Harbor Breakfast is one of those quaint, little neighborhood cafés with cheerful friendliness that make you feel at home the minute you walk through the door. Like an ocean breeze – light, easy, and refreshing, it’s the epitome of old-fashioned hospitality and delicious comfort food. Located in the Little Italy neighborhood of San Diego, this casual diner is the perfect place for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Whether you’re a family in search of a fortifying breakfast before heading out on a San Diego adventure, a group of friends sharing conversation over weekend brunch, or a solo diner looking to enjoy a quiet lunch with the last chapters of your favorite book, this is the place for you.
Harbor Breakfast Ambiance
You can’t miss Harbor Breakfast on the corner of India and Cedar streets with its unconventional, bright blue exterior. Matching blue booths line one side of the restaurant’s exterior under a shade tree and black-and-white striped umbrellas, while blue tables with light wood chairs offer additional outdoor dining in front under a black-and-white striped awning. Inside, two more blue four-tops with light wood chairs line the front interior wall, and a sleek wrap around counter with modern black-and-white plaid swivel seating provide a diner-style experience with a funky twist. Two walls of tabletop to ceiling windows and two sets of French doors open the restaurant to the outside, so even inside you can enjoy the gorgeous San Diego weather. Harbor Breakfast is a cheery urban diner wrapped in a homey vibe – a perfect place for the casual diner.
Harbor Breakfast Food
You’ll find an upscale menu of breakfast classics with an edgy interpretation. Nearly everything is homemade from the flaky biscuits to the catsup. A menu favorite is pumpkin pancakes served with traditional eggs and meat, or seasonal fruit. You’ll find high grade maple syrup from Maple Grove on the table. Another popular choice is their chorizo omelette with avocado, tomato, green onion, cilantro, and cotija cheese. An assortment of hot sauces to complement it include classic Tabasco, Fat Cat’s Cat in Heat (smoky Creole-inspired blend), and Kiss Your Ass Goodbye (tasty garlic Habanero blend).
Of the restaurant’s popular specials, other guests recommend the frittata sirena with ample shrimp, scallops, and blue crab, garlic, roasted bell peppers, and shallots, topped with parmesan and salsa. Breakfast selections are served with your choice of homefries, hashbrowns (classic tater tot-style), or seasonal fruit, and bread. If you like your coffee strong, you’ll appreciate the Sumptown Coffee.
For lunch you’ll find a small, but impressive selection of sandwiches, burgers, steaks, and salads. Harbor Breakfast only uses grass-fed beef in their steak and burger entrées. Try the classic cheeseburger, smoked bacon burger, or Harbor Bovine – your choice of steak served with herbed potatoes and veggies. Vegetarians will enjoy the three-grain veggie burger or spicy black bean veggie burger. Classic sandwiches include their twist on grilled ham and cheese, reuben, or patty melt, among others. They also serve three yummy salad choices.
Harbor Breakfast Details
Harbor Breakfast is open Monday thru Friday from early morning to mid-afternoon, with extended hours on weekends. They can get extremely busy on the weekends and during the summer, so reservations may be a good idea at peak times. There is only street parking available which can prove troublesome on some days depending on what’s happening in the neighborhood (and there’s always something happening in Little Italy). City parking restrictions do not apply on Sundays, which can ease the problem, or you can take a taxi, trolley, or even ride a bike; they do have bike parking. They are family-friendly and ADA accessible. Harbor Breakfast allows patrons’ dogs at their outdoor seating area. The restaurant serves beer and wine. There is no Wi-Fi, so plan to enjoy some good old-fashioned face-to-face conversation.
Harbor Breakfast’s Neighborhood
Little Italy is a visually stunning neighborhood; almost every street provides you with gorgeous boutiques, art galleries, antique stores, and furniture showrooms. It is an artist’s dreamland, a casual stroller’s oasis, and a nature lover’s haven. Harbor Breakfast’s proximity to the San Diego Harbor and boardwalk provides you with a host of activities including the Maritime Museum, Hornblower Cruises, and the USS Midway Museum.
Little Italy is known for its various festivals, events, and art shows throughout the year. If you’re in San Diego in March look for Little Italy Carnevale. In May check the dates for the annual Sicilian Festival featuring Sicilian and Italian cuisine, vendors, culture, and entertainment for the ultimate Italian experience. Little Italy Festa is in October. The Labor Day Stickball tournament, a Lamborghini car show (known as the Bulls of St. Agata Charge), and the Mission Federal ArtWalk are a few of the other popular neighborhood events.