First spot we hit for brunch on my birthday trip was Kensington Cafe in San Diego. I'm glad we arrived when we did because we barely had any wait time it definitely looked like it gets busy.. I ordered the hot honey chicken and waffles, and it was so damn good. It honestly left me wishing we had a location near me! The waffles had such great flavor that I didn't even use the syrup I just added butter. The chicken had the perfect crisp, too. I would've loved a little more hot honey, but that's just me. For coffee, I went with a vanilla cappuccino, which I also really enjoyed. Overall, I had a great meal at Kensington, and if I'm ever back in the area, I'll definitely be coming back. read more

Kensington Cafe - Hot Honey Chicken & Waffles - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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loved this place, it was full on a saturday afternoon but we were seated within 5 minutes. it's kind of dark inside, next time I would definitely ask for outside seating to enjoy the sun and the warmer weather. our food and coffees were delish. server is super nice, although don't remember catching her name. I got an asada hash bowl, I feel like there could've been more more asada after looking at the pictures of other bowls posted on here. nonetheless it was still super filling and I had to take the leftovers home. I had to get a side of a pancake, it was warm and fluffy - just perfect! I want to come back and try more especially their sweet breakfast dishes! ps you can also come in and order to go coffees at the coffee counter! read more

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The staff are the shining stars of this gem corner cafe. So friendly and down to earth. With so many enticing choices for breakfast it is hard to decide, so you should probably just over order and tip graciously. We found street parking two blocks down and enjoyed the charming neighborhood walk to the cafe. We sure needed it with bellies full. read more

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My sister and I came for brunch on a Friday. We were greeted by a friendly host and sat right away on the patio. We both started with a soy latte which we both enjoyed. I had a hard time making a decision on my entree because they had so many great options, including their seasonal specials. I ended up choosing the biscuits and chicken gravy per our server's recommendation. The gravy was flavorful and not too heavy. The biscuits were good and flakey but the bottom is the biscuit was a little hard. My sister had the vegan burrito which she enjoyed. We both said we would love to come back and try their other menu options. They have plenty of vegan options for my sister which was great! read more

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Really solid breakfast/brunch place! We were seated very quickly on a Sunday morning which was surprising. We tried their seasonal oats, açaí bowl, and Asada bowl. The coffee was great as well! Parking can be tough so expect to look around for a bit but otherwise this was a great spot. I am planning on coming back to try their French toast next time! read more

Kensington Cafe - ASADA HASH BOWL and MAPLE PEACH WARMED OATS - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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Kensington Café will always hold a special place in my heart. When I lived nearby, I used to walk my dog here for breakfast or grab a coffee and pastry on lazy mornings--it's that perfect blend of community café and neighborhood hangout. Their patio is dog-friendly, which makes it an easy go-to when the weather's nice (which, let's be honest, is most days in San Diego). The full coffee bar is excellent--their matcha latte and seasonal drinks are favorites--but I'm also partial to their iced tea with free refills. Over the years, I've worked my way through the menu: omelets, pancakes, sandwiches, and now the quiche--which was fantastic. The Spanish Revival is also great if you're in the mood for something hearty, though it's definitely on the heavier side. What really keeps me coming back is the staff. They're consistently kind, warm, and attentive--no matter how busy the café gets. Even on weekends, I rarely wait more than 10-15 minutes for a table, and once you're seated, it's just easy to relax and enjoy. If you're looking for a classic neighborhood café with great food, friendly service, and that welcoming, local feel--this is it. read more

Kensington Cafe - Quiche and MATCHA LATTE - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

This is a super cute corner cafe! I've come a few times and the staff is always very welcoming and sweet! They have a wide variety of options on the menu and drink menu as well. The food and drinks taste very fresh! It's definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. The American dream: (4.5/5) I ordered it with sourdough instead of the everything bagel, it was delicious! The eggs were fluffy, bacon was crispy and flavorful. Iced chai: I ordered it with almond milk and a splash of vanilla syrup. It was perfect! I like mine on the sweeter side. read more

Kensington Cafe - AMERICAN DREAM with sourdough - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

Very cozy indoor and outside seating areas. The servers were warm and inviting, very attentive. I got an omelet dish that was a bit under seasoned and needed quite a bit of tapatio and ketchup. The croissant was extra and was very buttery. Parking was easy on a weekday, we parked at the neighboring park. read more

