Diners' Choice: Great for brunch restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are great for brunch in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Topsail at Portside Pier

4.9

4.9 (147)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Downtown

About the restaurant

San Diego's most iconic waterfront property features Topsail, a luxury lounge on the rooftop at Portside Pier! Indulge in fresh seafood, craft cocktails, and small plates while relaxing fireside above the water!

Top review

JillVIP

Dined on Nov 27, 2024

Popped in for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We sat outside with a great view and had the charcuterie board which did not disappoint.

The Veranda Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1523)

$30 and under

Californian

Fallbrook

About the restaurant

While dining at the most atmospheric restaurant in Fallbrook, you can gaze at our sparkling lake and gorgeous grounds while enjoying a delicious meal prepared with seasonal produce from our on-site vegetable and fruit gardens. We offer patio heaters during the winter months and fans during the warmer months. Reservations are recommended. Enjoy a stroll through our many gardens before or after you dine at The Veranda.

Top review

TamyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

It was wonderful! Food, service and atmosphere was great. I highly recommend it!

Great Maple San Diego

4.8

4.8 (4414)

$30 and under

American

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

We Serve Dinner, Lunch, Brunch and Weekday Breakfast. We are a modern American eatery featuring seasonal fare, fresh house made pies, and local produce cocktails. We have a full bar and a social wine list. Open for Outdoor dining!

Top review

Carla

Dined on Jan 6, 2025

Great food and service. This is our go to for quality breakfast/brunch!!

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Popular dish

Maple Bacon Doughnuts

Popular dish

Great Maple French Toast Logs

Popular dish

Key Lime Pie

Queenstown Bistro - UTC

4.8

4.8 (187)

$30 and under

New Zealand

University City/Golden Triangle

About the restaurant

We are the lil sis of Queenstown Public House located in the Little Italy district of San Diego. Slightly smaller, but with the same basic ingredients.

A beautiful, comfortable, unique, fun setting. A friendly, smiling, courteous staff we hope you get to know. Guests enjoying the moment, sharing a laugh, whom we hope we get to know. Freshly made dishes; locally sourced, passionately created, many unique…and all delicious. A beer list changing daily, proudly from our award winning local craft SD brewers, and a wine list chosen with care from select vineyards and varietals.

With a kiwi inspired lineage, and the spirit, love and good nature from the land of the Maori, we hope you will join us. And if we are so fortunate, then, we hope you will have a little too much of a good time, have a few too many laughs, stay a while, and return again soon to see us.

Top review

RebeccaVIP

Dined on Dec 20, 2024

Always a great experience at Queenstown! Great burgers, friendly service and a lovely indoor/outdoor environment, all in the middle of beautiful UTC. We look forward to next time!

Cocina 35 Liberty Station

4.8

4.8 (32)

$30 and under

Mexican

Shelter Island / San Diego Bay

About the restaurant

Our team is dedicated to bring to you the essence of Mexico, the flavors, aromas, culture, service and textures that were given to us, growing up cooking right next to our grandparents in Mexico.

We are the only restaurant in San Diego that specialized in Chilaquiles the Most traditional Mexican Breakfast.

Top review

Ana

Dined 1 day ago

Cocina 35 NEVER disappoints! We brought our aunt here for her first time. She loved it and plans on returning.

Madi

4.7

4.7 (427)

$30 and under

Breakfast

Kensington

About the restaurant

Bringing all-day brunch and grab-and-go coffee to Normal Heights, Madi is the upcoming daytime counterpart to Madison on Park, the well-established mid-century modern restaurant and bar that opened in University Heights in 2015.

Offering a quick-service coffee counter fueled by Heartwork Coffee out of Mission Hills that’ll feature the full range of espresso drinks, specialty beverages, and tea as well as fresh pastries, Madi will also be an anytime option for sit-down breakfasts, mimosa-powered brunches, and casual lunches.

Its breakfast menu ranges from waffle churro sticks and breakfast burritos to skirt steak eggs Benedict and a variety of pancakes based on a 60-year-old recipe from Madison co-owner Matthew, whose family runs a century-old breakfast spot in the midwest.

