There are so many reasons to jump out of bed in San Diego. Not the least of which is the call of brunch – one of this town’s favorite meals, and the perfect way to prepare for whatever adventure awaits. Or recover from whatever the previous day brought.
Trust
Where: 3752 Park Blvd, Ste 105C, San Diego, CA 92103
Neighborhood: Hillcrest
Simple food executed perfectly. Come brunch time that means everything from omelets, baked eggs, and prosciutto breakfast sandwiches to smoked pork shoulder hash and cocktails like mimosas, jalapeno vodka Bloody Mary’s, and Pimm’s Cups.
Campfire
Where: 2725 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Neighborhood: Carlsbad
All the joys of the outdoors—campfires, open air, even a tent (for kids to play in)—but without the freeze-dried meals. On the contrary, the weekend brunch menu consists of a wide range of comfort foods like Belgian waffles, breakfast sandwiches, and steak and eggs to more uncommon breakfast fare such as congee, ceviche, and banh mi.
Jeune et Jolie
Where: 2659 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Neighborhood: Carlsbad
From the same team behind Campfire, this very easy-on-the-eyes nouvelle French bistro serves a small curated menu of brunch faves. Alongside omelettes, baguettes, beignets, and steak frites are go-big seafood options such as blue prawns, Alaskan king crab legs, and Maine lobster.
Morning Glory
Where: 550 W Date St, Ste #C, San Diego, CA 92101
Neighborhood: Little Italy
San Diego’s newest addition to the brunch scene is a wildly over-the-top eatery that is to brunch what the Born and Raised is to steak: extravagant from floor to ceiling to plate. The $4 million brunch-only spot is decked out in copper, terrazo, and massively oversized pink lighting fixtures. Oh yeah, they also serve food: pastries, frittata, chilaquiles, pork belly, steak, and boozy beverages of all kinds (even coffee).
Fort Oak
Where: 1011 Fort Stockton Dr, San Diego, CA 92103
Neighborhood: Mission Hills
Discover elevated brunch items cooked over live fire and served in a refined-without-trying-too-hard kind of way. Craft cocktails seem a natural fit for dishes like lamb merguez sausage with eggs, Wagyu steak and potatoes, chicken fried quail eggs with French toast, and wood-grilled oysters, plus sides of raclette toast and grits with aged cheddar.
Great Maple
Where: 8675 Genesee Ave, Suite 1200, San Diego, CA 92122
Neighborhood: La Jolla
Savor decadent, downhome breakfast foods seven days a week. This location at Westfield UTC makes for a perfect place to fortify before or after workouts of the shopping or fitness class variety. Replacing calories is easy with maple bacon donuts, buttermilk pancakes, smoke bacon scrambles, chilaquiles, biscuits with gravy, and renowned Bloody Mary’s.
Madison
Where: 4622 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103
Neighborhood: University Heights
The domed wooden interior of this eye-popping resto is just as gorgeous in the morning light (its massive glass entryway faces east) as when it’s lit at night. Aesthetic and healthy brunch options include avocado toast plates, shareable churros, paleo bowls, vegan bacon sandwiches, craft cocktails, and strawberry, banana, Nutella French toast.