Whether you’re planning to hike a state park, hit the beach or shop at local boutiques, kick off an adventurous day in Monterey with a delicious meal! From coastal hideaways to quaint downtown gems, our early-morning restaurants, bakeries and cafes will satisfy your taste buds and set the stage for memorable exploration in our exciting region. *Please note some brunch menus are only available on select days and times.
Coastal kitchen | Monterey
Check out Sunday brunch at Coastal Kitchen at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa! They offer a three-course prix fixe menu with free-flowing sparkling wine for $75 per person, along with available enhancements, including their seafood tower. Their brunch hours are Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Estéban Restaurant | Monterey
Estéban Restaurant in Monterey invites you to savor the freshest weekend brunch offerings every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nestled beside the Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa, guests can choose from cozy indoor seating or the newly renovated outdoor patio. Noteworthy dishes include Wagyu Bavette and Eggs, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, and Coastal Omelet, which features crab, chimichurri, avocados, tomatoes, and more. Enhance your brunch experience with classic beverages and signature cocktails, including bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Marias.
Schooners Monterey | Monterey
Enjoy breakfast with a view at Schooners Monterey. Located at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, Schooners Monterey offers a variety of breakfast favorites with a focus on carefully sourced seafood. Try the Classic Eggs Benedict with your choice of adding the famous grilled Castroville artichoke or the Monterey Seafood Omelet. Breakfast is served daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Enjoy complimentary valet parking for up to 2 hours with validation.
Turn 12 Bar & Grill | Monterey
Jump start your morning at the racing-themed restaurant Turn 12 Bar & Grill in downtown Monterey. On weekends, starting at 10 a.m., you can order from their brunch menu, featuring tantalizing items like breakfast pizza, coconut pancakes, and bacon-stuffed waffles. Don't forget to wash it all down with a mimosa, bellini and/or meat lover's bloody Mary!
Paris Bakery Cafe | Monterey and Seaside
This pastry-forward cafe is one of the most beloved breakfast spots in the county and boasts two locations – Monterey and Seaside. Stop in for a light breakfast, such as a ham and cheese croissant and an espresso or grab a quiche to go on your way to tour local wineries.
First Awakenings | Monterey and Salinas
First Awakenings has locations in both Monterey and Salinas. The fare ranges from Mexican-inspired dishes, such as Huevos Rancheros and the Viva Carnitas Scramble, to crepe-style egg dishes and gourmet pancakes. To drink, try one of their freshly squeezed juices, made from organic oranges, grapefruit, apples, and cranberries. First Awakenings is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at both locations.
201 Main | Salinas
Giorgio's, located at 201 Main in Salinas, is the place to be on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Their extensive brunch buffet offers an array of delights, including stations for sope, omelets, chicken and waffles, and pozole.
El Charrito | Salinas, Monterey, Marina
Visit El Charrito's first location, established in 1981 (which was originally a small grocery store), to enjoy craft breakfast burritos on delicious hand-stretched four tortillas.
La plaza bakery | Salinas, Gonzales, Soledad, King City, Greenfield
Visit one of La Plaza Bakery's locations to enjoy traditional Mexican dishes including tortas, tacos, burritos and more. La Plaza Bakery offers a variety of drinks, including agua frescas and fresh juices. Don't forget to take some dessert home!
Carmel Bakery | Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey
Of all the breakfast places in Carmel-by-the-Sea, the Carmel Bakery is the most well-known. Established in 1899, it holds the title of “oldest bakery in California”. It offers delicious food and provides a wealth of historical lessons while you dine.
Today, the bakery is known for its homemade soft pretzels, tasty breakfast burritos and, reportedly, the best coffee in town. Whether you have time for a full breakfast meal or just a casual bite, this spot is well worth the visit. Carmel-by-the-Sea's location is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monterey's location in the Portola Hotel & Spa is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
StationAEry | Carmel-by-the-Sea
Stationaery offers a daily brunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This cozy establishment serves up brunch and dinner, complemented by specialty coffee and a selection of natural wines. Don’t miss the chance to savor their Caviar & Chips or indulge in the savory delight of their potato pancake.
Terry's Lounge | Carmel-by-the-Sea
Dine at legendary actress Dorris Day's Terry's Lounge at the Cypress Inn for Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with live laid-back jazz from the Andrea Carter Trio.
Restaurant at Mission Ranch | Carmel
Sunday Brunch at the Restaurant at Mission Ranch in Carmel is a weekly event not to be missed! The full brunch buffet is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters with a wide range of offerings including a build-your-own-omelet station, prime rib, a variety of salads and a dessert table with over a dozen sweet treats. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette | Marina
New to the brunch scene is Salt Wood Kitchen and Oysterette in Marina. Located at the Sanctuary Beach Resort, this scrumptious weekend brunch menu is available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and features seasonal oysters, various egg selections, shrimp + grits and much more.
Googie Grill | Seaside
Googie Grill takes the most important meal of the day seriously! The cozy diner located across from the Embassy Suites in Seaside serves breakfast daily, starting at 8 am. It will be hard to choose between their sweet brioche French toast, served with caramelized bananas, their savory country-fried steak and eggs, and their Ranchero Benedict.
Other Brother Beer | Seaside
Other Brother Beer in Seaside offers a weekend brunch service courtesy of their Pastry Chef. Their offerings include breakfast sandwiches made with Ad Astra bread, as well as chicken and waffles. It’s an ideal spot for gathering with friends and family, complemented by boozy drink specials like mimosas and craft beer. Weekend brunch is served from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Butter House | Seaside
The Butter House in Seaside offers a culinary blend of American classics with influences from Filipino and Pacific Islander cuisine. Its menu showcases specialties like loco moco and a range of creative comfort foods with a unique twist, from pork belly fried rice to Filipino breakfast, benedicts and chicken and waffles. The cafe's modern and welcoming ambiance invites diners to experience a distinctive twist on traditional favorites.
Toasties Cafe | Pacific Grove
Located in the heart of Pacific Grove, Toasties Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch, offering traditional favorites such as benedicts, omelets, waffles and pancakes.
The grill at Point Pinos | Monterey
Overlook the scenic Pacific Grove Golf Links while dining on hearty breakfast dishes at The Grill at Point Pinos. Brunch is offered daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is prepared with the freshest and most sustainable ingredients, featuring a variety of options, including chicken fried steak, omelets, and pancakes.
Big Sur River Inn Restaurant | Big Sur
Kickstart your morning at the Big Sur River Inn Restaurant with hearty home-cooked dishes like huevos rancheros, banana walnut pancakes and a redwood camp omelet.
Want to drink your brunch instead? Order one of their famous Bloody Marys and lounge in an Adirondack chair in the Big Sur River.
Gallery Cafe | Pebble Beach
Gallery Cafe, located at The Lodge at Pebble Beach, is perfect for early risers. Start your meal with a smoothie containing 24 grams of whey protein, Organic Peerless Cold Brew Coffee, or a Grapefruit Mint Mimosa! Breakfast favorites are also served, including omelets, avocado toast, and cinnamon swirl pancakes.
