8610 Kennel Way
La Jolla, CA 92037
*Disclaimer: We were not paid for this review. All opinions are our own and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Caroline's Seaside Cafe is the perfect choice for breakfast/brunch before exploring all the wonderful attractions in La Jolla. Located right on gorgeous La Jolla Shores Beach, and offering magnificent views from every seat, this casual cafe offers the picture-perfect setting for 1st time San Diego visitors, as well as locals who just can't get enough of San Diego's breathtaking coastal views. I enjoyed the views just as much as the food.
Brunch at Caroline's was pretty good, as well as affordable. We tried out 2 of the specials of the day: a vegetarian quiche and a turkey burger with homemade fries. We would order both again, although I would have preferred breakfast potatoes and toast with the quiche as opposed to the potato salad. Overall, it was a great value, under 25 bucks for 2, not bad considering the fantastic views and attractive setting.
Breakfast and brunch are served Monday-Friday from 8am-3pm, while just brunch is served on weekends. Some of the entrees you will be able to choose amongst include various egg scrambles, house made pancakes, oatmeal, smoked salmon, sandwiches, salads, and burgers. In addition, daily specials are offered throughout the week. Recent menu highlights include: Mediterranean Egg SCramble, Vegan Avocado Toast, Turkey Apple Sausage Scramble, Caroline's Yogurt Parfait, and Housemade Blueberry or Chocolate Chip pancakes.
Caroline's is a casual counter service restaurant where you will place your order inside after browsing the menu, receive a table number, and wait for a staff member to bring out your food. Service was fine for what little was provided. The food came out surprisingly fast, despite the sign inside which said a 30-45 minute wait is common.
Caroline's offers one of the best outdoor decks and most stunning views in all of San Diego. The temperature is almost always perfect for a great breakfast on the beautiful outdoor deck, enabling you to people watch and take in the action of the surfers, all while enjoying a great meal.
There is plenty of seating both indoors and out, and if you arrive early enough, you will easily get a front row seat with the best views. An additional benefit of visiting early in the morning is the ease of finding free street side parking. Don't worry though, there are great views all around, even inside!
If you are seeking a fine dining experience, you may want to look elsewhere. However, if you are looking for a casual beach side restaurant, along with delicious comfort food, served at fair prices, with a side of extraordinary views, then Caroline's is sure to please!
Caroline's is an excellent choice for new La Jolla tourists. The food and setting are both excellent, not to mention the convenient location right on La Jolla Shores is a big bonus. It's a great stop before exploring recommended area activities such as La Jolla Cove, downtown La Jolla, The Birch Aquarium, and Torrey Pines Nature Reserve.
