Where to Get the Best Breakfast in San Diego in 2025

If you’re going to spend the day in a city known for sun, sand and surf, you’ll want to start off with a hearty breakfast in San Diego. America’s Finest City is brimming with tasty fare that lets you make the most of your morning, even if your appetite for a San Diego breakfast doesn’t hit until afternoon or later.

Are you gearing up for a visit to this beautiful beachside berg and in need of suggestions for the best breakfast joints in San Diego? Or are you a local who’s run aground while seeking out exciting new spots for a tempting plate or two? Either way, with more than 8,100 restaurants, according to the County of San Diego, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to delicious morning meals.

To help you discover some great new spots, we’ve assembled a selection of cafés, diners and restaurants offering the best breakfast in San Diego and its surrounding areas. Rise and shine, and get ready to dine!

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• How We Choose the Best Breakfast Restaurants in San Diego
• The 21 Best Breakfast Restaurants in San Diego
• More Culinary Experiences in San Diego

How We Choose the Best Breakfast Restaurants in San Diego

Over a decade of experience connecting passionate foodies with culinary experts has helped the team at Cozymeal cultivate deep expertise in the food and dining industry. By offering these types of memorable culinary experiences, from expertly guided food tours to hands-on cooking classes, our knowledge base has grown immensely, enabling us to craft authoritative articles, such as this guide to the best places for breakfast in San Diego.

To compile this guide, our editorial team conducted thorough research that involved diving into customer reviews and recommendations from the culinary professionals we connect people with. We also included recommendations from team members who are either San Diego locals or have visited top eateries during their travels.

Additionally, our list of restaurants serving the best breakfast in San Diego is based on the following criteria:

• Diversity of Offerings: Includes eateries that serve a wide variety of food inspired by countries worldwide, as well as those catering to various dietary needs.
• Ambiance and Experience: Features restaurants with varying atmospheres, from upscale bistros to cozy cafés.
• Customer Satisfaction: Highlights eateries that have received positive feedback and consistently high ratings from diners.
• Accessibility and Budget: Showcases restaurants that cater to various budgets.
• Local Appeal: Where possible, prioritizes eateries that offer a strong connection to the city’s culture and its home-grown ingredients.

The 21 Best Breakfast Restaurants in San Diego

1. Morning Glory

The Morning Glory menu is a true eye-opener. The expansive list transforms breakfast in San Diego into a veritable feast, with global dishes snuggled up next to comfort food favorites and upscale specialties.

The Vibe

Eclectic décor mixed with quirky diner-style seating makes this Little Italy restaurant in San Diego one of a kind. 

What to Order

The French omelette is one of the simpler breakfasts in San Diego, yet still irresistible, although the German pancake is sure to give it a run for its money.

Morning Glory | 550 W. Date St., Ste. C, San Diego, CA 92101 | $$

2. Breakfast Republic

At Breakfast Republic, serving up breakfast in San Diego is serious business, even if the restaurant itself isn't serious at all! From omelettes and scrambles to power bowls and a dedicated vegan menu, there's something special to wake up everyone's taste buds.

The Vibe

Chairs shaped like soft-cooked eggs and an onsite merch shop show off this sweet site's plentiful personality. 

What to Order

Mr. Presley French Toast pays tribute to the King with a peanut butter-stuffed creation topped with gooey bananas Foster and just enough bacon to make your upper lip twitch. If you’d like a healthier breakfast in San Diego that will still have you singing its praises, the protein pancakes are packed with flavor.

Breakfast Republic | Multiple Locations | $$

3. Hash House a Go Go 

If your idea of a memorable breakfast in San Diego includes extra-large pancakes, we’d recommend adding a visit to Hash House a Go Go to your to-do list. This hip eatery plates up a rich array of options to get you fueled up for a busy day.

The Vibe

Modern in all the best ways, especially the breezy open-air patio. The wooden floors add to the homely atmosphere of this bustling breakfast restaurant in San Diego.

What to Order

If you don't try the flapjacks the size of a tractor wheel, are you actually enjoying the best breakfast San Diego has to offer? Order one in chocolate, blueberry or apple cinnamon flavor for the ultimate pancake experience.

Hash House a Go Go | 3628 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103 | $$

4. Little Frenchie

How could there not be a bistro on a list of the best breakfast restaurants in San Diego? The ever-so-popular Little Frenchie on Coronado Island represents a touch of Europe on the California coast.

The Vibe

Full of soft country-style touches for a full-fledged French experience. With indoor and outdoor seating, this cute breakfast place in San Diego is ideal for both warm and cool days.

