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    Sugar and Scribe

    4.3 (3.1k reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 2:30 pm

    Sugar and Scribe Photos

    Business Info

    SUGAR AND SCRIBE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Sugar and Scribe

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    Big Bad Bird Biscuit and Gravy
    Calie K.

    A Pretty Place That's Lost Some of Its Magic Sugar & Scribe has always been my go-to spot when my dad visits. The ambiance is genuinely stunning, with beautiful details and photo ops around every corner. It photographs like a dream and the vibe is unmatched for impressing out-of-towners. This time I finally brought my husband along for his first visit, and unfortunately the timing wasn't ideal. The menu had a major overhaul a couple of weeks prior, and while some familiar favorites remain, most of the dishes are new and the execution felt like it was still finding its footing. My usual blueberry pancakes were a disappointment: sparse toppings and slightly burnt edges on cakes that are usually a highlight. Their signature lattes are still delicious, though I always wish the size was a bit more generous for the price. My husband ordered the Big Bad Bird, which came out impressively large. So large, in fact, that we later discovered the waiter had accidentally added extra chicken to the order (which showed up on the bill). We can't fairly judge the normal portion, but he did note the hot honey flavor didn't quite deliver on the promise of its name. Bottom line: Sugar & Scribe is still a fantastic experience destination. Bring your visitors, snap your photos, order a latte, and soak in the atmosphere.

    Bread Pudding French Toast, Steak and Eggs, and Healthy Skillet
    Ariana M.

    Went here for brunch this morning and was able to get a table right away around 11 AM. They have a great brunch special for $35 that we all ordered from today. I got the bread pudding French toast and it's safe to say it was so yummy and sweet! Everyone wanted a bite of my plate along with their orders. I also ordered the cinnamon roll latte - and gladly recommend it to anyone who's interested. We will definitely be back during the week another time. The service was great as well and the staff were all friendly.

    Bagel and cream cheese
    Cheryl K.

    Good, but not as good as I remember. The pancakes were good, I just wish I would've ordered the plain ones instead of the Blueberry Love ones. The Blueberry Love pancakes are more for kids I think. I don't like the presentation of the blueberry pancakes in the skillet. I think it takes away from how special they are.

    Horchata latte
    Toni R.

    I have had to have been to this place atleast 20 times and it's always a must when in La Jolla. I was so excited for my visit today, but I was so disappointed when I sat down and realized that the menu had to completely changed. Both the things that I really liked were no longer offered. I ordered the birria skillet isn't still wanting to try it and hoping for the best and was extremely disappointed. It was more stew chucks of meat then birria and didn't have any sauce to incorporate everything is, leaving it pretty bland. The server let us know that the menu changed about two months ago and that a lot of the great items were taken off the menu. I'm not sure why this happened but it may have been a mistake. Now for the good, as always service was great and it's the cutest little restaurant. Everyone is always so warm and welcoming and happy to have you. I ordered the horchata latte which was amazing as always, and we got a s'mores hot chocolate which was always wonderful. The peach waffles were very yummy as well reminding me of peach cobbler! I will never give up on this place but hoping the can revert the menu to what it once was! Bring back the naughty skillet

    Birria Chilaquiles and Fried Chicken Biscuit Skillet
    Katie S.

    We came in as a group of four on a Thursday morning at 9 am. There was no wait and the place was nearly empty. Also, they are kid friendly with highchairs! The service was great. Our waiter was friendly, suggestive, and fast. We tried a few coffees, the unicorn hot chocolate, the birria chilaquiles (recommended by our waiter -- great recommendation), pancakes, and the fried chicken biscuit skillet. Everything was wonderful with the standout being the chilaquiles. While soo spicy, it was absolutely fantastic.

    Stephanie N.

    What an adorable spot to eat! It's definitely a place I'd take my girlfriends or nieces to. The whole restaurant is decorated with flowers from the inside out, it feels so girly and whimsical. Inside, they even have a mini shop filled with cutesy items my niece would probably beg me to buy. We were seated outside on the patio on a beautiful day. My childhood best friend and I decided to order several dishes to share: Spicy Shakshuka Skillet - I rarely see this dish on menus, so I had to try it. It wasn't very spicy, but it was still delicious, especially with their sourdough bread. Wild Mushroom Truffle Toast - I really enjoyed this, but I was a little disappointed that I couldn't detect much truffle flavor. Blueberry Love Pancakes - Yum! We both scarfed these down. The pancakes were light, fluffy, and not overly sweet. Service was wonderful, such a friendly, helpful staff with warm smiles. I'm looking forward to coming back to try the chilaquiles next time!

    Pistachio latte and  matcha
    Erika P.

    10/10 complaints--everything was great! The food was delicious, the coffee was amazing, and the service was excellent. The only downside was how crowded the seating felt. It was pretty tight, like I was dining with the people behind, next to, and in front of me. Other than that, I loved everything. They have a huge selection of coffee, plus matcha and other drinks. The food menu also has tons of options. My best friend recommended the chilaquiles, and they did not disappoint at all. Portions are generous, prices are reasonable, and I would definitely come back. Go check them out--you can thank me later!

