Charming Breakfast Spots in San Diego That Brighten Mornings

3940 Fifth Ave, San Diego

(619) 500-3344

Every time I'm in San Diego, Snooze, an A.M. Eatery is a must-visit spot for breakfast. The food is always fantastic, and I've never had a bad meal here. The service is consistently great, with friendly servers who make the experience even better. I particularly love their outdoor seating, perfect for enjoying breakfast on a nice day. My only wish is for a location in Northern California so I can visit more often. I stumbled upon Snooze when I had to kill four hours between meetings. It was the top-rated breakfast spot nearby, and it definitely lived up to the hype. I tried the chile verde benedict with some hot sauce on the side, and it was both flavorful and spicy. Paired with an iced matcha latte and a $5 mimosa on a Monday, it was a perfect breakfast. I'd give it a 10/10 and definitely plan on returning. A quick tip: use the Yelp waitlist to save time. The atmosphere is a vibe, with open, bright dining and nostalgic music playing. Although there was a slight delay with our food due to a large party ahead of us, our server kindly brought us a complimentary cinnamon pancake that was incredibly fluffy and perfectly paired with its sauces. For our entrees, we tried the shrimp and grits, OMG French toast, and a Benny duo. The shrimp and grits were tasty, though not traditional. The French toast didn't wow me, but the chile verde benedict from the Benny duo stood out over the pork belly. Overall, I enjoyed the atmosphere even more than the food itself, though the experience was fantastic. My husband and I also tried the pork belly habanero Benny, a wet burrito with green verde salsa, PB choco pancakes, and blackberry lemonade. The Benny was delicious, albeit smaller than expected. The burrito was huge and tasty, the pancakes were hearty and dense, more like a thick bread slice, and the lemonade was incredibly tart. Service was excellent, making Snooze a place I look forward to visiting again.

3628 Fifth Ave, San Diego

(619) 298-4646

I visited Hash House A Go Go for breakfast in San Diego and was blown away by the experience! The food was absolutely delicious, with massive portions that left me feeling more than satisfied. I tried the Chicken and Waffles, and it was incredible. The portion size was huge, enough to feed a family, and I even had leftovers for the next day. The service was excellent, and the staff was friendly and apologetic when my sugary mocha with caramel arrived late. It was so tasty, though, like something out of a dream. Despite this hiccup, I was very happy with the water and my meal. The place does get busy, but the lively and welcoming ambiance makes it worth it. For anyone looking for delicious, oversized portions of comfort food in downtown San Diego, Hash House A Go Go is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be going back, and maybe even bring my dog! You won't leave hungry.

2865 Sims Rd #106, San Diego

(619) 693-5434

Visited on a Thursday morning and although there was a 30-40 minute wait, it was well worth it. The restaurant is charming, with some cool merchandise like hats and shirts for sale. The food was outstanding! I had the shrimp and grits paired with bottomless strawberry lemonade, and it was delicious. The rest of my group enjoyed their meals too and even had leftovers to take home. Parking is a bit tight in front, and the first time I came here for Sunday brunch, they only had a waitlist at the entrance—no online option. You get a text when your table is ready. Arrived around 11:30 am and waited about 30 minutes. It was a bustling Sunday brunch crowd. The atmosphere is adorable, and our server was friendly. I recommend the pancakes and eggs Benedict; they were amazing. The menu is creative and interesting. Coffee is good, and the service is pretty solid, though not exceptional. I tried a veggie scramble which was tasty but not as hot as I’d like. However, the sourdough English muffin was fantastic, and while the bacon was a bit cool and lacking in flavor, the portion sizes were generous. Overall, this place is excellent for breakfast. I'm glad we gave it another try. During a busy Friday morning on Comic-Con weekend, we got seated within the expected wait time. The shrimp and grits were perfectly cooked with a nice Gouda flavor. My husband enjoyed his Mr. Presley dish a lot. I highly recommend the home fries, which are like In-N-Out fries but cubed! The Jurassic bacon is a must-try as well. Great spot, especially for travelers since it’s so close to the airport!

