Top Five Brunch Spots in San Diego

A good weekend brunch is practically a necessity if you’re a downtown visitor or resident that is looking to cure your hangover from your late-night festivities in the Gaslamp.

As a downtown resident for over three years, I’ve had my fair share of weekend brunches. Whether you’re looking for a healthier meal or something to soak up the many martinis, here are my favorite spots for a solid San Diego brunch:

Café 222: If you haven’t been to Café 222, prepare yourself to be blown away. The self-proclaimed foodie in me cannot get enough of this place. The menu features everything from egg scrambles to stuffed French toast all prepared with a special flair. My pick is the Eggs Italia, which features two of my all-time favorite ingredients: goat cheese and pesto. Make sure to try the Peanut Butter and Banana French Toast too, just so you can see why Bobby Flay raved about it.

Searsucker: Not only is Searsucker a great social spot to hang while you’re downtown, Brian Malarkey never fails when it comes to food. Enjoy original brunch dishes such as the Lobster, Chorizo and Machego cheese egg scramble and the McPuffin the Morning, a giant cheddar puffer with sausage, gruyere, cheese and oven roasted tomatoes.  And best of all, you can enjoy bottomless mimosas for only $15. Now that sounds like a deal to me.

Barleymash: Who would’ve thought a bar can do breakfast? Make sure you’re in the mood to eat when you stroll through the Barleymash doors, because the chefs in the kitchen are ready to serve it. Known for their hearty Barleyhash, you’ll need another stomach to help you finish this packed plate of potatoes, fried eggs and abundant toppings. But don’t worry, once you get to work on the Bloody Mary bar, you just might be ready to take down round two.

Analog: Hang out with the downtown crowd and enjoy some good eats (and beats) at Analog’s Sunday Brunch.  The menu ranges from Chorizo and Eggs to the 801 Salad and a mouth-watering build-your-own Mac n Cheese option. For $25, you can sip on bottomless mimosas and take down some grub while listening to sets from San Diego’s local DJs.

Zanzibar:  Last but not least, Zanzibar is typically my go-to for brunch any day of the week. The menu is filled with both light and hearty options to please any palate. Check out the Cowboy Eggs with mushrooms, spinach, tomato, cheddar cheese and herb potatoes, or the Southwestern Omelet with avocado, tomato, cilantro, onions, black beans, flour tortillas and house made salsa.

What’s your favorite spot for downtown brunch? Leave a comment and share with us below! Happy brunching!