Best Brunch In San Diego: The Definitive Guide

It seems brunch has become a staple in the California lifestyle and diet, and San Diego is not different. These days everyone is looking for the perfect brunch location. Finding a restaurant with outdoor seating, an all-day menu, bottomless mimosas, and the best brunch options are all the things you can find at the best brunch restaurants. We have done a lot of the research for you, so here is a list of the best brunch spots in San Diego.

Of course, you don't want to show up at a brunch in SoCal with your luggage, as it's not only unfashionable but awkward too, so best to store it safe and secure at a convenient luggage storage location in San Diego.

Cafe 21

With two locations, one in Gaslamp Quarter ( a great neighborhood to stay in) and another in North Park, Cafe 21 brings you the culture of Azerbaijan through the skills of master chef Leyla Javadov. Her use of fresh ingredients, plus her heart and soul, in every dish, makes for a flavorful and unique menu of fusion food that has people lining up for brunch. Everything that comes out of the kitchen is made from scratch every single day, so you know it is fresh.

The small plate concept of this perfect brunch spot is meant to bring people together by ordering a wider variety of food for all to share. There are brunch classics like pancakes, french toast and baked eggs, but there are some fantastic spins and new creations including some delectable vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Add mimosa or sangria flights with the tiramisu pancakes or the popular meal lamb kofta omelet and you have the best brunch in town.

Brunch Times: Wednesday to Sunday 8 am - 3 pm

Locations: 802 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, & 2736 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116

TRUST

Seeing themselves as a "neighborhood restaurant at heart", TRUST and their executive chef Brad Wise work closely with local farmers to ensure only the best seasonal ingredients are used. Fortunately, the perfect weather of San Diego means almost everything is available year-round. The food is fire-cooked for better flavor, and with the excellent pairing of cocktails or wine, it is elevated even more.

It is a concept that has really paid off as it has become one of the most popular restaurants in San Diego. With a great patio to relax on, you can enjoy some of the local favorites like the pork belly grilled cheese, egg white scramble with asparagus, or the wood-grilled burger with asiago and bacon. Whatever you get you can not leave without trying their famous sticky bun, a divine cinnamon roll topped with cinnamon ice cream, pure heaven.

Brunch Times: Saturday & Sunday 9 am - 2 pm

Location: 3752 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103

Morning Glory

Located on the corner of India Street and W. Date, the heart of Little Italy, the Morning Glory decor is as stunning as the food. With its pink furniture, opulent wood decor, and champagne vending machine, this is a millennial's dream. But Morning Glory is more than just a cool place to hang out, it serves up some of the best breakfast and brunch in San Diego.

On the menu, you will find an extensive selection of pancakes and waffles and an interesting mix of omelets with goat cheese or lobster. The drinks might be the most impressive with a number of different flavored hot chocolates, fizzy cocktails, and espresso drinks served in glass goblets. This is not a restaurant for everyone as the conversations get loud and the music might not be to an elder person's liking.

Brunch Times: Monday to Friday 8 am - 3 pm, Saturday & Sunday 8 am - 4 pm

Location: 550 West Date St, San Diego, CA 92101

Queenstown Public House

Head to the Little Italy neighborhood to find this charming restaurant with down-home decor and sheep on the ceiling. On the menu, you will discover a wonderful combination of American comfort food and New Zealand cuisine. The indoor seating is nice and comfortable, but you'd want to take your brunch in the outdoor seating on their courtyard-style patio.

Brunch is served throughout the week but the weekend brunch menu has more selection. Churro waffles with caramel and fresh fruits, steak benedict on a croissant, or fried green tomatoes with feta and a balsamic reduction, are some examples of the tasty food you will discover. Why not add some award-winning craft beer just to make your experience complete. It is also a dog-friendly restaurant, but they do have to stay on a leash and they can't be naughty.

Brunch Times: Monday to Friday 1 am - 2 pm, Saturday & Sunday 9 am - 2 pm

Location: 1557 Columbia St, San Diego, CA 92101

Snooze an A.M Eatery

Serving up more than just an amazing breakfast for brunch, Snooze serves up responsibly sourced food. They believe "a better breakfast starts with better ingredients". They only use organic ingredients that make the flavor of everything they serve really pop. Not to mention the setting is so much fun, it is like having brunch with the Jetsons- you can even get cocktails as soon as it opens.

The menu is stacked with brunch favorites like pancakes, french toast, and benedicts, which all come in a variety of flavors. Delicious vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free options all have a place on the Snooze menu. Even the kids have their own special selections. Snooze is getting a new standard of what breakfast and brunch are all about - great responsible sourced food in a really fun setting.

