Sugar and Scribe Reviews

4.5

19 of 1,197 Restaurants in La Jolla


Reviews

Not to be missed

By SaraDeb119 |

So many wonderful choices of creative cooking for a late breakfast. Everything we ate from pancakes to eggs Benedict was delicious, cooked perfectly, nice presentation. Our server Desiree A was excellent in getting us coffee and a Mimosa and then letting us have time to look over the menu. Looking forward to our next meal at Sugar and Scribe

Wonderful restaurant

By JulesVerne76 |

We visited twice for breakfast while we were in LaJolla. From the moment we stepped in the door, we were treated with kindness. The manager had a great sense of humor & just filled the place with a happy vibe. Hub ordered the lemon curd pancake with orange cardamom jam a la carte & it was outstanding! I immediately wanted to take it all, but I restrained myself to only 4 bites. His order also included a traditional bacon & eggs which he said was excellent. I ordered the chicken puff pastry with chutney & a salad. That was very good. I also had the mushroom quiche the time before & that was wonderful. (Very similar to the chicken pastry.) The true star for us was the crisp Lemon Curd pancakes with the orange cardamom jam.

Very charming and the food's great!

By Paola R |

I loved the food here, delicate spices and perfect combinations of healthy ingredients and sophistication. The decoration's awesome. The staff's really nice and helpful too.

Delicious breakfast

By SOBieAZ |

Nice menu variety, lots of pastries and treats inside at the bakery counter. Wait staff is friendly and attentive. Good coffee — very important to me in the morning. We sat outside and enjoyed our meal.

Wonderful food, great chef, a wonderful La Jolla experience.

By Bill Smith |

Perfect Time on Easter Sunday. We knew there would be a wait, and it was worth it. My wife enjoyed the shrimp and grits and I enjoyed eggs and Irish sausage. Clever presentations of all. Got to talk with Chef Maeve and watch her work so very hard at the front of the house. My granddaughter turned on Holiday Baking Championship Season 2 to watch Chef Maeve again when we got home.

Maeve-a-licious!

By USACorgi |

We were visiting San Diego at the end of a cruise and were doing a drive around the SD area. A couple months back I had heard that Maeve had a restaurant in La Jolla and so I thought it would be a great place to stop for lunch. We loved watching her on the Food Network and couldnt wait to try out some of her food. Restaurant was busy but we were fortunate to snag the last table for the 4 of us. Food was simply amazing. There were so many dishes on the menu that sounded good that it was difficult to choose. All 4 of us were crazy about our food...really felt homemade and hearty. Portions were generous in size. Everyone was so happy that I had thought of going to Sugar AndScribe. Of course we had to stop in the bakery to grab a few treats for the road. Omg...the desserts were so delicious...we bought several different type of cookies and brownies. Wish we lived closer so we could go back soon!

A Gem

By sap2work@yahoo.com |

Stopped in for an early lunch. Crowded, but that is a good sign. Since I was solo, got a table right away.The place is noisy, but there were a lot of young people there. It is very nicely arranged, and there is seating outside, too. The Bloody Mary was excellent. The tuna melt sandwich was huge, but delicious. Not pricy, a nice place for breakfast or lunch in the Village.

Great place to people watch and enjoy amazing food

By AHASHI |

Found this place right down the street from our hotel. We went for brunch at 9am and found a table with no problem. It filled up very quickly once we were there though, so an earlier seating is definitely better for a Friday.

Great lunch

By Debbie S |

We all enjoyed our meals. Lemon Curd pancakes, Cali Benedict, Sligo Scramble and the Dubliner. Everything was tasty and service was efficient. We also lucked out and got a parking space right in the very small lot.

Hard to de-"Scribe" how good the food is!

By Portofinokc |

On our last day in La Jolla, we were looking for a hardy breakfast to hold us for most of the day and had read the great reviews for Sugar and Scribe! We tried it out and really enjoyed this popular spot and their great food offerings! We also noticed the actual Proprietor (Chef/owner) was there and talking to customers which was impressive as well- had noticed her photo on the wall and on line, so made the connection. The espresso drinks were really great--- except for the "greedy" concept of charging to top of with a very small amount of regular coffee at the end to keep it hot! Are you kidding??? I will give you a pass, but more of that stuff and I would drop my score. Also, we saw a sign discouraging folks from buying bakery items and then setting down to eat them? Perhaps we did not understand but that is confusing and needs a bit of clarification! If you buy a bakery item and then you order a latte, can you stay to eat and drink it? Or, is the "real estate" so expensive that the concept is - need to shoo them out to eat on the sidewalk because they are not spending enough to stay inside? Other than that we really enjoyed our time there and the food was fantastic. Service was good but they were in training, which everyone has to start somewhere, so not going to fault them for that.

Beautiful eggs

By Ellen |

This is our second choice go to breakfast restaurant. We are blessed with so many great options for places to eat. I normally grab scrambled eggs here, but the pancakes are very good too. I also really like their blueberry sauce.

Breakfast fantasy!

By AndrewBeach |

This is sheer magic---a breakfast/brunch/bakery spot in La Jolla that is EVERYTHING! While most of the seating is outside (and fantastically decorated) we were treated to the small indoor room, again filled with detail and magic. The pink-gold-green theme is so fun--so many little details from the glassware to the china to the flatware. Okay, so the menu is a fantasy of breakfast. So many creative takes on traditional fare. I loved the lemon curd pancakes with blackberries, orange syrup and a ramekin of lemon curd. My side of bacon, perfect. My friend's breakfasts (an enticing shrimp and grits skillet and a French toast bread pudding) looked so good and received raves. I have to mention the coffee--outstanding. The best coffee I have had on my 10 day California adventure. There is a bakery and gift shop here too! I have to give kudos to Kris, our server (a Tom Holland lookalike) who looked after us throughout our breakfast. I wish I could take this place home with my and breakfast here every day!

LaJolla lunch

By 60Grammy25 |

Family was out and about LaJolla today and decided to stop in a lunch. Food and drinks were very good. I had the Chicken A la King Puff. I enjoyed it. Everyone else had breakfast and it looked yummy. Service was great and we were seated very quickly.

Exceptional Food

By marta |

I live in La Jolla and my 'go to' place for breakfast or lunch is always Sugar and Scribe for it's tasty food, smiling staff and dog-friendly patio. The bakery offers mouth-watering arrays of desserts, muffins, cakes, cookies--not to be missed. During the pandemic, Chef Maeve has prepared meals for essential workers at our local hospitals. She has adhered to the guidelines to keep customers safe at her restaurant. Currently it is easy to stop by and order your food at the register inside. A wait person will bring it outside to pick up. Tables are available to sit outside and dine or take home. Please help support our local restaurants!

Great breakfast

By David O |

Joined my wife for breakfast yesterday. We had been there several months ago for a large family brunch. The eggs Benedict were terrific. We shared an order. Nice salad accompaniment, but the prosciutto instead of ham really made a big difference, and a great addition. A bit pricey, but very good. Will definitely order the same next time we are there.

Exceptional

By Catherine A |

I cannot say enough about this restaurant.... loved it❣️ Long weekend in La Jolla a friend recommended this place the food was exceptional the wait staff amazing and the decor darling. We loved it so much we came back again the next day for brunch again. Biscuits and gravy delicious, omelette wonderful, the French toast some of the best I've ever eaten. Their bloody Mary's are great too👍 I bought a box of assorted bakery items that besides being almost too pretty to eat they were all so delicious. Everyone enjoyed them all A must stop in for a meal and for the pastries too!!!!

Delicious treats in a beautiful space

By MarisaLRB |

We just stopped in for some desserts to go. The building itself was beautifully decorated inside. Very inviting. The treats all looked amazing, so it was hard to choose. We ended up with the turtle cheesecake, mini lemon meringue pie, and a lemon-coconut bar. They were all exceptional. Service was very quick and friendly. Would definitely return!

Great location-breakfast-lunch-coffee-friends

By 2beans2000 |

Located on Fay Avenue, a bustling breakfast area full of coffee houses and cafes. With family history of Irish heritage, Guiness inspires many savory dishes! Many pastries are so beautiful as well as delicious! Their shortbreads are yumm, and they deliver minis with their lattees. It’s a hopping place where people gather at inside tables and outside tables abound with bright pillows and comfy chairs. Good gathering spaces for friends, students, and families. Their sweets are seasonal and amazing!!

