21 Best Santa Barbara Breakfast Spots

By VI Staff on June 23, 2019

Located on the central California coast backed by the magnificent Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara is a charming seaside town with a rich Spanish colonial heritage reflected in the Mediterranean-style white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs around the town. In addition to a myriad of things to see and do, beautiful beaches with great surf and spectacular natural scenery, Santa Barbara is home to a variety of great places to eat from world-class restaurants to cozy eateries serving up delicious cuisine prepared with fresh upscale locally sourced ingredients and ocean-fresh seafood. Here are a few spots to try for morning munchies and long, lazy brunches.

1.The Andersen's

Located in La Arcada Courtyard, The Andersen’s is a landmark restaurant and bakery that has been serving the finest authentic Danish and European cuisine and freshly baked goods for the past 40 years. The family-owned and operated landmark on Santa Barbara’s State Street is renowned for a refined European and Nordic menu, as well as their delectable homemade pastries, traditional strudels, and huge scones. Guests can enjoy the sublime cuisine in one of the beautifully appointed dining rooms or on the charming patio where mimosas can be sipped while enjoying long, lazy brunches. The Andersen’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week.

1106 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Phone: 805-962-5085

2.Finch & Fork

Finch & Fork is a stylish restaurant on Carrillo Street that showcases the bounty of Santa Barbara County with a menu of simple California cuisine and New American dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant features inviting, dark-wood-paneled interiors and Executive Chef Peter Cham creates a menu that pays homage to timeless American dishes with a modern twist with plates such as lemon ricotta pancakes, house-made granola, and berry compote, and French toast with caramelized bananas and walnut crumble. Brunch items include huevos rancheros and short ribs with sweet potato hash, eggs, and chimichurri. Finch & Fork is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week.

31 W Carrillo St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Phone: 805-879-9100

3.Breakwater Restaurant

The Breakwater Restaurant is a long-standing eatery that serves hearty American-style breakfasts, lunches, and dinners in a casual, relaxed setting with a charming 95-seat patio boasting fantastic views of the harbor and ocean. A creative breakfast menu features signature dishes such as Classic Eggs Benedict, Eggs Florentine, Breakfast Burrito, Huevos Rancheros, Corned Beef Hash and Eggs, and griddle favorites like waffles, pancakes, French toast, and Pigs-in-a-Blanket. Side orders include fruit bowls, cereal bowls, yogurt, cottage cheese, bagel, and cream cheese, and English muffins. The Breakwater Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner, seven days a week.

107 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, Phone: 805-965-1557

4.Jeannine's American Bakery Restaurant

Jeannine's American Bakery Restaurant is a local restaurant chain serving gourmet breakfast fare, casual lunch items such as sandwiches, fresh salads, and soups in a stylish setting. Classic breakfast plates include breakfast burritos and quesadillas, eggs, bacon, and sausage, hearty breakfast sandwiches, omelet, egg scrambles, a variety of benedicts, salmon bagels and French toast. Freshly brewed coffee and specialty coffee drinks are served, along with tea, fresh fruit juices and vegan bowls of hot organic quinoa and almond milk, and Irish oatmeal is also served. Jeannine's American Bakery Restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week.

1253 Coast Village Rd, Montecito, CA 93108, Phone: 805-969-0088

5.Boathouse at Hendry's Beach

Located at Arroyo Burro Beach County Park, the Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach is a stylish restaurant overlooking the marina and ocean that specializes in fresh seafood dishes and progressive cocktails. The restaurant also serves a sumptuous breakfast against a backdrop of stellar ocean views from wraparound windows or a heated outdoor patio. The breakfast menu features all the favorite morning dishes such as egg benedicts, scrambles, and various egg plates, house-made granola, fresh fruit, honey and yogurt, oatmeal and other cereals, pancakes, corned beef hash, and chilaquiles. The Boathouse Signature Breakfast plate consists of house-made snow and rock crab cakes, and poached eggs topped with chipotle hollandaise and served with avocado, salsa fresca, and breakfast potatoes. The Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week.

2981 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, Phone: 805-898-2628

6.Cody's Cafe

Located in the Turnpike Center, Cody’s Café is a long-standing neighborhood bar and eatery that serves American classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The family-owned and operated café serves freshly prepared food made with locally sourced ingredients in the comfortable main dining room, elegant bar, or private event room that seats up to 45 people. The restaurant also has a beautiful dog-friendly outdoor patio for alfresco-style dining. Cody’s Café serves a menu of regular favorites along with daily and seasonal specials, and a variety of hearty breakfast ranging from breakfast burritos and corned beef and hash to country fried chicken steak and eggs, scrambled eggs, blackened salmon and eggs, and biscuits and gravy. Cody’s Café is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week.

4898 Hollister Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93111, Phone: 805-683-5141

7.Crocodile Restaurant & Bar

Set in the charming Lemon Tree Inn, the Crocodile Restaurant & Bar is an elegant fine dining restaurant with contemporary décor and a refined ambiance that serves modern Italian and Californian cuisine. Tucked away just off the lobby of the inn, the cozy restaurant features a display kitchen where diners can watch the chefs at work preparing the tantalizing cuisine, a stylish dining room and cocktail bar, and a pretty outdoor courtyard with heaters. The restaurant serves a menu of innovative cuisine with international influences, along with an extensive bar menu and non-alcoholic beverages, and offers in-room dining and catering services for special events. The Crocodile Restaurant & Bar is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week.