Kensington Cafe - THE PARKSIDE - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

The service was good. Food was ok, I ordered the Daniel on a croissant it also came with a side of fruit. I was very disappointed in the size of the side fruit it was pretty tiny. The fruit also was not the freshest. Cafe itself was cute. Street parking wasn't too bad. read more

Kensington Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

The service and ambiance were great! The food was okay, I ordered the chicken and waffles and was surprised that they fried a very thin chicken breast for it. I would've liked to see thick juicy chicken instead. I've had the chilaquiles in the past and I would not recommend those either. read more

Kensington Cafe - HOT HONEY CHICKEN AND WAFFLES - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

I will admit I was not crazy about this place. I think the menu has a lot of good options but I just felt like the food tasted very generic. Definitely good portion sizes. I think that some of the items on the menu are extremely overpriced. Also, the wait can be very long and they don't tell you how long it is going to be. Also, what I was not a fan of is that they had the window open from the outside part of the diner to the inside of the diner, the sun was very blinding. So I felt like not having a blind or cover of some sort or something to kind of deter the light of being in your face that wasn't very fun. At some points I couldn't even see. I will say the place is kinda small, so it can get a tad loud from outside to inside because the seating is so close to one another. Even trying to leave there isn't much room. You kind of have to wiggle in between everyone as you're coming in and out there isn't a clear path to really walk. I will say parking is fairly okay. read more

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I live for their Asada hash bowls!! They are superior. I love how tasty and fresh they are. Its a perfect blend of the potatoes with the guac and poach egg. The customer service is also great here its always welcoming! The place is located in the corner with pretty easy accessible street parking. Great decor and environment inside. Not to mention, they have great iced coffee my favorite is the Mauna Lau Latte! I always come back here for a quick breakfast or brunch! read more

Kensington Cafe - ASADA HASH BOWL - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

Delicious food in a nice corner location in the beautiful district of Kensington. I ordered the Chicken and Waffles with a side of eggs and I must say, it was delicious! I normally probably wouldn't be able to finish a meal like that, but the food was so easy to eat. The chicken was more of schnitzel, very tender and fresh! They also have an outdoor seating area that of course allows dogs. Our waitress was amazing and made sure our water was refilled and we got everything we needed. On top of that we did a walk in on a random Saturday and got seated in 15 minutes! Overall great place!! read more

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I have been coming here for years. Solid food choices and generally decent service. Today I was rushed out the door. It wasn't that busy and we hadn't been there for an extended period of time, less than an hour. They clearly wanted our table for a large party and were made to feel very uncomfortable until we finally decided to leave. It left a decided sour taste in my mouth and I don't know if I will ever go back. read more

Great and fast service !! I got the cali burrito and decided to add asada for extra protein, it was amazing ! read more

Kensington Cafe - CALI BURRITO ADD ASADA!! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

This was my first time here. There is a little wait because the restaurant isn't too big, but that's okay. The food and service were worth the wait at least. There is plenty of parking around the area too. You might have to walk less than a block, but at least it isn't meters or paid parking lol. I'd come back and I'd recommend! read more

Kensington Cafe - HONEY GONE NUTS WAFFLE & MARLBOROUGH - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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In the area and hungry for breakfast we stumbled upon this local spot. Parking is only street parking. They have a large outdoor patio for you and your fur babies. We were greeted by Jessica as soon as we opened the door. Trying to eat healthy I choose off of the scramble side of the menu. It was more of an omelet. I decided on the tree hugger which included mushroom, spinach, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese and avocado scramble. Included was toast and cubed potatoes perfectly cooked. The portions were a great amount. I should have given into my inner hungry hippo and tried the hot honey chicken waffles. I am excited to try more on the menu next time. ** they only do scrambled and poached eggs. read more

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We came on a Sunday morning and got seated immediately. There's both inside and outside seating. Parking on the street wasn't hard to find! Our server was super attentive and sweet. Our food and drinks came out very fast! The strawberry matcha was really good! I got half sweet and it was perfect. My fiance got the Mexican mocha and it was good as well! For entrees, we got the cali burrito and the baumann. Both items were okay. There wasn't any WOW factor to it. The side of fruit was really small but the fruits were super sweet. Overall it's a cute cafe to have brunch at! Maybe we'll try the pancakes the next time we visit! read more