Get the unicorn style pancakes!

By Dan L |

I had the lemon curd pancakes unicorn style. I was very impressed. In case your wondering unicorn style consists of lemon curd pancakes topped with glitter, marshmallows, sprinkles, macaroons, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries, along with butter and a strawberry spread. I also had their lemonade which is on par with the pancakes. They were absolutely delicious! These are some of the best pancakes I have ever had. I would highly recommend Sugar and Scribe to anyone in La Jolla looking for some delicious food for a reasonable price.

Breakfast of champions, including glitter

By RTKelly |

We found this place via Trip Advisor and took a chance - it was SO worth it! Lemon Curd pancakes "unicorned" was extremely glittery (which my daughter loved); the full Irish breakfast was delish and the bakery itself was just so quaint. Would definitely go back - we had NO wait on a Sunday morning at 9am - amazing!! Great way to start an active day in La Jolla!!!

Pancakes.

By mcglass |

Omg. The best pancakes I've had. Ever. Everything else was very delicious too!! If you get a chance, you must go!

Lo onlycals or Regulars

By David R |

We have been here a few times but not recognized as a local or a regular. These people clearly get special attention and service. They are greeted with hugs from everyone, including the owner. Non-regular quests get seated with "here's your table". This particular occasion (7/23/19) we were seated and the waitress clearly had no interest in us. When my 94 year old mother told her she would like decaf, the response from the waitress was "decaf what". When we asked that one meal be spilt and it wasn't she responded "I am only one waitess". When another meal arrived we felt it was a little short on the amount of food served (granola) I ask waitress to tell the cook how I felt and she ignored me as a trouble maker. Meanwhile regulars were receiving hugs and laughter from staff.

Great way to start the day!

By Kimbolina55 |

Charming place, very friendly and efficient staff, and wonderful food! We liked everything here, from omelettes to French Toast. Returned two days later to pick up some delicious pastries.

sweet tooth heaven

By Kendra R |

I have a terrible sweet tooth and desire for fine food so I found this place to be well worth the walk. I suggest using open table and making reservations especially if you want outside dining.

S&S is amazing, but not as amazing as their Management Team...Iris leads them all!

By Liza P |

Our family loves Sugar & Scribe! Food is tasty, reasonably priced and the ambience is very warm. The main reason we come here is because of their GM, Iris. She started out as our favorite server and we are glad that the business recognized her and is now their General Manager...she still is personable, still passionate about her place of business and just a very professional person. Thank you!!!

Dog friendly and delicious too

By Akkapo |

We have only just moved to America and are only getting used to the dog friendly-ness but this cafe was great! They brought water for our dog and patted him lots. The food was so good, we had lunch but would definitely go back to try some of the cakes or just if we were in the area again! Regardless if you have a dog it is a great cafe worth going to. We did try to go for breakfast again today but there was a 45 min wait so probably worth booking for weekend breakfasts.

Beautiful and delicious baked goods!

By Dianne D |

Ate breakfast here a few times on our visit. Over the top delicious and the presentation is lovely. Service was outstanding! They made beautiful cookies for my daughter's wedding, too!!

Lovely Brunch at Sugar and Scribe

By LarsieB |

We had a lovely breakfast at this very busy breakfast spot in La Jolla. There were some lovely options on the menu to choose from and I thoroughly enjoyed the vegetarian Irish Cast Iron Quiche with Leek. Our server Erin J paid good attention to us throughout our meal which we appreciated. As we were only a part of two we were seated quickly. For two people our brunch meal - 2 dishes and 2 coffees cost approximately $50 before a tip.

Best breakfast in La Jolla!

By Dave R |

You can't go wrong with the food here. Breakfast is served all day as well. My favorite is the California Skillet - egg whites, roasted chicken, roasted tomatoes, parmesan cheese, micro cilantro and roasted potatoes. The coffee is excellent as well.

French taste in La Jolla

By PaulaRMM |

If you are feeling a bit nostalgic for tasty French food this is the place to visit. They have yummy croissants and lovely cup cakes. Coffee is served in generous mugs!

Good stuff

By GKS |

Grabbed some treats from the bakery for a quick grab and go breakfast. The prosciutto and cheese croissant was fantastic, as well as the chocolate croissant. Cute place. Would love to try it for breakfast.

Overhyped

By MM08 |

My husband thought the cookies were good. I thought they were just average. Bought a few other items to go but blown away by the price.

Delicious

By Ratona77 |

Very nice decorated, the bakery is delicious and amazing. Definitely coming back. The service is very good.

Friendly gathering place; good coffee and eats!

By 2beans2000 |

Sugar and Scribe has been such a great addition to our community: lovely, bright space with lovely inside seating and outdoor seating. I've found the pastries to be delightful. Some of the savories can be a bit heavy for my tastes. Their gingerbread cookies are delicious... no need to wait until Christmas to enjoy one!! The location is great for meeting friends and walking from or to most anywhere in the Village of La Jolla: beaches, Main shopping area on Girard, catching a movie at The Lot, or after school snacks. Enjoy!

I purchased "Million Dollar Cookies - 12 Pack from Sugar and Scribe".

By Wanderer10378397007 |

Neither my wife nor I liked them. Both Texture and taste were sub-standard. I've had a source of great ginger cookies in the past for comparison. And, these suffer greatly. sincerely Gingerman

Fresh weekend brunch

By RunwiththisMama |

Our usual, The Cottage, was super slammed so we crossed the street and took a number here. A little more of an uppity air to this place at the host stand, but we gave it a shot and the food redeemed the place. Fresh, tasty brunch and bright, airy seating, despite the crowd.

great food

By Ellen H |

Love the uniqueness of this place. The irish food in quite tasty and friendly staff, makes it my fav of La Jolla. Sunny deck seating adds to the ambience. Taking home some neat pastries is also a must.

Great breakfast spot

By Michael R |

Wonderful Irish breakfast and lunch spot in La Jolla with fantastic bakery. Very hospitable and courteous wait staff.

Amazing Menu and Bakery

By Vera B |

The menu here is eclectic and I could eat here every day for months without repeating a choice. The Irish Breakfast caught my eye and it was just like eating in Ireland. Three kinds of sausage, mushrooms, eggs, beans, potatoes and heavenly rye bread toast from their bakery. The resataurant has expanded into a tented outdoor space. I went back the next day to the bakery and picked up an almond croissant and a blueberry tart that were heavenly. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Great bakery, lots of interesting choices on the menj

By PMSan Diego |

This restaurant came highly recommended and it did not disappoint in some ways although did in others. The menu is interesting and reflects the Irish origin of the owner. We had the lemon curd pancakes which were a misnomer - we were expecting actual lemon curd in or on the pancakes but they are actually more like lemon glazed pancakes. Not bad at all but just not what we were expecting. My father-in-law had the full Irish breakfast which was very tasty. The service was patchy. We were very taken with the pastries and brought home some amazing ones including lemon curd tarts topped with meringue which were amazing! No issues there. All in all it’s a very good restaurant that I would recommend.

Go just to look at the cupcakes

By 3x5card |

If you are gluten free, this is the place for the BEST cupcakes. Have had the red velvet, caramel and chocolate mini cupcakes--all made me think I was eating the real thing. On top of tasting terrific, the decorating is exceptional.

Refreshing

By t d |

Wonderful array of breakfast items, refreshing and lovely dining outside, delightful store and bakery inside.

Impressive Breakfast!

By Rob S |

My wife and I visited Sugar and Scribe after enjoying a sunrise beach walk in the Cove. From a friendly greeting to departure, we were impressed with the entire experience. Her veggie eggs benedict and my prosciutto quiche were each outstanding... prepared perfectly. Other patrons seemed equally satisfied. We will definitely return!

Breakfast Heaven

By Bill |

We had visited this bakery before and loved it so we returned again this year. We were promptly seated for breakfast and quickly met our server, Andrea. She was so charming and knew everything about the menu. The food was great as was the mocha coffee I had to help me through the morning. This place has become a favorite of ours without even addressing their awesome pastries!

The best breakfast of our trip to San Diego!

