9 Best Breakfast in Carmel [Update 2024]

Looking for the best breakfast in Carmel? Look no further! Whether you prefer a buffet-style feast or an affordable meal to start your day, Carmel has plenty of options to satisfy your cravings.

From cozy restaurants to charming hotels, this coastal town has a variety of places that offer delicious breakfast menus at affordable prices.

If you’re in the mood for a hearty breakfast with a wide selection of food, head to one of the restaurants in Carmel that offer buffet-style breakfasts. These establishments provide a range of dishes to choose from, ensuring that you’ll find something to suit your taste buds.

Imagine starting your day with a plate full of fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, and freshly brewed coffee.

Some of the hotels in Carmel also offer buffet breakfasts as part of their amenities, allowing guests to enjoy a satisfying meal before exploring the town.

For those on a budget, there are plenty of affordable breakfast options in Carmel. You don’t have to break the bank to start your day with a delicious meal.

From cozy cafés to local diners, you’ll find places that serve mouthwatering breakfast dishes at wallet-friendly prices.

Whether you’re in the mood for a classic American breakfast, a stack of decadent waffles, or a healthy bowl of fruit and yogurt, Carmel has it all.

When it comes to breakfast in Carmel, there’s no shortage of fantastic places to eat. Whether you’re staying at a hotel or exploring the town, you’ll find a variety of options that cater to different preferences and budgets.

So, if you’re wondering where to have the best breakfast in Carmel, look no further. Check out our list of recommendations and start your day off right with a delicious meal.

Katy’s Place

Katy's Place
AddressMission St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA
Phone Number+1 831-624-0199
Operating HourMonday: 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM, Tuesday: 7:30 – 10:00 AM, Wednesday: Closed, Thursday: 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM, Friday: 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM, Saturday: 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM, Sunday: 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM
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Real Customer Reviews at Katy's Place:


George Korn04:07 08/08/23
What a great place to eat, the staff was phenomenal and just so friendly. Our waitress was the best and really made our day(Icelandic woman). We had the Banana Pancakes, Peanut Pancakes and a special but the best thing of all was the Hash! A must try if you venture out, the only downside was too many choices as it all smelled and sounded so good. Enjoy!

Anthony Sinisgalli22:17 08/04/23
I can’t say anything bad about the food, the service or the atmosphere. Why I give it a two stars is because they charge six dollars for a coffee. For me personally that is insulting! I feel like, at that price, a restaurant is just taking advantage of their customer. For that reason alone, I will not come back. It might sound petty, but for me it’s about principle. I had the country omelette which was $19 and my coffee was a third of that price. Ridiculous and sad👎🏽

Athena V.04:41 07/30/23
Such a cute place to have breakfast.Crab 🦀 and avocado 🥑 omelet. Yummers 😋

Linda13:43 07/27/23
Wanted to like this place, crowded, nice atmosphere. Two people ordering pancakes, French toast and coffee set us back $70 with tax and tip. That’s pretty expensive for an ordinary breakfast! The brioche French toast was good but the banana pancakes had no flavor, couldn’t even eat. Service was good, though too busy to get a refill on my coffee. Cash only, good thing we happen to have enough as quite expensive and disappointing.

Tareq Barakzoy04:06 05/23/23
Service was prompt. The food is average but the prices are very expensive. Breakfast for two without coffee, juice or mimosas, just water, for $50!!!If the food was extra ordinary, I would say ok. Worst part is that you have to wait to pay at the counter and the cashier also collects the tips 🤨😏
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The Little Swiss Café

The Little Swiss Café
Address6th Ave &, Dolores St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA
Phone Number+1 831-624-5007
Operating HourMonday: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM, Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM, Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM, Thursday: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM, Friday: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM, Saturday: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM, Sunday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
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Real Customer Reviews at The Little Swiss Café:


Leah O00:53 08/03/23
Wanted to love this place more than we did. Unfortunately our food was very over cooked, all three of us! Our hostess and server were incredibly kind and we felt well taken care of. We may give this place another chance as we loved the food choices and atmosphere.

Anna D19:57 07/14/23
The best egg Benedict I've ever had! Got the spinach Benedict with breakfast cubed potatoes instead of the hash. Oh wow! And a side of one cheese crepe just because it looked so good and I wanted to try it but not a full order. The inside is adorable and transports you to a cozy Swiss Cafe. Just love this place.Note to owners: Please consider expanding with a location in Chicago!! ❤️

Sandy Teall06:10 06/26/23
Excellent food and service. Expect to wait for a table on the weekends but it's worth the wait. French dip sandwich was great as were the breakfast burrito and the Denver omelet. Hash browns were especially great as well as the homemade raisin toast.