    Huma M.

    Super cutesy brunch spot in La Jolla. The wait can be long on a weekend, but we got lucky and were seated right away as a party of 2. They have a "hangry" option where you can order a pastry first while you wait for your main entree (which i thought was a genius idea). Most of the pastries were sold out by 11AM, so we ordered an almond croissant- warm and buttery, with a delicious almond filling. The coffee is from Dark Horse so you know it's going to be great. The rest of the food came out surprisingly fast. The chilaquiles were standard- chips, sauce, onions, egg. The sauce had a kick of spice that I appreciated and the tortilla chips didn't get overly soggy. The shakshuka had a great roasted flavor and the fresh bread was heavenly. Overall, was very impressed by the service and food. Will definitely be back!

    Diana S.

    If you're looking for a brunch spot in La Jolla, Sugar & Scribe has you covered. They have both indoor and outdoor seating and a separate bakery counter. I came with a few friends to celebrate a birthday and a second time with my husband on a Sunday morning, after a beach walk. They don't take reservations and you must have your entire party ready to be seated or you will have to wait. The server was attentive and friendly. The restaurant is SUPER cute and offers a nice ambiance; Food was SOOOOO good. I had a healthy skillet and their infamous S & S pancakes. You guys have to try this place I will be stopping by again soon.

    Mushroom Truffle Toast with Poached Egg
    Eid F.

    Service was great and decor/Atmosphere was really nice. The outdoor seating area is beautiful. Great for medium to small groups. We ordered the Mushroom Truffle Toast w/poached egg and an order of their Blueberry Pancakes. Everything tasted good but I personally wasn't that happy with the meal. My guest on the other hand loved it and scarfed everything down and wanted more. My Bloody Mary tasted delicious but came with a partially rotting piece of Celery that I noticed midway thru that turned me off (see pic). Based on service and ambience I would give it another try. Also the coffee and pastry bar inside was awesome.

    Pistachio latte
    Stephanie S.

    Came here to have breakfast and celebrate a birthday. I had a pistachio latte that I really liked and would come back for. The food was good as well. The floral decor and the tableware is pretty. It's a cute/cozy atmosphere that's aesthetic for taking photos. Unfortunately, it's busy here even on regular mornings and afternoons, so service is very slow.

    Steak & Eggs + Lobster Benedict (and a side of bacon)
    Jennica S.

    Sugar and Scribe was the cutest brunch spot. Not only is it a brunch spot, but inside there is a bakery counter, coffee shop and gift/retail section. The best of multiple worlds! My best friends and I went on a Sunday around 1pm, and the wait to get seated was around 20 minutes. That was not bad AT ALL, especially for how beautiful it was! The restaurant does not do reservations, as a note. As for food, the steak and eggs were delicious. It came with thick toasted rustic bread, which was perfect to dip in the yolk. One of my best friends got the lobster benedict, and I wish I tried it because it looked amazing. There was a good amount of lobster and the poached eggs looked perfect. The mimosas were also very lovely and came with a little gummy bear. The guava mimosa is not on the menu as a regular mimosa, but part of the mimosa flight, and I wish I ordered 5. The main thing that was not too memorable is the service. Our original waitress was leaving, and since my friends and I were sitting outside towards the hostess stand, that's when she told us she was off and someone else was going to take care of us.

    Blazin' Chilaquiles Skillet, bread pudding Brioche French Toast, blueberry pancakes
    Kaitlyn L.

    The ambiance was cute but the food was mediocre. The service was surprisingly fast and the people were nice though!

    sligo scramble, eggs benedict, emerald isle waffle

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    Sugar and Scribe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sugar and Scribe

    Do you take reservations?

    From my past experience....no, they do not. You usually have to put your name on a waitlist and your entire party has to be present before getting sat.

    What is the parking situation like?

    Tight. The Lot gets full and street parking is almost nonexistent.

    Is there less of a wait closer to noon than 10 on a weekend or is it about the same?

    The wait is the same! And if the wait is longer than when they anticipate closing, they won't put you on the list.

    Is it kid friendly ? Do they have high chairs for kiddos?

    Yes they're totally kid ready and very nice about it

    Do you serve, gluten-free pancakes, waffles, or gluten-free French toast?

    They unfortunately do not, however they do have a gluten free chocolate muffin and other gluten free options on the menu!

    Is it dog friendly?

    Extremely’ we absolutely love dogs!!

    Do they they have gluten free options in the bakery?

    Yes!

    Do they take reservations?

    It's first come first serve

    Do you have gluten free bread?

    Yes

    Is the bbq in the naughty skillet sweet?

    No, it's definitely more savory and a little spicy. Nothing too crazy though.

    Any gluten free bakery items?

    Yes! They have gluten free bread

    Are there cronuts here?

    Yes

    Is this place good to study at?

    I would say no, you are better off studying at the living room.

