The Best Breakfast Spots In San Diego

In San Diego, the early bird gets the chilaquiles. Or the burrito. Or french toast. Whatever you choose to eat for breakfast, take time to choose the right place. To help, we created a guide for the best breakfast in San Diego. These are spots that may not be the most instagramable, as many brunch spots are. We focus on breakfast in San Diego with genuinely delicious food and wholesome vibes. If that sounds like the way to start your morning, then read on below. If not, you can always eat your instagram pictures.

San Diego Breakfast Spots

Between Us

A true source-to-table restaurant, Between Us is like the elevated “gastro-pub” of breakfast places. Located in North Park, food from local farmers, roasters, and brewers is used to create unique breakfast dishes and cafe beverages inspired by Japanese cuisine and recipes. Inside gives off a cozy and warm community vibe (instead of instagram gimmicks). It’s a refreshing brunch spot to have, truly focused on food and experience.

Gooseberries Kafe

Gooseberries Kafe is a gem and one of the best cafes in Hillcrest. As an outdoor cafe it creates a surprisingly cozy and natural setting that’s not so easy to find in combination. Not too mention it offers some of the friendliest, most welcoming service we have experienced in San Diego. Oh, and the food is homemade and delicious. What’s not to like? You’ll notice how unique this place is as soon as you walk up. It is located on the bottom floor of a hotel (Abpopa Hillcrest), in a space that we assume was meant to be a parking garage, but has been craftily converted into an open-air cafe. Ordering at the bar, they offers a small menu of homemade biscuits and jam, avocado toast, egg sandwich with crispy prosciutto, French toast, and acai bowls, all of which are made with love. The egg sandwich with crispy prosciutto is a seriously Top. Notch. Sandwich. They serve coffee and espresso drinks and, should you feel up for it, offer a select menu of beer and wine. Gooseberries is truly one of the best breakfasts you can get in Hillcrest.

Cocina 35 Brunch

At Cocina 35 they make old school Mexican food, which means they stick to the traditions of Mexican cooking that is their heritage. But while the dishes are classic Mexican cuisine, the food feels fresh and modern. At Cocina 35 they make everything from scratch daily and the result is evident. Cocina 35 has a few options for their own chilaquiles recipes, but the best part is you can customize the dish to your liking. Choose a salsa, choose some toppings, choose a drink, choose life.

The Mission Cafe – North Park

The Mission Cafe in North Park offers great food, exceptional service, and a dedication to their community and local artists. Hard not to like that. They serve creative breakfast options like lemon curd pancakes, a mixed mushroom frittata, and sweet corn and chili tamales, and homemade cinnamon bread French toast. They also have lighter dishes like granola, fresh fruit, and avocado toast. However, our favorite is their famous crispy rosemary potatoes – crispy, salty, and infused with a buttery rosemary flavor that can stand as a meal on its own. Once tasted it will be hard to share, but we know you can do it. Inside, The Mission Cafe is a homey place, and feels more like a cozy cafe from the 90’s with local artwork on the walls for sale. You’ll find plenty of seating, open windows, and a happy vibe throughout.

Nomad Donuts

Nomad Donuts is a bagel sandwich shop in North Park that makes some of the most innovative sandwiches in San Diego. The sheer amount of ingredients they have on hand to make their sandwich toppings boggles the mind. Nomad Donuts is great for well crafted sandwiches (on bagels) that you won’t find at your typical bacon egg and cheese bagel store. Though they have a good bacon egg and cheese too. They have a good amount of seating inside and on the patio to dine in. Lines get long on weekends.

Parkhouse Eatery

Tucked into the cozy streets of San Diego’s University Heights neighborhood, Parkhouse Eatery has become a staple brunch and dinner spot for locals. Known for their homestyle comfort food (and also their literal home style – the restaurant is inside an old home), at Parkhouse you feel like you’re visiting grandma for a family meal. It is a great neighborhood spot to gather with loved ones over delicious food.

Harland Brewery South Park

Beer is implied in the name, but Harland is not just one of the best breweries in San Diego, it is also one of the best cafes in San Diego. Harland has three other tasting rooms, but the cafe experience is currently only available at their South Park location. Open and spacious with lots of natural light, you can get comfy at their massive U bar, one of their many tabletops, or out on their patio. Being on a quaint street corner makes it extra conducive for an early morning work session or a crispy boy with friends in the afternoon. The place is always busy, but not packed. And the South Park Harland location is family friendly, dog friendly, finch friendly, and just plain friendly.

Secret Sister Bakery

Secret Sister is a sourdough bakery and teahouse in South Park. It is great for breakfast when you’re feeling like a slow morning, or need a familiar baked good. This place gets busy so don’t be surprised if there’s a line on any day of the week. Be smart with your timing because all their baked goods are on a particular oven schedule (see their website), and are first-come first-served with some only available on weekends.