2819 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, Phone: 805-687-6444

8.D'Angelo's Bread

D'Angelo's Bread is a cozy bakery with charming sidewalk seating that offers freshly baked bread, pastries, cakes, cookies and other sweet treats on a daily basis. The bakery-cum-café also serves a menu of light fare and breakfast items along with freshly brewed coffee, espresso, cappuccino, and other hot drinks. The breakfast menu features all the favorite morning dishes such as egg benedicts, scrambles, and various egg plates, house-made granola, fresh fruit, honey and yogurt, oatmeal and other cereals, pancakes, croissants, and waffles. Drinks range from fresh fruit juices and coffee and tea to hot chocolate and specialty coffee drinks. D'Angelo's Bread is open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week.

25 W Gutierrez St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Phone: 805-962-5466

9.Dawn Patrol

Dawn Patrol is a casual, upbeat, surf-themed eatery on State Street in Santa Barbara that serves Californian-style breakfasts and lunches, homemade baked goods, organic juice, and artisan coffee drinks. Named after the term for surfers who are in the water surfing before daybreak, the café boasts all things surfing from the logo of Rincon Point - one of the most iconic point breaks in Santa Barbara to the brightly colored décor and laid-back, relaxed vibe of the café. The breakfast menu features all the favorite morning dishes such as egg benedicts, scrambles, and various egg plates, house-made granola, fresh fruit, honey and yogurt, oatmeal and other cereals, pancakes, croissants, and waffles. Dawn Patrol is open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week.

324 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Phone: 805-962-2889

10.Farmer Boy

Established in 1958, Farmer Boy Restaurant is a local Santa Barbara institution that has been serving hearty, good old-fashioned comfort food for the past 61 years. Exuding a comfortable neighborhood café-style setting with sleek, contemporary décor and a bright, airy atmosphere, Farmer Boy serves a creative breakfast menu of favorites such as eggs, scramble, pancakes, waffles, and French toast. Signature specials include breakfast burritos, carnitas chilaquiles, toad-in-the-hole sandwiches, smoked salmon and bagels, smoked salmon benedicts, cinnamon rolls, and fried chicken and biscuit and sliders. Farmer Boy Restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week.

3427 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, Phone: 805-845-6749

11.Joe's Cafe

Joe’s Cafe is a casual neighborhood restaurant by day and acclaimed American steakhouse and upbeat bar by night that serves a menu of American favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual, relaxed setting. Established in 1928 in downtown Santa Barbara, Joe’s Cafe serves a breakfast menu of classics such as a variety of egg dishes from benedicts, and omelets to scrambles, corned beef hash, huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, pancake, and French toast. The restaurant also serves an all-day menu of other fare such as fresh salads, homemade soups and starters, and a variety of hot, cold, and specialty sandwiches. Joe’s Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week.

536 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Phone: 805-966-4638

12.Mesa Cafe & Bar

Located in the Mesa Shopping Center, the Mesa Café & Bar is a casual café with comfortable patio seating that serves classic fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The locally-owned and operated restaurant has been serving the community for the past 35 years and continues to offer a fun and friendly atmosphere in which to enjoy great food. Diners can tuck into a selection of appetizers, sandwiches, fresh seafood, steak, pasta, fresh salads, homemade desserts, along with daily specials and libations from the full-service bar. Breakfast can be enjoyed on the sunny patio or in the comfy dining room, and a private banquet room is available for special events and functions.

1972 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, Phone: 805-966-5303

13.On The Alley

On The Alley boasts two locations in the Santa Barbara Harbor & Goleta Camino Real Marketplace that serves casual locally sourced fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Owned and operated by the Brophy Brothers, the restaurant offers a breakfast menu of dishes including burritos stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and bacon, toasted English muffins with eggs and cheese, and chorizo breakfast burgers with scrambled with eggs and caramelized onions. Healthy options include breakfast bowls of scrambled eggs and avocado, and made-to-order oatmeal with brown sugar, raisins, bananas, and berries. Other breakfast items include French Toast Dips, Waffle ‘Fries’, smoothies with blended yogurt and seasonal fruit, and morning parfait with granola and fresh fruit. On The Alley is open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week.

117 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, Phone: 805-962-6315

14.Sambo's Restaurant

Sambo’s Restaurant is a casual, beachside spot that serves breakfast all day. Established in 1957, and now owned and operated by the founders’ grandson, Chad Stevens, Sambo’s continues the family tradition of serving hearty, homecooked fare for breakfast and lunch in a warm and welcoming setting. The family-owned restaurant offers classic American fare from eggs benedict and steak and eggs to their famous buttermilk pancakes and French toast, along with daily and seasonal specials such as breakfast burritos, corned beef and hash, country fried chicken steak and eggs, and waffles. Sambo’s Restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week.