Brunch Times: Monday to Friday 6:30 am - 2:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday 6:30 am - 4 pm

Locations: 3940 Fifth Ave, San Diego, Ca 92103, 3435 Del Mar Heights Rd D3, San Diego, CA 92130, & 8861 La Jolla Dr #509, San Diego, CA 92037

The Med at La Valencia Hotel

Sitting on the patio of The Med Restaurant in the iconic Valencia Hotel will transport you to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The ocean view, first-class service, and menu designed by Executive Chef Timothy Ralphs will have your mouth watering just looking at it. All set in a surrounding of light pink walls, white trim, and mosaic tiles, made for you to feel like you are on vacation.

Brunch is only served on the weekends with a menu that features classic morning meals like Belgian waffles and lox & bagels, but keep looking and you will probably skip those. Sitting in such a classy environment it only makes sense to order the lobster benedict, the kale and goat cheese frittata, or the bluefin crab cake BLT with tobacco aioli. Whatever you order, make sure to pair it up with one of their signature cocktails, as we all know, a Mediterranean brunch isn't complete without a fancy cocktail.

Brunch Times: Saturday & Sunday 9 am - 2 pm

Location: 1132 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037, San Diego

Toast GastroBrunch

If you are taking the kids to LEGOLAND you may want to fuel up first, and Toast is the perfect lunch spot. It's a family-friendly environment with a menu that kids (and adults) are sure to love. As the name would suggest they make toast, but not your average everyday toast – they have added some great twists. The bread is from Bread & Cie, made fresh daily, which ensures the outstanding quality and taste of each meal.

You can enjoy both sweet and savory choices like their Nutella or smoked salmon toast. Dive into their Elvis, straight-up, or Stuffed French toast, all made with their signature batter made from scratch. Even though pretty much everything on the menu is bread and toast related, they do a lot more. Scrambles, burritos, black beans, pancakes, and eggs are all available, so grab the family or friends and start your day with one of the most delicious and fun brunches in San Diego.

Brunch Times: Wednesday to Sunday 8 am - 2 pm

Location: 5970 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92008, San Diego

Crown Room in the Hotel Del Coronado

If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind brunch experience in San Diego, there is no brunch spot better than the Crown Room in the Hotel Del Coronado. A spectacular domed ceiling 33 feet high, 160 feet long, and 6o feet wide with crown-shaped chandeliers, it truly is the epitome of elegant brunch. There is even a Chef's Table seating at 10 am with a champagne reception, select reserve wines, exclusive plates, and a tour of the gardens.

They only serve Sunday brunch and what an incredible display of food it is. An array of egg dishes, seafood such as crab legs and oysters, 3 carving stations, sushi stations, and so much more are laid out in an impressive and opulent display. Make sure to leave room for dessert at the sundae bar or try the champagne gelee with berries. You may not eat for a few days after this visit.

Brunch is not cheap here, but if you consider the excellent service, luxurious setting, and unmatched decadence of the food, it is an experience worth the price.

Brunch Times: Sunday 9:30 am - 1 pm

Location: 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118, San Diego

Farmer's Table

There is nothing fancy about Farmer's Table, it is just a good friendly neighborhood eatery that serves up delicious farm-to-table food. That means locally sourced organic ingredients are used to create flavorful dishes that are incredibly fresh. With an imported Stefano Ferrara pizza oven from Italy, it shows their level of commitment to making their food authentic.

They have all the classic brunch hits like eggs benedict, a breakfast burrito, pancakes with real maple syrup, and waffles. There are also some nice twists to show their Sicilian roots too, like stuffed French toast with mascarpone and caramelized apples and prosciutto pizza with parmesan cheese and wild arugula. These guys have become famous for their very interesting Bloody Marys – one is topped with a whole chicken!

Brunch Times: Monday to Thursday 9 am - 2:30 pm, Friday to Sunday 8 am - 2:30 pm

Locations: 550 W Date St Suite #A, San Diego CA 92101, 3057 Clairemont Dr, San Diego, CA 92117, 8141 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942

Breakfast Republic

A lot of times when restaurants become a chain they lose what made them great to start, but that is not the case with the Breakfast Republic. With eight locations throughout the San Diego area, they have a breakfast and brunch menu that is sure to satisfy everyone. Whether you are in the East Village or Pacific beach (and soon La Jolla) you are going to get the same great food and service.

As much as they like their chicken humor they love their food more and it shows. Great playful takes on breakfast classics like poached eggs, pancakes with Oreos, French toast with bananas and ice cream, and eggs benedict with crab and crawfish. Pump up your scrambled eggs with Portuguese sausage and their BR hot sauce, and add one of their brunch cocktails. Now that is a brunch done right.

Brunch Hours: Daily 7 am - 3 pm

Location: 707 G St, San Diego, CA 92101

San Diego Brunch

So the next time you are going out for brunch and want huevos rancheros, avocado toast, or sunny side up egg with hash browns, you now know of not just one great brunch spot but 11 awesome brunch spots to get a great meal. So grab your friends or family and hit any of the popular eateries on this list – you won't be disappointed. From street food to brunch, San Diego has good eats!