707 G St, San Diego

(619) 501-8280

I visited Breakfast Republic for the first time and was blown away by the experience. Everything I ordered was fantastic. The grits were flavorful, and the coffee cake was exceptional. The Bloody Mary hit the spot, and I couldn't get enough of the cute salt and pepper shakers. The food arrived incredibly fast, and the friendly service made the experience even better. I'm already planning to tell everyone about this place and can't wait to return. The portions were great, and there were so many delicious options to choose from. The staff was super friendly and helpful, and the service was impressively quick. I genuinely can't think of anything to critique here. I tried the vegan breakfast burrito and was thrilled to find that it included vegan meat, not just beans and rice. The custom plate was a nice touch, too. The pancake flight wasn't my favorite—I ended up with a bacon pancake instead of buttermilk, which wasn't quite to my taste—but that was really the only hiccup. The bartender was nice, and overall, the breakfast was good with reasonable prices for the amount of food. Service was quick, and the food was tasty. Just a heads up to be careful if you're not big on spicy food. The only downside was a drunk guy sitting next to us at 11 a.m., but that's not the restaurant's fault. Overall, it was a 10/10 experience for me.

3020 University Ave, San Diego

(619) 539-7242

Flap Your Jacks is probably the best breakfast spot I've been to. I had my doubts about this place, but they were proved wrong. I started with the Orange Pancakes, and they were fantastic. The pancakes were fluffy with just the right sweetness from the fruits and marmalade. Next up was the Smokey Benedict. The eggs were perfectly cooked with a nice runny yolk, and the smoky flavor of the salmon was spot-on. The potatoes were seasoned wonderfully, though the croissant could have been flakier. My absolute favorite was the Wilbur Benedict. The pork belly was cooked just right, not too fatty, and the eggs had that perfect runny yolk. The cheddar biscuit added great texture and flavor, making the dish well-balanced and satisfying. It's definitely a place worth revisiting. It's also a great spot for kids. I brought my godsons, and they enjoyed making pancake designs. The toppings and mix-ins were a hit, and the staff was friendly and patient with the kids. While some dishes like the pork belly came out not as hot as I'd like, and the hollandaise sauce was blander than I prefer, overall, the experience was delightful. I'll definitely be back.

355 Sixth Ave, San Diego

(619) 338-9655

We walked right up and were immediately seated outside, even with a busy Friday morning crowd. Despite the rush, we were served within minutes, and our fresh juices arrived shortly after ordering. Their hand-squeezed orange juice is a real game-changer. I ordered the biscuits and gravy, and it was spot on. The gravy was thick and flavorful, not runny like in many places. The portions were generous, and the price was reasonable, about $25 per person for food and drink. The experience transported me—it didn't feel like California. Being in San Diego was refreshing, and walking to breakfast from the convention center was a treat. The French toast was crunchy and deliciously loaded; I couldn’t finish it alone. The coffee was just okay, but the excellent service and brunch menu more than made up for it. This is definitely one of the best breakfast spots near the Gaslamp Quarter. The flight option is a fantastic idea, allowing you to choose three different items on one plate—something I can't find in Toronto. The cinnamon roll pancake tasted exactly like a cinnamon roll in cake form, just as promised. Service was great, with our waiter keeping us entertained with his sarcastic humor while attending to all our needs promptly. The atmosphere was lovely, with the front of the restaurant opening up for a nice airy feel. Everyone in my group returned every day for breakfast, which says a lot. The food was tasty, the service was fast and friendly, and the ambiance was perfect. I would love to come here again.

2730 University Ave, San Diego

(619) 642-0299

I was really looking forward to trying out Breakfast Republic in San Diego, especially since my sister had a great experience there before. Despite a 30-minute wait, which isn't too bad given how busy it was, the line moved quickly. Once seated, we placed our drink and meal orders right away, though it did take some time for the food to arrive. The food was worth the wait. The shrimp and grits were hands down the best I've ever had, and the steak and eggs were delicious as well. We also tried the sundae French toast, which was outstanding, albeit a bit too sweet for my taste. The presentation was beautiful, and the flavors were spot on. The coffee was fantastic, adding to the overall great experience. The service, however, had its ups and downs. While most of the staff was friendly and accommodating, our main waitress didn't check on us once after taking our orders. We eventually asked another waiter for drink refills and to check on two missing orders. An assistant manager did come by to apologize for the oversight, which was appreciated. Unfortunately, when my husband found a hair in his French toast sampler, our waitress insinuated it might have come from us, which was frustrating. Thankfully, the assistant manager and store manager handled the situation with professionalism and apologies. Despite the service hiccups, the food and atmosphere make it a great spot for an affordable brunch. The cocktails are fantastic, and I recommend trying the eggs Benedict or frittatas. The patio seating is lovely, though indoor dining is available too. Just be prepared for a wait and some potential parking issues. Overall, Breakfast Republic is a solid choice for good food and a lively atmosphere.