What to Order

You'll never regret ordering a pastry basket, featuring three specialty creations cuddled up and ready to be enjoyed with a mimosa or a lemon pop spritz. What does this breakfast in San Diego consist of? Well, you’ll be savoring a cheese danish, a butter croissant and a chocolate croissant. 

Little Frenchie | 1166 Orange Ave., Coronado, CA 92118 | $$-$$$

5. Westerly

The coastal cool of Westerly is a breath of fresh air for breakfast in San Diego. It's a thoughtful space from top to bottom, focusing on hospitality and tranquility as much as it does on fantastic food.

The Vibe

The splendor of honeyed wood and round edges everywhere makes this a very peaceful morning spot. As far as top breakfast places in San Diego are concerned, we’d have to say this ranks as one of the most aesthetically pleasing.

What to Order

A Daybreak Sammie is filled with the finest elements for an unbeatable breakfast in San Diego: scrambled eggs, cheddar and bacon, topped with a kicky tomato aioli and served on a brioche roll. What a way to wake up!

Westerly | 1451 Rosecrans St., San Diego, CA 92106 | $$

6. Café 222

Family-friendly and as comfortable as the cool side of the pillow, Café 222 serves up laid-back takes on breakfast in San Diego. There's no shortage of classic morning fare here, no matter where your tastes lie.

The Vibe

Sweet as a sunrise and twice as cheerful — a morning person's dream come true, in the shape of a diner in San Diego.

What to Order

The churro waffle is one of the most fun and pleasing dishes for breakfast in San Diego, especially if you have a sweet tooth. It’s topped with cinnamon sugar, a little chocolate syrup and a crown of whipped cream — the perfect combination to make you royally happy.

Café 222 | 222 Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92101 | $$

7. The Broken Yolk Café

A fixture for breakfast in San Diego since 1979, The Broken Yolk Café is the great-grandcestor of morning dining on the coast. Whether you’re seeking omelettes, Benedicts, Mexican specialties or even vegan meals, this popular spot has it all.

The Vibe

Crisp and contemporary, in a most welcoming way. All of the branches are considered to be some of the top breakfast places in San Diego for laid-back gatherings with friends or family.

What to Order

The spicy vegan bowl takes eggs in a new direction for a breakfast in San Diego that’s become a hit with plant-based eaters. It features the renowned all-plant-ingredient Just Eggs and a mélange of the greatest garden vegetables ever to hit the griddle.

The Broken Yolk Café | Multiple locations | $$

8. Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

Hillcrest is home to incredible breakfast in San Diego with Snooze, an A.M. Eatery in its midst. This restaurant is so dedicated to early eating that you can order up breakfast in bed for an at-home delivery experience.

The Vibe

Vibrant colors and lively design are a wake-up call for early risers. If you visit on a warmer summer’s morning, you can perch yourself on the outdoor seating for a delicious breakfast in San Diego, enjoyed with a fresh breeze.

What to Order

Sample the sweetest pancakes in town with a sampler flight serving up a trio of tasty creations. For those with bigger appetites searching for a more substantial breakfast in San Diego, the overstuffed burrito is a plentiful bite.

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery | 3940 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103 | $$

9. Cody's La Jolla

A quick 20-minute jaunt northwest will get you to Cody's La Jolla, one of the best breakfast spots San Diego has beyond its borders. All-day breakfast and brunch make it easy to sleep in without missing a bite.

The Vibe

Parquet floors and whitewashed walls will put you in a beachy morning mood. If you’re dining alone, you can enjoy the best brunch in San Diego at the bar seating while the friendly staff keeps you company.

What to Order

Chilaquiles let you add novel spice to your morning routine, while the bacon and cheddar omelette is a more familiar breakfast in San Diego that often makes an appearance at the table.

Cody's La Jolla | 1025 Prospect St., Ste. 210, La Jolla, CA 92037 | $$

10. The Waffle Spot

Take a trip back to the '80s at The Waffle Spot, where radical breakfast in San Diego has never gone out of style! It's a retro café that wears its heart and its waffles on its sleeve for the San Diego breakfast crowd to enjoy.

The Vibe

We guarantee that kids, just like adults, will be in a breakfast wonderland, complete with colorful statues of mascot Sir Wafflelot.

What to Order

How could you not order breakfast in San Diego featuring waffles at a place called The Waffle Spot? With options like banana nut, red velvet and apple cinnamon, it's a challenge not to waffle when ordering your favorite.