By PDX-to-CDG |

Loved this place! Everyone was so friendly and the food was soooo good! We had a 20 minute wait or so mid-morning on a Monday, but you can browse the little shops nearby or the bakery inside while waiting for a table. I had the Brekkie Plate which was so YUM. A gorgeous, warm croissant, with a side of egg salad, and a ramekin of vanilla yogurt topped with the freshest strawberries and mangos. My husband had the Smothered & Covered Skillet which was big enough to serve three people, no joke. Everyone greeted us with a smile, from the hostess, to our server, to the gal behind the bakery counter. I also picked up some treats to take home. If we had this place back home, it would be on my regular rotation.

Excellent!

By thequietone18 |

Just perfect Eggs Benedict, and the Lemon curd pancakes are better than any pancake I have ever tasted! Crispy on the edge, soft and delicious in the middle.

Incredible! You will want to go every day you are in La Jolla!

By Abroad_with_Ash |

We just happened upon this place during a morning jog and now it is a new favorite! We will be back EVERY time we come to La Jolla. Cute atmosphere. Coffee is incredible (great latte artist too). Desserts are INCREDIBLE and so are the savory items and full breakfast/lunch options. Every single thing we ordered (and yes, we went two days in a row) was perfect. Great spot for coffee and a pastry or to have a full meal.

My favourite eatery in La Jolla

By Heather M |

Sugar and Scribe is my absolute favourite eatery in La Jolla which is saying a lot because La Jolla has no shortage of great eateries to choose from. We've tried several different dishes from the breakfast and lunch menu and the food was excellent every time. Their award winning lemon curd pancakes are a must try along with lemon lavender mimosa. The strawberry cloud milkshake makes for a great afternoon treat. Service was always good and although it can get busy at the weekend it's worth the wait to be seated. Their baked goods from the inside cabinet are a real treat, especially the cupcakes which are a family favourite.

Breakfast, Brunch, and Coffee Brews

By Susan P |

I’ve had the opportunity to eat here a couple times in visits to San Diego, and I suspect that there will be several more. The Guinness Beef Pie and the Shepherd’s Pie are not to be missed, and any of the Benedicts are great. Best of all, the bakery has the most scrumptious of all the baked goods. Really, you can’t miss on any of them.

Very Nice

By Eric |

Lunch was Chicken/Artichoke Salad with Bread. It was excellent. Service was great. Sorry some people had bad service, I didn't and would certainly return. The staff were very nice to me.

Great food, service and setting

By ramblingman46 |

Visited late morning on a Tuesday. We had to wait approximately 10 minutes for a table. The menu is extensive with breakfast options including a large range of egg based dishes as well as pancakes. We ordered the blueberry and lemon pancakes, brioche french toast, fresh ok, espresso doppio and eggs and avocado for our 18-month old. The staff brought the food for the 18-month old out first as requested. Portions were very generous and we nearly struggled to finish. Our bill came to $50 ex tip. Service was friendly and quick. Highly enjoyable dining experience.

The best breakfast in La Jolla

By MAF-M_France |

The restaurant proposes fresh food, plenty of choice of fresh fruits and veggies. The pancakes are amazing, and the vegetarian eggs benedicte are the best I ate. The service is fast, and we really enjoyed the meal.

delicious food and fabulous bakery goods.

By wally k |

Lunch here is a real treat whether dining inside or out. The menu features breakfast foods as well as soups, hot plates, salads and sandwiches. All is beautifully prepared and is excellent.

Who’s writing the 5 star reviews?

By Janeeee87 |

Service was slow and unfriendly. Coffee tasted old and sour like grandma’s Folgers. French toast was dry in the middle. And the silverware is flimsy and cheap. Meh. Save your money. Wait in line at The Cottage instead.

Baked goods & coffee!

By JuleighP |

It was so delicious, we came twice! Menu is full of variety. I saw the giant croissant and had to get a chicken salad sandwich on it. The mochas were tasty and my son enjoyed the cake pop for his birthday breakfast. The service was prompt and everyone was so helpful. Busy on Sunday but they are on open table.

They don’t take reservations

By ThebestofKendell |

They don’t take reservations unless you’re there to put your name down, which I think is a little pointless but overall the food wasn’t bad. We waited 50 minutes for a table on a Sunday so... to be expected. I ordered the strawberry cloud (strawberry milk, whip cream, macaron, and a lollipop) as well as the goat cheese and asparagus quiche. I didn’t taste the goat cheese at all but it was still an okay quiche. My friends got the veggie sandwich (cause they’re vegetarian) and they said it wasn’t worth the price and very basic. My sister however really liked her eggs Benedict and my mother liked the Bloody Mary. They told us that we were only allowed to stay one hour and 15 minutes in order to keep business flowing.. so something to keep in mind if you’re wanting something with less of a time limit. Overall, it wasn’t a bad experience but also wasn’t memorable. The coffee and drinks were very good though and our waitress was friendly. I’d just say if you are a vegetarian or pescatarian then this place isn’t for you. Loved the atmosphere though.

amazing breakfast

By Caymanisle |

I saw a write up about Sugar and Scribe on a La Jolla magazine. It was right this restaurant was amazing. Our food was delicious. we had the fluffernutter, brioche french toast, homemade granola with yogurt and fruit and the smothered & covered skillet. each one was better then the other. it was quite busy the whole time we were there. My only complaint was my husband's coffee cup had lipstick still on it from another customer. I guess their dishwasher needs repair or better soap.

Amazing Brunch

By jamie_sue_12 |

I travelled to San Diego for my daughter's wedding recently. Since we live so far apart, we had a girls' morning on her wedding eve. One of the places we visited was Sugar and Scribe for a mother/daughter brunch. We started with a mimosa flight. We tried rose, lavender lemon, mango and caramelized pineapple. All were good. The rose was probably the best. I was a little disappointed in the lavender. The flavor just didn't come through for me, but my daughter really enjoyed that one. For my meal, I got the Blueberry Love Pancakes, with edible glitter and flower petals. It looked like magical unicorn food. And tasted even better. I would get that over and over again if I lived nearby. The service was good and everyone was very friendly. We sat outside, which was lovely. There are also packaged food items for sale inside.

Egg-septional!

By Kerry S |

From the moment I walked in, my mind was blown. The space is absolutely beautiful with a casual and beautiful atmosphere. Crafted tarts as an ‘appetizer’ was the best decision made all day; definitely Food Network/Insta worthy. The (actual) breakfast was out of the park. It takes great skill to make the eggs they serve - tasty, light, and perfectly seasoned. The potatoes, thinly sliced, were elegantly simple and so delicious. The brown bread made me long for a visit to Gallway. Everything about these dishes are a work of art. From Smothered Skillet to Brioche French Toast, I’d eat here everyday if I could!

Great Irish breakfast in the village

By MollyCA |

We walked here from our hotel at 9 on a Sunday and were seated right away. The menu isn’t huge, but it’s really interesting and varied. I had Sligo scramble - goat cheese made it creamy and fluffy while porter cheddar on top gave it a nice tangy element. Accompanying Irish brown bread was nutty and not overly dense. Hubby had traditional Irish breakfast, with eggs, sausage, beans, and stewed mushrooms and tomatoes. The sausages were very tasty, as was everything else. We finished with a lemon curd mini cupcake free with our Yelp check-in. Perfect ending!

Yummy!

By NewYorkT |

Make a reservation and check out this fun La Jolla spot. The food was delicious, and service friendly if a bit spotty. The bake shop up front had brownies my family loved (plus many other goodies). There is limited parking up front. Give it a try.

So glad we stumbled upon this restaurant!

By Laurie W |

We had intended to dine at The Cottage (across the street from Sugar and Scribe) for a third day in a row on our weekend trip to LaJolla, after having loved The Cottage’s breakfast, based on stellar TripAdvisor reviews, but the wait was too long. We were pleasantly VERY impressed with Sugar and Scribe’s service, menu, food quality and coffee! And I hadn’t even read a review about it in advance, but rather just looked around on the street for a substitute eatery within walking distance. It felt like hitting the jackpot, as far as good breakfasts go—rivaling The Cottage’s quality on all aspects. Highly recommended!

Best pastries!

By RGR |

Only grabbed some pastries to go, but the restaurant looked busy. Good customer service. Great ambiance. We had the goat cheese/tomato croissant and the peach/apricot. As well as a few to take back to Idaho- they boxed them up nicely and they traveled well. Don’t pass this place by!

