Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas in San Diego

You don’t have to go all the way to England to enjoy their beloved national tradition of afternoon tea. Instead, find a little slice of Britain right in San Diego at The Britannia Tearooms, in Point Loma’s Midway District.

This is a quaint little shop that serves tea and small bites, letting you feel like you’re on the other side of the world. If you’ve got a mother who’s obsessed with Bridgerton or the Great British Bake Off, I can’t think of a better place to have Mother’s Day brunch!

Alongside a charming, elevated atmosphere, the Mother’s Day afternoon tea has a themed set menu with both savory and sweet bites. This is a light meal, so it’s perfect to hold you over if you’re planning a bigger family meal at home later in the day, or if you just want to do something out of the ordinary to celebrate the holiday.

The special menu will be available throughout Mother’s Day weekend, from May 9th to May 12th. Sittings are at 11:00am, 12:00pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm, and 5:00pm.

This elevated experience is $62.95 for adults and $42.95 for children.

What We Love About This Restaurant

The theming of this restaurant is really special, especially if you’re a bit of a British fanatic.

Rooms and decorations are based around different beloved properties, from Alice in Wonderland to Sherlock Holmes, which will dazzle the kids and Mom alike. Given its whimsical feel, we think it could make the perfect spot for a Mother’s Day brunch that your Mom would really love.

It’s not just stand-alone restaurants that are serving brunch this Mother’s Day. You can also find excellent restaurants in many of San Diego’s best hotels, including those in the Downtown San Diego area.

As part of the Pendry San Diego, one of our team’s favorite hotels in the Gaslamp Quarter, the Provisional Kitchen promises a high-class brunch to match the stunning atmosphere.

The Mother’s Day brunch here includes a multi-course meal that’s just as luxurious as your surroundings. Start at the buffet with a parfait bar and artisanal cheeses, then enjoy shrimp and oysters at the raw bar and tantalizing New York strip and porchetta at the carving station.

You’ll also get your choice of a brunch entree served right to your table, with a dedicated kids’ menu. I suggest saving room for dessert too, as you won’t want to miss out on the crepe bar or chocolate fountain.

Meals are $100 per adult and $34 per child with sittings on May 11th, 2025 from 9:00am until 2:00pm.

Plus, moms will feel extra special with a complimentary glass of Moët & Chandon!

What We Love About This Restaurant

Our site’s founder, Todd, has eaten at the Provisional Kitchen lots of times and gives it glowing reviews!

It’s one of his favorites downtown, and though it may be one of the pricier Mother’s Day brunches on our list, he thinks it’s well worth the cost if you’re looking to really treat Mom to something extra special.

The gorgeous San Diego Bay is one of my personal picks for the best spots to have brunch in the whole city. There’s nothing like enjoying the breeze right off the water while sipping a drink and digging into delicious food.

One of my highly recommended restaurants for bayside dining is at C-Level Lounge, which has outdoor patio dining right on Harbor Island. Keep in mind that the restaurant has a business casual dress code, but I think this is part of the charm of really feeling like you’re having a special day out when you eat here.

For Mother’s Day, C-Level Lounge is offering a three-course menu with lobster bisque, your choice of entree, and a decadent Belgian chocolate mousse cake. Entree options include halibut, filet mignon, and chicken piccata.

And of course, the cocktail bar is open too!

Reserve any time on May 11th, 2025 from 11:00am until 8:00pm. Adult meals are $99.95 and children under 12 can eat for $24.95.

What We Love About This Restaurant

I really like that Mother’s Day reservations at C-Level Lounge run later into the day. This means it’s not just brunch on the menu this holiday.

Also, you really can’t beat the scenic views of the San Diego Bay whether you’re here for an afternoon meal or taking in the sunset later in the day.

One of our favorite restaurants in Little Italy, Herb & Wood, is cooking up something special this Mother’s Day.

We’ve highlighted Herb & Wood in a few of our other articles, too. Todd thinks their Thanksgiving dinner is another excellent holiday meal, and the restaurant also makes the list of the Best Things to Do in Little Italy. Since our team loves it so much, we think it deserves a special mention in our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego as well.

The Mother’s Day menu is no slouch either, as brunch selections have been carefully crafted by Chef Aidan Owens to dazzle diners. It will feature the restaurant’s signature Mediterranean flavors with a uniquely Californian spin.

Mother’s Day brunch is $74.88 for adults and $30 for children under 10, with a kids’ menu available. Reservations are available from 10:00am until 2:00pm.

What We Love About This Restaurant

Seasonal and sustainable are two of the most important aspects of any meal at Herb & Wood.

This was one of the easiest Mother’s Day brunches for us to include as in a few words, this restaurant is always delicious. It’s good food you can feel good about eating, so we figure, why not enjoy yourself!

If you’re looking for a restaurant that’s ideal for casual family celebrations, you can’t go wrong with Madi, an all-day brunch spot with grab-and-go coffee that’s a favorite among San Diegans.

Unlike many of the other restaurants on our list, Madi won’t have a special menu for Mother’s Day, but it’s a great brunch spot in Normal Heights that we think is still well worth considering as a great pick. Plus, you’ll get to choose from their full menu with all the brunch options you could ask for.

Madi will be open on Mother’s Day, May 11th, 2025, from 8:00am until 2:00pm.

Highlights from the menu include their famous waffle churro sticks, pancakes fresh off the griddle, and build-your-own bowls. Craving something heartier? Their lunch menu has soups, sandwiches, and burgers.

You can also make Mother’s Day extra special with a round of mimosas, a specialty coffee, or fresh-squeezed juice.

