Banner

Hot Topics

Your Family Brunches in San Diego

Pin It

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

User Rating: / 1
PoorBest 


foodSpring is in the air and our fancy turns to . . .brunch? Something about all of those flowers blooming and birds chirping also awakens our appetites. Luckily, spring is high brunch season (what with that special brunch-eating holiday – Mother’s Day) when restaurants parade out the crème de la crème of their Sunday brunch offerings. So take advantage of the season and take in a great brunch while they’re ripe for the picking. Here are some from our local bounty to choose from:


Arterra, 11966 El Camino Real (in the Marriott Del Mar), 858-369-6032
Who says gourmet meals are for dinner only - why not partake in an unforgettable breakfast at the only restaurant in town offering the fare of award-winning Chef Bradley Ogden and partner Carl Schroeder, renowned for their use of fresh, local ingredients, evidenced by dishes featuring produce from their own Chino’s Farms. Choose from their menu of omelets, herb-roasted turkey hash, distinctive buttermilk pancakes and more. Menu items range in price from $8.95 -$12.95. 7 -11 a.m.



Azul, 1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla, 858-454-9616
There’s reason enough to come to Azul for its breathtaking view that overlooks La Jolla Cove, but then they tempt you further with a delectably eclectic menu filled with offerings like frittatas, French toast, crepes, eggs bene-dict and scrumptious seafood specialties, serv-ed with champagne and mimosas. Menu items range in price from $12 - $16. 10 a.m. -2 p.m.


The French Gourmet @ Elario’s, 7955 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, 858-551-3620

You’ll get a chance to look out above the treetops toward the sparkling pacific ocean while enjoying the brunch buffet from inside the elegant Elario’s Bistro that sits way up high atop the Hotel La Jolla, as you nosh on a variety of quiches, omelets, carved roasted meats, pastas, seafood, and, of course, gourmet French desserts. Cost: $24.95 adults, $11.95 per child, 10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.


Hornblower Cruises; 1066 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, 619-686-8715
Brunch on the water - what a refreshing way to enjoy an ultimate ‘San Diego’ experience – take a leisurely tour of the Bay while eating from a scrumptious buffet of fresh fruit, salads, eggs, pastries, hand-carved meats, desserts and plenty of champagne, – who could ask for more? Cost: $39.50 adults, $24.00 children 4-12. Cruise boards at 10:30 for 11a.m. departure. Two Special Mother’s Day Brunch Cruises are offered, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 2 - 4 p.m., tickets are $45, call for details.

Hotel Del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619-522-8490
Le grand dame of San Diego’s brunches is to be found here at the Crown Room, legendary for its repast of crepes Normandy, quiche, seafood, pasta, charcuteries, international cheeses, Caesar and other salads, shrimp, smoked trout, and of course, eggs, bacon, sausages and omelets. Then you can walk it all off with a stroll around the premises to take in the results of the recently completed restoration, including the beautiful Windsor Lawn. Cost: $69.50 adults, $22.95 children 7-12, $10.95 children 2-6, and children 2 and younger eat free. 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Call for Mother’s Day Brunch information.

Islandia Coastal Grille, Hyatt Regency Islandia, 1441 Quivera Road, San Diego, 619-224-1234
Nestled on the edge of the marina on San Diego Bay, this buffet lets you dig into a plethora of goodies like fresh waffles, fluffy omelets, roasted meat, tasty pastas, healthful salads and decadent desserts. Cost: $26.95 adults, $13.50 12 and under, 4 and under eat free, $22.95 seniors. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Jasmine Bistro, 315 Parkway Plaza, El Cajon, 619-558-8228
You can eat like Asian royalty here as you pick and choose from a mouth watering variety of dim sum dishes as they travel past your table - like stuffed crab claws, BBQ pork buns, pot stickers and mango pudding. Their menu also offers dishes from Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and China. Cost: varies based on number and type of dishes chosen (plan on approximately $15 per person). 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Jim Kelley’s Pub, 937 S. Coast Highway, Encinitas, 760-632-1658

This popular neighborhood joint serves up cool jazz at night and hot breakfast in the morning, including French toast, Tex-Mex omelet and crab cakes too off their menu. Prices range from $6.95 - $12.95. 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.

Karl Strauss Brewery Gardens,
Sorrento Mesa, 9675 Scranton Rd, San Diego, 858-587-2739
Join Karl Strauss Brewing Company every Sunday for their unbeatable brunch. The unlimited buffet includes breakfast pastries, fresh fruit, pasta, seafood, salads, hot carving station, and a ‘tower of desserts’. Wash it all down with one of their handcrafted beers or champagne mimosas. Cost, $23.95 adults, $7.95 children 8-12. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Le Fountainebleau Westgate Hotel, 1055 Second Ave., Downtown, San Diego, 619-557-3655

An elegant and unforgettable buffet that presents a little something for everyone, including traditional egg dishes, pastries, carved meats, exotic fruit and even caviar to enjoy with your champagne. Cost: $32.95 adults, half price for children 4-12. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Call for Mother’s day Brunch Information.

Mario’s de La Mesa, 8425 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, 619- 461-9390
Crave some delicious tamales with your bacon and eggs? Then here’s the place to settle into some authentic Mexican cuisine for brunch. Don’t miss their carnitas. Menu items from $6.95 and up. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Parkhouse Eatery, 4574 Park Blvd., San Diego, 619-295-7275

It’s hard to resist a place with menu listings like “Way Wild and Wicked Breakfast” that include roasted polenta, chiliquilles with eggs and blue cornmeal flapjacks. Plus, it’s a cozy, neighborhood hangout, with patio seating along Park Blvd. Prices range from $4.95 - $8.95. 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Pine Hills Lodge, 2960 La Posada Way, Julian, 760-765-1100
There’s nothing like a hike in the mountains to stir the appetite - so stop by here for a hearty morning meal. Choose from breakfast favorites off the menu, like eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes and cereal. Cost per entrée, approximately $6 - $9.95, 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Poseidon Restaurant, 1670 Coast Blvd., Del Mar 858-755-9345
Go for a walk on the beach, wiggle your toes in the sand, then take a surfside seat on the restaurant patio and tuck into a plate of eggs Benedict, French toast, lox and bagel or steak and eggs, to name a few of the menu offerings. Prices range from $8.95 - $14.95, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Zocalo Grill, 2444 San Diego Ave., Old Town, 619-298-9840
In the midst of Old Town, the cuisine here draws broadly from Mexican, Pacific Rim, California and South American influences to offer an exciting range of brunch items on the menu, including Zocalo Crab Benedict, lobster bisque, and brick oven fired margherita pizza, to be enjoyed along with a glass of champagne or a sparkling mimosa. Prices range approximately $9 -$19 per entrée. 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Cynthia Cuadra Winters is a free-lance writer and mother living in Chula Vista.