spill the Beans Coffee and Bagel | Locations open daily at 6 a.m.| $ | Get to the Seaport Village location bright and early, order a bagel and specialty coffee (can’t go wrong with the Basic Sitch), and sit facing the waterfront. The new, spacious Mission Valley cafe has a great patio, too.

Public Square Coffee House | Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. | $ | The Homemade Sugar Scones are always fresh — make sure you try the flavored butters.

DIY brunch

Prefer to stay in? Host your own brunch with crowd-pleasing spreads + supplies good enough for a chef.

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