One of the best things about Del Mar is that it’s brunch season all year long. No matter the month, you can grab a table and dine al fresco while enjoying fresh California cuisine and a mimosa (or two) at one of the award-winning restaurants at the Del Mar Plaza.
Whether you’re a local, coming up from San Diego for the day, or visiting from way out of town, brunch in Del Mar is the perfect way to spend a weekend morning. Relax and enjoy your meal while taking in gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. Once you’re done eating, you can take a leisurely stroll down to the beach or spend your day shopping around town.
No matter what you feel like brunching on, gather your friends and head to one of these six fabulous restaurants at the Del Mar Plaza this weekend.
Pacifica Del Mar
Snag a table at Pacifica Del Mar and you can enjoy your brunch favorites along with an ocean view. If you stop by between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., you can order off the restaurant’s brunch menu of eggs benedict, sugar spiced salmon hash, homemade lox and bagel, buttermilk pancakes, a variety of omelets, and other items. Pacifica also has an extensive wine list, more than 100 vodkas, and an impressive cocktail list, so the beverage you choose to start the day with might just be your favorite part of brunch.
Pacifica Breeze Café
Pacifica Breeze Café doesn’t have brunch per se, but it is a Del Mar favorite for both breakfast and lunch. The popular spot overlooks the Pacific Ocean and the charming Village of Old Del Mar. From 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on the weekends, you can order off their breakfast menu, which includes the Del Mar Power Scramble, eggs benedict, shrimp and grits, cinnamon brioche French toast, and lighter items like an acai bowl or avocado toast. If you make it in a little later in the day, you can order from their substantial lunch menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches—all served from 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Il Fornaio & Enoteca del Fornaio
There’s plenty of outdoor space at Il Fornaio and Enoteca del Fornaio, so there’s plenty of opportunity to soak up the Southern California sun. And even with a space inside, you’ll still have ocean views, so you can’t go wrong with any table. On the weekends, the restaurants open at 11 a.m., which means your morning can start off a little later if you’re someone who prefers to sleep in on the weekends.
You can expect your favorite brunch dishes with a little Italian flair; menu items include, Frittelle Allo Sciroppo D’Acero (pancakes with butter and syrup), Uova Alla Benedettina (ham, poached eggs, filone bread and Parmesan sauce), Frittata Con Gamberi E Spinaci (omelet with shrimp, spinach, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese), and even Pizza Papalina (pizza topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, onions, crispy potatoes, ham, and scrambled eggs). Of course, you can order a mimosa, or try something new, like a Leonardo (prosecco and strawberry juice) or Bellini (prosecco and peach juice).
Del Mar Rendezvous
If you prefer the lunch part of brunch much more than breakfast, then you can skip brunch altogether and visit Del Mar Rendezvous. On Saturdays, the restaurant opens at 11:30 a.m. and serves lunch until 2:30 p.m., so you can grab an early lunch to satisfy your Chinese food cravings.
Shimbashi Izakaya
While Shimbashi Izakaya doesn’t have a brunch menu, the Japanese tapas and sake bar does have a lunch menu to appease your taste buds. Many of their menu items are similar to what the restaurant serves at dinner, but you can also choose to customize their Shimbashi 2-Layer Bento Box and try a little of everything.
The Del Mar Plaza should be your first stop on weekend mornings for brunch, but we also have so much more to offer than just brunch. Visit us online to find out more about our restaurants, shops, and services.