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Kensington Café is such a gem, and I'm lucky it's only about 10 minutes from where I live. I stopped by after Pilates and was seated right away with no wait, which was perfect. Even though I was by myself, I felt totally comfortable and welcomed. My waitress Parker was incredibly friendly and gave me a great food suggestion that turned out to be just what I needed. The vibe here is warm and easygoing, and the staff make you feel right at home. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to often since it's so close. read more

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NEW FAV San Diego brunch spot! We got the cinnamon roll pancakes, cali burrito, the chicken apple sausage breakfast sandwich, a snickers milkshake, and the strawberry matcha!! everything was a 10/10 our waitress was so nice and welcoming! totally coming back read more

Kensington Cafe - CINNAMON ROLL PANCAKES, THE BAUMANN, Cali Burrito, Iced Strawberry Matcha, - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

I tried this spot a second time as a quick bite to eat. Parking in area can be challenging with the neighborhood, so we did walk quite a bit before putting our names down. The wait was about 20 minutes to go inside which we did not mind. The restaurant is quite spacious, and we were seated inside against the wall. The food was good, but sadly my latte did not hit. Nonetheless, the food is chill and the space is nice to check out. read more

Kensington Cafe - BROWN SUGAR BUTTERMILK PANCAKES - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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came here on a saturday morning with my kiddos, fully prepared to wait in line - we were seated immediately and it was so nice. the host was delightful and joked with my son while we were settling in at our table. our waitress was jessica - she was so lovely and friendly. i got the lox on a bagel instead of bread, my kids got the kids pancakes with berries and whip, and my partner got the pulled pork hash. it was all delicious! we'll definitely be back. read more

Kensington Cafe - Lox on an everything bagel - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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Very nice staff! They had nice outdoor seating with a chill vibe, though I'd avoid sitting next to the hostess stand bc ppl will hover over you. Giving a low rating bc the chicken and waffles were really not good ): tasted like the chicken was j a reheated frozen chicken tender, not freshly fried + the waffles were mid. My friend ordered asada hash and it was good - I'd stick to ordering more traditional egg stuff and steer away from the chicken and waffles!!! read more

Kensington Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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I woke up this morning with my mind on Kensington Cafe. Once my boyfriend and I were ready for the day we skipped yoga and came here for breakfast and me oh my it was scrumpdidlyumptious!!! Wait time was nonexistent and we were seated almost immediately. Service was superb, I wish I got our servers name but she was absolutely wonderful. She wore a cute orange jumper and had tattoos, so friendly! Everything tasted amazing. I had the mimosa flight, baked French toast, and hash bowl!!! read more

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Classic breakfast in a cute neighborhood location. Ample street parking available. Waits are not too long.

We were the very first people in. The place was quiet and warm and they made us feel so cozy and welcome. We loved the softness of all the decor. Our server was so thoughtful and patient with our kiddos. We all enjoyed a cinnamon roll pancake, a stack of the brown sugar pancakes, a plate of avocado toast, and some warm croissants. Everything was great, the portion size and the flavor pairings made us all happy. We will definitely come back! read more

Kensington Cafe - Inside - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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Kensington cafe is a nice place to go when you want to try something new and in a cute area but without the stress of going downtown. We came here on a sunday morning and were sat within 15 minutes. All the staff were so friendly and took their time with us, despite it being a busy day. The menu has lots of unique options without straying too far away from a classic breakfast. I got the baked french toast and it was delectable, the berry compote and streusel topping really complimented the flavor and textures of the french toast. I also got an iced white chocolate mocha and it was soooo good. Just the perfect amount of sweetness. The patio allows for tons of people and dog watching on the weekend. I will definitely return here! read more

Kensington Cafe - BAKED FRENCH TOAST - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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Everything went well. Very fast and reliable really good place to eat, hangout , and network. read more

Kensington Cafe - Hot Honey Chicken and Waffles with Iced matcha latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

Ok where do I start. This places looks like a cute little coffee shop/brunch place. I wasn't expecting too much tbh just some regular degular but boy was I bamboozled! Me, my girlfriend and my son ordered the pancakes, potatoes eggs and bacon. A respectable American breakfast. When the food came out it looked good and normal nothing to extraordinary. That was until I took a bite out of them PANCAKES!! Jesus Christ I felt that I was being healed with every bite. All of my childhood traumas and pancake experiences have been wiped out clean. Because how did I go my whole life and childhood without having this good of pancakes?! To top it off our waitress Jessica was amazing! Sweet lady!. Also the food was cooked to perfection the potatoes crispy! Coffees were sweet and delicious. I'd definitely come back and relive this out of body experience again. read more