The Waffle Spot | 1333 Hotel Circle S., San Diego, CA 92108 | $$

11. Lazy Hippo

Offering somewhat of a different experience from other places for breakfast in San Diego, Lazy Hippo will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Mediterranean eatery. This spot is perfect for a late-morning brunch with your friends around the table.

The Vibe

The first thing you’ll notice as soon as you walk through the door is the vast array of mirrors, making this San Diego breakfast spot look bigger than it is. Another standout feature, which adds to its international charm, is the eye-catching partially exposed brick walls.

What to Order

Most people think that French toast with strawberries is too good to pass up, and we agree. For a plant-based breakfast in San Diego, try the vegan burrito, which features scrambled tofu and a variety of vegetables.

Lazy Hippo | 416 Third Ave., San Diego, CA 92101 | $$

12. Piper at The Seabird

As part of The Seabird Resort, Piper brings in elegance as a key ingredient for breakfast in San Diego. It's an upscale restaurant that awakens guests to the possibilities of lush dining in a plush setting.

The Vibe

Artful and luxurious while still being warm and inviting. A combination of natural and artificial lighting will awaken your sight while the delectable food arouses your taste buds.

What to Order

Piper's granola parfait is the perfect bite for a light start to the day. If you’re looking to take advantage of California's bountiful fresh produce, the avocado toast is the ideal breakfast in San Diego.

Piper at The Seabird | 105 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA 92054 | $$

13. The Great Maple

With a name like The Great Maple, you probably already know what’s on every table at this dinette that makes the most of a minimalist menu. Some of the loveliest options for breakfast in San Diego are served in this New American eatery, from healthy salads to indulgent French toast.

The Vibe

The modern interiors are as welcoming as the creative menu. This spacious eatery is the perfect place for a large group to enjoy a delectable breakfast in San Diego, be it for a momentous celebration or a casual gathering.

What to Order

Play it smart and satisfy your hunger with a smoked beef brisket hash topped with red piquillo pepper hollandaise. If you're in the mood for something sweeter, opt for the Great Maple French Toast Logs. All San Diego breakfast options are on the table!

The Great Maple | 1451 Washington St., San Diego, CA 92103 | $$

14. Second Nature

Locally sourced ingredients and a lighthearted approach to breakfast in San Diego make Second Nature a first-rate choice. Artistic cuisine served in an earthy atmosphere creates perfect energy for morning meals.

The Vibe

Umbrellas on the patio and hanging plants everywhere serve garden party sensations.

What to Order

Peanut butter toast topped with bananas and cacao nibs brings a childhood favorite into the adult breakfast world. Pair this popular breakfast in San Diego with a macchiato and watch the world come into focus.

Second Nature | 5026 Cass St., San Diego, CA 92109 | $$

15. Parfait Paris

An award-winning bakery in the finest French tradition, Parfait Paris is where anyone with a sweet tooth should head for breakfast pastries in San Diego. Every creation is an edible work of art, though you might hesitate to take a bite when you see how pretty they are!

The Vibe

Quaint and cozy, like a slice of Paris served up by the beach. As such, we believe it’s the type of romantic restaurant in San Diego that’s ideal for a morning date.

What to Order

Order a two-pound croissant to take home and watch your life change for the better. If that sounds too rich, try a mille-feuille or a box of mix-and-match macarons for a lighter breakfast in San Diego.

Parfait Paris | Multiple Locations | $$

16. Communal Coffee

If someone asked us to describe Communal Coffee in a single sentence, we’d say it’s a café for creative diners who love modern moments in their breakfast life. The array of supercharged beverages may just be overshadowed by some of the finest breakfasts San Diego has to offer.

The Vibe

Clean, minimalistic and crisp as a morning breeze. It’s the type of place you can pop in for a takeaway coffee or get comfortable and enjoy a relaxed breakfast in San Diego as the rest of the world rushes by.

What to Order

The salted maple sausage sandwich will hit all the right spots with its savory-sweet-spicy take on morning flavors. Vegans and vegetarians will love everything about the vegan frittata sandwich, from its plant-based egg to its cruelty-free cheese.

Communal Coffee | Multiple Locations | $$

17. Flap Your Jacks

Dedication to providing an unforgettable breakfast in San Diego makes Flap Your Jacks more than just a funny-named restaurant serving up hash and cakes. Diners get the chance to flip their own jacks, just like the name suggests.

The Vibe

This fun restaurant in San Diego features many cute and contemporary elements, along with colorful Instagrammable corners all around.

