Brunch is a magical time when you get to sleep in, still enjoy all your favorite sweet and savory breakfast treats and drink champagne because hey, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right? Whether you’re a connoisseur of the breakfast of lazy champions or just starting to bask in the beauty of it all, you need to check out each and every one of these Orange County brunch spots. No exceptions. If you don’t have breakfast plans for this weekend, it’s time to make some.
Have you crossed any of these Orange County brunch spots off of your lazy afternoon to-eat list yet?
Bosscat Kitchen and Libations
4647 MacArthur Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92660
*Bottomless Mimosas OR Bloody Marys
bosscatkitchen.com
Bosscat Kitchen is all about rich Southern cooking, good whiskey and a great fun atmosphere. The amazing brunch menu is available Sundays only from 11AM-2PM. There are tons of delicious items to choose from including the fruity pebble French toast, Short Rib Chiliquiles, Sticky Bun Breakfast Burger (a la mode if you want) and Blue Suede pancakes. For $25 you get an entrée and your choice of Bottomless mimosas or Bloody Marys. Leave the calorie counting for Monday, this brunch means business.
The Beachcomber Café
15 Crystal Cove
Newport Coast, CA 92657
thebeachcombercafe.com
It’s on the beach. Literally. The Beachcomber Café sits on part of 12.3 acres of Crystal Cove Historic District and maintains the vibe of a 1930’s beach resort. There are adorable beach cottages surrounding the café and gorgeous beach everywhere. Make a reservation (unless you want to wait 2 hours+) and enjoy the ocean breeze as you brunch. Park across the street, take the shuttle over, and enjoy a deliciously classic American breakfast with some beignets to finish it off – they’re amazing!
Carmelitas
31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy, Ste P
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
*Bottomless Mimosas
carmelitaskitchen.com
Carmelitas has a brunch buffet and bottomless mimosas at it’s Rancho Santa Margarita location on RSM Lake. We suggest sitting outside overlooking the lake while you enjoy your weekend brunchfest – Now that’s what we call a Sunday Funday. The house margarita is also a specialty so you might just have to come back again for the full Mexican menu and drinks!
Ramos House
31752 Los Rios St
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
ramoshouse.com
Ramos House has an amazing bunch menu and a simply cool philosophy. The owner lives and works in the house, the herbs are grown in the garden, the menu changes seasonally and the cuisine is American classic with a tilt toward the South. Brunch is $40 per person and includes a drink (we suggest the mimosa!), one small plate and one large plate. More drinks and sweets are extra and if you’re in the mood for a drink with some kick we suggest the Bloody Mary – it comes with a crab claw!
SOL
251 E Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92660
solcocina.com
SOL Cochina in Newport has a great relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere located on the water in the Balboa Marina. Brunch is all weekend but the best time to come by Sol is on Sunday for the live music with your brunch. The food is delicious and looks just as good as it tastes – seriously the gourmet plating is impressive. Some favorites include the Breakfast ‘Changa, Souffle Carlotta (their version of French toast) and Crab & Shrimp Benedictio.
Break of Dawn
Oakbrook Village Shopping Center
24291 Avenida De La Carlota, Ste P-4
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Break of Dawn popped up on our radar earlier this year when they featured corn beef on their brunch menu. Chef Dee Nguyen puts his own fusion spin on the classics for an unforgettable meal like his bacon and eggs AKA pork belly with tempura eggs and Kimchi spiced crema. Since you’re already eating outside the box we suggest going for a Soju Bloody Mary. His creations are anything but your average breakfast but beware, no modifications available – chef’s orders!
Old Vine Café
2937 Bristol St, Ste A102
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
oldvinecafe.com
Tucked away into the CAMP in Costa Mesa is brunch brilliance at Old Vine Café. The service is great and the food is even better. Portions are generous, the food is gourmet and the location and restaurant make the perfect quaint brunch setting. Choose from the sweet or savory menu, you can’t go wrong either way. Favorites include the seasonal blueberry French toast and anything off of the Southern Comfort section of the brunch menu.
Orange Hill Restaurant
6410 E Chapman Ave
Orange, CA 92869
*Bottomless Mimosas
theorangehillrestaurant.com
It’s pricey but the view alone is worth it. Saturday, 10AM-2PM and Sunday 9AM-3PM Orange Hill has a buffet (with complimentary champagne!) including carving stations, omelets, seafood, made to order pasta dishes and so much more. If you can, try to snag a spot on the patio so you can enjoy the waterfalls, koi ponds and amazing views. Warning: Orange Hill is pricey and very popular – make a reservation before you go.
Crave
410 W 4th St
Santa Ana, CA 92701
crave410.com
Crave uses seasonal locally grown, organic produce as often as possible, breads are baked in-house daily, there are tons of vegetarian options and everything is fresh and delicious. Try the Acai Bowl if you’re feeling healthy or the creme brûlée french toast if you’re there on a Saturday and looking to indulge – it’s not actually on the menu, but ask and you shall receive! Big portions and big happy belly when you’re done.
Café Mimosa
243 Avenida del Mar
San Clemente, CA 92672
cafemimosasc.com
It’s got mimosa in the name so you know it’s a solid choice for your brunch fix. The special weekend brunch menu at Cafe Mimosa has 4 different types of eggs Benedict, chorizo scramble, croissant French toast and so much more to choose from. This French eatery has adorable ambiance, flavored mimosas and is a local San Clemente favorite!
The Filling Station
201 N Glassell St
Orange, CA 92866
fillingstationcafe.com
The Filling Station is a vintage gas station converted into a restaurant in the Orange Circle. If you want to stop by this quaint, eclectic café for breakfast but you’re not an early bird, don’t worry – they serve breakfast all day. Sit out on the patio and enjoy the charm of Orange or have a sit inside the retro restaurant for some good home-style cooking. There’s usually a wait but all the locals know it’s worth it!
SeaLegs Wine Bar
21022 Beach Blvd, Ste 105
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
*Bottomless Mimosas
sealegswinebar.com
From the food to the décor to the bottomless bubbles, SeaLegs is a great place to brunch. Located a few blocks from Main Street in Huntington in a strip mall, this wine bar has a cool laid back vibe but still feels trendy and sophisticated. There are tons of delicious options like Bananas Foster, Goat cheese and fig French toast Tartine, and anything that comes with potatoes so you can get a side of their Sriracha ketchup. We suggest making reservations before you go – this place is small and it can fill up for brunch.
What’s your favorite Orange County brunch? Leave a comment and share your brunch wisdom with the world.
