14 California Breakfast Spots Everyone’s Raving About (For All The Right Reasons)
California’s breakfast scene is nothing short of legendary.
From fluffy pancakes dripping with maple syrup to avocado toast that’ll make your Instagram followers green with envy, the Golden State knows how to kick-start your day right.
I’ve spent countless mornings hunting down the best breakfast joints from San Diego to San Francisco, and let me tell you – my waistband has never been the same!
Ready to discover morning meals worth setting your alarm for?
1. The Griddle Cafe: Pancakes Bigger Than Your Head
My jaw literally dropped the first time a server walked past with a stack of The Griddle Cafe’s famous pancakes. These magnificent monsters barely fit on the plate! Located in Hollywood, this breakfast institution has been serving up pancakes the size of hubcaps since 1979.
The wait can stretch around the block on weekends, but trust me – it’s worth every minute. My personal favorite is the ‘Red Velvet’ pancakes, which taste like someone turned dessert into an acceptable breakfast food.
Pro tip: Unless you’ve got a hollow leg, split an order with a friend. I once foolishly attempted to finish the ‘Golden Ticket’ pancakes solo and had to be rolled out the door!
2. Sqirl: Toast That’s Worth The Hype
Remember when everyone lost their minds over fancy toast? Sqirl in Silver Lake started that craze, and honestly, I’m still not over it. Their signature ricotta toast with homemade jam has ruined regular toast for me forever.
Jessica Koslow’s tiny cafe might look unassuming, but don’t be fooled – this place revolutionized breakfast in LA. The sorrel pesto rice bowl with preserved meyer lemon and radish is another standout that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about breakfast.
Fair warning though: the line forms early, and the seating is limited. I once showed up at 10 AM on a Sunday and waited nearly an hour, silently plotting to steal bites from strangers’ plates because everything looked so darn good.
3. Tartine Bakery: Pastry Paradise In San Francisco
The smell alone is worth the trip to Tartine. Walking into this San Francisco institution hits you with a wave of butter, sugar, and happiness that should be bottled and sold as therapy. Their morning buns – orange-scented pastries rolled in cinnamon sugar – are the stuff of legend.
Founded by baking power couple Chad Robertson and Elisabeth Prueitt, Tartine has earned its reputation as pastry paradise. I still dream about their bread pudding with seasonal fruit, which somehow manages to be both custardy and crispy in all the right places.
Go early or prepare to wait! I made the rookie mistake of arriving at 10 AM once and had to stand in line so long I contemplated whether pastries were worth missing lunch for. (They were.)
4. The Original Pantry Cafe: LA’s 24-Hour Time Machine
Stepping into The Original Pantry Cafe is like traveling back to 1924 – which happens to be when this downtown LA landmark first opened its doors. They proudly display a sign reading “Never Closed, Never Without a Customer” and they mean it – they’ve been serving breakfast 24/7 since Calvin Coolidge was president!
The menu hasn’t changed much over the decades, and that’s exactly why locals love it. Massive plates of eggs, hash browns, and sourdough toast arrive lightning-fast from no-nonsense servers who’ve likely been there longer than you’ve been alive.
Former mayor Richard Riordan owns the place now, but the blue-collar charm remains intact. Cash only, no reservations, and portions that could feed a small army – just the way breakfast should be when you’re craving old-school comfort.
5. Jo’s Modern Diner: Retro Vibes With Contemporary Twists
The first time I slid into one of Jo’s cherry-red vinyl booths in Sacramento, I felt like I’d wandered onto a movie set. This place nails the 1950s aesthetic without feeling like a theme park – think chrome accents, checkered floors, and waitstaff who call you “hon” regardless of your age.
But Jo’s isn’t just playing dress-up. Their menu brilliantly updates diner classics for modern palates. The chicken and waffles come with a spicy maple drizzle that’ll wake you up faster than their excellent coffee, and their avocado benedict replaces English muffins with potato latkes.
My absolute favorite though? Their “Hangover Helper” skillet – a glorious mess of chorizo, potatoes, cheese, and eggs that’s saved my Sunday mornings more times than I care to admit.
6. Millbrae Pancake House: Peninsula’s Breakfast Institution
Family-owned since 1959, Millbrae Pancake House feels like breakfast at your favorite aunt’s place – if your aunt happened to make the fluffiest pancakes in Northern California. This Peninsula institution has fed generations of Bay Area families, including mine every time we visit relatives.
Their Swedish pancakes with lingonberry jam changed my life when I was eight years old, and three decades later, they still taste exactly the same. The place runs like a well-oiled machine – somehow they manage to serve hundreds of customers daily without losing their homey touch.
Beyond pancakes, their Denver omelette deserves special mention. Packed with ham, peppers, and onions, it’s served with a side of hospitality that’s increasingly rare these days. Come hungry – portions here could easily feed a lumberjack.
7. Konbi: Japanese-Inspired Breakfast Perfection
Hidden in LA’s Echo Park, Konbi looks more like an architect’s minimalist dream than a breakfast spot. But don’t let the austere aesthetics fool you – this tiny Japanese-inspired cafe serves some of the most photogenic (and delicious) morning fare in California.
Their egg salad sandwich became Instagram-famous for good reason. Cut precisely in half to reveal a perfect soft-boiled egg center, it’s a masterclass in simplicity and technique. The chocolate croissant rivals anything I’ve had in Paris, with layers so delicate they shatter upon first bite.
Seating is limited to just a handful of counter spots, creating an intimate experience where you can watch the chefs work their magic. I’ve literally scheduled business trips to LA just to squeeze in a breakfast visit to Konbi – it’s that good.
