15 Spots for the Best Breakfast in San Diego
San Diego knows how to do mornings right. Between the sun, the surf, and a food scene that never disappoints, breakfast here feels like the perfect start to the day.
Here are 15 spots that have earned its place among San Diego’s top breakfast destinations.
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1. Great Maple
Great Maple turns breakfast into a low-key celebration. This Hillcrest spot works magic with American comfort food, all made from scratch, and transforms classic breakfast dishes into something you’ll remember.
Creative pancake stacks, hearty egg dishes, and seasonal ingredients show up all over the menu.
They play with familiar favorites, adding unexpected twists and bold flavors. The midcentury-modern space feels both stylish and approachable.
Location: 1451 Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103
Website: Visit Website
2. Hash House A Go Go
Hash House A Go Go doesn’t do small. This hip spot is famous for supersized portions and creative takes on breakfast and brunch that spill over the plate.
Andy’s World Famous Sage Fried Chicken is the headliner—crispy, herby, and addictive. You’ll wonder why more places don’t fry chicken with sage.
Signature drinks like the Drunk Clam (vodka, Clamato, clam juice, and a bit of heat) add a punch to your morning, and the Black Crow bourbon cocktail isn’t shy either.
Arrive hungry. The portions are meant to share, but if you’re feeling ambitious, go for it solo.
Location: 3628 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website: Visit Website
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3. Breakfast Republic
Creative twists on morning classics are the name of the game at this lively breakfast chain that seems to have popped up everywhere in Southern California.
Their plates push past the usual eggs and toast, with pancake flights and loaded breakfast bowls packed with fresh ingredients.
Order with a side of craft beer and cocktails, all in a fun, upbeat setting. It’s a go-to for groups and families after something more playful than the usual.
Location: 707 G St, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: Visit Website
4. Morning Glory
Morning Glory draws a crowd with its global breakfast menu and cozy wood-accented space. The Little Italy spot serves up brunch dishes that wander far from the usual American lineup.
Turkish eggs, breakfast burritos, and boozy coffee drinks all share the spotlight. It’s a great place to catch up with friends or just switch up your morning routine.
The global concept means you’ll never get bored. Locals and visitors seem to agree, judging by the steady stream of rave reviews.
Location: 550 W Date St Suite #C, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: Visit Website
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5. Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Right in the heart of Hillcrest, Snooze brings playful energy and retro vibes to the breakfast game.
Barbacoa Chile Verde Benedicts, Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes—these aren’t your run-of-the-mill morning options.
Their burritos have a loyal following, and the rotating seasonal menu keeps things fresh.
Breakfast cocktails and specialty lattes round out the experience, making even an ordinary Tuesday feel like a mini celebration.
Location: 3940 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Website: Visit Website
6. Madi
Madi is where comfort food gets a sweet twist in Normal Heights. Cinnamon and sugar show up in all the right places, and brunch here feels like a treat any day of the week.
Expect hearty portions and creative spins on old-school brunch favorites. The Waffle Churro Sticks are the real showstoppers, but the savory side holds its own too.
The vibe is relaxed, making it ideal for weekend hangs or those mornings when you just need a little extra comfort.
Location: 3737 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
Website: Visit Website
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7. The Mission – Mission Beach
Asian-Latin fusion gets a playful twist at The Mission in Mission Beach. The focus is on simple, healthy, and flavorful food with a bit of whimsy that keeps people coming back.
Dishes like sweet Hawaiian Portuguese linguica with eggs and the croissant sandwich (especially with bacon) are menu highlights. The fruit sides are always fresh, and the rosemary bread is a standout worth mentioning.
The laid-back, beachy setting fits the neighborhood perfectly, and the friendly service just makes everything taste better.
Location: 3795 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109
Website: Visit Website
8. Parkhouse Eatery
Parkhouse Eatery serves up breakfast inside a quirky, converted house with a garden patio, a front living room, and a cozy hearth room for chillier mornings.