Malu Martins22:33 05/18/23
Amazing staff, even better food. I loved the aesthetic of the place. I’ve never been to Switzerland but it made me feel transported there. Highly recommend.

Emily Bonilla00:38 04/04/23
Such a quaint and cozy restaurant!! The service is absolutely phenomenal. We were greeted by the owner and he had such a welcoming and friendly personality. Our waitress was just as amazing and the chef Oly made delicious blintzes for us. You cannot come here without trying one!! Will definitely be back again.
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Village Corner Bistro

Village Corner Bistro
AddressDolores Street &, 6th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, USA
Phone Number+1 831-624-3588
Operating HourMonday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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Real Customer Reviews at Village Corner Bistro:


Dennis Sidoti09:39 07/21/23
Landmark restaurant in Carmel that deserves the outstanding reputation it has! A wonderful dining experience! If you're ever in this magical town, take advantage of all that the Village Corner Bistro has to offer - from incredible wait staff to delicious menu items!

Tina Murray15:36 07/03/23
Had a lovely brunch with family visiting from out of town. We can't make reservation it's well worth putting your name on the list and waiting for your turn. Loved the eggs benedict omelet and belt

Chris Fenton18:30 06/11/23
Great breakfast spot. Great outdoor patio with a fire pit. Classic breakfast menu. Wonderful staff who already knows our drink order (two Bloody Mary and two hot chocolate) 2 adults and two kids. Dog friendly on the patio. Wonderful Carmel-by-the-Sea experience. Highly recommend for a casual breakfast.

Sandra E00:04 05/07/23
Great little place for breakfast. Staff was super great and food was delicious. We had a group of 9 so they accommodated us nicely. Highly recommend.

christina perepelitsa21:49 08/15/22
This was by far my favorite little restaurant in Carmel. The ambience was wonderful and service was great. The outside seating was very peaceful and inviting. The food tasted high quality and was very delicious. They were able to substitute ingredients due to allergies and I had no issues. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a nice spot to eat in Carmel! I will also be coming again:)
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Carmel Belle

Carmel Belle
AddressSan Carlos St, Ocean Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA
Phone Number+1 831-624-1600
Operating HourMonday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
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Real Customer Reviews at Carmel Belle:


Mamikazi Alicy15:12 08/07/23
With so many options on the menu for food and drinks, we ended up getting a little extra. Yup, like three drinks for just two people. Got an iced mocha which was super chocolatey just the way I like it, the Verde! Verde! smoothie, which was more fruity than the greens suggest, and that was all so delicious that we ordered a purple rain smoothie as well from the juice bar.

K S22:38 06/08/23
Snug & cozy café, with indoor and outdoor seating. My friends coffee was ready towards the end of our meal. The food is really good and they offer juices.

Genevieve Serrano18:06 10/06/22
Carmel Belle is one of our favorite spots for breakfast in Carmel by the Sea. Everything I’ve ordered has always been excellent! Highly recommend the tofu scramble, the cinnamon toast and smashed potatoes. The smoothies and juices are delish. Great vegan options!

Nicole Takeguchi Trevino03:49 07/18/22
We were THRILLED to enjoy a vegan breakfast here!!! Staff was so friendly and knowledgeable. Tofu scramble, VLT, matcha and chai tea lattes with soy milk, and a blueberry banana walnut muffin! Would definitely return!!

Gunjan Asher18:36 03/17/22
Lovely cafe for breakfast brunch and snacks.Fantastic fresh juices and vegan vegetarian food options.Indoor and outdoor seating.Beautiful decor and fantastic service.The chocolate and strawberry balls were Devine.
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Cafe Luna

Cafe Luna
AddressCarmel Plaza, Courtyard level Ocean Avenue &, Mission St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA
Phone Number+1 831-250-7815
Operating HourMonday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
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Real Customer Reviews at Cafe Luna:


Susan Fillmer04:39 07/11/23
Excellent variety menu. Great tasting food.

Jenny Xu07:16 07/09/23
Casual lil coffee shop but services surprisingly cool Asian food!Good:- Nice and tucked into an alleyway so there were less tourists here- Kimchi ramen was AMAZING! So tasty and good soupBad:- Not fancy, very casual and you have to get utensils and all that yourself pretty muchOverall a really cool hidden gem!

Connor Feick22:36 07/04/23
No idea why this isn’t at least 4.5 stars. Had a phenomenal chai latte and green tea, and the dumplings are some of the best I’ve ever had. Service was quick and the people were friendly!

David Martinez12:56 05/12/23
Stopped by on a weekday afternoon and ordered several things. Cappuccino, lemonade, smoothies and the pork and kimchi potstickers, all were amazing especially the smoothies and potstickers. The staff was very friendly and and the over all atmosphere was cozy.