    View All 17 Questions

    The Cottage La Jolla - Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes

    The Cottage La Jolla

    4.2(5.3k reviews)
    0.0 miLa Jolla
    $$

    Came here with the family while on vacation. Very family friendly, and the food was incredible. I…read morehad the Avocado Smash (toast) with smoke salmon. The bread was amazing, as was everything else. Everyone loved their food. I also had the Green Devotion drink, which tasted... very healthy. Wouldn't get that again, but not sure if it's possible to make somethign that healthy taste good :)

    It had been years since my last visit to The Cottage, but on a gorgeous, impromptu morning, we…read moredecided to follow our appetites and return. Weekday brunch worked in our favor parking was just a block away, and there was no wait, a welcome change from the usual crowds. The staff greeted us promptly and seated us on the patio, where the setting felt as charming as I remembered. I'm typically an eggs Benedict loyalist, but this time I was in the mood to explore more of the menu. We ordered the pastrami sandwich and the French dip, both generously stacked and visually promising. Unfortunately, while the portions impressed, the flavors didn't quite deliver. The pastrami felt like it was missing a key note something bright and tangy to balance it. I ended up adding dill pickles at home, which helped, but not enough to make it memorable. The French dip had a similar issue; the au jus leaned more toward a thick sauce rather than the lighter, savory broth you hope to dip into. The side salad was fresh, the fries perfectly crisp both enjoyable but they couldn't quite make up for the lack of depth in the sandwiches themselves. Next time, I'll stick with what they're known for and return to the breakfast classics. I'm not giving up on The Cottage just yet it simply deserves another chance, with a different order.

    Photos
    The Cottage La Jolla - Interior

    Interior

    The Cottage La Jolla - Morning Glory Sandwich

    Morning Glory Sandwich

    The Cottage La Jolla - Braised Beef Hash

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    Braised Beef Hash

    Shorehouse Kitchen - Pork Carnitas Chilaquiles

    Shorehouse Kitchen

    4.3(2.4k reviews)
    1.4 miLa Jolla, La Jolla Shores
    $$

    Food was amazing. Nice robust flavor from the béarnaise…read moresauce on the Salmon Benedict. Waiter was very pleasant. He asked what kind of side of toast did I want with my Benedict, I responded with "oh? There's toast included? Maybe Rye?" And he said "oh no, my apologies, it doesn't come with toast". I must have had a really sad look on my face when I said "oh ok". because he said "you know what, I'll throw in a side of complimentary toast". Anyways, great little niche close to the ocean. Nice light cool breeze. Street Parking was easy to find

    This place is really very cool. They had some service issues when I sat out on the sidewalk but…read morewhen I was in the patio inside the restaurant, it was all sorted. My daughter loves their waffles which is great and all but...for $15, you get one waffle. Its a thin one. With a teaspoon of powdered sugar on top. Want another even on the same plate? Also $15. Order 2 at the same time? $30. All the dishes were very good and they have coffee out for you so if you arrive and there's a wait, you can have some free caffeine. All the dishes and the coffee seemed better than what I would have expected in a super touristy area. If its windy out, don't sit outside because the umbrellas blow over even with sand bags on them and I saw one nearly take an old guy's eye out.

    Photos
    Shorehouse Kitchen
    Shorehouse Kitchen - Pork carnitas poblano cornbread benny

    Pork carnitas poblano cornbread benny

    Shorehouse Kitchen - Banana walnut bread  Mocha with oat milk

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    Banana walnut bread Mocha with oat milk

    Blue Whale

    Blue Whale

    3.8(443 reviews)
    0.0 miLa Jolla
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Gluten-free friendly

    Blue whale is a super popular cafe near La Jolla shores! Because of social media it blew up so a…read morelot of people come here to try their unique dishes. I specifically wanted to try their Ube pancakes. The pancake was good! However the Ube flavor is not strong but if you just love a good pancake then you'll like it for sure. The downside is because there's so many people there is not enough seats. So I asked for my food Togo in case a seat didn't open up. In summary, it's a cute little cafe, try to come here during off peak hours for a more calm vibe but even if you come the wait isn't super long.

    Your social media presence was influential. It's what I wanted for Mother's Day. To avoid the long…read morewait I asked for pick up. Had I'd know it would ruin my morning with my daughter I would have never suggested it. Customer service was atrocious. The pick up was not to anyone's standards. My daughter picked up the food me drinks she ordered for us and the girl at the counter was clearly annoyed she worked there. Ignored her. She should be retrained or put in the back. Nevermind ignoring the customer but didn't even finish giving the order. No drinks. My daughter had to ask a manager for the drinks. Comes to the car as we drive off I open the bag and items are missing. I guess no one checks orders. Had to double park. I called and warned the cafe she was upset. They gave her the one missing item and they ran out of croissants. Mind you it's what I wanted. They gave her an extra Oreo cronut. This was the worst experience. I do not recommend this establishment

    Photos
    Blue Whale
    Blue Whale
    Blue Whale

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    Sugar and Scribe - bakeries - Updated May 2026

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