While waiting in line to The Cottage come check it out

By Kiki Z |

Visiting family in SD decided to come and try the famous La Jolla favorite spot for Sunday's brunch The Cottage. Put our name on the huge waiting list and while waiting decided to ealk around... next thing we know we literely crossed the road and walked in this bakery/pastry/coffee bar Sugar and Scribe. Had wonderful cappuccino with coconut milk instead to start. My Sligo Omelet was terrific and my partner had their famous Lemon Curd Pancakes. WoW!!!! When waiting a little to be seated( 5min instead 45min next door) i took some pictures, check them out!

Great find

By Ronda345 |

After a morning drive from downtown San Diego, we happened on this jewel. Breakfast was great. Four of us, each having something different. All was fantastic. Eggs Benedict and french toast especially. Great service, food location. Don't miss this jewel

Filling, fresh and whimsical!

By Soraya |

Super cute cafe ! Whimsical decor, flowers hanging from the ceiling, candy jars , colorful and fun! We had brunch here - our server was very nice, food was served promptly and everything was delicious! We (family of 5) had French toast, blueberry pancakes, bread pudding, healthy skillet, Scottish egg, shrimp and grits. The shrimp and grits were seasoned perfectly and complemented each other. Fresh ingredients, loved the edible butterflies:-) and your kids will too. Portions are generous and honestly - kids could have shared a plate if they are little . Highly recommended/ another hit for La Jolla!

I want to eat here everyday!

By ificouldonlyfly |

We arrived just after 8am on a Friday and were immediately seated. The place is charming with flowers and twinkle lights on the walls. The menu was incredible - the hardest part was what to choose! I went with buttered lobster eggs benedict and it was divine! There were fun hot drinks to choose from - I had the Unicorn Latte and my daughter had some kind of brownie hot chocolate. The food was fresh and delicious and we ate everything there - no to-go boxes for us this time as we couldn't stop eating!! Food came out quick, nice service, and we ordered some things from the bakery on our way out to take with us. The brownies were the best - rich, and soft and not at all dry - wish I'd have gotten more.

Great menu

By Leesuzy71 |

Visited today with my family. The restaurant is attractive and carefully designed to attract a certain clientele. The menu is fantastic, so many items to choose from all sounding delicious. Our waitress was attentive and really sold the items on the menu. We all chose different versions of a benedict which arrived surprisingly quickly. Presentation was great. The food was nice although I felt that the poached eggs were a little undercooked and the Hollandaise was a bit sparse, Howe the homemade English muffins were very tasty. In addition to restaurant food there was a very cute selection of cakes which were very tempting. The ‘award-winning’ owner was in the restaurant and seeing her interact with her staff suggests that she runs a very tight ship! Worth a visit

Good food service slow

By Travelsites |

My husband and I happened to find this place walking around. My husband has allergies so he wanted something basic and simple. He had the vegetable chili soup which was super good. I shared some of his soup. We also ordered egg white, country potatoes, bacon and gluten free bread. To drink we ordered orange juice and tea. It took a while to get our drinks and to order food. It was very busy around 11 am. We had to flag down our waiter to remind him of our drinks and to order food. I would recommend going early and perhaps service will be better or they need more staff. I would recommend this place for some good food.

Try Maeves Orange Cardomom Fig Glaze on everything

By gary h |

My husband made me homemade pancakes and couldn't find the syrup. Instead he brought me ChefMaeves Orange Cardomom Fig Glaze which is meant to pour over chicken, etc. In addition I suggest you try the glaze over your pancakes. You will thank me (and her)...you may even praise me. This is the best topping I have ever tasted over any food.

Wow!

By Craig H |

So good we went twice. The bread-pudding french toast was the best I've had in 67 years. This place is a treasure. Each dish is a work of art.

Amazing atmosphere ! Great

By JaydenYAP |

Amazing atmosphere ! Great coffee, and waiting for my food now 🤭 Make a reservation and don’t be late

This is the place

By Papafish92037 |

This is the place to go to get your speciality cakes and pies. Excellent, but some are very seasonal.

Variety plus

By 924aloha |

What unexpected joy! not only are the bakery offerings special, but the breakfast pancakes with blueberries are loaded. Outside seating if you choose, What a delight!

Outdoor breakfast

By Adelina |

Excellent coffee and breakfast! Loved their mimosa flight. Great service and nice atmosphere - especially the outdoor seating!

Do not miss this sweet gem!

By TravelMore333 |

My husband and I went to Sugar and Scribe for breakfast and also to pick up some sweet treats for our upcoming road trip along the coast. Our breakfast (housemade granola and eggs benedict) was perfection. Every bite of every item just tasted fresh. We bought brownies, ginger cookies, and petit fours for our trip and each baked good was more delicious than the next. Aside from the great food and customer service, I just think this kind of consistency, where everything is exceptional, is rare. Indulge your sweet tooth and give this lovely bakery a try!

Very nice brunch!

By Doug B |

We enjoyed the Beef and Guiness Pie and the chilaquiles. The former was very nicely done (except the poached egg was a bit overdone). The chilaquiles are a bit "zippy" (just on the edge for us), so if you are sensitive to "picante," you might want to try something else. The biscuit for the Guiness pie was an nice addition to it.

Get the Naughty Skillet

By Joe C |

Two of us stopped in for a weekday lunch. The bakery, with all the clever treats, was befitting a Food Network Holiday Baking Champion! We bought some treats to take home, but we were here for lunch. I had the Naughty Skillet, and it was excellent. Crispy potatoes, topped with BBQ shredded beef, eggs, and sriracha hollandaise. Very good, and I would order it again. I was after taste and it delivered. My companion had the Chicken a la King Puff. It was okay, but not what she had expected. The puff was dense and the salad lacked dressing. The flavors were good. The restaurant went out of their way to provide Covid safe dining.

The best brunch I've ever had!

By KCinLG |

Hands down one of the best places I have eaten. I was a little hesitant to visit bc there were no reservations, but even at prime-time brunch hour (11am-ish), there was no wait for three people. I’m sure if you have a larger party, that might be different. The place was packed inside and out, but I think service is fast, so they get people in and out. The restaurant is SUPER cute and offers a nice ambiance; it’s great for families, friends or even couples. Food was SOOOOO good. My group shared the mushroom toast, a healthy skillet and their infamous S & S pancakes. You guys, this is ALL the hype and definitely lived up to our expectations. We had great service at the door and at the table, but I failed to get either people’s names. Anyhow, this place gets 10 stars from me.

Charming Establishment

By ExpoNationals |

Sugar and Scribe Bakery is a charming establishment in beautiful La Jolla. Was lured here due to my being a major sweet tooth, and their 4.5 star Yelp rating with over 700 reviews. Too bad we had already eaten lunch. The food I saw at the other tables looked absolutely scrumptious!! Excellent chance that we will return next time we are in La Jolla in order to try their entrees. Lemon Curd Mini Cupcake. This is what my niece chose with the Yelp check-in deal (One free mini cupcake with purchase). She enjoyed and finished this goodie before I could ask for a bite. (4 stars according to her) Earl Grey and Orange Blossom Macaron. Niece recommended plus her aunt & uncle approved. Yup we all liked it. (4 stars) Fruit Tart with custard. This tasty treat was loaded with berries. Highly recommend this dessert! (5 stars) Carrot Cake Bundt. It was not bad at all. Worth trying. (3.5 stars) Both outdoor and indoor seating available. Sugar and Scribe Bakery is a great place to dine at. Will be back one day.

Fabulous bakery solid breakfast

By Mark H |

Stopped by here Dec 30th, the bakery was fabulous, the ginger cookies were so good we took a couple of boxes home with us. Breakfast itself was very good, I was a little disappointed with the overdone Irish bacon and the see through thin black and white pudding with my breakfast but it was still good. The chicken in puff pastry was delicious and the hollandaise also got rave reviews. We’ll be back

Nice bakery and coffee place

By gzau |

This is a very popular bakery and coffee shop in the middle of La Jolla Cove. They have a cronut that is very heavy but good if you like that kind of thing. They also serve a good breakfast.

great salads

By Z3486MGjohna |

The farmers salad was huge and full of delicious, extremely fresh ingredients. Salad dressing was superb: poblano honey

Great Place for a Saturday Brunch

By Brian S |

We took a morning Segway tour and came here for brunch. Staff were nice and attentive. My daughter classified her chicken a la king puff entree as “in my top 3 breakfasts of the year”. My son had the Loaded King sandwich and loved it. We would come back if we lived here for sure. Hint: Even if you don’t want pancakes as a main dish, order one on the side to share.

