The subtle aromas of golden, fluffy pancakes, sizzling chorizo, and fried eggs permeate the air. The almost musical sound of champagne flutes clinking and spoons whirling cream and sugar in coffee cups pierces the background. Laughter and chatter take center stage. This is Sunday brunch.
For residents and visitors of Clairemont, Kearny Mesa, and Bay Park, brunch is somewhat of a religion, a perfect cherry on top of the weekend that’s just about to end. The hardest decision about brunch is where you’ll go to enjoy it.
Here’s the neighborhood scoop on the hottest local spots with brunch-specific menus. Let us know which one you’re hitting this weekend.
Clairemont Brunch Options
Vinya: vino + vinyasa
Whether you want to pair your brunch with a yoga sesh–or not–Vinya has you covered. This eatery that doubles as a yoga studio serves up brunch all day on Sundays, and the menu includes a smattering of selections to please any appetite. A few options include:
- Tri-Tip Hash: served with herb-roasted potatoes, Brussels sprouts, red onion, chimichurri, and fried egg
- Green Eggs & Ham: pork belly, baby spinach, Brussels sprouts, scrambled eggs with pesto chimichurri, and a side of potatoes
- Crab Cakes: two housemade crab cakes, greens, and remoulade sauce
- Basque Cheesecake: choice of non-alcoholic fresh berry sauce or boozy Pedro Ximinez pour-overs
Bay Park Brunch Options
Bay Hill Tavern
Bay Park seems to have the market cornered on brunch spots in the area, and Bay Hill Tavern is one of the first places to come to mind for a delectable meal on a Saturday or Sunday. Bring your dog and sit outside at the picnic tables on the patio, or sit inside next to a huge open window that makes you feel like you’re outside. Either way, you’re in for a treat where brunch options include:
- Chicken & Waffle: fried chicken breast atop a Belgian waffle sprinkled with powdered sugar, alongside two slices of bacon, and served with maple syrup on the side
- Fun Guy Hash: mushroom medley, caramelized onions, fontina cheese, diced bacon, and potatoes, all topped with two eggs
- Monte Cristo: deep-fried ham and Swiss cheese sandwich on brioche bread, sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with a side of triple berry jam
Bay Hill serves brunch until 2 pm and has a full bar that serves seasonal cocktails and adult slushies. If you bring your pooch, check out the puppy menu.
Luce Bar & Kitchen
With a rustic open-air vibe, Luce’s is a perfect spot to enjoy brunch and a coastal breeze. Have a seat at the large bar, share a community table, or nab a table just for your own crew and savor Luce’s brunch menu that includes:
- Italian Breakfast Sandwich: prosciutto, asiago cheese, arugula, and scrambled eggs layered between a sliced cornetti (Italian croissant)
- Kimchi Fried Rice: house hoisin pork belly, kimchi, edamame, green onion, and carrots topped with two poached eggs, sweet corn fritters, and cilantro
- Breakfast Pizza: two free-range eggs, bacon, spinach, mozzarella, red sauce, and parmesan cheese
Brunch is served until 2 pm on weekends, and Luce’s has a full bar that serves up mimosas and bloody marys.
Offshore Tavern + Grill
If you like to combine watching sports with brunching on Saturdays or Sundays, Offshore Tavern fits the bill. Offshore has both indoor and outdoor seating options (on a covered patio), with a view across the freeway to Mission Bay Park. Brunch hours are from 11 am to 2 pm, and choices include:
- Cheese Steak Omelet: smoked tri-tip with jalapenos, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, and topped with pepper jack cheese
- Offshore Breakfast Burger: served with cheddar, fried egg, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, thousand island dressing, mayo, crispy onion straws, and a side of home fries, French fries, or tater tots
- Rafa’s Chilaquiles: two eggs, corn chips, red sauce, mixed cheeses, and sliced avocado, with an option to add carnitas, carne asada, or chicken
Fast Times
A local’s favorite, Fast Times serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 1 pm. A limited menu, but with classic choices, you’ll walk away with a full belly. Menu options include:
- The Classic: three pancakes served with two eggs and a side of bacon or sausage
- CLMT Breakfast Burro: a burrito filled with three eggs, sausage, cheese, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers
- Loco Moco: a burger patty served over rice and drizzled with brown gravy, plus two eggs
- Bottles of bubbly for $15
High Dive
Weekend brunch at the High Dive serves up casual vibes with a coastal view of Mission Bay. Sit inside and watch sports as you eat your grub, or soak up vitamin D on the patio while you sip your vitamin C. Wherever you sit, you’ll get to choose from menu options that include:
- S.O.S.: shaved ribeye covered in homemade black pepper gravy and topped with a sunny-side up egg on sourdough toast
- Moco Loco: half-pound Angus beef patty and a fried egg atop a bed of jasmine rice and covered with sauteed mushrooms and onions, and smothered with homemade black pepper gravy
- Acai Bowl: acai, blueberries, strawberries, granola, and drizzled with simple syrup
Saturday and Sunday brunch hours are from 9 am to 3 pm.
Kearny Mesa Brunch Options
Boujiemana
Boujiemana was named as one of the country’s best new restaurants of 2024 by Yelp reviewers. The restaurant brings an upscale flair usually reserved for Del Mar or La Jolla, both in decor and menu selections. Weekend brunch selections include both sweet and savory options, such as:
- Harisa Benedict: grilled steak, bloomsdale spinach, avocado, sourdough bread, harissa hollandaise, and served with a side of country potatoes (vegetarians can swap the steak for wild mushrooms)
- Market Quiche: spinach, tomato, summer squash, chevre and cheddar cheeses, spring onion, and a side of country potatoes or salad
- Lemon Ricotta Pancakes: topped with macerated blueberries, pumpkin seeds, orange, toasted coconut, and fennel pollen
- Full bar with multiple bubbly selections for mimosas
94th Aero Squadron
One of the area’s forerunners on the brunch scene, 94th Aero Squadron is still going strong after nearly 50 years. With a view of Montgomery Field Airport, this World War I French farmhouse replica serves brunch surrounded by military memorabilia. You’ll feel like you’ve taken a trip back in time as you nosh on eggs Benedict and sip champagne. 94th Aero Squadron is also one of the few restaurants that still offers a champagne brunch buffet. It includes a massive selection of options, including meats, seafood, eggs, pasta, salads, pancakes, pastries, desserts, and more.
Up to three glasses of champagne are included with the buffet, along with non-alcoholic beverages. Brunch is served from 9 am to 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Park Social
Nestled at the base of Vive on the Park apartment complex, you’ll find Park Social, a casual eatery with a sunny patio. Park Social serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 1 pm. The menu is minimal, but thoughtful and includes:
- Birria Eggs Benedict: crispy egg muffin with fresh mozzarella, pickled cabbage, and birria served with over-easy eggs, and topped with avocado creme, fried jalapenos, and pico de gallo
- Seoul Nourish Bowl: mixed grains with carrots, spinach, cucumber, red cabbage, lettuce, mushrooms, and gochujang sauce
- Vegetarians/vegans (or anyone) can substitute meat with Beyond Meat
- Bottomless mimosas
- Lavender Rose Bowl: rose wine, champagne, lavender syrup, and soda water
