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What is San Diego known for?
- In a city known for its great things to see and do, beaches, sparkling blue waters, and abundance of breathtaking views, it’s easy to see why their breakfast reputation could be easily overlooked.
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Why should visitors not overlook San Diego's breakfast scene?
- But that’s a mistake visitors won’t want to make. From darling cafes with panoramic ocean views to classic diners serving up greasy goodness 24 hours a day to monster-sized dishes that have found their ways onto the popular TV series Man vs. Food, San Diego has it all.
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Atypical Waffle Company
Formerly known as Wow Wow Waffle, Atypical Waffle Company is located in the artsy neighborhood of North Park. This breakfast restaurant with a pop-up vibe is serving up sensational Liège waffles. Hidden behind a classic looking coin-operated laundromat, the urban café has an adobe-style fire pit, old sports stadium fold-down seats, a makeshift tented kitchen, mismatched dining furniture, and a dominant turquoise color scheme throughout. With all of the delicious options like the Chocolate Lovers waffle, made with infused Belgian chocolate and topped with berries, and the Number Seven – a waffle topped with bacon, brown sugar, goat cheese, and avocado – choosing one won’t be easy.
3519 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104, Phone: 619-806-0345
Great Maple
Great Maple is located in the charming neighborhood of University Heights and serves up a deliciously unique twist on modern American comfort food. This San Diego staple has won the “Best New Restaurant Award” from California Restaurant Association’s 30th Annual Gold Medallion Awards as well as two Diners’ Choice Awards in 2017 and 2018. Patrons will want to try their California chorizo scramble, which is mixed with gourmet chorizo, piquillo peppers, fresh cilantro, onions, cheddar cheese, and cilantro sour cream. Diners definitely won’t want to make the mistake of leaving without ordering a dozen of their signature maple bacon doughnuts.
1451 Washington Street, San Diego, CA 92103, Phone: 619-255-2282
Snooze: an A.M. Eatery
For the last 7 years, San Diegans have been lucky enough to regularly consume life-changing breakfasts served from the brainchild of two Colorado brothers at Snooze: an A.M. Eatery. With an energetic and eclectic atmosphere, an emphasis on culinary innovation, and a staff that seems more like family than co-workers, it’s easy to see why there’s a perpetual line around the corner here from open until close every day. Diners will enjoy favorites from the menu like the pineapple upside down pancakes, made with mouthwatering buttermilk pancakes and caramelized pineapple chunks, house-made vanilla crème anglaise, and cinnamon butter.
3940 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103, Phone: 619-500-3344
Breakfast Republic
It’s pretty well known around San Diego that Breakfast Republic is one of the go-to spots for some savory early morning eats. With seven locations, visitors and locals alike won’t have to travel too far to satisfy their craving. Exceptional menu items, such as the Jurassic Pork Benedict with a mountain of pork over a sourdough English muffin topped with avocado and hollandaise sauce and served with house potatoes, are sure to satisfy big appetites. Diners with a sweet tooth will be smitten with s’mores French toast – graham cracker brioche bread topped with chocolate sauce and toasted marshmallows. It’s easy to see why Breakfast Republic has become a staple of San Diego.
2730 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104, Phone: 619-642-0299
Cafe 222
Cafe 222 is a charming little café located in downtown San Diego. Its big pink letters spelling out the word “CAFÉ” on the roof just above the corners of 2nd and Island Avenues make it easy to spot. This space offers plenty of natural light with its large windows that give it an airy feel. There are two diner-style counters with stools and some tables inside. An outdoor patio wraps around the front and is perfect for those with furry friends. Diners who don’t want to leave their breakfast selection to chance my want to try their famously delicious waffles, which have been featured in Gourmet Magazine.
222 Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101, Phone: 619-236-9902
Cafe 21
Cafe 21 offers guests a tasty and unique menu with Western Asian and Eastern European influences. They have two successful locations, one in the charming neighborhood of University Heights and the other in Downtown. The light wood bistro tables, floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed brick, and custom geometric wine rack are a few of the details that give this café its casual, rustic-chic feel. Once patrons try their lamb omelet, chocolate truffles, savory and sweet crepe cakes, or the Monte Cristo – turkey roulade and challah bread – they’ll quickly understand why this restaurant has garnered such a strong reputation. A taste of the Middle East in “America’s Finest City!”
2736 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116, Phone: 619-640-2121
Farmer’s Bottega
Located in the delightful Mission Hills neighborhood, Farmer’s Bottega will have patrons feeling relaxed in its warm and rustic atmosphere. Exposed industrial fixtures, dimly glowing Edison bulbs in the chandeliers, and reclaimed decor give the restaurant an organic feel. This restaurant prides itself on only using locally sourced organic foods. Their fresh and healthy ingredients offer an exquisite farm-to-table dining experience for diners. It’s no surprise this restaurant has gotten the nod from many local media outlets with breakfast dishes like the Mission Hills omelet, made with apple-smoked bacon, blue cheese, scallions, avocado, and Oaxaca cream.
860 West Washington Street, San Diego, CA 92103, Phone: 619-458-9929
Fig Tree Cafe Pacific Beach
The original of three locations, this Fig Tree Cafe is located in the laidback, surfer-friendly neighborhood of North Pacific Beach. It’s situated in an aging cottage located just a couple of blocks from the Pacific Ocean. Diners can expect a dog-friendly patio under a canopy of trees that provide ample shade and a plethora of fragrant and colorful tropical plants and vines that provide a country/beach ambiance. Guests can kick off the day with a rejuvenating cup of Mexican mocha coffee or an “on vacation” mimosa. They shouldn’t overlook the Monterey scramble mixed with scallions, bacon, jack cheese, Ortega chilis, Mexican rice, and black beans.
5119 Cass St, San Diego, CA, Phone: 619-821-2044
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