Whether you’re planning to hike a state park, hit the beach or shop at local boutiques, kick off your 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.
Best Brunch Spots & Breakfast Spots in Monterey
Trying to please a palate craving both breakfast and lunch? Lucky for you we have rounded up some of the best breakfast and brunch places around Monterey County serving up quite possibly the best meal of the day. Please note that some of these menus are only available on certain days of the week.
Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Monterey
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 offered at $75 per person, with available enhancements including their seafood tower. Their brunch hours are Sunday's 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, Home-made Cinnamon Rolls and Coastal Omelet that 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 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily and lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Complimentary valet parking for up to 2 hours with validation.
Turn 12 Bar & Grill | Monterey
Jump start your morning at racing-themed restaurant Turn 12 Bar & Grill in downtown Monterey. On weekends starting at 10 a.m. you can order off of their brunch menu with tantalizing items like a breakfast pizza, coconut pancakes and bacon stuffed waffle.
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 places in the county and boasts two locations–Monterey and Seaside. Stop in for a light breakfast, like a ham and cheese croissant and an espresso or grab a quiche to go on your way to tour local wineries.
If you miss breakfast, you can also pop in for a delicious lunchtime sandwich and soup. To see their hours of operations learn more here.
First Awakenings | Monterey and Salinas
First Awakenings has locations in both Monterey and Salinas. The fare ranges from Mexican-inspired dishes like Huevos Rancheros and the Viva Carnitas Scramble to crepe-style egg dishes and gourmet pancakes. To drink, try out one of their freshly squeezed juices from orange, grapefruit, unfiltered organic apple and cranberry. First Awakenings is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at both locations.
Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Salinas
201 Main | Salinas
Giorgio's 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 + waffles and pozole.
El Charrito | Salinas and Monterey (Marina coming soon)
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. To view each location's hours of operation, learn more here.
Karnaval Café | Salinas
Karnaval Café is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and serves a variety of creative drinks and delicious bites in a vibrant atmosphere. From iced coffee, matcha, chilaquiles, waffles, bagels and breakfast burritos, there are plenty of items for everyone to enjoy.
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 such as agua frescas and fresh juice. Don't forget to take some dessert home! They are open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Carmel & Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel Bakery | Carmel-by-the-Sea and 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 plenty of history 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.
Stationæry | Carmel-by-the-Sea
Stationæry offers 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.
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.
Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Marina
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.
Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Seaside
Googie Grill | Seaside
Googie Grill takes the most important meal of the day seriously! The cozy diner across from the Embassy Suites in Seaside serves breakfast every day starting at 8 am.
It will be hard to choose between their sweet brioche French toast served with caramelized bananas, 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 featuring Ad Astra bread and 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 Filipino and Pacific Islander influences. 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.
Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Pacific Grove
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 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 with everything from chicken fried steak and omelets to pancakes.
Breakfast & Brunch Spots in BiG Sur
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.
Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Pebble Beach
Gallery Cafe | Pebble Beach
Gallery Cafe is located at The Lodge at Pebble Beach and is perfect for early risers. Start your meal with a smoothie that contains 24 grams of whey protein, Organic Peerless Cold Brew Coffee or a Grapefruit Mint Mimosa! Breakfast favorites are served as well such as omelets, avocado toast and cinnamon swirl pancakes.