Kate Lyon21:29 03/19/23
Cool coffee shop with tasty lunch offerings. An earlier review mentioned that they were cash only but we paid with card just fine. The lattes are decent. There is plenty of indoor seating and the shop is located in a beautiful plaza with many outdoor seating options as well. Next time we come we want to try the dumplings which are homemade!
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Tuck Box

Tuck Box
AddressDolores Street btwn Ocean & 7th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA
Phone Number+1 831-624-6365
Operating HourMonday: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Thursday: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Friday: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Saturday: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Sunday: 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
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Real Customer Reviews at Tuck Box:


Christina Mendoza16:40 07/14/23
Definitely a cute little breakfast spot! Makes you feel as if you are in a beautiful story book. The down side which I hope is only for a while is that they only take cash. We wanted to leave a nice tip since the staff were all absolutely amazing and friendly but since it was getting rush time & couldn’t get anyone to break a 50 . We definitely will be back again , with cash but hoping by then they accept card. Food was great and obviously the location is even better !

Carolyn B. Melby15:08 07/14/23
What a cute Fairy Tale restaurant! Breakfast was yummy out on their patio. Cash only. Great service! Ask for the Fairy Tale book about the history of the buildings and other locations.

Masha Lomidze04:02 03/01/23
I highly recommend Tuck Box for breakfast or brunch if you are visiting the area for a few days. This place/building has a lot of history and was built almost 100 years ago!!The interiors is super cozy and the food is delicious! Their scones are the best I’ve ever tried!The portions are on a smaller side but the experience and the scones are definitely worth it.

Ghazal Khademi21:17 01/08/23
I wanted to come here for breakfast because I loved the appearance and atmosphere of the restaurant, but I was a little bit disappointed with the food. The eggs Benedict was delicious but it was disappointing that it doesn’t come with anything else (at almost every breakfast spot I’ve been to, the meal comes with a side of salad or potatoes). Potatoes were at extra cost. The meal was filling and I still enjoyed it, but i feel that I could’ve gotten the same dish if not better for far cheaper elsewhere. It was definitely overpriced. I don’t think I’ll be back but it was nice to try it out.

Hideo Nakano-Hiraki17:34 07/27/21
The scones are amazing with olallieberry jam and whipped cream!!! I normally don't drink tea, but it compliments the scones perfectly. The eggs Benedict is delicious as well. We've been going for years... always consistent and reliable!
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Café Carmel

Café Carmel
AddressOcean Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA
Phone Number+1 831-624-3870
Operating HourMonday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM, Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM, Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM, Thursday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM, Friday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM, Saturday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM, Sunday: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM
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Real Customer Reviews at Café Carmel:


Romain SLV21:30 08/02/23
Good Expresso and coffee but a bit disappointed by the scone (slightly too dry) and the Benedict eggs. The waitress was welcoming but not especially the waiter who looked bored (maybe he's not morning enthusiastic...). Moreover there were not plant based milk which is a pity for vegans

laura mooney18:16 07/13/23
Breakfast Burrito was loaded with bacon, eggs and cheese! We had Avocado Toast and it had an entire avocado sliced on sourdough! Soooo good! What a treat!

La Fo23:43 06/11/23
Was looking for italian cuisine which this place advertises. But panini was an sandwich made with some white bread instead of the actual panini bread, OVERSALTED and overly greasy (basically nothing like the real Italian panini). The Napoleon cake was nothing like the real Napoleon cake either and overly sweet and incorrectly made

Ghazal Khademi04:00 02/17/23
The breakfast sandwich I ordered was probably the most delicious sandwich I’ve ever had. That, plus delicious coffee made my stop at Cafe Carmel so delightful. Definitely on the pricier side but well worth it considering.

Sigitas Armonas03:30 08/07/22
We were first time visitors of Carmel-by-the-Sea and we were brought to this place by the food tour guide. We had the quiche with salad and we were so impressed that we came back on our last day and ordered the quiche and avocado toast. Both were very fresh and tasted amazing. We certainly miss that sort of quality in Illinois.We also came back few hours later for ice cream and cappuccino. Highly recommended place to visit.
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Stationæry

Stationæry
AddressSan Carlos Street, 3 NE of 6th Avenue, San Carlos St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA
Phone Number+1 831-250-7183
Operating HourMonday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 9:00 PM, Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 9:00 PM, Thursday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 9:00 PM, Friday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 9:00 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 – 9:00 PM, Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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Real Customer Reviews at Stationæry:


K Martin00:40 07/23/23
I made a reservation for a large party which they nicely accommodated last minute. The food was amazing and the coffee drinks were great. The mimosas were a little small and the bloody Mary was very weak for the price of the drinks. Lastly, there was a young man wearing a cardigan. I think he was a host, hostess? I'm not sure. But he was very persistent about having us order quickly and leave. At one point he told us that they were trying to push 300 people through the small restaurant that day and we were holding things up. I'm much more used to casual brunches where it is acceptable to drink for a few hours and enjoy the food/drink/atmosphere/company. Definitely not the type of restaurant to go to if you want to take your time at brunch. They really push people in and out of that restaurant. The restaurant was half empty. They didn't even ask if I wanted dessert.

