Updated July 5, 2023

La Jolla – Brunching by the Beach

With a dramatic coastline that boasts incredible views, La Jolla is one of the most popular beach destinations in Southern California.  Combine that spectacular coastline with an upscale La Jolla village atmosphere and you’ll understand why you need to spend time in this jewel of a city. The best way to start your day in this wonderful place is with a tasty brunch, and we’ve got a list of the best breakfast and brunch spots – all within walking distance to the beach and many of which have ocean views! Whether you’re planning a brunch with your closest friends or need a daytime date idea, brunch in La Jolla is the way to go.

Plan a San Diego tour to line up group activities after brunch is over – they’ll guide you through the best La Jolla has to offer, whether you want to spend time on the water, shop till you drop, or continue your culinary adventure with more delicious food and drink samples.  

Parakeet Cafe

For a lighter breakfast, check out this cute little beach cafe. They specialize in local, organic items and have a creative coffee and tea menu, full espresso bar, as well as beer, wine, and seasonal mimosa specials. Located just a few blocks up from La Jolla Cove, you can dine in or take your breakfast to-go if you’d prefer to eat down by the water. We recommend trying one of their creative Toast breakfasts; our favorite is the Avocado toast served with pickled mustard, crunchy mung beans, cilantro, pumpkin seeds, and beet spirals – we prefer it with a poached egg!

The Cottage

For over 25 years, this delightful place has been drawing locals and visitors alike. Serving classic American food with a southern California twist, it’s oceanside atmosphere, cottage-like décor, and friendly staff are what bring people back. They serve breakfast daily starting at 7:30 am and if you don’t want to wait, come early! If you don’t mind waiting, put your name on the list and grab a coffee while exploring nearby shops, boutiques, and art galleries. If you’re looking for something sweet, try the Stuffed French Toast with strawberry compote and mascarpone cheese.  For something savory, we recommend the Baja Chicken Hash, a gluten-free dish with chicken sausage, peppers, corn, tortilla, poached eggs, and hollandaise.

Cody’s La Jolla

Another local favorite, this small gem sits on a hill less than two blocks from Ellen Browning Scripps Park and the ocean. You can sit inside or outside on their patio, and if you’re bringing your dog along, they’ll happily accommodate, even providing a water bowl and treats. Open every day from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm, they serve breakfast open to close so you can enjoy it in the morning or for lunch. Our favorite dishes are the Farmer’s Market Omelet served with wild mushrooms, goat cheese, spinach, and tomatoes or the Crab Cake Benedict served with avocado and poached eggs topped with hollandaise sauce – most of their brunch menu comes with your choice of griddled potatoes or stone-ground grits, both delicious choices.  

Queenstown

Via San Diego Magazine

A newbie to La Jolla since Spring 2023 … Queenstown is a New Zealand-inspired restaurant that offers a lively brunch atmosphere with a wide variety of breakfast classics and items with New Zealand twists. A few of the fan favorites are their eggs Benedict, pancakes, French Toast, waffles, the Hangover Cure Burrito, as well as the brunch menu featuring a variety of breakfast and lunch items, all with a New Zealand twist. For breakfast, you can order traditional favorites like fried chicken and biscuits.

In addition to the full-service bar, the restaurant also offers a diverse tasting menu, which gives patrons the chance to sample food and drink that reflect the Kiwi spirit of New Zealand’s cuisine. 

Dukes La Jolla

Set-up high on Prospect Street, this brunch spot has expansive views of the La Jolla Cove and ocean. Choose a table indoors or outside dining on their large sunny patio which has a glass wall railing that allows each table a view. They offer breakfast every day of the week, Monday – Friday from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and on the weekends, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. They make a great Bloody Mary and have a Pog Juice Mimosa that will leave you feeling like you’re lounging by the beach. You can’t go wrong with any meal on their island-inspired menu – our favorite is the Beach Boy Breakfast Burrito with kalua pork, scrambled eggs, cheese, black beans, fried rice, and chipotle salsa.   