Lunch will hinge on build-your-own grain and salad bowls along with lettuce wraps, ceviche, a burger, and a classic Tuna Melt!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jan 6, 2025

An outstanding dining experience ! Food was delicious with good size portions. Service was prompt

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Blackberry + Goat Cheese Pancakes

Cocina 35 Coronado

4.6

4.6 (34)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Coronado

About the restaurant

Top review

alejandra

Dined 1 day ago

Cute new location service was great. The view out to the water was beautiful

Sunny Side Solana

4.3

4.3 (78)

$30 and under

Breakfast

Solana Beach

About the restaurant

WELCOME TO SUNNY SIDE SOLANA.
WHETHER YOU ARE STOPPING BY FROM FAR AWAY,
OR YOU ARE ONE OF OUR BELOVED LOCALS.
WE OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.
A WARM WELCOMING SPOT,
WITH A FRIENDLY STAFF,
SERVING FOOD YOU LOVE TO EAT.
IN THE BEAUTIFUL SUNNY SOLANA BEACH.
COME ALONE, BRING A FRIEND, A FAMILY
OR A WHOLE HAPPY BUS LOAD.
THE COFFEE IS HOT
AND THE JUICE IS FRESH AND SWEET.
SO JUST DIRECT YOUR FEET
TO THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET !

Top review

patrick

Dined on Nov 9, 2024

Amazing food, first of all. The service was good, the staff was very attentive to all patrons and it wasn't one individual person, the entire staff is there to help. The menu is a great assortment of various breakfast items with many of them being signature dishes. My table ordered the Chicken Marsala, the Reuben sandwich, Loaded Fries, Short Rib Hash and a single pancake. The Chicken Marsala was juicy and the marsala sauce and mushrooms were just so tasty and perfect and it was paired with some DELICIOUS potatoes and asparagus. If you are a Chicken Marsala fan, I would highly recommend this!! The Reuben sandwich was just delicious. The amount of Corned Beef in the sandwich was enormous and the servings size is HUGE, paired with some of the best crispy fries I've had, next to of course their LOADED Fries! The same crispy fries but now just with their white cheddar sauce and chunks of bacon, that was the HIT at our table!! Lastly was the Short Rib Hash, the potatoes again were amazing and the tender juicy chunks of Beef Short Rib were just everywhere in that bowl, and all topped off with a fried egg!! This place is great, the vibe is calming and not loud, perfect breakfast spot to just meet up, enjoy a meal and have a great conversation without having to battle all the other conversations that other restaurants deal with. This is just a great place!!

Flora - North Park

4.3

4.3 (23)

$30 and under

American

North Park

About the restaurant

Well, darling, Flora is the talk of the town, and rightly so.

Nestled on University Ave, this is where brunch meets a touch of haute indulgence; calling forth all who yearn to feel utterly free. Imagine a croissant salmon benedict, steak and eggs seared to perfection, decadent berry French toast, and yes—even fried rice, because Flora understands that brunch isn’t a one-size-fits-all affair. It’s an an aesthetic experience, a bona fide mood. Here, we say, “come as you are—or as whoever you wish to be.

Top review

JerryVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Nino and Ocean have made a beautiful space, once again. All the staff were attentive and kind. Overall, a great evening. I understand they pull out all the stops for brunch, so we’ll definitely check it out again.

Old Town Tequila Factory Restaurant & Cantina

3.9

3.9 (1148)

$30 and under

Mexican

Old Town

About the restaurant

Located across from Heritage Park overlooking San Diego's Historic Old Town, the Old Town Tequila Factory Restaurant & Cantina is a panoramic spot to enjoy rooftop dining, great Margaritas and delicious authentic Mexican food, prepared from old world recipes.
The Tequila Factory is open for Lunch and Dinner on Saturday & Sunday, Best of Sunday Champagne Brunch and Happy Hour on the Tequila Terrace overlooking Old Town and the City Lights below... We offer a variety of unique venues such as a Sports Bar, Cigar & Tequila Terrace and our Veranda del Sol.
Bring Friends, Family and Your Appetite to the uniquely San Diego Old Town Tequila Factory Restaurant & Cantina. Always Free Parking.

Top review

Tony

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

Food is delicious and we liked the view. Will go back for sure.

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