Lemon Curd Pancakes are AMAZING!

By dmlembo |

This place was so darling and the breakfast was delicious. The lemon curd pancakes are unbelievable. The atmosphere is great and the service was wonderful. My only negative is that it is pricey, but worth it.

Beach Breakfast

By lkph48 |

I ordered the Traditional Breakfast…great scrambled eggs, good tasting fried potato chunks…crispy bacon and rye toast. The rye toast was a big thick piece of homemade rye bread. My niece ordered the Lemon Curd Pancakes with Orange Cardamom Syrup and Berries. We shared both breakfasts. I really liked the taste of Lemon Curd Pancake. Yes, the dough tasted just like lemon curd. The pancake perfectly cooked with a little crispy on the edges. I like my pancakes like that. After we bought snacks for our trips back home…I bought a peanut butter cookie…a mini- Orange Creamsicle cupcake…and a huge Almond Croissant. Their bakery goods are delicious.

Holiday Weekend Breakfast

By Karen B |

The 25 minute wait was well worth it. The food was excellent. I had the Iron Skillet Quiche - bacon and cheddar. One friend had the grits and shrimp and the other had biscuits and gravy. Everything was delicious.

Fabulous place for breakfast, brunch or lunch!

By Janet E |

The best vegetable quiche I have ever had! Wonderful friendly service and amazing pastries. A true neighborhood gem

Disappointing After Being loyal Fans

By Maria |

We have been regulars for brunch at Sugar and Scribe at least 3x a week since restaurants opened back up during the pandemic. This is precisely why it was so disappointing to receive the service we had on our last visit. The waitress was rude and antagonistic in front of our guests to us. In fact, it was so disconcerting that my husband actually went inside to complain to her and told her it was completely unprofessional and inappropriate. I loved their Eggs Benedict and my hubby enjoyed his Sligo scramble on our visits along with drinks and goodies from the bakery each time, but unfortunately this last interaction with us has put a bad taste in our mouth.

Brunch

By Tessa |

When we arrived, it was busy and we had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated. Once we were seated though, we were helped and had our food in 10 minutes or less. I had an egg white, chicken, and skillet potato dish and it was really good. They also offer gluten free dishes, and majority of their menu are low in calories. They offer inside and a covered outside seating area. The service was remarkable and they were all very friendly. Finally, and probably the most important, it had spacious and extremely clean bathrooms.

Enjoyable and lots of enticing pastry goidies

By Patty8888 |

I’d gotten a bit bored with the menu so stayed away for a while and was delighted to find that Maeve, owner and food network winner, has added some new menu items. My hungry guy ordered the Full Irish Breakfast and ate his way through it, despite his preference for somewhat simpler fare. I enjoyed the Kensington Benedict with salmon. Then we stuffed ourselves with one of Maeve’s homemade mini cupcakes. Homemade bread and excellent coffee rounded things out. All is well, and I’ll be back.

Delicious!!!!

By C. Landa V. |

Delicious and beautiful restaurant!!! We had an amazing breakfast here. They have a delicious menu and all we ate was amazing. The service was impeccable. They have great coffe!!! And the bread is yummy!!! For sure we will be back!!!

Excellent on all accounts

By ALLSLC |

Ordered carryout--ready fast and included silverware. Salad was good and the croissant was outstanding with the chicken salad with artichokes was phenomenal. Also bought some desserts while in store, so much to choose from! Highly recommend

Such a beautiful restaurant with great salads

By Quills G |

Really enjoyed the food at this restaurant. Most of all I loved the ambience. It is a restaurant but also has a coffee bar and a dessert bar with pastries. The salad I ordered was great and my friend ordered the Strawberries fields salad. The highlight of the meal was the biscuit with butter and jam. Yum! There is inside and outdoor seating for your convenience.

Amazing Breakfast and Bakery

By EdW502 |

We were very glad we chose Sugar and Scribe. Our breakfasts were excellent as was the service. We ate outside on the porch. Great atmosphere. The bakery was incredible--yes, we got a couple of things to go. Great croissants, an amazing blueberry coffee cake, and the best was a blackberry custard tart.

outstanding food and service

By Andy R |

We had just gotten into La Jolla and were starving for Sunday breakfast. We saw this place on our way in and it looked nice from the street and not much waiting like some other places (9:30 am). What a great decision. It looked pretty crowded and we were told there would be about a 25-minute wait but we didn't want to go elsewhere and risk it being longer. To our surprise, we got seated in about 10 minutes. Once we got the menus, it was hard to decide over so many great options -several types of French toast, pancakes, skillets & benedicts -even Shepherd's pie and quiche but we needed food fast so quick decisions. The server came within minutes to take our order and we were shocked that it literally took no more than 2 minutes to get our plates. The lemon curd pancakes with fresh berries were awesome and sweet enough that it didn't even need the orange cardamom syrup (but it was nice to add). The Benedict with prosciutto was done just right and not too heavy on the sauce. If we weren't so full we probably would have gotten a pastry to go as they have some great items in the display case. HIGHLY RECOMMEND and they serve breakfast all day. The owner/chef is Irish and has gotten much local recognition for her creations. Please vote helpful if you liked this detailed review.

Put THAT on your plate!

By Bill F |

Breakfast #1 was at The Cottage, a wonderful spot for a great meal. But we walked past it the next morning (to the chagrin of my wife) and went to Sugar and Scribe. This is a tight-knit team of food and coffee fanatics whose passion is on bright display. Creative, innovative, and unique, Executive Chef and owner Maeve Rochford’s team delivers food you’ll first photograph and then savor, bite by bite. It’s “Soup Nazi” level of attention paid to food quality and presentation makes it feel like you should feel blessed to eat here. If you don’t appreciate this meal, you should not be allowed to eat out.

Nice setting, cold food.......

By ROBERT B |

Very nice setting on a business street in La Jolla, comprehensive menu, but our food came quite cold, even though it was supposed to be steaming hot. Did not want to return it for lack of time.

Aaahmazing breakfast in beautiful La Jolla!

By Terri H |

We had a great breakfast here. The lemon pancakes were the best pancakes I have ever had. We also had the brioche French toast, the crab cake Benedict and the smoked salmon Benedict. Everything was outstanding! We also bought a few items from the bakery. We will definitely come again next time we are in La Jolla.

Yum and Adorable!

By Cherie L |

The cutest little cafe with wonderful food! They are also a bakery with a full selection of baked goods and cakes. Dog friendly. Come early to find parking during sunny days or wear comfy shoes to walk in case you have to park further away.

Very fine quality

By Marwan_loves_travel |

Quite an amazing all-day breakfast and lunch menu with a beautiful and upscale patio. It has a very coastal-homie feeling.

What do I have to do to get one of these to open in my hometown?

By M Brock |

The perfect brunch experience. Wonderful mimosas. The Farmers Salad might literally be my favorite salad of all time. My husband felt the same way about his scramble. Staff was fantastic. My only complaint is that we live so far from San Diego and I may never get another meal at this delightful place again.

More than a bakery

By Thomas F |

Many decadent pastries, creative breakfasts and numerous lunch / brunch choices. All choices prepared and served with panache. Lively atmosphere with inside or outside seating seating options. We'll worth the visit.

6 stars! If TJ Maxx were a restauraunt! So CUTE and dELICIOUS!

By Kaleigh |

6 stars! If TJ Maxx were a restauraunt! So CUTE and dELICIOUS! My SO had the california skillet with amazing buttery potatoes that were so soft, and SUPER flavorful tomatoes, and it was a LARGE portion size! I had the Brioche french toast with Nutella and Strawberries and it felt like I was in heaven! The decor at this restaurant is so cute, it reminds me of TJ Maxx. I'd LOVE to go back again!

Desayuno perfecto

By Alan E |

The place is amazing!! And the Food.. speechless! Amazing. We will definitely coming back! Thank you so much for the attention.