550 W Date St Suite #C, San Diego

(619) 629-0302

Morning Glory in San Diego is an amazing spot for breakfast. The place is gorgeous, and once we got our name on the list, we explored Little Italy. We received a text soon after, which was great. The vibe and food are fantastic, and the staff is friendly and accommodating, especially with allergies. The Bloody Mary was a standout, especially with the fried capers. The service and food were outstanding, and the design of the place is beautiful. It’s perfect for any occasion. The avocado toast and Green Bowl were delicious, and the fresh-squeezed orange juice and Café latte were superb. The cocktails were outstanding too. I highly recommend this place and can’t wait to return with my daughter and family. The atmosphere is great, and the service is good. Even after a decent wait time, the food was worth it. Although they were out of a few things, what we had was really good. The drinks were strong, and the restroom was clean, though there was a bit of a wait since there were only two. It’s definitely worth a visit. The menu is unique, with nice variations of traditional breakfast items. The music is good, and the service is excellent. The staff makes sure you have a good meal. If only they had a handwash station, it would save some wait time and let you enjoy more of the experience. Overall, congrats to the team for creating such a wonderful place!

3577 Midway Dr, San Diego

(619) 358-9966

I visited Broken Yolk Cafe in San Diego for breakfast, and it was phenomenal. I ordered the iced pumpkin spice latte and the sweet trio, both absolutely delicious and worth every penny. My boyfriend's mom enjoyed the mom omelette, and his little brother loved the full stack of blueberry pancakes. Our server, Kenny, was fantastic with his recommendations, especially for someone like me with a sweet tooth; the cinnamon pancakes and French toast were spot on. The service was fast and professional, and the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. The straight mimosa with various flavors was a hit. The pancakes were simply amazing, a must-try every time. This place truly feels like one of the best breakfast spots in San Diego. I've visited this location four times now, and it just keeps getting better. Being dog-friendly is such a bonus for those of us with furry companions. The food is consistently delicious, and the cooks do an outstanding job. The servers and staff are always friendly and eager to ensure a great experience. I can't recommend the Golden State Benedict enough—it's incredibly tasty. My last visit was extra special thanks to my server, Maria C, who was kind and personable to everyone. The gentleman who brought my drink was also very attentive, offering sweetener without needing to ask. Broken Yolk Cafe is a fantastic spot for breakfast and coffee, and I can't wait to return.

416 Third Ave, San Diego

(619) 550-1071

Lazy Hippo is a fantastic spot for breakfast in San Diego. The food here is solid, and there's a great mix of both savory and sweet options to choose from. I especially loved the Enfrijoladas Loaded, which I would definitely recommend. The strawberry French toast special was amazing and a huge portion, perfect for sharing. The service was quick and friendly, and I appreciated the option of outdoor seating, even if it was right next to the street. The menu offers a great selection of delicious dishes, including the Trio of Pancakes, which was more than enough for one person, and the egg bacon sandwich with country potatoes, which was equally delightful. Just a heads up, the restaurant is located at The Whiskey House outdoor patio and has a connection to the store with the name "Lazy Hippo" on it, so make sure you don't get confused. Overall, Lazy Hippo is a great choice for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

695 Sixth Ave, San Diego

(619) 349-4890

Great choice for breakfast in downtown San Diego. If you're not in a rush, this is a spot worth visiting. The berry sweet French toast here has just the right amount of sweetness to start your day. I ordered the chorizo omelet, which came with toast, homemade jam, whipped butter, and rosemary potatoes—all served hot and fresh. The omelet was generously portioned, and the potatoes were perfectly crispy with a soft center. Freshly squeezed orange juice was a delightful addition, bursting with flavor and just a hint of acidity. The atmosphere is inviting, with a fresh and well-designed interior featuring high ceilings. Although service was a bit slow, especially with drinks taking about 10 minutes, the overall experience made up for it. The staff is friendly, and the café itself is charming. On a return visit to San Diego, we couldn't resist coming back to Fig Tree Cafe. My wife and I shared the California burrito and sampler platter—they were both delicious. The French toast options are fantastic across the board. We stumbled upon this place when our first choice had too long of a wait, and we didn’t regret it. There's a nice variety of veg and non-veg breakfast items. We even checked out their merch—a friend picked up a cool coffee cup. If you're visiting, take a look. Overall, the food here surpasses its ratings, making it a spot I’d recommend to anyone in the area looking for a satisfying breakfast.