Modern American comfort food is the name of the game. The brunch menu consistently delivers, and the quality ingredients really shine through.
It’s got a laid-back yet slightly polished vibe, perfect for everything from casual catch-ups to more celebratory brunches. The dog-friendly patio is a bonus, and the staff always brings their A-game.
Location: 4574 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92116
Website: Visit Website
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9. Cafe 222
Quirky and unpretentious, Cafe 222 has become a downtown staple for inventive takes on American comfort food. The pumpkin waffles are absolute legends around here.
After more than three decades, the place still knows how to deliver a memorable breakfast. Food Network even featured it on “Best Thing I Ever Ate,” so you know it’s not just hype.
Breakfast runs all day, and lunch options kick in a bit later. The playful menu goes beyond the basics, always adding a little twist to the classics.
Location: 222 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: Visit Website
10. Old Townhouse Restaurant
Old Townhouse Restaurant channels that classic American diner energy in Ocean Beach, serving up breakfast plates that hit the spot.
Expect the usual suspects—fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, eggs just how you want them.
But here’s where it gets interesting: their south-of-the-border breakfast options. Some Mexican-inspired dishes sneak onto the menu, adding a little heat and variety to your morning.
The locals have a soft spot for this place, mostly because the portions are generous and the quality rarely misses.
Location: 4941 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107
Website: Visit Website
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11. Richard Walker’s Pancake House
Richard Walker’s Pancake House is all about breakfast tradition in downtown San Diego, and those baked pancakes are famous for a reason.
The Walker family’s been at this since 1948, and their Dutch baby pancakes are worth the short wait. If you’re into variety, there are many creative pancake options, plus Belgian waffles and crepes.
But don’t skip the savory side—baked omelets made with four Grade AA eggs and all sorts of local fillings.
It’s a casual, bustling spot, and people line up early (especially on weekends), so timing is everything. The portions are big, so sharing is smart if you want to sample a few different things.
Location: 520 Front St, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: Visit Website
12. Fig Tree Cafe
Fig Tree Cafe keeps things fresh and local at Liberty Station, with California comfort food that doesn’t try too hard.
The breakfast menu leans classic but always with a West Coast spin—fluffy pancakes, creative egg dishes, and a focus on seasonal, local ingredients.
Set in the historic Liberty Station area, Fig Tree Cafe has a welcoming vibe and plenty of room to spread out.
Location: 2400 Historic Decatur Rd Suite 103, San Diego, CA 92106
Website: Visit Website
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13. The Cottage
La Jolla’s The Cottage has been a brunch go-to for more than thirty years, and it’s got that sun-kissed, neighborhood feel down to an art.
They stick to local ingredients and support community causes, which adds a little extra heart to every plate.
Grab a seat on the patio surrounded by white picket fencing or cozy up inside the vintage house.
The Okinawan Hash is a standout, and their house-ground coffee and cottage granola are local favorites.
Location: 7702 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
Website: Visit Website
14. Kono’s Cafe
Kono’s Cafe is known for its easygoing surf vibes—classic diner comfort, but with sand still on your feet.
The menu covers hearty breakfast and lunch plates, perfect for hungry locals or anyone heading out to the waves.
Expect all the breakfast staples—pancakes, omelets, and no-nonsense portions that fill you up without emptying your wallet. It’s a hit with families and the beach crowd alike.
Right on Garnet Avenue, you’re steps from the beach, so it’s easy to fuel up and get on with your day.
Location: 704 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
Website: Visit Website
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15. Sugar and Scribe
Inventive breakfast and brunch dishes steal the show at this La Jolla spot, helmed by Food Network Champion Maeve Rochford.
The menu’s got pretty much all the morning staples—benedicts, pancakes, mimosa flights—plus fresh salads, sandwiches, and a bakery counter that’s tough to resist.
Irish breakfast plates and Emerald Isles waffles nod to the owner’s heritage, which feels like a nice personal touch.
Location: 7660 Fay Ave UNIT I, La Jolla, CA 92037
Website: Visit Website