216 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Phone: 805-965-3269

15.Savoy Cafe & Deli

The Savoy Café and Deli is a homey little café situated off West Figueroa Street that serves freshly made salads, gourmet sandwiches, flaky pastries, and a variety of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free fare. The cozy café features wood accents and comfortable furniture, warm colors and fresh cut flowers on each table, and offers a breakfast menu of delicious specials such as Spinach, Feta and Onion scramble with a side salad and fig balsamic dressing, Gluten-Free Citrus Dipped French Toast with berries, Breakfast Burrito with house-made Pico de Gallo, Eggs, and Avocado, Huevos Rancheros with fire-roasted Salsa, and Black Bean, and homemade Quiche of the Day. The Savoy Café and Deli is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Monday through Saturday.

24 W Figueroa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Phone: 805-962-6611

16.Scarlett Begonia

Located in the center of the Victoria Court Shopping Arcade, the Scarlett Begonia is a refined restaurant that serves progressive modern cuisine prepared with sustainable, organic, and high-quality ingredients for breakfast, lunch, and special event dinners. Rotating, seasonal menus feature all the favorite morning dishes such as egg benedicts, scrambles, and various egg plates, house-made granola, fresh fruit, honey and yogurt, oatmeal and other cereals, pancakes, croissants, and waffles. The restaurant has dog-friendly patios where customers can enjoy breakfast with their furry friends. Scarlett Begonia is open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week.

11 W Victoria St #10, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Phone: 805-770-2143

17.Shoreline Beach Cafe

The Shoreline Beach Café is an eco-minded eatery on Shoreline Drive overlooking the beach that serves casual Mexican and fare in a relaxed, sand-in-your-toes setting. The café has a comfortable dining deck with tables overlooking the beach or table and chairs right on the beach where guests can dine with their toes in the sand. There is also a convenient ‘To-Go’ window for takeaway food to enjoy at Shoreline Beach Park or Leadbetter Beach. The breakfast menu features all the favorite morning dishes such as egg benedicts, scrambles, and various egg plates, house-made granola, fresh fruit, honey and yogurt, oatmeal and other cereals, pancakes, croissants, and waffles. The Shoreline Beach Café is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Sunday, and dinners over the weekend.

801 Shoreline Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, Phone: 805-568-0064

18.Bree'osh Bakery Cafe Montecito

Bree'osh Bakery Cafe Montecito bring a slice of France to Santa Barbara with freshly baked, melt-in-your-mouth brioche and pastries, croissants, and other classic French treats. Open for breakfast and lunch, the quaint French bakery and coffee shop’s menu features delicious breakfast items such as egg sandwiches served on homemade sourdough brioche buns, croques and quiches, croissant sandwiches, tartines and toasts, and a variety of omelets with various fillings. Freshly brewed French press coffee is served all day, along with various coffee varieties, tea, fresh fruit juice, hot chocolate, and water. Bree'osh Bakery Cafe Montecito is open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week.

1150 Coast Village Rd, Montecito, CA 93108, Phone: 805-969-2500

19.The Shop Kitchen

The Shop Kitchen is a bustling, window-serve joint with a charming patio that serves gourmet American fare, freshly baked goods, and a variety of specialty coffees. Biscuits, muffins, scones, and cookies are baked fresh every morning and served with house-roasted coffee from Handlebar Roasters and specialty coffees. The Wildflower Bakery in Westlake Village provides freshly baked bread every day and breakfast and lunch dishes are prepared with locally sourced, organic ingredients. Signature dishes include the Tugboat, which features eggs benedict with a grilled buttermilk biscuit topped with avocado, poached eggs, smoked tomato hollandaise, and bacon or fried chicken. The Shop Kitchen is open breakfast and lunch, seven days a week.

730 N Milpas St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, Phone: 805-845-1696

20.Backyard Bowls

Backyard Bowls is a revolutionary, eco-friendly and sustainable eatery that specializes in a variety of healthy, delicious, and fast-meal breakfast bowls, from acai bowls, steel cut oatmeal, hot porridges, house-made granola, and smoothies. Backyard Bowls is a 100% clean energy company, and a Certified Green Business that uses wind energy to make every bowl, as well as using fresh, organic, sustainable, and locally sourced ingredients from regional artisans, farmers, and producers. Signature bowls include the Dragon Bowl filled with banana, pitaya, mango, banana, kiwi, coconut shavings, coconut milk, vanilla yogurt, honey and topped with granola.

331 Motor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93109

21.Cajun Kitchen Cafe

The Cajun Kitchen Café is a family-owned and operated diner specializing in breakfast and lunch dishes with Cajun influences. The breakfast menu features signature Southern dishes such as blackened catfish, chicken fried steak with gravy, shrimp po boys, and biscuits and gravy, along with favorites like egg scrambles, omelets, benedicts, French toast, pancakes, beignets, and corned beef and hash. Specials include huevos rancheros, chorizo and eggs, chilaquiles, chile verde, and jambalaya and eggs, while healthy options range from breakfast burritos to oatmeal and granola bowls. The Cajun Kitchen Café is open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week.

301 East Main Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93111, Phone: 805-643-7701