Brick & Bell Cafe - La Jolla

While most breakfast places near Prospect Street are padding their bills with ocean-view premiums, Brick & Bell focuses on turning out solid morning food at prices that won't make you wince. It's tucked on Silverado Street, far enough from the tourist corridor that it functions as an actual neighborhood spot rather than a coastal destination.

The scones get mentioned in nearly every review for good reason — they're baked fresh daily and have that crumbly-but-moist texture that's hard to find. The egg burrito is the workhorse order: straightforward, filling, perfectly adequate but slightly underseasoned (hit the self-serve condiment station on your way out). The açaí bowls are surprisingly good for a cafe that isn't trying to be a juice bar, and the dirty chai runs strong enough to justify the post-beach stop.

Seating is entirely outdoors on a small patio with a country-cottage vibe that feels deliberately un-coastal. Expect dogs, kids, and locals in workout clothes. Service is counter-order, grab-your-own-number casual.

Parking on Silverado is tough but doable on weekdays before 11 a.m. — after that, you're circling or walking from a side street. Weekend mornings turn into a bit of a scramble. They've partnered with a nearby hotel to give out free scones, which tells you both how confident they are in the product and how much foot traffic they're pulling.

Downsides: no indoor seating means the marine layer can make morning coffee less pleasant than you'd hoped, and the menu is limited enough that repeat visits might feel repetitive. But if you're looking for a casual breakfast below the bluff that doesn't assume you're on vacation, this is your go-to.