Amazing service, most delightful carne asada hash bowl that was so flavorful and fresh, great brown sugar buttermilk pancakes, and amazing lattes. Will definitely be back!! read more

Kensington Cafe - Asada HASH BOWL , BROWN SUGAR BUTTERMILK PANCAKES - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place has so many options, and I'm excited to come back to try more of them out! We sat outdoors so I'm not sure what the inside looks like, but this is such a cute part of town. Many locals were talking their morning walks and the place seemed to have many regulars, it was genuinely a cute little spot! The servers talked to us like we were old friends and it was really welcoming. Now the food: I am not a grilled cheese at all restaurant type of person, especially for brunch, but their gouda grilled cheese caught my eye. Gouda cheese, grilled onions, and apricot jam on sourdough toast... it really tasted as good as it sounds! I was in love. I got a side of spicy caesar salad on the side, and as a caesar AND spice lover I do have to say I wasn't too impressed. There wasn't much dressing and the spice was nonexistent. I'd say the spice lacking was a trend of the meal, we got the papas calientes and they really just had a chipotle flavor. Don't get me wrong, they were amazing! Just not spicy. I can't knock them too much though, I assume they cater to their demographic-- in the least offensive way possible ;) The flavors were still amazing. My partner got one of their chicken sandwiches, and my friend got an omelette made with vegan egg. Both were huge fans! Spicy red beer is a must try, though the mimosa was available little too average for the price. My boyfriend also got a flying nun coffee and despite having so much espresso it still had a REALLY good, smooth, and sweet flavor. I have family visiting soon and am excited to bring them here. They have so many options, and I feel like I know my preferences a little better now and will order accordingly. I'll be letting people know about this cute little spot :) read more

Kensington Cafe - GOUDA GRILLED CHEESE & SPICY CAESAR - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

Ordered the Breakfast Hash Bowl. It was delicious, however my server asked about my eggs, which are suppose to come poached. I gestured they were ok but not runny (as intended). She immediately asked the kitchen for new eggs and delivered them to me to enjoy with my bowl. She went above and beyond. read more

Amazing service and wonderful food! The staff was welcoming and attentive, and the quality of the food really stood out. I would absolutely recommend this place, especially their side of potatoes they were honestly one of the highlights of the meal. The location is lovely as well, which made the whole experience even better. Can't wait to return! read more

Kensington Cafe - CINNAMON ROLL PANCAKES , HOT HONEY CHICKEN AND WAFFLES, POTATOES - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

This is the quintessential neighborhood cafe. It is so well decorated absolutely adorable so enjoyable to dine at. The baristas are fantastic. The servers are amazing welcoming caring knowledgeable and helpful. They truly care about their customers. The food is incredible the freshest and best ingredients available the menu is extensive everything is delicious. We love coming here it's always clean and well maintained. read more

Kensington Cafe is a cute place to grab a coffee to-go or to sit down and enjoy a meal. Decorated with lots of photos in a wall, you're transported to a place with more of a retro feel. Staffed with lots of friendly, caring, and knowledgeable workers, the staff here makes you feel welcomed and at home. On my visit today, I ordered the Asada Hash Bowl without avocado. Overall, I would give this item 3/5 stars. For the price of $17, I thought the flavor was very lacking. The dish seemed under seasoned and I had to add lots of ketchup to get some taste on my dish. Also, the poached eggs were over poached in my dish so I missed out on a decadent yolk coating my asada hash. While the Asada Hash bowl may not be personally for me, I did try a bite of the Brown Sugar Buttermilk Pancakes and I thought this item was very tasty. The flavor was good and not too overpowering and the dish was the perfect sweet breakfast item. If I were to return, I would definitely try more of their pancakes. Kensington Cafe is a cute little breakfast nook filled with lots of nice people and vibes. With an extensive breakfast and cafe menu, I'm sure there's a dish for everyone here. read more

Kensington Cafe - ASADA HASH BOWL - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

