Best Breakfast in Santa Barbara

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Clean Plate Club

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There’s no better way to fuel the day’s adventures than with a trip to one of Santa Barbara’s well-loved breakfast spots. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite before setting out on one of the area’s picturesque hiking trails or a leisurely brunch before basking on the beach, Santa Barbara has a diverse array of options to kickstart your day with flavor. From diners serving up hearty classics to trendy eateries offering a creative twist on your favorite dishes, here are our picks for the best breakfast in Santa Barbara.

Feature Photo: Courtesy of D’Angelo Bakery

Upper State

A white plate holds French toast topped with banana slices and garnished with a mint sprig, all drizzled with syrup. The plate has a decorative border and a restaurant logo. The dish, labeled as the Best Breakfast Santa Barbara, is placed on a dark table with another plate partially visible in the background.

With locations in Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Goleta, Jeannine’s is a go-to choice for locals and tourists alike. For three decades, his family-owned gem has served up favorites like the banana Kahlua French toast and Gordy’s Breakfast Club Sandwich. Enjoy a meal on their outdoor patio or stop for a quick coffee and take home one of their renowned cakes, cookies, pastries, and pies. 

A bakery display featuring large cookies and muffins on wooden shelves. In the background, neatly arranged croissants and other pastries beckon you to indulge. The scene is well-lit, showcasing the various textures and colors of the baked goods—all promising the best breakfast Santa Barbara has to offer.

Opened by former pro cyclists Aaron Olson and Kim Anderson, Handlebar Coffee is a hub for local riding groups and coffee-lovers alike. From rich and silky lattes to freshly-roasted brews, their coffee pairs perfectly with light bites like their cheddar chive scone, buttery croissants, and breakfast sandwiches. Locals and visitors agree that the line is worth the wait. 

Eastside

A plate of smoked salmon is arranged in a circular pattern, topped with capers, thinly sliced red onions, and a dollop of creamy cheese. The dish is garnished with chopped herbs. Silverware is placed to the right on a wooden surface—a perfect contender for the Best Breakfast Santa Barbara has to offer.

This trendy American eatery promises a gourmet experience with a twist, offering an inventive menu paired with a lively and hip atmosphere. On the charming outdoor patio, sip a cup of Handlebar Coffee as you peruse creatively-named dishes like the Yolo, the Tugboat, or the Like-a-Tiger — but be quick — their popular chilaquiles often sell out. Feel free to bring your dog! 

Waterfront

A plate of corned beef hash with two poached eggs covered in hollandaise sauce. The dish is garnished with chopped chives and served with roasted potatoes and green onions, making it the best breakfast Santa Barbara has to offer.

Family-owned for five decades, Chad’s radiates nostalgic charm through its cozy atmosphere and classic American diner dishes. Indulge in large portions of homecooked staples like their chicken-fried steak and eggs, breakfast quesadilla, or pancake stacks. With a beachside location offering ocean views, it’s the perfect spot for a casual breakfast — served all day.

Downtown / FunkZone

A plate of food featuring a Belgian waffle topped with sliced strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream. Next to the waffle are two pieces of fried chicken, showcasing the classic combination of chicken and waffles—truly the best breakfast Santa Barbara has to offer.

Cajun Kitchen serves up Cajun-Creole fare in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy Southern classics like chicken and waffles, jambalaya and eggs, or their irresistible breakfast beignets that practically melt in your mouth — and ask to swap your toast for cornbread or a blueberry muffin! Breakfast is served all day at locations throughout the Santa Barbara area, including two in Goleta and one in Ventura. 

A vibrant plate of chilaquiles, considered the best breakfast in Santa Barbara, is topped with a sunny-side-up egg, sliced avocado, a dollop of crema, crumbled queso fresco, and garnished with fresh cilantro on a textured blue plate.

Stylish, upscale ambience and sophisticated cuisine combine at Finch & Fork, located inside the Kimpton Canary Hotel. With a focus on locally sourced ingredients, this chic eatery brings Santa Barbara fishing and farming to your table. Don’t miss the Short Rib & Sweet Potato Hash — the seasonal breakfast bread with Vermont butter is also a popular choice. 