Fantastic brunch spot

By Sarah J |

My mom and I recently visited San Diego and got brunch here since we were staying near by. It was busy but we only waited 10 minutes for our table which was great! Kyla, our waitress, was so sweet and had some great recommendations. The food was fabulous and they even have a little bakery inside! I got a cupcake and s me ginger cookies to go from the bakery which were also phenomenal. The prices are reasonable for a good brunch and I’d love to go here agai the next time we visit!

YUMMY!

By juliebergman |

What a fun place to eat. Make sure you allow yourself time to browse the pastry case. Gorgeous pastries! I had the quiche and my daughter did the traditional breakfast. She loved the potatoes but the eggs were a bit dry. My quiche was amazing. The lavendar lemonade mimosa is also a great morning treat! A bit noisy but all in all really nice.

The display of treats is like a museum!

By Lisa m |

We had an excellent brunch of both sweet and savory dishes. Notable were the biscuits, croissants, and Strawberry Cloud (strawberry milk beverage) but also the "Naughty" breakfast and the prosciutto benedict. Would highly recomment.

Nice breakfast... at the opening

By Roland L |

Very nice breakfast place with a lot of variety. Great Barista making nice cappuccinos. We had as well the homemade Limonade and some warm cinnamon croissant plus the delicious pancakes. The egg dishes are great as well. The staff is friendly and the quality of the food is very nice . Enjoyable way of starting the day .

Great breakfast

By Wesley M |

Excellent food and service. Highly recommend for breakfast. We had the Norwegian Salmon Benedict and Brioche French Toast with an outside table and it was awesome.

Best breakast in La Jolla

By Flooj12 |

Lovely food, friendly servers, extremely clean. What sets S and S above The Cottage is that it is not just a " get em in get em out" breakfast place. The fact that it is a fully functioning bakery as well rather than just an eating place seems to instill a higher degree of standards if that makes sense. We chatted with the owners mother and it all seems be one happy family there. I would recommend you go here first. Compare with Cottage by all means but this will win your vote. Warning: long lines at peak times!

Great food, interesting menu

By JudyGE |

I met a friend here for lunch on a sunny winter day. We sat outside under a large tent. We both ordered breakfast food. I loved my lemon curd pancakes. The restaurant and staff are lovely, and definitely check out the bakery.

We thought the staff were rude

By Robot1987 |

We found the staff rude for second time - unaccommodating and really quite unfriendly. After the first visit we said we wouldn’t return and I wish I had stuck to that plan, but will not make the mistake again. The staff at The Cottage across the street are lovely in contrast!

Scotch eggs and Pancakes

By TravellingTrio720 |

Great place for breakfast/brunch. Ordered a Irish Breakfast, scotched eggs and pancakes. All very good. Can’t wait to come back on a Sunday to order the chicken and waffles (fried chicken only available on Sundays).

Sugar and Scribe, La Jolla, CA

By Jane Q |

This Sugar and Scribes is in my daughter's neighborhood so I've been there several times. We were there for brunch during the Christmas Holidays and it was more crowded than normal but the wait was not bad. My husband loved the egg scrabble. I had a bacon avocado sandwich which was excellent. Locals tell me it's as good as The Cottage, where there's always a long line.

Definitely eat here! Wonderful

By HuntSAH |

What a cute place and a wonderful breakfast! The lattes were delicious. The fresh squeezed orange juice was awesome. We both had a skillet and both were so yummy! Mine was a spicy skillet with egg whites, feta and other good stuff & my husband’s had grilled chicken, egg whites, potatoes & cheese The only thing I did not like at the restaurant was our waitress. On our receipt it says Erica N. She wasn’t overly friendly from the beginning, but even after bringing our check, she was clearing our plates and never said have a good day, did you enjoy your food, how was it, thanks for coming in. She needs a manager to teach her some manners. Of course I still tipped 20%. I would 100% eat here again and specifically ask not to have Erica N. as our waitress.

Cute bakery in the center of La Jolla Village

By rpisces |

First time to eat at his local bakery. First off, it is darling. A neighborhood place to visit for breakfast or lunch and of course their bake goods. One criticism, I have is I would have much rather the artichoke chicken salad sandwich be made with white meat only, as I took a big bite of blubbery fat, yuck! The service was also something they need to work on a bit. Otherwise very cute place, will try it again.

Great dog friendly patio, food & service!

By hotellover13 |

I say 5 stars but my husband says 4 stars. We stopped for breakfast and here's our breakdown: Service: 5 stars for sure! Our server was attentive, friendly and super helpful in helping me chose what to order (I wanted it all haha). Food: 4-5 stars Slingo Scramble- I loved it! Eggs cooked perfect with just enough cheese! I didn't think I'd like a spring salad for breakfast but the sweet vinaigrette was good. I ate it all. Traditional breakfast- my hubby said it was good but needed improvement. His eggs were cooked perfect, bacon was good but, the potatoes were really bland. That made him sad. :( Irish brown bread - we both thought it was too dry. It's a really thick cut too. However, it was delicious dipped in the fresh boysenberry jam! But then again so was my finger. Haha!! Elderberry mini muffin- super tasty Peach mimosa- I need more! But for $12 one is enough. Chocolate covered coffee flan- really rich and too sweet for me but my hubby loved it. Patio seating & Location: 5 stars! It's got a covered patio that is dog friendly and there is a lot of comfortable seating with pillows. The location is great too. It's in a strip mall with its own parking lot and is in the village so it's easy walking to the all the shops. If I lived closer I'd go back in a second!! I need to try the chilaquiles, lemon curd pancakes, house benedict and chicken a la king puff... Guess I'll have to make a few more road trips. :)

A must visit if in La Jolla/ San Diego

By Heather Potee |

The food was amazing and prices are good. I had the Irish breakfast and could not stop eating it. My mom had the Slago scramble and said it was delicious. I highly recommend the lavender lemonade and save room for the ginger chews and take some home. I hope to be back and will make a point to visit Sugar and Scribe again.

Friendly, busy place.

By pt0 |

Well run, with good food. The owner, chef was on site so everything is done as if someone is paying attention. One of the few restaurants where they manage the crowd well and seat you quickly and serve you efficiently. We loved it! Try the chilaquiles.

Delectable and Delightful

By Rhonda C |

I stopped here for lunch on the way home from the airport. It was such a wonderful experience from the ambience, service, other guests, attention to details, and The Food! My sister had the bacon and cheddar quiche with roasted potatoes. She was over the moon with how good it was. I had the Chicken A La King Puff, and it was truly amazing! So good. Both of our dishes came with cranberry chutney that we found to be delicious. Our waiter was very personable and had a lot of positives to share with us about the menu and the restaurant. After our exquisite meal we were too full for dessert, but that did not stop us for checking out the bakery for a sweet treat to take home. After oohing and aahing over the displays for about 15 minutes we finally made a decision. My sister chose the chocolate brownie. Best ever, and large enough to share with me. I chose the Lemon Meringue Tart. It was perfection, outstanding, and beautiful. This will be a regular stop for me with my out-of-town guests.

Brunch with an Irish /mexican touch

By Zai14amoviajar |

Good food, very clean, we had the chicken puff and the beast. Nice drinks and desserts. Service was fast and is pet friendly. Will definately recomend

Fantastic brunch

By Elliott B |

We were vacationing in San Diego and wanted to spend the day in La Jolla, and my wife found this restaurant for a brunch site. We were so happy that we dined here, staff was excellent, biscuits served with tea were out of this world and the food was excellent. They were also very accommodating since we had a toddler with as well. Next time we are in CA we will come back!

Go For the Biscuits and Gravy

By Cynthia H |

This bakery will satisfy any sweet tooth, but my favorite is the fluffy biscuit topped with warm gravy. My only wish is that they would offer a medium roast coffee; yes I am the only person on the planet who does not care for burnt roast. Sigh. But the tea is wonderful. The breakfast sandwiches look amazing. Nice environment to relax on the outside sidewalk.

Friendly gathering place; good coffee and eats!

By 2beans2000 |

Sugar and Scribe has been such a great addition to our community: lovely, bright space with lovely inside seating and outdoor seating. I've found the pastries to be delightful. Some of the savories can be a bit heavy for my tastes. The location is great for meeting friends and walking from or to most anywhere in the Village of La Jolla: beaches, Main shopping area on Girard, catching a movie at The Lot, or after school snacks. Enjoy!

