Sweet Start to the Day! The Best Dessert-Inspired Breakfasts in the City

Sugar & Scribe

Begin with the brioche French toast topped with homemade whipped cream and balsamic syrup. Or try the new Nutella nuts French toast with toasted almonds, whipped cream, Nutella and strawberry chocolate balls. Further, for little fingers, the French toast sticks go over big. On the other hand, if you opt for a traditional breakfast and want something sweet afterward, you’ll find a wide assortment of yummy mini-cupcakes to eat for dessert.

Cost: French toast, $14; Nutella nuts French toast, $17; French toast fingers, $8
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Sun., 7 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

7660 Fay Ave.
La Jolla, Ca
858-274-1733
Online: sugarandscribe.com

Snooze Eatery

Your sweet tooth takes off with the pancake flight. You can pick three different (yummy) pancakes. Plus, you can even sub-in French toast. Don’t miss Nana’s hot cocoa pancake with Mexican chocolate and marshmallow, or the famous pineapple upside down pancake with caramelized pineapple and homemade vanilla creme. More still, for half-pints, the kid’s menu offers French toast sticks, pancakes (and more!) with a side of fruit and hash browns.

Cost: pancakes, $8.75; pancake flight, $10.75; OMG! French toast, $11
Hours: daily, 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

3435 Del Mar Heights Rd.
San Diego, Ca
858-703-5300
Online: snoozeeatery.com

La Jolla Village
8861 Villa La Jolla Dr.
La Jolla, Ca
858-483-5556

3940 5th Ave.
San Diego, Ca
619-500-3344

Pacific Breeze Cafe

Fresh air, casual and sweet eats. Fido’s welcome too, at this outdoor breakfast spot with ocean views. For a sweet and savory waffle, try the Elvis: caramelized bananas, peanut butter syrup and bacon mixed on a freshly made waffle. Or another fave is the cinnamon brioche French toast. Also, there are breakfast burritos and egg sandwiches. A good morning pit stop to fuel up, then hit the beach or stroll through downtown Del Mar.

Cost: Elvis waffle, $11; cinnamon brioche French toast; $11; basic waffle, $9
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Del Mar Plaza
1555 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, Ca
858-509-9157
Online: pacific-breeze-cafe

Cafe Topes

The sweet ban-a-tella pancakes put you on cloud nine. The bananas are mixed in with the pancakes and then topped with a good dose of Nutella. Moreover, little tykes chow down the mouse-eared M & M pancakes and everyone loves the gigantic cinnamon rolls. Also, the crack n’ eggs with burgandy tri-tip steak and three eggs is perfect for those with a bigger appetite.

Cost: ban-a-tella pancakes, $11.25; crack n’ eggs, $15.25; cinnamon roll, $4
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

3091 Roosevelt St.
Carlsbad, Ca
760-434-8673
Online: eatatcafetopes.com

Crackheads

An easy to get to breakfast spot located in Liberty Public Market’s Mess Hall. Indeed, they make mouthwatering breakfast sandwiches on brioche buns from the local bakery, Bread and Cie. With an egg, applewood bacon and special sauce, they are yummy. Further fun for half-pints are the Pop Tart ice cream sandwiches (yep, breakfast) or make-your-own cereal bowl creation with your favorites mixed in one bowl.

Cost: Pop Tarts, $3; breakfast sandwich, $7 to $8; cereal creation, $5.50
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

2820 Historic Decatur Rd.
Point Loma, Ca
619-487-9364
Online: libertypublicmarket.com

Breakfast Republic

Little pancake eaters scarf down the Oreo cookie pancakes or banana split French toast. (Yep, it has bananas, ice cream and chocolate sauce.) On the other hand, the pineapple upside down pancake or s’mores French toast are tops too. Further, if you want to try a few different flavors you can order the flight of three pancakes (French toast too!) and sample everything!

Cost: pancakes, $7 to $11
Hours: daily, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Seven San Diego Locations: breakfastrepublicca.com

Fig Tree Cafe

You’ll fall in love with the Valentine French toast stuffed with white chocolate and raspberries. (The French toast also comes with a gluten-free option!) Another sweet choice is the banana fosters pancakes sprinkled with powdered sugar. Half-pints can order the kids pancake with fresh banana or strawberries. More still, there are tasty options for eggs, bacon, and omelets.

Cost: Valentine French toast, $12.95; banana pancakes, $10.95; kid’s pancakes, $4.95, add fruit, $2.50
Hours: Vary by location

Locations: Pacific Beach, Hillcrest and Liberty Station
Online: figtreeeatery.com

Beach Plum Kitchen

If you like a large order of pancakes then this is your morning eatery. Littles eat up the strawberry shortcake pancakes––and it’s good to know you can order just one. Also, if available, the banana nut pancakes and lemon ricotta are sweet and delicious. What’s more, there are plenty of healthy breakfast items on this menu too!

Cost: single pancake, $4.95; stack of pancakes, $10.95 to $11.95
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

6791 El Camino Real
Suite 201
Carlsbad, Ca
760-931-1362
Online: beachplumkitchen.com

Wow Wow Waffles

With a Volvo van tent and fire pit, this casual breakfast spot whips up delicious waffles in a fun setting. For example, little waffle eaters go for the chocolate infused waffle with berries on top and a glass of lemonade. Secondly, the hazel Nutella is a fave of many. You can find this little eatery tucked next to a laundromat in North Park.

Cost: one waffle, $4; chocolate lover waffle, $6
Hours: Wed.-Sun., 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed Mon. & Tues.

3519 30th St.
San Diego, Ca
619-806-0345
Online: wowwowsandiego.com

Mama Kats

Traditional comfort food with impressive sweet breakfast treats on this menu. If your crew likes pancakes, then the caramel apple pancakes topped with whipped creme hit the spot. Moreover, the supreme French toast made with cinnamon roll dough is a kid favorite too. Even though you’ll find this hot spot busy on the weekends, it’s a good family breakfast joint with a kid’s menu and attentive service.

Cost: caramel apple pancakes, $12; French toast, $12; kid’s breakfast, $4.50
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 6 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sun., 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

950 W. San Marcos Blvd.
760-591-4558
Online: mamakats.com

Country Waffles

You’ll grin like a possum after eating this country cookin’. First, the fresh waffles topped with strawberries and whipped cream or peanut butter and banana are sweet and delish. Secondly, try the Swedish crepes that are light and yummy. Also, there’s a kid’s menu with mouse ear pancakes topped with whipped cream, a half-order of French toast and many more choices.

Cost: peanut butter n’ banana pancakes, $8.95; strawberry pancakes, $8.95
Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Fri.-Sun., 6 a.m.-3 p.m.

303 H St.
Chula Vista, Ca
619-422-5462
Online: countrywaffles.com