Best Brunch/Breakfast in Hillcrest
Looking for the best brunch in San Diego? Check out our list of local hot spots for the best brunch or breakfast in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego. Hillcrest is a beautiful and buzzing neighborhood located just slightly North of downtown San Diego. If you’re looking for an activity after brunch what could be better than a San Diego tour to explore Hillcrest or some of our other favorite San Diego neighborhoods? Hillcrest is most popularly known as being a prideful LBGTQ+ community, hosting San Diego’s annual Pride parade each July. Home to plenty of restaurants, stores, even a weekly farmers market, Hillcrest is a vibrant area to live, shop, and eat! Secure your stretchy pants and call your friends’ ladies and gentlemen, because it’s brunchin’ time!
Snooze, An A.M. Eatery
Photo Courtesy of @snoozeameatery Instagram Account
Can never hit Snooze enough, that goes for the alarm and Snooze, An A.M. Eatery, of Hillcrest. Although there is usually a line, it is undoubtedly worth the wait! Their brunch menu is filled with lip licking items including their indulgent french toast and their fluffy eggs, everything is almost TOO good. We recommend going with a friend or a few and ordering a variety of different things and sharing so you can get a taste of multiple items. We usually order something sweet and something savory, the best of both worlds right?! For all the vegetarians out there: The smashed avocado eggs benedict with the hash browns is one of our favorite go-to brunch items. (YUM!)
Location: 3940 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Hours: Daily 6:30 am – 2:30 pm
Harley Gray Kitchen & Bar
Photo Courtesy of Harley Gray Facebook Account
Harley Gray Kitchen & Bar makes for the perfect place to go for a bite in Hillcrest. Breakfast is available weekdays but brunch is exclusive to the weekend, available Saturdays and Sundays at 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. If you are looking to turn your brunch up a notch, opt for the bottomless champagne deal, which you can enjoy for just $10 with the purchase of a brunch entree. The owner John Ealy, said their vision for the restaurant was a place that you could visit several times a week but have a different but equally terrific experience each time. That vision has truly been brought to life! Described best on their website, Harley Gray is a place to celebrate good times, and meet new friends and old!
Location: 902 W Washington Street, San Diego, CA 92103
Hours: Breakfast Monday – Friday 8:30 – 11:30 am and Brunch Saturday & Sunday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Hash House A Go Go
Photo Courtesy of @hashhouseagogo Instagram Account
Hash House A Go Go, or Hash House for short, is a super popular Hillcrest breakfast hotspot known for their “twisted farm food”. They started out in this modest Hillcrest location and now boast over 10 locations including multiple ones in Las Vegas, it’s no surprise they are well known, and for good reason. They do not take reservations and the line is always long. Insider Tip – if you use the Yelp app, you can reserve a place in line before you arrive! This place takes all your favorite classic breakfast flavors and creates the most delicious dishes. If you go, try the eggs benedict, one of our favorite dishes! The giant pancake is also great but we recommend that you share with a friend (we didn’t even make a dent in it)! All the portions for their brunch items are HUGE! If you are in the mood to get your grub on, “go go” to Hillcrest soon, you will never look at breakfast the same, in a good way!
Location: 3628 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 7:30 am – 2:00 pm and Sunday – Monday 7:30 am – 2:30 pm
Fig Tree Cafe
Photo Courtesy of @figtreecafesd Instagram Account
Fig Tree Cafe is an excellent choice for lazy Sunday brunch, as the service is slower and the atmosphere is much more relaxed than some of the other places we have listed. Fig Tree Cafe- Hillcrest, is just one of their three San Diego locations, the others residing in Pacific Beach and Liberty Station. The breakfast sushi is a popular choice, especially for first timers, as it often stands out on the menu as something different than the typical! We’ll admit, it is as yummy as it is quirky and includes bacon rolls stuffed with rice, eggs, scallions and fresh fruit baked with paprika and brown sugar and served with plum sauce on top! If you prefer sweet over savory, you can enjoy the apple cinnamon pancakes. The espresso martini is a must, paired with any entree, it is sure to start your morning off with a buzz!
Location: 416 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Hours: Serving Breakfast & Lunch Daily 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
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Better Buzz Coffee
Photo Courtesy of @betterbuzz Instagram Account
The Hillcrest Better Buzz is the cutest coffee shop in the neighborhood but is also known for their breakfast options. They have multiple locations around San Diego but the Hillcrest location is especially fantastic. This coffeetopia is two stories, making it great for company meetings, book clubs, bible studies, etc. Not to mention the coffee will rock your world. Without a doubt, if you have not tried their token Best Drink Ever better known as “BDE” you must give it a try! We recommend getting this drink iced, and with caramel to make it extra delicious! In addition to their delicious coffee, the Better Buzz food menu offers a daily selection of baked goods, hearty breakfast sandwiches, and refreshing acai bowls. We recommend the islander bowl, topped with coconut – it tastes like summer at the beach and is perfect for San Diego! It is true what they say, Life is Better Buzzed!
Location: 801 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Hours: Open Daily 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
Urban MO’s Bar & Grill
Photo Courtesy of Urban MOs Facebook Account
Urban MO’s Bar & Grill coined as “The Best Gay Bar In The World”, is located in the heart of San Diego’s LBGTQ+ community of Hillcrest. They are self-described as a colorful, fun place to have a great time where everyone is welcome! Urban MO’s is both a restaurant and bar that is said to be even more fun if you stay into the lively evening. Their Rosemary Brisket Hash & Eggs and the Stuffed French Toast are two of our favorites! This Hillcrest hotspot is home to events of all kinds including their current standout, DreamGirls Revue, the best Drag Show in town! Come for brunch and stay into the night, you never know where the day will take you!
Location: 308 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Hours: Monday-Sunday 9:00 am – 1:30 am
Have any favorite brunch spots in Hillcrest that didn’t make this list? Feel free to share your go-to Hillcrest brunch places in the comments below. We are always looking for the next best hotspot to share with our guests! We look forward to hosting you on a So Diego tour soon!
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