Where to find the best brunch in San Diego

Since 1965 this San Diego staple has been serving stunning downtown and bayside views with French-inspired American fare. Known for their elegant dinners, many forget that a jazz brunch is offered every Saturday and a traditional but not-to-be-missed brunch is served on Sundays. Thoroughly enjoy their cast iron English muffin benedict with your choice of crab, smoked salmon or short rib. Wash it all down with a Creole bloody mary.

Yes, unfortunately, the crowds are worth it. One of the original wait-an-hour-for-brunch spots still hits every time. Located in the heart of Hillcrest, indulge in their sage fried chicken and waffle tower—a decadent dish that features a bacon waffle with maple reduction, fried leeks and two eggs. No boring drinks here, as the menu features a BLT bloody mary, a caramelized pineapple mimosa, a peanut butter mocha and so much more.

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The charming cottage that houses Brockton Villa was built in 1894 and provides a stunning view of the famous La Jolla Cove. Fortunately, the food is just as excellent as its location. For something sweet, try the bananas foster coast toast with caramelized bananas, rum butter sauce, walnuts, and toasted coconut. For a savory dish, you must have the crab Ipanema. Blue crab cakes and a coconut-tomato sauce make this eggs benedict dish unmissable.

Brunch and the beach are a winning combo, and JRDN excels and bringing them together. Located inside the Tower 23 Hotel in Pacific Beach, the restaurant faces the boardwalk has a popular outdoor patio and is chic without being pretentious. Grab a seat outside and order a flight of mimosas—choose from blackberry mint, mango, pineapple and blood orange. The savory lobster BLT is a classic with tarragon aioli on a soft brioche bun.

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They call themselves, “Conscientious Cuisine” and for good reason. Healthy alternatives and Latin-inspired dishes abound here, as well as flavor and portion size. Don’t miss out on their giant strawberry banana pancakes, or for a healthier alternative, try the soy chorizo & egg scramble with scrambled eggs, black beans, chipotle cream, flour tortillas and more. Located in North Park, Mission Beach and the East Village, get there early to avoid the crowds.

This colorful breath of fresh air is family-owned and they take pride in their made-from-scratch drinks and most importantly, chilaquiles. Choose from plates like the Al Pastor, Los Rancheros, La Bomba and more. Sampler plates give you the best of everything on the menu. Try the El Patron, which features regular chilaquiles with a sauce of choice, beans, eggs, and crispy cajeta toast. Located in downtown and Barrio Logan, they’ll soon open their third space in Liberty Station.

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Famous for their fresh bacon maple donuts that are carried around the dining room, enticing customers, Great Maple in Hillcrest features classic American fare with a twist. Its retro-chic space is welcoming and so is its menu. Try the Hardwood smoked bacon scramble with avocado, fresh basil, tomato and mozzarella cheese. Not to be missed are the French toast logs made with brioche bread, warm maple bacon syrup and fresh blueberries.

Looking to take a cute selfie? Located in Hillcrest, Breakfast & Bubbles is a pink, bubbly wonderland with the most inventive brunch cocktails around. Start by sipping on a Rosemary Baby—a grapefruit mimosa with fresh rosemary or build your own frozen lemonade by choosing from flavors like lavender and watermelon. The caviar benedict is as indulgent as it sounds, with a poached egg, hollandaise sauce and roasted potatoes topped with caviar.

This modern but warm and welcoming space is best known for their classy dinners and top-notch cocktails, but its brunch is just as memorable. Their ultimate sticky bun is warm and rich and goes fast! For something fresh, try the baked eggs with Moroccan sauce, peppers, tomatoes, tzatziki sauce, kale, chickpeas, and feta cheese with grilled bread. Don’t miss one of their handmade famous cocktails like the brunch martini or hibiscus mule.

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Located just across the street from Ocean Beach’s boardwalk, the lodge will satisfy any surfer or beach lover. Try their biscuit board which features three giant housemade biscuit flavors: churro, jalapeño cheddar and regular with three different butter spreads. The carnitas benny is like no other, with mounds of carnitas, avocado, jack cheese and ancho hollandaise. Finish on a sweet note with their maple pancakes and candied bacon as you gaze over the crashing waves.