Every great day out in La Jolla starts at a cafe, and La Jollans are spoiled with so many great options, giving you the perfect base to launch your day exploring or even just to go home for a post-brunch nap–wherever the wind blows you! To help you plan your visit, we’ve rounded up 5 of our favorite cafes in La Jolla that hit the mark and bring you a unique experience. Enjoy!
The Top 5 Cafes in La Jolla
1) Parakeet Cafe
927 Silverado St, La Jolla, CA 92037
Open daily 6:30am-7:00pm
Known for: Options for all diet lifestyles, fancy latte art, fun garnishments, stunning colorful presentation, and trendy tropical decor.
If you’re looking for healthy food that’s seriously delicious, Parakeet Cafe has you covered, and it’ll be some of the most beautiful food you’ve seen in a while. Parakeet welcomes “the health conscious, non-dieters, vegans, vegetarian, paleo, keto, and gluten-free eaters.” How’s that for inclusiveness?
Parakeet makes their food with high-quality ingredients, mainly sourced from local farms. The space is smaller, but they make it work, and you can expect it to be busy, especially on weekends. So go early or with enough time to wait for a table. They also have dog-friendly patio seating.
Try the golden goddess salad, wellness latte, parakeet bowl, or salmon burger. See their full menu here, and good luck deciding what to get because it’s all fantastic.
2) Sugar and Scribe
7660 Fay Ave La Jolla, CA 92037
Open daily 7:00am-2:30pm
Known for: Specialty coffee, traditional Irish breakfasts, lunch, baked bread, pastries, and beautiful cakes–everything from scratch.
Voted 2019 Chef of the Year by the California Restaurant Association and a Food Network Champion, it’s clear that Chef Maeve pours her soul into her food, and lucky for us, she and Sugar & Scribe set up shop in La Jolla.
Taking inspiration from classic brunch and bakeries from around the world while also bringing a piece of her Irish heritage with Irish favorites from her Granny Kate’s recipe book, it’s an exceptional experience.
Chef Maeve believes “breakfast is not just breakfast. It should be the culinary explosion that starts your day!.” Agreed! The space inside is beautiful and bright. Enjoy brunch on the upper level, then shop for fresh packaged goodies to enjoy later. There’s also ample patio seating to enjoy.
Try the mimosa flight, lemon curd pancakes, the full Irish breakfast, Irish cast iron quiche, or the La Jolla avocado toast. See the full menu here.
3) Pinpoint Cafe
8755 Biological Grade San Diego, CA 92037
Open Monday-Friday 7:30am-3:00pm, Closed Saturday-Sunday
Known for: Treehouse vibes with gorgeous ocean views and plentiful deck seating, acai bowls, coffee ice cubes, and salmon and avocado toast.
Pinpoint Cafe was founded by two sisters with a passion for coffee, and they’ve chosen the three words “experience, connection, and community” to represent what matters to them.
Together they’ve created a place you can go for a quick coffee and bagel, but also a space to hang out, relax and enjoy the views. Parking is notoriously tricky as it shares the area with the UCSD campus and students, so be patient.
Try the Mexican mocha, smoked salmon toast, avocado and seeds toast, nut butter & jam, or acai bowl. See the full menu here.
4) Caroline’s Seaside Cafe by Guiseppe
8610 Charles F Kennel Way La Jolla, CA 92037
Open daily 8:00am-3:00pm
Known for: Seaside dining with perfect ocean views, spacious patio, vast breakfast and lunch options with classic and simple favorites.
Owner and Chef Guiseppe Ciuffa, with his team at Caroline’s, invites you for breakfast and lunch in front of the pacific ocean. Their motto is “simple, fresh, and natural,” demonstrated by their commitment to using the freshest, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. This place has the ultimate California vibe and is fun to eat, drink, and gather to watch beachgoers and surfers soaking it all in below.
It’s not surprising that you can expect a wait, especially on weekends. Parking can also be difficult, so it’s a great option and worth it if you have the time.
Try the Mediterranean egg scramble, white albacore tuna melt, pan-roasted salmon salad, or the vegan butternut squash panini. See the full menu here.
5. Brick & Bell Cafe
928 Silverado St La Jolla, CA 92037
Open daily 5:30am-4:00pm
Known for: Specialty coffee, delicious scones, sandwiches, homey neighborhood vibes.
Brick & Bell wants to ensure your day starts on a tasty note with its specialty coffee bar, fresh scones, baked goods, and hearty sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. Plus, there’s something aesthetically pleasing about a brick building that draws you in with its classic charm that you can enjoy from its front patio seating.
Try the sunrise sandwich, lox & bagel, turkey & avocado, California veggie club, spinach & feta cheese salad, soup of the day, and the ham & cheese croissant.
Street parking is available and may require some extra time to snag a spot.
Spending the day in La Jolla?
After a bite at one of the top cafes in La Jolla, why not stick around to enjoy the town? Check out our list of over 30 activities you can enjoy in La Jolla.
