Savvy Picks
Brunch and breakfast
Fifteen South Coast places to sit down for breakfast that locals send friends to, from crab cake benedicts at Hendry's Beach to a gluten-free French toast downtown, with what to order and when breakfast ends.
- 15 picks
- 22 locations
- 5 towns
- Updated November 4, 2026
Most of these close by 2 or 3, and a few stop serving breakfast well before that. Here are fifteen, in order of how often they were recommended, each checked against its own menu. The breakfast burritos have their own guide.
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Cajun Kitchen
Shrimp and grits, three locations.
A Cajun-leaning breakfast and lunch spot with three South Coast locations, open daily 7 to 2.
OrderShrimp and andouille grits topped with two eggs, or the chicken fried steak. Get the beignets for the table.
TipThe crab cake benedict is weekends only. Online orders are pickup only.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on cajunkitchencafe.com (opens in a new tab)
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Scarlett Begonia
Lemon ricotta pancakes downtown.
A downtown breakfast and brunch room open 9 to 2 every day, with a weekend special menu.
OrderLemon ricotta pancakes with blueberry compote, or shrimp and grits with poached eggs and andouille.
TipBook through SevenRooms. Cards carry a 3% fee, there are no split checks, and parties of six or more get 20% gratuity added.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on scarlettbegonia.net (opens in a new tab)
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Jeannine's
Banana French toast, three locations.
A bakery-restaurant with three breakfast rooms, including At the Shore on lower State by the beach.
OrderBanana French toast on challah with Kahlua bananas ($18), or the tri-tip benedict ($21).
TipNo reservations; first come, first served. Open daily from 7:30. The uptown State Street shop is cake pickup only.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on jeannines.com (opens in a new tab)
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Chad's Cafe
Mimosa flights and half-price drinks.
A breakfast and lunch cafe on Cabrillo across from the waterfront, open daily 7 to 2:30.
OrderFrench toast bites ($8) to start, then the corned beef hash benedict ($25). A mimosa flight is $19.
TipDrinks are half off from 7 to 8:30 and again from 1 to 2:30.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on chadscafe.com (opens in a new tab)
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Boathouse at Hendry's Beach
Crab cake benedict on the sand.
Breakfast right on Arroyo Burro Beach, served from 7:30 until 12:30.
OrderThe Signature Breakfast, crab cakes under poached eggs with chipotle hollandaise ($25.95), or the lobster and shrimp omelette ($26.95).
TipBreakfast ends at 12:30, so go early on weekends.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on boathousesb.com (opens in a new tab)
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Farmer Boy
Chicken fried steak and a waitlist.
An upper State Street diner open daily 7 to 2, with breakfast all day.
OrderChicken fried steak with sausage gravy ($17.95), or the chicken-fried biscuit sliders ($13.95).
TipWhen it's busy, join the online waitlist linked from its site before you go.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on farmerboy.com (opens in a new tab)
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Renaud's Patisserie & Bistro
A French bistro brunch, until 2:30.
A French bakery with three bistros serving brunch daily from 7 to 2:30.
OrderThe croque madame ($18.90) or brioche French toast with Canadian maple syrup ($15.90).
TipEggs Royale swaps the ham for smoked salmon. Prices may differ slightly between bistros.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on renaudsbistro.com (opens in a new tab)
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Crushcakes & Cafe
Red velvet pancakes.
A cupcake bakery that serves breakfast and lunch daily from 7:30, with chalkboard specials.
OrderRed velvet pancakes with its sour cream frosting ($16.95), or the chilaquiles if they're on the chalkboard ($15.95).
TipIts site says the in-store menu and online ordering have the current prices. Order pickup online.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on crushcakes.com (opens in a new tab)
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Rose Cafe
Huevos machaca on the Mesa.
A Mexican cafe on the Mesa with a long breakfast menu, now its only location.
OrderHuevos machaca, tri-tip scrambled with eggs, or the chilaquiles.
TipBreakfast ends at 11 on weekdays and noon on weekends. Its site suggests booking a table ahead.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on sbrosecafe.com (opens in a new tab)
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Mesa Cafe & Bar
Chile verde chilaquiles since 1984.
A family-owned Mesa cafe with a patio and a full bar.
OrderChile verde chilaquiles with two eggs ($20), or the crab benedict, its best seller ($23).
TipThe house corned beef hash is one of its most popular dishes ($19). Its site lists more than one set of hours, so call ahead in the afternoon.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on mesacafesb.com (opens in a new tab)
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The Worker Bee Cafe
House corned beef hash in Carp.
A Carpinteria breakfast counter open 8 to 1:30, closed Tuesdays.
OrderThe house-made corned beef hash, or biscuits and gravy topped with meat and two eggs.
TipIt doesn't do substitutions or split checks, and sharing a plate costs $2. Gluten-free bread, pancakes and French toast are available.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on theworkerbeecafe.com (opens in a new tab)
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Cody's Cafe
Benedicts and a dog-friendly patio.
A breakfast and lunch cafe open daily 7 to 3, with a patio where dogs are welcome.
OrderFairfax Eggs Benedict, smoked salmon and cream cheese on a bagel ($20.45), or Javier's French Toast ($16.95).
TipCraft beer and wine at the bar.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on codyscafesb.com (opens in a new tab)
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Convivo
Weekend brunch across from East Beach.
An Italian restaurant in the Santa Barbara Inn with weekend brunch from 10 to 2.
OrderSteak and eggs with chimichurri ($32), or eggs in purgatorio with tomato and harissa ($17).
TipBook on OpenTable. Weekday mornings have a lighter breakfast menu.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on convivorestaurant.com (opens in a new tab)
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Lilac Pâtisserie
Everything gluten-free.
A fully gluten-free kitchen downtown, serving breakfast all day from 8 to 3.
OrderBrioche French toast with berries ($21), or the Royale benedict with local smoked salmon ($23).
TipMimosas are $14. The Belgian waffle takes 10 extra minutes.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on lilacpatisserie.com (opens in a new tab)
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Summerland Beach Cafe
A porch breakfast since 1981.
Locally owned since 1981, in a Victorian-era house a block from the beach, with a front porch and back patio.
OrderCrabby Bills Benedict, two Maryland crab cakes ($20.95), or Two, Two and Two: eggs, bacon and French toast ($15.95).
TipOpen until 3 on weekends. Dogs welcome.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on summerlandbeachcafe.com (opens in a new tab)
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