Top Places for the Best Brunch in Monterey CA

November 11, 2022
Best Brunch in Monterey CA - Egg benedict

Where can you find the best brunch in Monterey, CA? Famed for its beautiful marine wildlife, this stunning city perched on Monterey Bay is one of the culinary wonders of California. There's no better place for brunch with a classy, coastal twist. Check out the five best brunch spots in Monterey.

First Awakenings

Spicy Sandwich from First Awakenings

People love coming to First Awakenings to enjoy generous portions of the restaurant's well-known pancakes, avocado toast, cinnamon French toast, and spicy sandwiches before a day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This charming restaurant with a gated patio featuring umbrella seating has been a family's favorite brunch spot since opening in 1993. Everything at First Awakenings tastes better with a side of fresh fruit!

Wave Street Café

Wave Street Café is considered the best spot for eggs Benedict in Monterey. Things get decadent with the crab cake Benedict, bay shrimp & avocado Benedict, Norwegian Benedict, Montecito Benedict, Toluca Benedict, Hawaiian Benedict, and the dozens of other egg dishes on the menu. There's also a coffee and espresso bar. The mimosas, sparkling wine, and Prosecco also flow all through brunch!

Schooners Monterey

Waffles at Schooners Monterey

Schooners are known for its sustainable take on American cuisine and seafood. After taking a seat, guests are pampered with ocean views while enjoying the rarity and decadence of the Monterrey seafood omelet, Dungeness crab Benedict, Belgian waffles, and buttermilk pancakes. When the goal is to go light for brunch, steel-cut oatmeal, barrel-aged smoked salmon over sesame or plain bagels, and a house-made granola parfait all do the job!

Old Monterey Cafe

For those who love a local joint, Old Monterey Cafe is the perfect place for digging into fluffy pancakes dusted in powdered sugar against the chatter of locals. While every single plate is made to order just the way you like, the service is always quick. The omelets, waffles, eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros, hash browns, sandwiches, and hot coffee never disappoint at this cozy brunch spot that every Monterey local knows about.

The Butter House

Omelette dish and french toast at The Butter House

Breezing over to Seaside, California, to experience the Butter House is always worth it for people vacationing in Monterey. A list of classic two-egg combos on the menu lets patrons explore flavors of bacon, sausage, pork belly, hot links, lingüiça, and Longaniza with eggs prepared any way they like. The menu also features waffles, pancakes, French toast, and scrambles. The menu's house specials include biscuits and gravy, fried chicken and waffles, a breakfast burrito, shrimp and grits, corned beef and hash, hand-rolled lumpia, and breakfast fried rice. A vibe of California dreams meeting a down-home diner makes this a fun place to be for brunch!

There's always a reason to clink glasses while dining by the bay! While coffee and orange juice may be on your mind when scouting out places for the best brunch in Monterey, CA, you probably have visions of candlelit toasts for the rest of your meals out on the town. Fortunately, plenty of no-corkage restaurants in Monterey, CA, make it easy to "wine on a dime" without extra fees.

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