What We Love About This Restaurant

This is the most flexible option on our list since you can choose from the whole menu all day long.

We think it’s an ideal choice if you have picky eaters, making it great for families with little kids too, and you also won’t break the bank here as most plates are under $20.

When we’re talking about sleek, classy restaurants in Mission Valley, ARLO is a strong pick!

Complete with palm trees and an outdoor fireplace on the patio, this award-winning restaurant is well-loved by our team.

Their Mother’s Day brunch on May 11th, 2025 runs from 9:00am until 3:00pm. It will cost adults $95 and $38 for kids up to 12 years old, with kids 4 and under dining for free.

Meals will be served buffet-style with a raw bar, fresh swordfish, slow-cooked braised short ribs and prime rib, and a selection of breakfast bites. Don’t miss out on the mimosa cart either!

Not only will you get a meal, but entertainment too, with live music and a Kendra Scott jewelry trunk show. Moms will also get a free flower bouquet, and all 21+ diners get a complimentary glass of sparkling wine.

What We Love About This Restaurant

ARLO’s cozy interior and lively outdoor patio really add to the ambiance of any meal.

If you’re looking for a classy spot that’s also a good pick for families this Mother’s Day, this is one of my top choices for atmosphere alone - and the food being delicious certainly doesn’t hurt!

If you’re looking for locally-sourced seafood in Encinitas, our team loves the offerings at Herb & Sea. Their usual menu highlights fresh catches, but it also features everything from steak to pizza and pasta.

For Mother’s Day, Herb & Sea is debuting a robust brunch menu that features coastal-inspired dishes made with sustainable, local ingredients.

Brunch will be served from 10:00am until 2:00pm on Mother’s Day. The meal is $68 for adults and $30 for kids.

Diners will get a three-course meal and a family-style side. The menu is pre-fixe, meaning all courses are included for this price. You’ll get to choose from breakfast favorites like French toast and pulled pork hash alongside lobster roll and pork belly, letting you craft a brunchy surf-and-turf meal or go all in on your favorites.

After all, it’s a holiday, so we fully recommend treating yourself!

What We Love About This Restaurant

I always love getting seafood when I’m in a seaside city, and Encinitas being right off the bay means you can get some of the freshest fish around.

Herb & Sea takes full advantage of this, which is why it’s one of our favorites for special occasions and throughout the year.

Cellar Hand in Hillcrest isn’t just doing brunch for Mother’s Day - they’ve got a whole weekend of celebrations planned!

Brunch will be served from 10:00am until 2:00pm this Mother’s Day on May 11th, 2025. Adult meals are $60 and children 12 and under are $25 per plate. This cost includes a three course prix-fixe brunch with fresh-baked bread and breakfast staples, plus you can add on a gorgeous bouquet for Mom.

Are you looking for a brunch to make Mother’s Day special with an extra fun activity worthy of being on our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego? Reserve a seat at the Build Your Own Bouquet Brunch held the day before on May 10th, also from 10:00am until 2:00pm.

Enjoy brunch off the seasonal menu and sip ‘mom-osas’ while you pick flowers to create your own bouquet for Mom, or select a pre-arranged bouquet created by Cork & Stem. Flowers cost between $18 and $60.

This is a great activity for moms and kids to do together, or you can create a gift to surprise your mother with on Sunday.

What We Love About This Restaurant

Brunch alone is great, but I love the idea of pairing it with flower arrangements as a group activity, as it’s a wonderful way to show Mom you care. The memories will surely last far longer than the flowers themselves!

If your Mom is anything like mine, she loves a nice glass of wine. What better way to celebrate her day than at a winery?

It’s no surprise that Little Italy has some excellent choices, and one of our top picks is the Pali Wine Co. Tasting Room. Their beautiful outdoor patio is the ideal backdrop for a memorable afternoon, and their selection of Central Coast wines available for tasting all pair amazingly with their menu of seasonal and locally-sourced flavors.

Not only can you enjoy a lovely brunch of classic breakfast foods in a classy yet casual setting, but you’ll also get to sample special pours, sangria, and ‘mom-osas’ crafted specially for the holiday.

If you find your new favorite wine, you can buy a bottle to take home, making this a great last-minute gift idea too.

What We Love About This Restaurant

This is the ideal pick for the wine lovers in your family, but while you’re here, don’t forget to head upstairs - you won’t want to miss the view from the balcony overlooking the quaint streets of Little Italy.

The balcony is the perfect photo spot to commemorate the occasion!

Known for its surf-and-turf menu highlights, 333 Pacific in Oceanside is only a few steps off the beachfront and Oceanside’s historic pier, meaning meals come with a side of picturesque Pacific Ocean views. If you know your mom will be dazzled by the food and the scenery, you’ll want to reserve a spot at their Mother’s Day brunch on May 11th, 2025.

Brunch will be served from 11:00am until 2:00pm, but you can also make reservations for regular dining until close at 7:00pm. You can expect to pay $74.95 for adults and $19.95 for kids 12 and under, with a child-friendly menu available for the little guys in your family.

For Mother’s Day, 333 Pacific is serving up a four-course menu with lots of classic brunch staples alongside more elevated options like steak and seafood. You can also purchase add-ons with your reservation, including flower crowns and sparkling wine for mom.

As one more special bonus for Mother’s Day 2025, the restaurant will have wine and wine cocktail specials courtesy of Daou vineyards.

What We Love About This Restaurant

As someone who often plans a packed schedule on holidays, I love the flexibility of being able to still do something special for Mom even if we miss the brunch time window.

From personal experiences at 333 Pacific, we can say that the food is always delicious, the wine is top-notch, and it’s hard to beat the restaurant’s stunning view.