Discover Dining: Top Ten Restaurants for Sunday Brunch

The very concept of brunch is a beautiful thing.

Whether you are dressed in your Sunday best or still dressed from Saturday night, there is something about a weekend breakfast at 1pm that seems, well, almost sacred. Throw in some traditional Mimosas, flowing Bloody Mary’s and a handful of loved ones, and it’s a perfect way to relax the mind and nourish the soul.

From the House of Blues Gospel Brunch to the DJ-spinning morning feast at Maryjane’s, the Firehouse rooftop scene and the sophisticated Champagne Brunch at the Westgate Hotel, San Diego restaurants offer brunches for all tastes.

Discover the top ten San Diego restaurants for Sunday brunch.

Le Fontainebleau, Westgate Plaza Hotel
Considered to be the place to brunch in San Diego, the Westgate's award-winning Champagne Sunday Brunch offers more than 50 gourmet items including prime roasts, fresh seafood, and made-to-order sushi against a backdrop of ice sculptures and custom bouquets. $42.00, Sunday 10 – 2pm, live entertainment and Champagne included. Reservations are recommended.

El Bizcocho, Rancho Bernardo Inn
This gourmet buffet includes endless Champagne, fresh orange juice and a Bloody Mary bar featuring Vodkas from around the world. 8 stations providing signature dishes by El Bizcocho’s award-winning chefs include stone crab claws and legs, assorted smoked fish, leg of lamb, Jamaican Jerk spiced meat, and a variety of salad and dessert choices. $39.95, 10 – 2pm.

Firehouse American Eatery + Lounge – Pacific Beach
Trust your Sunday afternoon to Firehouse and enjoy free valet parking, ocean views, and a generous menu full of affordable breakfast and lunch favorites. With a Bloody Mary in hand, recline on red chaise lounge chairs or join your friends on the top deck tables as you enjoy DJ beats and friendly industry faces. Recommended for brunch is Firehouse Pecan Crusted French Toast with anglaise dipped brioche bread covered in candied pecans, served with fresh berry syrup and your choice of eggs, sugar cured bacon and country sausage. (pictured)

Humphreys by the Bay – Shelter Island
Humphreys in Shelter Island has recently been remodeled and offers a new brunch menu including steamed mussels, lamb chops, custom desserts, an omelet station, pasta station, and carving station, all surrounded by a breathtaking view of the marina. Local jazz station, KIFM, sponsors live jazz entertainment. $39.95, 10 – 2pm, Champagne included.

Urban Mo's Bar & Grill– Hillcrest
Located in Hillcrest, this trendy diner offers an all-American brunch including country pork chops, classic omelets, home fries, and biscuits and gravy. Unlike other San Diego brunches, Urban Mo’s brunch changes every week to host Soul-food, BBQ/Picnic, Greek, Italian and Mexican-themed buffets. $19.95, 10 – 2pm, Champagne included.

Suite & Tender, Sé Hotel
Located inside the new chic Se San Diego Hotel, Suite & Tender offers brunch on Saturday from 8 – 2:30 pm. Bottomless Bellinis or Mimosas start at $14, and menu items include oyster shooters, breakfast pizzas, waffles, fruit trays and build-your-own Eggs Benedict. Menu selections and prices vary. (Suite & Tender is no longer serving brunch on Sunday)

House of Blues– Downtown
Praise the Lord and pass the biscuits! HOB’s Gospel Brunch features live gospel performances and a buffet of Cajun food good enough to make every sinner smile. Seating begins at 11am, tickets for adults are $40.00, children $18.50. Menu highlights include local fresh fruit, biscuits and sausage, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, cheese grits and much more. Tickets are available only through House of Blues San Diego Box Office.

Hash House A Go Go– Hillcrest
Executive Chef and owner Craig "Andy" Beardslee’s mission is to keep the fun in food while incorporating farm-fresh agriculture, live stock and old-school recipes. Brunch items include house hashes, sage fried chicken, griddled meatloaf and the infamous “O'Hare of the Dog,” which consists of a 24 oz. Budweiser, a side of bacon, and a sympathy smile from the kind staff. Brunch is Saturday and Sunday, 11 – 2:30pm.

Maryjane’s Coffee Shop, Hard Rock Hotel
Maryjane’s Sunday Brunch starts at 6:30am, and features a live DJ and a build-your-own-Bloody Mary bar. The menu offers traditional brunch staples such as omelets and flapjacks, but also serves up more hearty, “morning-after” food such as cheeseburgers, soft tacos and tuna melts. (pictured below)

Candelas on the Bay - Coronado
This Coronado Mexican restaurant offers a brunch including salsa omelets, chicken or beef mole, salmon in Pernod cream, Chile Rellenos and 5 different varieties of ceviche. $35, Sunday 11 – 4pm, champagne included.

More San Diego brunch favorites: Restaurant at The Pearl, Sneak Joint, Catamaran, Tom Ham’s Lighthouse, The Mission, Richard Walker’s Pancake House, La Valencia Hotel, Hotel Del Coronado, Candelas on the Bay

Insider Tip: Take your brunch aboard Hornblower’s Champagne Brunch Cruise – get all the bubbly details here!