Best Breakfast Spots in Orange County
Looking for a new breakfast spot? Forget the dry toast and breakfast bar and treat yourself to one of Orange County's premier breakfast restaurants for something new, something with a view or something that's named in honor of the Mother Lode. So, celebrate National Breakfast month with these top spots!
The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove
Crystal Cove State Park
15 Crystal Cove
Newport Coast, CA 92675
(949) 376-6900
www.thebeachcombercafe.com
The Beachcomber's location on the sand at historic Crystal Cove State Park and the bonus of good food means that scoring a table here on a weekend takes planning, luck or patience. Wake up with a Big Bad Bloody Mary – crab claw and shrimp included – or coffee and beignets. The menu is varied with south of the boarder items like steak chilaquiles and a turkey chorizo scramble or try traditional favorites eggs Benedict and omelets.
Old Vine Cafe
The Camp
2937 Bristol St A102
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 545-1411
www.oldvinecafe.com
Meander The Camp's winding walkways and you'll see the diners spilling out of Old Vine Cafe before you even see the name of the restaurant. This is a breakfast spot that implores you to try something new and out-of-the-box. You can always have a couple of eggs but why not taste a slow roasted goat shoulder or reuben omelet or rabbit mole? For those with a sweet tooth, caramel apple French toast and a caramelized banana pecan crepe are dessert on a breakfast plate. No reservations at breakfast.
The Original Pancake House
26951 Moulton Parkway
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 643-8591
www.originalpancakehouse.com
You always know you're going to get a solid breakfast with big portions at The Original Pancake House. Signature items include the huge apple pancake filled with caramelized apples, cinnamon and sugar and baked to a gooey perfection and the airy Dutch Baby served with lemon and powdered sugar. There's a long list of omelets and pancakes but many repeat customers come back for the thin, crispy-edged 49'er flap jacks named after the gold seekers who ventured to California in 1849 in search of fortune.
The Ramos House Cafe
31572 Los Rios Street
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 443-1342
www.ramoshouse.com
Tucked away in the Los Rios Historical District the converted house is home to one of Orange County's restaurant gems. Cross the train tracks in downtown San Juan Capistrano and you'll enter a neighborhood of eclectic shops and dining venues. The Ramos House Cafe uses fresh ingredients from local farms and while they always feature house favorites like apple cinnamon beignets there's always a seasonal dish or two on the menu. Drinks are served in jam jars and the outdoor covered patio feels more like a friend's house than a restaurant. The a al carte breakfast menu is served Tuesday-Friday and it's brunch-only on the weekends.
The Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar
San Clemente Pier
611 Avenida Victoria
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 498-6390
www.thefishermansrestaurant.com
The Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar is only open for breakfast on the weekends but it's worth a trip to San Clemente for a seat on the outdoor patio with ocean waves lapping beneath. Hear the train rumble past as you watch the surfers catching a wave and the fisherman on the pier. The menu is standard breakfast fare and the omelets can easily be split among two people. And forget the usual toast because breakfast comes with a basket of muffins. Arrive early to avoid a long wait.
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