Looking for the best brunch in Southern California? Come to Costa Mesa. Brunch here isn’t just a meal—it’s an art form. Costa Mesa’s brunch spots deliver if you need protein after a morning surf, a hangover cure, or just some gossip with your avocado toast. From farm-to-table favorites to authentic Mexican brunch and elevated comfort food, here’s our top picks to satisfy your cravings. Grab your foodie crew and dig in!

Nestled between Los Angeles and San Diego, Costa Mesa is just a quick drive away for most SoCal locals. But if you need to fly in for your foodie fix, here’s a pro tip: skip the stress of LAX and land at John Wayne Airport (SNA) instead.

Global Flavors, Local Love

The fresh, foraged flavors of the Pacific Northwest are present and accounted for at Plums Cafe. Ever had a Dutch baby? Plums serves this deep-dish pancake with butter, powdered sugar, and zesty lemon for kicks. If you don’t have much of a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with the Campfire Trout. It tastes like being in the PNW, but with no flannel requirement.

Photo by @yelp.eats

Tres Muchachos really had our number when they said brunch all day, every day! We’re big fans of the Rosemary & Artichoke Hummus with housemade chips, and the Ratatouille Chile Relleno is a slam dunk with a vegan option.

Photo by @ocbbrunch

Did someone say 1970s Australian beach eatery? Outpost Kitchen’s Aussie inspiration melds the past and the present with fresh, local flavors—so you don’t need a passport or a time machine to enjoy a Brekky Sandwich or the Date Mate Salad. Grab a cocktail (we recommend My Secret Romance for the yuzu of it all) and take it easy, mate.

Photo by @outpostkitchen

Playa Mesa’s Tres Leches Waffle is good enough to write songs about. If you need something lighter (it leaves more room for margaritas, or even better, a Mango Michelada), then try the Veggie Benedict. Playa Mesa is one of those places where you end up trying things from everyone’s plate.

photo by @playamesa

Comfort Food, but Make It Vegan

The Plot is a zero-waste, plant-based spot located in the eco-friendly mall The CAMP where you get to, no joke, dine in a yurt. Try their späm & kimchi bowl or saüsage & biscuits, and don’t worry about leaving your pup behind; they’ve got a pet-friendly patio so everyone can soak up the vibes.

Photo by @foodictatrice

Bread Winners

For us, it just isn’t brunch without baked goods. New to Costa Mesa is Rye Goods, an organic, seasonal stop for all sorts of goodies, including fresh-baked pastries and bread, incredible dishes like Eggs Provence with labneh and brown butter, and a carefully curated selection of wine.

Photo by @ryegoods

Toast Kitchen & Bakery is open from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. from Tuesday to Sunday, so it’s always a reliable choice. With menu items like Hot Chicken & Waffle (it comes with vanilla butter, oh em GEE) and twists on classics like the Sisig Burrito, it’s all cheers at Toast.

Photo by @toastamesa

Okay, you shouldn’t go to a cafe just because they’ve nailed an aesthetic, which Coffee Dose definitely has; it looks straight out of a magazine. The good news is, in addition to being a pink-and-green paradise, Coffee Dose’s menu is beyond fantastic and worth the trip all on its own. So go, sip a delicious Rx Latte or try the Breaky Sando, and snap some of the coolest coffee pics ever.

Photo by @coffeedosecafe

Eggs Benedict & Beyond

If you’re a brunch traditionalist, the menu at Social has fun spins on all the greatest hits. The BLTA Salad is classic California, and for a sweet treat, the Brioche French Toast melts in your mouth. Social is as much a craft bar as it is a brunch staple, so you don’t have to limit yourself to mimosas. Try a cocktail (or a mocktail!) and enjoy the day.

Photo by @socialkitchencraftbar

If soul food’s your bread and butter, then we can’t rave about Memphis Cafe enough. Mid-century modern meets better-than-your-mom’s gumbo. We’ve gotten the Southern Eggs Benedict too many times to count, and the Blue Corn Chicken Salad with a side of Green Chili Grits is unbeatable.

We know, we know, we’ve spoiled you with too many choices. But honestly, why limit yourself to one spectacular meal? Why not turn your brunch into a full Eatcation? Stay in one of Costa Mesa’s stunning hotels and make sure to get your fill.