Great Breakfast experience

By Richard Shugar |

I visited Sugar and Scribe following the father-son tennis tournament in La Jolla, so we were looking for a great breakfast. We were very fortunate to find Sugar and Scribe. The menu was unique and varied. The service was wonderful and timely. I highly recommend the restuarant and experience.

Wedding Cake

By ChicagoSSTraveler |

All the guest loved the cake! I was a stand-in taster for the bridal couple and was hooked on the presentation selections and great taste! Service was fantastic, the cake an artistical masterpiece. They even gave the bride and groom a beautiful keepsake!

Wonderful food, great chef, a wonderful La Jolla experience.

By Bill Smith |

Perfect Time on Easter Sunday. We knew there would be a wait, and it was worth it. My wife enjoyed the shrimp and grits and I enjoyed eggs and Irish sausage. Clever presentations of all. Got to talk with Chef Maeve and watch her work so very hard at the front of the house. My granddaughter turned on Holiday Baking Championship Season 2 to watch Chef Maeve again when we got home.

Adorable restaurant and bakery

By AdventureGirl6 |

This place is so cute inside. Upscale bistro-ish with giant bakery counter in the front. There's also a nice space to sit outside. Big portions. I had a benedict with Prosciutto. Egg cooked perfectly but the prosciutto was a tad too salty for me. My lunch mates enjoyed their selections. The bakery section, wow - so much of a selection! We bought several items. They all looked divine. Some were just ok. The lemon coconut bar was pretty tasty. I'd definitely go back to try more of everything. I remember when they were just a small bake shop in Pacific Beach... it's cool to see how they've grown.

Delicious La Jolla breakfast

By Gary D |

We had an unbelievably delicious breakfast. Pancakes and hot chocolate or delicious. Highly recommend this as a breakfast destination if you’re in La Jolla.

Amazing food and pet friendly

By Britivie |

I had the lemon curd pancakes, and they were the best pancakes I’ve ever had. Everyone else in my party was pleased with their food. Their bakery is cute. Everyone was nice. I’m glad we stopped by for breakfast.

Best meal we had in La Jolla

By familyinnh |

Delicious, creative, unexpected great breakfast. We sat outside. Service was friendly and efficient. Food was beautifully prepared and presented. Coffee was best we had. Go here.

Mimosas + food = A+

By Carey B |

I love the ambiance. The bakery has the best items and the food was delicious. Not to mention the mimosa flights yum. Highly recommend.

Loved

By Melanie K |

Impeccably attentive service, amazing food. Loved it! Super cute flowery designs, feels like a tea party and appreciated the outdoor heating. Absolutely will be back.

Still Heaven on Earth!

By PJCoastToCoast |

I reviewed this place in January 2017 and loved it then. Their bakery is amazing (Chef Maeve made us a gluten free cake for our wedding and it was amazeballs). Still love our visits here! We missed coming here for a while during the initial stages of COVID but last Christmas, when we weren't traveling at all, the staff (Ainsley, I believe) was kind enough - in the middle of the insanity of that time and a busy holiday season - to help me put in an order to ship us some of their fantastic thick chocolate chip cookies. It kinda made our holiday last year and it makes me want to cry just thinking about it. We were there again recently and it's still as wonderful as ever. Even got to see Chef Maeve for a second! No matter how busy they are, service is always great and their breakfast/brunch items are mouthwateringly good. If I could give them 20 stars, I would. The only way it could get any better is if we moved next door!

THIS PLACE IS BEAUTIFUL

By Jodi c |

and the food is delicious. we had a gorgeous filling breakfast in a great atmosphere. Waitress could have smiled but she was proficient enough. got desserts to go. hard when you want to try everything!

Amazing

By Susanlynn53 |

Could not have a better breakfast vibe we had four entrees and each was fantastic. Lemon curd pancakes and brioche French toast were perfect. Hot chocolate was a work of art and the croissant cinnamon bun was excellent. My husband had a scramble skillet which he raved about. An added plus was the toast which was Irish brown bread.

Super cute bakery

By baelynnn |

While visiting we saw the owner on “Beat Bobby Flay” and wanted to visit her restaurant/bakery. I had been there once before on a previous trip and it was super cute. We went on a monday morning and got in right away and had a cute little brunch (cinnamon brioche french toast is amazing!) and their bakery inside is even more cute, especially their wall full of sprinkles. We got to meet the owner and she was super sweet! I highly recommend visiting this place if you get the chance!

This is a must-eat spot!

By travelin' mama |

While visiting La Jolla on vacation our family happened across this gem. We stopped in for brunch/lunch and loved the cute vibe of of this place. My cranberry mimosa was a tasty alongside the delicious asparagus and goat cheese quiche. I was very surprised that the crust was puff pastry, very light and flaky instead of a typical pie crust. Loved it! My son got the kids french toast fingers (I of course had to try them too) and they were perfect along with a little fruit bowl of berries. There is also a plethora of yummy-looking baked goods up front but was too stuffed to try them. The service was good even though our waiter wasn't very friendly. Almost seemed like he didn't want to be there. Highly recommend this as a perfect breakfast, brunch or lunch spot!

Business Breakfast

By Lisa B |

Much bigger than you realize at first glance. Lovely indoor and outdoor seating areas. Good service, good variety of breakfast options. Though only the fruit cup is a truly lite option! Although a business breakfast it was a celebration and the mimosas were really good, try the Lavendar one.

Delicious & healthy brunch

By FanbaseOf1 |

We ate here having mistakenly chosen this cafe for gluten free pancakes & waffles, which they do not offer. The server observed our disappointment, so then the owner stopped by our table and was incredibly attentive, explaining the choices on the menu, some current supply chain challenges and helping us find options for our child who cannot have gluten. Luckily he is not that hard to please and upon receiving Udi’s bread, he declared it “the best breakfast in California.” To earn 5 stars from us, they would need to have more gluten free dishes. The owner explained why Udi’s is not suitable for their staff to use for making French toast (because it would fall apart) - but in my opinion, Udi’s omega flax breads (not the white) are very easy to work with to make French toast. They use real maple syrup, which I always appreciate. The ambiance was nice; lots of outdoor seating. I ordered the blue moon latte, which was made blue with blue spiralina. The creativity of this drink was a nice touch but I would have strongly preferred it to be served with something to sweeten it mildly.

Lovely brunch

By Neil2509 |

Lovely brunch - the food was absolutely delicious Service was great too There was a 45 min wait but that was clearly set out on arrival & we were seated exactly as promised I would thoroughly recommend it

Breakfast

By etrdh |

The Coffee was undrinkable. It was very bitter . The Pancakes were great but we also had Salmon Benedict I was expecting poached salmon but it was lox. It came out cold and the muffin was so hard I couldn't cut it.I was expecting much more as the reviews were so wonderful

Great Breakfast

By EricLosAngeles |

We had pancakes and french toast which were excellent. Service was fast and diligent. Seem to bake a lot of the goods in house.

Great discovery

By FashionRR |

Sugar and Scribe is not only sweet in name, but also convinces with its wonderful design and attention to detail. The food offers a successful mix of stylish-trendy and healthy. The selection of sweet and savoury food is wide, and the drinks are creative and harmonize perfectly with the dishes. We can definitely recommend the restaurant! The location is lovingly decorated, floral and simply magical. The staff is very friendly and helpful. A clear recommendation!

Loved it!

By TravelGirl1177 |

Be prepared to wait because this is a busy place that doesn’t take reservations. But, the wait is worth it!! From the drinks to the food, everything was delicious. The lemon pancakes were very enjoyable everyone that tried a skillet loved it! Don’t forget to stop in the bakery and take home soMe treats. We liked the PB cookies the best. I also took an iced mocha to go and it was by far the best I’ve ever had...and I’ve sampled a lot!

Scrumptious

By lovetowrite50 |

Thee best breakfast we have ever had. Period. The pancakes with blueberry compote and whipped vanilla cream were light , fluffy and full of both blueberries and Vermont maple syrup. Wonderful . The cinnamon French toast was fantastic. You could order it every weekend and never tire. The service was quick , knowledgeable and very friendly. Great staff.

WOW!

