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There’s not much better than San Diego’s beautiful beaches — unless it involves savoring an amazing brunch along those sparkling stretches of sand. Here are some top picks for amazing coastal cuisine that’ll make you want morning to stay all day long.
With beaches stretching for miles, near-perfect weather and world-class restaurants, what could make life in sunny San Diego even better? Enjoying all three of those perks at once, of course! From Coronado to Oceanside, here are a few spots that make brunching by the beach in San Diego easy-breezy.
Coronado, San Diego’s island escape, is a hidden gem for foodies, with spots like The Henry and Little Frenchie dotting the quaint downtown streets. But the crown jewel in Coronado has to be the historic Hotel Del Coronado, originally built in 1888 and famously the setting for such movies as “Some Like It Hot.”
At the Del, you’ll find Serẽa Modern Coastal Cuisine, which is described as “creative cuisine with a global flair prepared by San Diego’s own Chef Jojo Ruiz, who creates elegant, fresh dishes with just a hint of Mediterranean flair.” The brunch menu sparkles with favorites like eggs benedict, shakshuka and challah French toast. And a brunch menu in San Diego wouldn’t be complete without a burrito offering. Theirs is the California Breakfast Burrito, loaded with bacon, scrambled eggs, a Mexican cheese blend, fries, guacamole and salsa roja.
San Diego’s Pacific Beach neighborhood has a well-earned reputation as a party town, what with bars and clubs lining the beachside streets. But locals would be wise not to discount PB’s food scene. When it comes to brunch, it’s not all bottomless mimosas, breakfast shots and hangover cures.
Konos Café is an iconic breakfast spot located right in the heart of PB. Whether you’re nursing last night’s hangover or are just looking for a cute spot to fill up for the day, Konos’ menu of breakfast sandwiches, burritos, egg scrambles and brunch classics such as pancakes and French toast will fuel you for the day.
Palmys is a newer spot on the PB food block, described as “a friendly place to experience the vibe of Pacific Beach and enjoy fresh and local ingredients with a splash of Australian personality.” Palmys is known as a hotspot for those who like to be seen, with items including avocado toast and bagels plus such heartier fare as the Palmys Breakfast Sando, made with a fried egg, bacon, cheddar cheese, avocado, tomato, serrano aioli and sourdough. Grab a spot on their sunny patio and enjoy the vibes.
One of the best things about living in a place like San Diego? The many hotels with stellar dining options, including Dockside 1953 at the historic Bahia Resort Hotel. The perfect blend of old and new, Dockside 1953 (so named for the year the Bahia opened) pays homage to the past but still has an eye toward modern cuisine.
With a full brunch cocktail menu that includes mimosa flights, Bloody Marys, Micheladas, Strawberry Negronis and more, the restaurant’s weekend brunch menu also boasts hearty fare such as steak and eggs, crab Benedict, short rib chilaquiles and a surf and turf burrito. Set against the sparkling waters of Mission Bay, a brunch at Dockside 1953 is sure to be Insta-worthy.
With a nickname like the Jewel of San Diego, La Jolla is sure to offer some awe-inspiring restaurant options. For around 25 years, Cody’s La Jolla has been feeding the brunch crowds of the upscale seaside community such classics as French toast, omelets, pancakes, chilaquiles and eggs benedict. For those who want to partake in something lighter, Cody’s even has a breakfast salad on the menu, served with spinach, market greens, Sonoma chevre cheese, mushrooms, asparagus, zucchini, and tomatoes tossed in a lemon basil vinaigrette and topped with two poached eggs. The location on La Jolla’s tony Prospect Street makes brunch a scenic delight.
A few blocks away on Fay Avenue sits The Cottage, a homey brunch spot that has also been serving up breakfast for over 25 years. A variety of pancakes — lemon ricotta, buttermilk and cinnamon swirl — are whipped up fresh daily, along with stuffed French toast, fresh-baked scones, savory omelets and more.
Del Mar might be best known for horse racing and the annual county fair, but it also has its fair share of great dining options. Monarch Ocean Pub is perched above busy Camino Del Mar at Del Mar Plaza, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering smashing views of the Pacific as well as cool ocean breezes. Opened in 2020 by the Social Syndicate hospitality group, Monarch has quickly become one of Del Mar’s most popular spots for drinks and dining.
Their Sunday brunch menu includes standard fare such as eggs Benedict and avocado toast, but you can also find fresh-shucked oysters and more unique items, including Carbonara flatbread, a breakfast-inspired take on pizza made with pancetta, gruyere, mozzarella, eggs, white truffle oil, parmesan, chives and fingerling potatoes; and fried chicken tenders & Hawaiian donuts, served with strawberry butter, crispy pancetta and rosemary maple syrup.
Farther up the coast, diners will find a revitalized downtown Oceanside that’s teeming with brunch spots such as Toasted Gastrobrunch, which offers bottomless mimosas every day. The menu includes various types of hashes, including a veggie hash, smoked brisket hash and ABC hash (avocado, pork belly and cheddar), plus sweet treats such as pancakes and French toast.
True to the place’s name, the restaurant also offers a variety of toasts, including avocado, smoked salmon and lobster. Of the more unique items, try their special coconut pistachio Kanafeh, a traditional Arabic dessert made with shredded phyllo, ricotta and jack cheese filling, orange blossom syrup and toasted brioche topped with pistachios.
Just steps from the beach, Piper has won over fans with healthy fare such as the Superfood Bowl, made with frozen açaí, sunflower butter, bee pollen, seasonal fruit, hemp and chia seed granola, and shaved coconut; and the Farmer’s Omelet, featuring roasted corn, shishito peppers, summer squash and Gruyère cheese. But they also offer traditional breakfast choices such as the Piper’s Continental, which includes a small orange juice, coffee, yogurt, housemade granola, mixed fruit, two pastries and butter and house-made jam. They also have a fried chicken and waffle bar to satisfy those sweet-and-salty cravings.
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