Best Brunch Spots in San Clemente

Once upon a time….I grew up on the beaches of San Clemente, California.  Though I don’t get back very often, I do have a handful of friends who still live there ~ & they gave me some good intel on all the “Best Brunch Spots in San Clemente!”  When I visited recently, we ate at popular Cafe Mimosa….but while we were waiting for our table, we strolled up & down Del Mar, & I couldn’t believe how many new, trendy restaurants there are now.  And tons of breakfast options.  Wayyy different than the days when I lived there, luckily for all brunch enthusiasts!

Fisherman’s Restaurant on the San Clemente pier has one of the best brunch views in town…Photo by Fisherman’s.

Map of San Clemente Brunch Spots

Get Ready for Your S.C. Adventure….

List of San Clemente Brunch Spots

Popular Cafe Mimosa: get here early! We waited about 45 minutes for a table..

Best San Clemente Brunch Spots ON Del Mar

1. Brussels Bistro = Popular Belgian Restaurant Serving WEEKEND Brunch ONLY.  Though they’re known more for lunch & dinner: they’ve also got a fun weekend brunch. And the good news is: you can wash down brunch with a cocktail, as they’ve got a FULL BAR. Brunch Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 9AM-10PM.
2. Cafe Mimosa = Very Popular, Cozy French Spot ~ Usually with a Wait!  Located on Del Mar across from the library, there’s almost always a wait here (as the restaurant is pretty small). Choose from over 10 mimosa flavors ~ including Raspberry, Peach, & Black Currant. Breakfasts include a Chorizo Scramble, Croque Madame, Eggs Benedict, & Egg White Frittata. Hours: 8AM-3PM DAILY.
3. The Cellar = Wine & Cheese Shop that “Secretly” Serves Brunch Tuesday-Friday.  When my friends & I were walking Del Mar, this was the “Surprise Breakfast Spot.” Food here is DELISH, & the space is cozy; more for adults than families. Their breakfast menu features a Savory Waffle, Avocado Toast, & Chilaquiles. And they’ve got a full bar ~ so grab a Margarita or French 75 with your food.  Brunch Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11AM-3PM; Saturday & Sunday, 10AM-3PM.
4. Chaupain Bakery = Cute Litle French Cafe with Amazing Pastries + Coffee. Grab & go pastries here ~ or have a sit-down breakfast, with options like Monte Cristos, Breakfast Burritos, a Sunrise Croissant Sandwich, or Omelettes. Full selection of coffees & espressos. Hours: 6:30AM-6PM DAILY.  
5. J’Adore Cafe = Casual SC Breakfast & Lunch Spot with Cute Outdoor Patio.  Another French spot, this one calls itself more “Healthy Fusion Cuisine,” for its fresh, locally-sourced fare. For breakfast, check out their Avocado & Prosciutto Toast, Croissant Omelette, or Breakfast Sandwich. Also try their organic coffee, or a smoothie filled with fresh, local fruits & veggies! Hours: 7AM-4:30PM DAILY.  

Photos of San Clemente Brunch Spots ~ on Del Mar

Brussels Bistro is a popular Belgian beer hall with a killer WEEKEND brunch only!

The bright entrance of Cafe Mimosa…

Chaupain Bakery is located right by Cafe Mimosa, & is known for their pastries. My friends & I grabbed coffee here while waiting for our table! Photo by Chaupain Bakery.

Cafe Calypso has been around since I was in high school…which is over 30 years!! Their cute courtyard was a staple growing up ~ but unfortunately they closed down in May 2023 due to increasing rent & other costs.

The Cellar is an upscale wine & cheese shop ~ BUT! They serve a DELICIOUS brunch Tuesday-Friday. Give it a try!! Photo by The Cellar.

J’Adore Cafe is a little more casual, & popular with locals for their fresh, locally-sourced food.

Where to Brunch in San Clemente, California

Though the bulk of SC’s brunch spots are concentrated on Del Mar ~ there are a handful of good spots located elsewhere around the city.  The best are listed below…

Best San Clemente Brunch Spots NOT on Del Mar

1. Antoine’s Cafe = Casual Cafe that’s Popular with Locals + FULL BAR ~ Located Right by Del Mar. Just around the corner from Del Mar, on El Camino Real, is red-awning’ed Antoine’s. Serving only breakfast & lunch, you can grab a simple Two-Egg Breakfast, Steak & Eggs, French Crepe, or an Eggs Benedict. More traditional fare here, plus you can have a Mimosa, Peach Bellini, Greyhound, or a Moscow Mule with brunch. Hours: 7AM-2:30PM DAILY.
2. Cafe Rae = Funky, Colorful Cafe on El Camino Real with Hearty Portions + Vegan Options….But NO Alcohol.  Try an Applewood-Smoked Ham Croissant, Tomato-Pesto Omelette, Pancakes, French Toast, or their Vegan Bowl. They don’t have a liquor license, so you can’t have a mimosa here unfortunately! Just fresh-squeezed OJ + coffee. Hours: 7AM-3PM; Weekends, 8AM-3PM. 
3. Fisherman’s Restaurant = The Only True OCEANVIEW Brunch Spot on the List.  Known more for lunch & dinner, they do serve breakfast here every day of the week! Try a Mexican Omelette, Seafood Omelette, Florentine Benedict, or Blueberry Pancakes. There’s a full bar here, so you can enjoy Mimosas or Bloody Mary’s with your breakfast… Breakfast Hours: 8AM-11AM DAILY.
4. Moulin = Popular French Cafe by North Beach with Cute Outdoor Patio.  Breakfast is served ALL DAY here ~ so if you’re near North Beach & in the mood: head to Moulin. Try their Granola, Le Croissandwich, a Vegetarian Omelette, or Quiche Lorraine. Lots of coffee drinks, fresh OJ + wine, beer, & bubbles from France!  Hours: 8AM-3PM DAILY.

Antoine’s isn’t technically ON Del Mar ~ but it’s just a few blocks away, on El Camino Real.

Cafe Rae is also found on El Camino Real ~ & has a funky vibe with hearty portions & vegetarian options.

Fisherman’s is one of the oldest restaurants in town, with a GREAT view ~ but may not serve the best brunch in town (say locals).

My friends & I walked from T-Street to North Beach, & brunched at cute French spot: Moulin, on their cute outdoor patio.

Best Brunch Spots in San Clemente

I hope you’ve enjoyed this quick breakfast tour of where I grew up!  For more restaurant info, read Restaurantji’s guide to dining in San Clemente.  And if you’re headed up to Newport Beach, check out some of the best brunch spots there too….

xoxo Noelia

Read Next: Guide to San Clemente, California Beaches

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