Brockton Villa

This restaurant opened over 25 years ago in a historic beach cottage that was built in 1894! Its seaside location set into the cliffs offers beautiful oceanview dining in San Diego. They serve breakfast daily starting at 8:00 am and take reservations. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, most tables have ocean views!  Best known for their “award-winning” Coast Toast – served in a souffle style, it’s extra rich with a hint of orange. If you’d prefer something savory try their Open-Faced Breakfast Sandwich with prosciutto, arugula, ricotta, roasted peppers, a fried egg, and hollandaise sauce. This is a great place to grab a casual breakfast or celebrate a special occasion over great food!

Beaumont’s Eatery

You’ll find this local favorite south of the village, in La Jolla’s seaside neighborhood of Bird Rock just a couple blocks from the ocean. This hidden gem has been around for over 12 years and serves breakfast on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm; we recommend making a reservation for weekend brunch. They have a Mexican inspired menu and two of our favorites are the Relleno & Eggs, a pasilla pepper stuffed with pulled pork, crema, Mexican salsa, and queso fresco served with corn tortillas or the Carne Asada Benedict, an English muffin topped with carne asada, avocado, cilantro, and hollandaise served with breakfast potatoes. Their menu for brunch cocktails is very creative and has a little something for everyone as well as a full espresso bar and mocktails.    

Shorehouse Kitchen

If you find yourself a little farther north of the village, check-out this gem located just a few blocks from Kellogg Park and La Jolla Shores Beach. They offer a farm-to-table approach to breakfast and serve it all day from 7:30 am – 2:30 pm. Their espresso and coffee are ground in-house daily using their own blend of African and Central American Coffee Beans. They also juice Valencia Oranges for the freshest glass of orange juice around and partner with a local ranch for veggie-fed brown eggs. For breakfast, their Crispy Parmesan Risotto & Honey Cured Bacon Benedict or Pork Carnitas Chilaquiles are two of our favorites!  They have a great mimosa menu with options including classic mimosas made with their fresh squeezed OJ as well as more creative choices like grapefruit and sage.

RICHARD WALKER’S PANCAKE HOUSE

Via Kirbie’s Cravings

No breakfast experience is complete without pancakes! Especially the famous baked pancakes from Richard Walker’s Pancake House, a family-owned dining destination on Prospect Street since 1948. Offering comfortable indoor and outdoor dining, they serve breakfast and lunch daily from 6:30 am – 2:30 pm. Choose from various options, including their famous baked Apple pancake, a fluffy masterpiece that’s baked to order, filling the restaurant with a mouth-watering, sweet appley aroma. If you’re not a big fan of pancakes, you can choose other items such as their classic eggs benedict, omelets, Belgian waffles, breakfast burritos, and more. With such an endless selection of options, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

If you find that you love the food that this neighborhood has to offer, you might love the happy hours even more. Consider checking out our favorite spots for happy hour in La Jolla! If you want to experience the best of the neighborhood, join us on our signature La Jolla food tour where you’ll meet stunning wildlife, experience breathtaking views of the Pacific and the La Jolla Cove, and taste our carefully-curated selection of beachside bites.

Written by: Melissa

Melissa hails from San Jose, CA, and has been a San Diego local for five years now after a 10-year long pit stop in Los Angeles. In L.A., she began her writing career crafting digital content for a wide range of clients, including The Real Talk Show, Sharon Osbourne, Hank Azaria, Time Life, and Cardinal Financial. She’s excited to be able to use her passion for writing to introduce people to some of the best spots in San Diego, many of which she has already frequented or has on her ever-expanding list of things to do … In her spare time, she enjoys taking her puppy Milo to all of the best dog beaches in SD, grabbing a glass of wine or a cup of joe at new places, and hosting watch parties for The Bachelor/ette TV show.