Jenny Xu07:19 07/09/23
Came here on Fourth of July with a reservation and it did take a while for us to be seated but also we had a dog so they were great about accommodating us!Good:- Each dish was amazing quality and in presentation!- The vanilla latte here wasn’t too sweet but also was addicting!- Super tasty avocado toast, chilaquiles, sausage Banh Mi, French toast, and steak! Decent portion sizes but on the smaller side.- Staff all were super kindBad:- Pretty expensive, and food can take a while to comeOverall a super cute place, great ambiance and feels really relaxed for a long meal with friends.

Vera Fei08:32 05/28/23
I tried brunch at Stationæry before which is still one of my favorite brunch spots in Carmel. This time, however, we were not able to make it to the brunch due to some unexpected traffic. Staff were super helpful and nice and helped us reschedule to a dinner which turned out to be great as well. There were not that many options and we tried almost everything on the menu - the flavors were sophisticated and you could taste different layers of the seasonings. My favorite was the spaghetti.

Adrianna Villafuerte06:29 05/28/23
I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Carmel. I recently visited for a quick bite before a work event, and the service was first class. I let them know of my time constraint and they were so accommodating. I was able to try their incredible Ahi Tuna Crudo which was gorgeously plated. The San Carlos spritzer is so aromatic and refreshing, a perfect summer sip. The entire staff was attentive and friendly.I also had the chance to speak with Anthony, the owner and I can really feel the passion he exudes for his establishment and the work that goes into giving his guests a memorable experience. I would love to come back again, but until then, they are definitely on track for high praise in the restaurant world. The pleasure was mine to write this review.

Carla W01:38 03/02/23
I discovered stationaery a little over a year ago and it has been my favorite place for food ever since. I’ve been here around sixty times (mostly for brunch) and I’ve never been disappointed. Each item on the menu is absolutely amazing and I’ve tried pretty much all of them. My favorites are the avocado toast, the farmers salad, the yoghurt bowl, chilaquiles and their lattes. All the waiters are super nice and the owners are very engaged! Yes, it might be a little expensive, but 100% worth it 🫶🏼
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From Scratch Restaurant

From Scratch Restaurant
Address3626 The Barnyard Building C, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, USA
Phone Number+1 831-625-2448
Operating HourMonday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Wednesday: Closed, Thursday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Sunday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
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Real Customer Reviews at From Scratch Restaurant:


Amber Zane01:54 07/21/23
Wonderful! My husband had the breakfast roll, I had the cinnamon roll pancake, our daughter had the kids breakfast and we shared a biscuits and gravy. Everything was good... great, but that pancake- OH LORT! Just go eat there, you'll see!

George Salloum15:57 07/08/23
Did not live up to expectations. Had sausage, biscuits and gravy with eggs. Everything was served to me cold. The biscuit is supposed to be one of the best things here, but it was cold and tasted like it was a day old. Also, our server was absent during our meal.

Ryan O'Halloran23:48 05/02/23
Really delicious food and unique menu. Anyplace you can have brisket chili with your eggs is a great choice. The staff was friendly, the drinks were great and the portions were large. The cheddar biscuit was amazing as well. Highly recommend.

Mrs.J9 Cook22:30 05/01/23
My family and I came here based on a suggestion from a friend. The restaurant is tucked away and can be discouraging to get to, as was told to us from the couple that we parked next to. They didn't even get to eat at From Scratch because they couldn't find it.Thankfully, that was not the case for us. A local saw us wandering and asked where we were going, and she literally w guided us to the front door of the restaurant.Upon entry, we were greeted by the host and was shown to a table very quickly. At first glance, the place is so cute. Reminds me of a cute cottage. Nice and homey.I ordered a latte. With the suggestion of an Eggs Benedict (it was my first time trying one), it wasn't gross, but it wasn't the most amazing thing I've ever eaten either. My husband ordered the french toast with a side of ham, and we ordered the chocolate chip pancakes for our little guy.The place is cute, but nothing to special. I'm not sure that I'd ever need to return.

Laurel Cocilo01:49 05/16/22
Great food, good atmosphere and the latte I had was delicious. The service was a bit slow but worth it and the staff was very friendly 🙂
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