What to Order

The interactive F.Y.O., or Flip Your Own, is a must-try. Choose from seven different pancake batters, 15 mix-ins, four toppings and a slew of syrups for a breakfast in San Diego, CA, just the way you like it.

Flap Your Jacks | 3020 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104 | $$

18. Fig Tree Café

When a restaurant like Fig Tree Café features a menu expressly for dogs, you know you've found the friendliest spot for enjoying a creative breakfast in San Diego. It's a rootsy spot serving meaningful food at affordable prices while providing a sense of community in its various locations.

The Vibe

Each locale is designed to match the feel of the neighborhood it belongs to. Expect lots of plants and fixtures that create an outdoor beachy vibe, making you feel like you’re enjoying a breakfast in San Diego while on vacation (which you may be doing).

What to Order

Fig jam and ricotta French toast seems like a natural order for breakfast in San Diego from a restaurant with "fig" in the name. Alternatively, go for the shrimp frittata, which adds a splash of the sea in a fluffy egg dish flavored with chipotle cream sauce.

Fig Tree Café | Multiple Locations | $$

19. Harbor Breakfast

A popular eatery amongst locals and visitors alike for over four decades, Harbor Breakfast is a corner café with the homey feel that makes waking up early a sheer pleasure. The square footage may be modest, but what it lacks in space, this sweet space more than makes up for by serving some of San Diego's best breakfast food.

The Vibe

Simple and goodhearted, a snug spot to settle into for hearty eating. The shaded outdoor seating is the perfect spot to enjoy an incredibly good brunch in San Diego on a warm morning.

What to Order

Go for crab Benedict to get chilled blue crab served with a poached egg duet on crisp sourdough, or grab a fried egg sandwich for something more traditional. If you’re in the mood for San Diego foods on the sweeter side, the French toast is always a solid option in our books.

Harbor Breakfast | 1502 India St., San Diego, CA 92101 | $$

20. Gold Finch

An upscale touch can make breakfast in San Diego feel like a special occasion, no matter what you order. Enter Gold Finch, a popular eatery that projects a deliciously sophisticated air in tony Torrey Pines, making this modern Jewish delicatessen a rare bird on the local dining scene.

The Vibe

Ultra-contemporary grounds that generate sincere warmth. The polished aesthetic and wooden finishes make it one of the most pleasant places to enjoy a delicious breakfast in San Diego, CA, whether eaten indoors or outdoors.

What to Order

Fans of beguiling baked treats shouldn't miss out on rugelach, a flaky pastry served in apricot and pecan or Nutella and cacao nib variations. If a more traditional Jewish dish is calling your name, the loaded giant latke is what you're looking for in a San Diego breakfast.

Gold Finch | 3040 Science Park Road, San Diego, CA 92121 | $$

21. Thien Huong

If you're looking to enjoy breakfast in San Diego at a beloved eatery with an inspiring origin story, head to Thien Huong. The owner’s grandmother raised eight children with her homemade bánh cuốn crafted lovingly in Vietnam. Fast-forward over four decades to today, and this San Diego breakfast spot is the first branch in the U.S., still specializing in the same Vietnamese dish.

The Vibe

The tiny space feels like a well-kept secret or an exciting pop-up restaurant, but it’s still cozy enough for a blissful breakfast in San Diego with friends and family.

What to Order

Waffles and pancakes are the order of the day at other breakfast restaurants in San Diego, but bánh cuốn is the go-to here. Choose from ground pork, fried onion, a combination of eggs and ground pork, and ground shrimp. 

Thien Huong | 9349 Mira Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92126 | $

More Culinary Experiences in San Diego

Did you know there are expert-led food tours in San Diego that take the guesswork out of finding the perfect morning meal? These excursions feature some of the most satisfying spots for breakfast in San Diego, both old and new, each with its own take on popular breakfast and brunch dishes. 

Alternatively, you can hire a private chef in San Diego to cook the breakfast or brunch of your dreams at any venue you'd like. They even handle shopping and clean-up, allowing you to relax and enjoy the morning. 

You can also learn to make your favorite breakfast dishes at cooking classes in San Diego. While having breakfast prepared for you is always fun, learning to make breakfast treats, from French toast to fluffy pancakes, is often just as exciting!

Don’t let the fantastic range of eateries serving breakfast in San Diego overwhelm you. Some restaurants serve early-morning eats all day long, which means you can enjoy the best breakfast San Diego has to offer whenever you’re in the mood.

With so many delicious San Diego foods waiting in breakfast spots around the city, you’ll have enough daylight to give them all a try! 

For even more ways to explore San Diego and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.