By Deron |

Met a friend while visiting SD with my three daughters who had recommended this place. Great service and outstanding menu. Had the Chicken al la King puff which was recommended by our server - outstanding! We also had the biscuits and gravy which were very good but I consider myself a B&G expert and although good I have had better. Upon leaving we grabbed some baked goods, ginger spice Cookes to be exact and they were delicious. Highly recommend this place; cute, adorable with friendly staff, great service and outstanding food!

delicious desserts

By Brie1991 |

My girlfriends and I stumbled upon this place for brunch. The variety of desserts made us stay and we're glad we did. Our waitress Kyla was very kind and gave us some great recommendations, which some of us took. Coming from Charleston, I was set on the biscuits and gravy. It did not disappoint! My favorite thing was the cupcakes that Karissa helped me choose. None of them were dry and it all tasted homemade. I couldn't even take a picture of them because of how badly I wanted to try them. We all brought desserts back to share with our family. Love this place and I cannot wait to go back!

Terrible Service, Below Average Food, Astronomical Prices

By Gerry M |

We went for Sunday brunch just last week while visiting friends in San Diego. They were anxious to try the restaurant, since they had never been there. My wife and I are hard core foodies formerly from the Great Lakes, so were looking forward to another "hidden gem" we could recommend to others who travel here. Waited 30 minutes outside the restaurant for a table, as expected, since it was Sunday and the weather was beautiful, and we always assumed a wait means a good experience. Got to the table, and waited 10min for the server who turned out to be very helpful explaining the menu items. He got the coffee, juices and took our order. We then waited 40 minutes for food! Luckily it came to the table hot and not cold. Our server quickly left for other tables-and the couple we were with said they counted that he was waiting on at least 8 tables! (Way too short handed restaurant wise to deliver good service). I had the Protein Scramble (a compromise because I really wanted a veggie omelet-not offered). Needed Cholula hot sauce and asked another server for it-after 10 additional minutes of my food getting cold, I got the hot sauce myself from another table inside! My wife had the traditional Eggs Benedict and said the sauce was so bad that she would never order the dish anywhere else if it was the first time she tried it here (Eggs Benedict is her go to breakfast and we have several favorite places for it where we live). Finally, the bill came-over $100 for a breakfast for 4 people-and this restaurant doesn't even have 1 Michelin star! The management needs to hire more servers, train them better, and manage the kitchen staff so food delivery is within an acceptable limit. We weren't even here during the peak tourist season-I can only imagine what it would be like to try the restaurant on a Sunday in July.

Loved this place!!!!

By C. Landa V. |

This amazing restaurant is delicious!!! Everything I tried was delicious!!! Love having breakfast here. The service is perfect. Everyone is happy. The food came fast and coffe was the best. Their pastries are amazing. This is definitely a must!!!

They have a parking lot!

By Zoolander |

The food was ok. I got the tuna salad plate, my dad got the egg salad plate and Mom got the roasted chicken avocado salad. Her salad was huge! Everything was good, but they don't give lemonade refills...? We did get free samples of cupcakes (so good) and that was awesome.

OK Breakfast

By CaribbeanFan |

Stopped by here for coffee and breakfast. Food took a long time and I did enjoy it bug found it to be a bit pricey.

Great waffles and biscuits and gravy.

By Sharon S |

Food and service was awesome. Adhered to Covid restrictions. Cute little store where you could purchase sweets to take home

Fabulous breakfast, reasonable prices

By DHBourke |

The food is delicious, the portions large, the prices reasonable. Hands down the best place for breakfast in La Jolla. Don’t miss the scrambles or the French toast.

My favorite place to eat in La Jolla...especially for breakfast!

By CathRun |

Phenomenal food. I mean, the best at this price point in town. Get an outside table and just relax. The coffee is great, the eggs benedict, the french toast....top of the line and excellent. The service is always good and we go there at least once a week. It's our favorite breakfast place to take out oft owners. AND her lunch is really good, too. Tasty salads and sandwiches. And don't get me started on her pastries....

Extremely disappointing experience at Sugar and Scribe.

By mingyi l |

Extremely disappointing experience at Sugar and Scribe. We waited over 20 minutes after placing our order with no updates. When we asked the staff, no one came back to us. I went to the front and an older lady approached us, raising her voice loudly across the restaurant, saying "you've only been waiting for 20 minutes, it normally takes over 30 minutes to prepare a dish." She also mentioned that everyone here waits over 45 minutes just to be seated, implying that we should be grateful. I politely said, "Please lower your voice," because the entire restaurant turned to look at us. She responded loudly, "This is my thing, I can't lower my voice, this is how I am." When I pointed out how rude it was, she continued to argue loudly and even threatened to cancel our order if I couldn’t accept her attitude. At that point, I felt completely disrespected and left with my family — after spending nearly 50 minutes there without even getting our food. I understand that this is a "popular" spot, but it doesn't justify treating customers this way. They act like they are doing customers a favor just by letting people eat here — zero appreciation, zero respect. No matter how good the food might be, a restaurant that lacks basic courtesy and respect for customers is absolutely not worth visiting. Never coming back.

Morning fun co-worker gathering

By doctoyou |

My hospital night shift staff needed a place to meet after work- had 10 peeps. Sat outside (large decks and inside seating too). Given a couple of tables. Servers were fine taking orders 3 times as many different arrival times. Creative menu and treats incl the drinks. Portions are generous. It did take a while for the food to arrive but it is worth it. Nice to go pastry selections. Small lot in front but you will probably require street parking.

Nice sandwiches

By theuncle2018 |

We ordered two items to go on our way out of town. I had some kind of fancy BLT with avocado and my kid had a grilled cheese. Both were definitely above average and tasty. One thing that I didn’t like was that it came with a side salad which was loose in the same big clear plastic clam shell container. So, it was hard to eat and you couldn’t put dressing on the salad without it leaking onto the sandwich. So - the food was good but a very impractical container. Maybe I’m too picky but I asked for a glass of ice water and they filled the cup with tap water from the kitchen sink. I thought that was fairly strange for an “upscale” place. Anyway, if I were only reviewing the food itself, I’d give it a 5. But with the other quirks, it gets a 4.

Snooty service

By family32606 |

Waitstaff not pleasant nor helpful. Chai tea was ordinary. Find somewhere else where they appreciate their customers

Great with substitutions

By CMC S |

Some things were good some were GREAT. Really happy to substitute items for some members of our party. Not everything came out together.

Amazing! Amazing!

By michelleaQ968HV |

I followed the crowd. I had no idea what I walking into but first the visual charm of this adorable restaurant with their cozy tied back drapes laced around their outdoor patio lured me in! Yes you may need to wait for a table but on a beautiful day as is LaJolla has, it is well worth the wait. The hot drinks were amazing. Try their Blue Moon Latte as I had which was so different but had a great taste that i had to take a photo. Hot Cocoa with house made marshmallow. Wow! and then came my order.....I ordered the Veg Life Scramble.....Did not leave a crumb on my plate! My daughter the chocolate banana muffin......moist and not too sweet...tasted naturally great! Such a wonderful experience that i had to take home this splendid experience as a memory with their cute Tee that the staff in the bakery also wear!

Amazing

By Trvwr |

Stopped for breakfast while in La Jolla it was amazing the bacon, potatoes, and pancakes we delicious! Was even greeted by a celebrity chef. A must do!!

Awesome Bakery and Restaurant.

By Joanie_Balonie |

We were staying in La Jolla for a wedding and found this quaint place within walking distance of our hotel, we liked it so much, we went there two times for breakfast! On our first visit, we had the 'endless mimosas'...they have three flavors, so of course, we had to try them all. :-) On that visit we all ordered the 'traditional breakfast', two of us had scrambled eggs and the other sunny side up. All dishes were delicious. The second visit found us ordering Lattes and Bloody Marys. I had the Lox plate while the others had the Breakfast Croissant Sandwiches, Traditional Breakfast, all were prepared perfectly. Great service and yummy food, Sugar and Scribe will not disappoint.

Do This Breakfast

By lovetowrite50 |

This is our second year returning here for the best breakfast and brunch ever. The blueberry compote pancakes with vanilla whipped cream are so light and sweet, no maple syrup is necessary, but please order the real stuff anyways. The service is open, friendly and aim to please. And they hustle. Always refilling that refillable lemonade. Don’t miss this place.