Brunch might just be the best meal of the day, and Santa Ana has some of the best, and most eclectic, brunch options in Orange County, CA. Whether you have family in town, are celebrating a friend’s birthday, or just want to catch up over an avocado toast, tres leches pancakes, and chilaquiles, these locally-owned favorites will fill you up and have you planning your next weekend, and even weekday, brunch.
WEEKENDS ONLY BRUNCH SPOTS
Weekends were made for relaxing bites, bottomless mimosas, and catching up with your favorite people. Just picture it: the sun is shining down on Santa Ana, the coffee is brewing, and someone else is making you your favorite breakfast at that perfect time of day (mid-morning to mid-afternoon).
Benchmark
Address: 601 E Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Menu: https://benchmarkoc.com/menu/
Benchmark is the perfect spot to enjoy a slow weekend morning. The patio, shaded by big trees, draws a local crowd, with friends catching up, families settling in, and no one being rushed out the door. The staff is efficient and friendly without hovering.
The Dulce de Leche French Toast with brûléed banana and crème fraîche chantilly is a must, and the Smoked Salmon Flatbread with caviar is more elevated than your average fancy toast. For heartier appetites, the Enchiladas Suizas with lobster and shrimp, or the Bulgogi Kimchi Fried Rice, showcase the chefs' creativity. The cocktail list is worth exploring, especially the Benchmark Bloody Mary, made with vodka-infused saké and a housemade tomato mix.
Green Parrot Villa
Address: 2035 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Menu: https://www.greenparrotvilla.com/pricing
Green Parrot Villa, an event space most of the week, offers a Sunday brunch that is perfect for larger groups celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or any special event you're gathering for, but it can accommodate smaller groups too.
Kick off your dining with bottomless sparkling wine (mixers and other alcoholic beverages are extra), while you wander the different food stations and plan what to taste first. One tip- get in line for an omelet first, as the line gets long fast. Next, hit the taco station, then the buffet, and finish with the fruit/salad section and dessert station.
You must book a reservation, as this Sunday brunch with only two seating times fills up quickly. Ask to sit in the beautiful courtyard filled with old trees, plants, and natural light, and enjoy the roaming mariachi band, who is more than happy to serenade you.
Native Son
Address: 305 E 4th St STE 200, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Menu: https://www.nativesonale.com/orange-county-1
Native Son may be known as Santa Ana's only rooftop bar and the best place for people-watching on the weekend, but it also offers a solid brunch. Grab a table and order one of their brunch cocktails (the Eastside and Desert Smash are great ones to start with) or take advantage of the bottomless mimosas. The brunch menu features seasonal items alongside regulars like the Brunch Chilaquiles, Betty's Chicken Sando, and Native Fries loaded with cheese, grilled onions, and house sauce.
Try to get a seat on the balcony, but keep in mind there is very little shade, so you might get blasted by the sun in the afternoon. Indoor seating is also available if you want something a little more cozy.
Perla Mexican Cuisine
Address: 400 W 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Menu: https://www.perladtsa.com/brunch
Perla Mexican Cuisine's café on 4th Street is a weekend brunch destination worth building your morning around. On Sundays, a live mariachi band performs on the patio, so make sure you have time to linger over your meal.
The menu is rooted in traditional Mexican cooking, with some standout dishes you will want to try. The house ceviches are a great way to start, and the enchilada options should not be skipped, from the Enchiladas de Mole with authentic Michoacán mole sauce to the Enchiladas de Mar with shrimp, jaiba, and lobster. If you want something more traditional, order the Huevos Divorciados.
For anyone with a sweet tooth, the Cajeta French Toast with homemade cajeta and mixed berries is worth the carbs, and the Churros Rellenos filled with cajeta and ice cream are the perfect way to end your meal.
Don't forget to order a cocktail to go with all of that great food. Perla specializes in mezcal and tequila cocktails built around fresh ingredients, and each drink is handcrafted and looks (almost) too pretty to drink.
Weekday Brunch Options
Happily, when you are in Santa Ana, you don’t have to wait until the weekend to enjoy your breakfast and lunch favorites. While these spots are also open on the weekends, sometimes you need a Friday French toast or chilaquiles, or just a place to meet clients, co-workers, and friends for a mid-morning meal.
Artists Village Cafe
Address: 125 N Broadway D, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Menu: https://dtsacafe.com/
Formerly known as The Den, the Artists Village Cafe is one of the more eclectic spots you will find downtown for brunch, but that’s what makes it so fun. Everywhere you look, there is something different to explore, whether it’s the old piano on the stage or one of the many paintings along the side wall.
Coffee is served in thrifted mugs, which means you never know if you will get a pretty ceramic cup or a tourist mug from some far-off place. The avocado toast with sunny-side up eggs is the perfect bite if you want some protein, but you will want to save room for their French toast covered in fresh berries. For those who can’t have bread, there is a vegan, gluten-free waffle on the menu just for you.
Cafe Cultura
Address: 2035 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Menu: https://cafecitocultura.com/menu/
Cafe Cultura is the best of both worlds; you can grab a coffee and pastry to go, or you can sit down for a weekday or weekend brunch, featuring dishes like Tres Leches pancakes (a must!) or a chilaquiles burrito. Wash it all down with a Pitaya (dragonfruit) mimosa and a specialty latte. Portions are large, so come hungry and expect leftovers.
Seating is available inside and on their covered patio out front. There is no sit-down service, so you will have to get in line at the counter to place your order, and then sit to wait for the staff to run your food out.
Santa Ana Brunch Club
Address: 1228 E Edinger Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92707
Menu: https://www.santaanabrunchclub.com/
More info: https://www.travelsantaana.com/listing/santa-ana-brunch-club/1908/
What looks like a trendy coffee shop from the outside is actually a delightful brunch spot you will miss if you are only exploring downtown. The menu blends Japanese and Mexican influences, featuring their Hokkaido Milk Bread, which shows up in everything from French toast to sandwiches.
Highlights include the City Plate (French toast, pork belly, scrambled eggs, and berries), Bubbie's Fried Chicken with sourdough pancakes and hot honey butter, and Chef Dom's French Omelet topped with tobiko black caviar and crème fraîche. The Brunch Sandos are worth a taste, especially the Fried Chicken with gochujang crema, if available.
Keep in mind that the menu does change, and there are always weekly and seasonal specials, so don’t settle on your order before you arrive or you could miss out.