8. Blu Jam Cafe: Brunch Without Boundaries
Chef Kamil Majer escaped Communist Czechoslovakia and ended up creating one of LA’s most beloved breakfast empires. Thank goodness he did, because Blu Jam Cafe’s crunchy French toast – thick brioche rolled in cornflakes and topped with vanilla bean sauce – is nothing short of revolutionary.
With locations across LA, Blu Jam maintains quality while refusing to be pigeonholed by culinary traditions. Their breakfast pasta combines scrambled eggs, bacon, and parmesan with pasta for a morning dish that sounds weird but tastes like pure genius. The Mediterranean breakfast with hummus, feta, and olives proves breakfast doesn’t always need maple syrup.
Even on my hundredth visit, I still struggle to choose between sweet and savory. My solution? Bring a breakfast buddy and share everything – though fair warning, you might fight over the last bite of that French toast.
9. Nopa: San Francisco’s Late-Night Breakfast Haven
Technically, Nopa serves “dinner” until 1 AM, but their custard French toast has no business being this good regardless of the hour. This San Francisco hotspot became my salvation during a stint as a night owl journalist, when traditional breakfast hours just wouldn’t work with my schedule.
The restaurant’s soaring ceilings, open kitchen, and wood-fired oven create an atmosphere that feels special even in pajamas. Their organic wood-fired hamburger might not scream “breakfast,” but paired with a farm egg on top, it transforms into the perfect morning-after meal.
What really sets Nopa apart is their commitment to local ingredients. The seasonal fruit that accompanies their French toast changes regularly, reflecting Northern California’s agricultural bounty. Even their bacon comes from sustainably raised pigs within 100 miles of the restaurant.
10. Sidecar Doughnuts: Breakfast In A Doughnut Disguise
I’ve never been a morning person – until I discovered Sidecar Doughnuts. Now I willingly set my alarm for ungodly hours just to get these pillowy rings of perfection while they’re still warm. With locations in Costa Mesa, Santa Monica, and Torrance, they’ve turned doughnut-making into an art form.
Unlike chain doughnut shops, Sidecar makes small batches throughout the day. Their huckleberry doughnut – topped with tart glaze and fresh berries – tastes like summer vacation, while the maple bacon variety delivers the perfect sweet-savory balance.
My absolute favorite though is their eggs benedict doughnut, a savory creation that transforms breakfast into handheld form. Is a doughnut technically breakfast? When it’s this good, I don’t care what you call it – just give me another one before they sell out!
11. Beachcomber Cafe: Ocean Views With A Side Of Waffles
Perched on Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach, Beachcomber Cafe offers something no inland breakfast spot can match – the soundtrack of crashing waves with your coffee. Housed in a restored beach cottage from the 1920s, getting here requires a short hike down to the beach, which conveniently builds up your appetite.
Their crab cake benedict makes brilliant use of the coastal location, topping perfectly poached eggs with fresh-caught seafood. For sweet-toothed beach bums, the beignets dusted with powdered sugar arrive hot and pillowy, ready to be dipped in seasonal fruit compote.
I still remember my first visit during a particularly spectacular winter storm. Watching massive waves crash against the shore while cozied up with their signature bloody mary (garnished with bacon, naturally) ranks among my top California experiences ever.
12. Nick’s On Main: Silicon Valley’s Power Breakfast Spot
In the heart of Los Gatos, Nick’s on Main has become the unofficial boardroom for Silicon Valley’s tech elite. Don’t let the power suits fool you though – this place serves seriously good food without a hint of pretension.
Owner Nick Difu often works the room, greeting regulars by name and occasionally sending out special dishes not on the menu. Their lobster benedict has fueled countless startup pitches and acquisition deals, while the chicken and waffles provide the perfect balance of protein and carbs for coding marathons.
What I love most about Nick’s is how they elevate breakfast classics without making them unrecognizable. Their oatmeal, for instance, comes topped with brûléed bananas and brown sugar – simple but transformative. Just be prepared to overhear conversations about Series A funding or IPO strategies at neighboring tables.
13. Toasted Gastrobrunch: Where Breakfast Gets Boozy
The moment I spotted “breakfast nachos” on Toasted Gastrobrunch’s menu, I knew we were going to be friends. This Huntington Beach hotspot takes morning meals to new heights with creative dishes that pair perfectly with their extensive morning cocktail selection.
Those aforementioned breakfast nachos substitute tortilla chips with crispy wonton wrappers, topped with scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon, and chipotle hollandaise. It’s breakfast disguised as bar food, and it works brilliantly after a few sips of their Sriracha Bloody Mary.
The restaurant’s bright, airy space fills quickly on weekends with beach-goers fueling up before hitting the waves. Their churro waffle – a cinnamon-sugar crusted creation served with dulce de leche – has cured more hangovers than I care to admit. Who says breakfast can’t be the most fun meal of the day?
14. Foxy’s Restaurant: Valley Institution Since 1964
Walking into Foxy’s in Glendale feels like stepping into a time capsule – in the absolute best way possible. This A-frame restaurant with its distinctive red roof has been serving the San Fernando Valley since the Beatles first toured America, and little has changed since then.
The massive breakfast burritos could feed a family of four, stuffed with eggs, potatoes, cheese, and your choice of meat. Old-school waitresses – some who’ve worked here for decades – keep coffee cups perpetually full while bantering with regulars who’ve been coming since childhood.
My parents had their first date at Foxy’s in 1979, and now I bring my own kids here for chocolate chip pancakes. There’s something magical about watching my daughter dig into the exact same breakfast my mom ordered for me thirty years ago – some traditions are worth preserving.