The Best Brunch Spots in the OC

Orange County occupy a mountain of thing in earnest ( Politics ! Disney ! Whether or not to say “ the ” before “ OC ” ! ) . But the thing it convey most seriously is brunch – which is why we ’ve put together this list of the best brunch spots in Orange County :

TAPS

The closest OC bewilder to a Vegas - style upscale counter is TAPS . The food quality is faultless , and the option will make your plate overrun more than your waistline . Its specialty is seafood , so you will incur in high spirits - end sea selection like new shucked oyster and jabbing . But if you favor red-hot breakfast , it has all the traditional choices , like eggs Benedict , and hot , gooey cinnamon ringlet . The inclusive snack counter also includes your selection of scintillate wine , mimosas , or two deoxyephedrine of house - brewed beer .

Chapter One

Located in the Downtown Santa Ana Artists Village , Chapter One has one of the most energetic brunches in Orange County , thanks to a house musician who will often pull up invitee who have had a mates supernumerary mimosas for a Johnny Cash duet . Whether or not you ’re a singer , you should corrode “ The Hash … Yo , ” made with Salmon River , sweet potato corn hash , poached egg , and toast . Like something sweeter ? Then you should attain the banana Foster - stuffed brioche French toast . Not full yet ? Get the Monkey Balls for dessert .

Plums Cafe

Plums Café is a not - so - unavowed hidden jewel have it off for Pacific Northwest - inspired dish aerial , like “ campfire trout , ” which come in with eggs , Oregon black pepper Sir Francis Bacon , and white potato , and the Dutch Baby – a atrocious , inscrutable - dish pancake that ’s a must - rules of order for the table .

Break of Dawn

Break of Dawn was establish by chef Dee Nguyen , who was the sous chef at the Ritz - Carlton Laguna Niguel . His solid food at BOD is creative and up to the standards of that chemical chain ’s fanciest brunches . The dishes are modern , with a insidious flair of Vietnamese flavour . The bacon and eggs , for instance , sounds deceptively unsubdivided ; in fact , the testicle are tempura flashing - fried ( ! ! ) and served with house - cured pork barrel venter , kimchi spiced crema , and potatoes . The squawk brisket is equally impressive , made with a beef tongue ragu , king oyster mushroom cloud , and merlot poach eggs .

Stacks Pancake House

This Hawaiian restaurant serves a melt pot of east and west flavors joined in the ciao style . The homey coffeehouse is best get it on for its gigantic , melt - in - your rima oris banana macadamia nut pancakes , served with homemade coconut syrup , and the ego - explanatory Captain Crunch French toast . But the savory point are equally delicious . The kalbi & eggs combo literally is a service of Korean - expressive style kalbi short ribs with eggs , served with a side of pancakes . Come hungry .

Tacos Ensenada

Tacos Ensenada is the sort of no - fuss brunch spot where you could show up in your pajamas and they will still welcome you like family – peculiarly if your sept happens to talk Spanish . set of people orderliness lunch for breakfast here , and it ’s not the wrong pick : the menudo is a specialism , and goes great with a 30 oz Tecate bottle . If you still feel like orchis , prescribe the chile verde and ask for a side of ballock over easy . Boom .

Grits

This Southern comfort solid food spot does unique bag like a “ Pork Cheek Benny , " which is an interpretation of eggs Benedict , but made with jalapeño grits , poached egg , and Hollandaise sauce on top . Other playfulness items include a Dr. Pepper pork cannon , and the crispy poulet skins served with bacon jam , all of which go great with the curated guile beer or five - mean solar day insensate - brew coffee bean .

Taco Maria

Chef / owner Carlos Salgado is one ofFood & Wine ’s Best New Chefs of 2015 and is a 2016 James Beard Award semifinalist , so it ’s no surprise that brunch at Taco Maria is a polished affair . It ’s served as a three - grade prix - fixe , with starters including the bean - transcend loot dish moletes , and entranceway include chilaquiles with mole - inebriate chips , hanger steak , fried egg , and cotija .

Old Vine Café

This woodsy restaurant ’s bill of fare is split into confection , savory , and deserts , which means essentially breakfast sweet options ( baked autumn pumpkin French pledge ) , omelette ( smoke salmon ; goat ) and specialty mantrap like the southerly staple , scrapple , attend to with panko - crusted immature tomatoes .

Las Brisas

Las Brisas is an Orange County dining institution that overlooks the Pacific Ocean from the heights of the Laguna Beach cliffs , with brunch that comes in two forms , depending on the day you visit . The counter , serve Monday through Saturday , include the compulsory waffle and omelet station and classic favorites like ball Benedict , as well as more strange options like picadillo squawk crepes and Mexican lasagna . But if you want the real good deal , hit the Sunday plot brunch : the four - course meal includes Champagne and freshly bake pan dolce , as well as entrance like crepes de Laguna , occupy with spicy scallops , shrimp , fish , and a velvety citrus velouté sauce .

SideDoor

This kind ofGame of Thrones - ish gastropub ’s solid food is n’t medieval . It has a deep-fried volaille & buttermilk waffle dish that is one of the most pop items on the brunch bill of fare , and a meridian rib sandwich that uses the same prime costa from the fancy Five Crowns restaurant next room access , so you may expect a flavorful and juicy sandwich .

Orange Hill Restaurant

sip your buck’s fizz in this rustic setting while overleap Catalina Island will make you feel like you are on vacation . away from the canonical buffet waffle , omelet , and carving station , it also offers a fresh seafood selection , as well as low - cholesterol and gluten - free sections ( are you sure this is n’t LA ? ) . If you do n’t require to buff , it also has à la carte brunch , with items such as rib - eye steak & eggs and banana Foster - stylus Gallic toast .

Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen

Cha Cha ’s is known mostly for happy hour , but do n’t criticize its late , Latin - jazzy brunch . come out at 11:30am on weekends , you may get the $ 24 brunch special , which include eternal chips & salsa , the choice of a Bloody Mary or mimosa , salad , and a choice of entrée , include fresh manilla paper clams and a stuffed quesadilla . Regardless of what else you get , also order the queso fundito , which is muy , muy bueno .

Cafe Mimosa

Cafe Mimosa is less than a mile from the beach , and set in a former mansion , with tables on the patio that leave a cool sea breeze with your French - influenced solid food . alternative include the “ Oeufs en Meurette , ” – ruby wine poached orchis with kick bourgeon , and seven different Benedict , set out from the classic ham guy wire to a lobster option .

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Breakfast at Plums Cafe