If you want to understand why San Diego locals swear by Kensington Cafe, pull up a chair, order breakfast, and let Sami take care of you. Recently, I sat down with Dave Dennis, trusted area realtor and fellow Padres fan, and from the moment Sami greeted us, it felt like we were in the hands of someone who understands that hospitality is both art and instinct. She was warm, attentive, and effortlessly pleasant, the kind of service that makes you feel like a regular even if it's your first time in. Then there's the kitchen, doing what every great local joint should do: serve food that tastes like someone cares. The plates came out with that unpretentious confidence of a place that knows exactly who it is. The atmosphere? A comfortable hum of conversation, sunlight through the windows, and the easy rhythm of a neighborhood spot firing on all cylinders. As a business owner, being served at such an elite level of quality is inspiring. Engaging with service this good is a gift, a reminder of how to deliver the same care, attention, and excellence to my own clients. The inspiration is paid forward. Kensington Cafe doesn't just feed you. It reminds you why supporting local matters, because here, good food and genuine service aren't just on the menu, they're the standard. Eric Atilano Resident Lending Inc. https://linktr.ee/ericloans1 read more

Came here on a Wednesday and was seated right away. We ordered The Daniel and Pulled Pork Hash. The Daniel was okay. I didn't think there was anything special about it. The bread itself was a bit too hard to my liking even with the aioli sauce making some parts of it softer. The turkey itself was good but a bit dry. The sauce did help since it was dripping when holding it up to eat. As for the Pulled Pork Hash, I felt like the pork was way too salty. I remember having to ask for water refills several times. The potatoes tasted like regular potatoes. The sourdough was tougher than what I'm used to. Overall, I felt like the environment was great and the staffs were nice, but beware, street parking can be a tough. read more

Kensington Cafe - The Daniel - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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a post-op appointment necessitated a visit to San Diego. only four weeks since knee replacement surgery, I hadn't been cleared to drive so my seventeen-year old volunteered to do the chauffeuring. I finished mid-morning and since we hadn't eaten and were both hungry, we stopped at the KENSINGTON CAFE for breakfast. parking was a challenge. we had to circle the block several times to find a place in walking distance which was kinda important with my new-and-improved knee. wow. just wow. Wyatt ordered the BROWN SUGAR BUTTERMILK PANCAKES with butter and maple syrup and bacon, egg, and fried potato sides. apparently he was hungry. he raved about everything. I had the DANIEL (bacon, turkey, spicy aoli, and provolone on a toasted everything bagel) with a scrambled egg, arugula, and sliced tomato adds. the sandwich was perfect. the restaurant has a quaint, neighborhood vibe and service was attentive without hovering. read more

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Came here on a Wednesday morning and the place was pretty empty. The ambiance gives an old timey feel, with a nice view of Adams Ave. What was really nice was the Yelp check in with 20% off the entire order. It says for dinner, but the hours reported on Yelp don't include dinner hours. Nonetheless we still got the 20% off for brunch. The Daniel- Juicy bacon and plenty of aioli in between an Everything bagel. The bagel itself and the turkey however was a bit dry, so some bites will not be as good as others. 3/5 Pulled Pork Hash- Pork is juicier and more flavorful but is a bit on the saltier side. Not too much of a problem if mixed with the egg and potatoes. Sourdough bread was also on the dry side but there's butter. 3.5/5 read more

Kensington Cafe - The Daniel - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California

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Got a bad impression right off the bat... My boyfriend and I were the first people in line and one of the hostesses completely ignored us and claimed the blonde girl behind us was first and asked where THEY wanted to sit before us. Very rude. I can't help but feel that they wouldn't have overlooked us if we looked like them. The food was surprisingly decent. I ordered the pulled pork Hash and my boyfriend got the cali burrito and we both enjoyed our meals, just wish they had some Cholula hot sauce. Furthermore, this is definitely one of those places that claims to put an aïoli on top of everything but it's really mayo so be warned. Overall their menu is very huge so they have a little something for everyone and our server was very nice. The tables and the restaurant itself were pretty small so I wouldn't recommend coming here with a large party. Definitely a more intimate vibe. Pricing wasn't so bad either. Before tip out bill came out to about $36 which was nice. Not sure if I'll be back just off of initial experience, this was my first time eating in Kensington and it wasn't the most welcoming vibe but I could always change my mind if I give it some time. read more

Kensington Cafe - Pulled Pork Hash - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Diego, California