A breakfast spread on a marble table displays an omelette with greens and tomatoes, toast, roasted potatoes, a croissant, a glass of orange juice, and black coffee. Plates branded with "D'ANGELO" highlight the Best Breakfast Santa Barbara has to offer. A small milk pourer is also present.

For an on-the-go breakfast, stop by D’Angelo Bakery for coffee, pastries, and bread to take for the road. Their freshly-baked, European-style bread – with more than a dozen varieties served each day — is a popular choice. Or take a seat on their charming outdoor patio, where you can enjoy traditional breakfast fare including a variety of dishes featuring their renowned poached eggs, such as the Egg “Rose”: poached eggs with artichoke paste on their house-made kalamata olive bread. 

A Best Breakfast Santa Barbara spread including a plate with sunny-side-up eggs, bacon, potatoes, and fruit, a bowl of sugar cubes, a latte with a cinnamon roll, a plate of thick toast with toppings, a tray of baked goods, and glasses filled with colorful beverages.

Scarlett Begonia embraces a commitment to locally-sourced, sustainable, and organic ingredients, serving modern cuisine in a rustic-chic setting. Their regularly-shifting menu reflects their dedication to freshness and seasonality. Take a seat on the dog-friendly outdoor patio and indulge in favorites like the shrimp and grits, lemon ricotta pancakes, and Yukon cinnamon roll. Scarlett Begonia also offers Bubbly Brunch: a three-course fixed menu with 90 minutes of bottomless beverages. 

An overhead view of a table covered with a blue mosaic tile pattern. The table features various desserts, including fruit-topped pastries, layered cakes with strawberries and blueberries, caramel-topped pancakes, and chocolate brownies—truly the Best Breakfast Santa Barbara has to offer.

When Gillian Murales was diagnosed with Celiac disease in 2002, she and her husband Alam set out to redefine gluten-free baking. The result was Lilac Patisserie: opened in 2015, the bakery is dedicated to serving gluten-free desserts and pastries without compromising taste. Enjoy their waffles and cinnamon buns, or opt for something more savory in their egg dishes and avocado toast, each pairing effortlessly with a coffee or matcha in this elegantly-decorated café. 

A wooden table holds a latte in a white cup, a glass of iced coffee topped with a slice of dried citrus and a flower, a dark coffee in a small glass, and avocado toast with cherry tomatoes. Sunlight streams onto the table, illustrating why it's the best breakfast Santa Barbara has to offer.

Take a seat in this laid-back, modern café, where in-house roasted, single-origin coffee beans create the perfect cup. Using fresh, local ingredients, Cajé offers morning staples like refreshing acai bowls and avocado toast with tomato and balsamic glaze. Their signature coffee drinks, garnished with seasonal flowers, fresh fruit, and fragrant herbs, will please the eye as much as the taste buds. Beyond its three Santa Barbara locations, its Isla Vista location is a popular spot for UCSB students. 

Three frosted pastries are displayed on a plate with a decorative doily. Two pastries topped with chopped nuts and one in the foreground adorned with caramel sauce sit in an ornate, silver-colored dish—ready to be the best breakfast Santa Barbara has to offer.

At Crushcakes & Café, everything is made from scratch with a focus on fresh and high-quality ingredients. Try the red velvet pancakes, the breakfast tacos, or the Happy Pig breakfast sandwich featuring maple-roasted ham. And it’s never too early for dessert — cupcakes and cakes are available all day in the display case. You can also check out their second location in Goleta. 

Mesa

A plate of vibrant Eggs Benedict is showcased as the best breakfast in Santa Barbara. The dish features two poached eggs covered in rich hollandaise sauce atop crispy cakes, served with a colorful side of diced tomatoes, onions, and herbs, all set on a bed of golden-brown diced potatoes.

If you’re looking to pair breakfast with a stunning ocean view, Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach is the place to go. Known for its seafood, this classic brunch spot offers the signature Crab Cake Benedict — a flavorful combination of snow and rock crab cakes, poached eggs, and hash browns. Don’t miss the Bloody Mary garnished with bacon and shrimp. You’ll be tempted to take a dip in the waves after your meal for the perfect coastal morning. 

Who’s writing these?

Meet our always-hungry team of foodies who compiled this list.
Please let us know if we’ve missed your favorite eat@localgetaways.com.

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