Breakfast Restaurants in California – Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

Breakfast Restaurants in California

When Guy Fieri hits the California highways in his cherry-red Camaro, breakfast becomes an adventure. Since 2007, the spiky-haired host of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives has spotlighted 56 morning meal destinations across the Golden State, from the sun-soaked shores of San Diego to the rolling hills of Santa Rosa. With 45 of these joints still flipping pancakes and slinging hash, California remains a breakfast lover’s paradise.

The numbers tell the story: an impressive 4.5-star average rating across nearly two decades of filming proves that Fieri knows how to find the real deal. Los Angeles and San Diego lead the pack with six featured spots each, but some of the highest-rated gems hide in unexpected places. Gaffey Street Diner in San Pedro earns a stellar 4.8 stars, while Pete’s Breakfast House in Ventura and Bubba’s Diner in San Anselmo both boast 4.7-star ratings. These aren’t just restaurants—they’re neighborhood institutions where locals gather over perfectly crispy bacon, fluffy omelets, and bottomless cups of coffee.

Gaffey Street Diner

Gaffey Street Diner

Still Open

San Pedro, California

★★★★☆ 4.8
Episode 4: Breakfast
Breakfast
Pete’s Breakfast House

Pete’s Breakfast House

Still Open

Ventura, California

★★★★☆ 4.7
Episode 170: Passin' The Baton
Breakfast
Bubba’s Diner

Bubba’s Diner

Still Open

San Anselmo, California

★★★★☆ 4.7
Episode 69: Biscuits, Bagels and BLTs
BreakfastSandwich
Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Café

Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Café

Still Open

Victorville, California

★★★★☆ 4.7
Episode 14: Route 66
BurgerBreakfast
Hank’s Creekside Restaurant

Hank’s Creekside Restaurant

Still Open

Santa Rosa, California

★★★★☆ 4.7
Episode 8: House Specials
Breakfast
Nic’s On Beverly

Nic’s On Beverly

Permanently Closed

Los Angeles, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 522: Flavor Explosion
BreakfastSandwichVegan/Vegetarian
Jo’s Diner

Jo’s Diner

Still Open

San Diego, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 407: Beef Bonanza
Breakfast
Nighthawk Breakfast Bar

Nighthawk Breakfast Bar

Still Open

Venice, Los Angeles, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 362: Breakfast, Brisket and Belly
BBQBurgerBreakfast
Sherman’s Deli & Bakery

Sherman’s Deli & Bakery

Still Open

Palm Springs, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 344: Turkey, Taters and Dogs
AmericanBreakfastSandwich
Cosecha Cafe

Cosecha Cafe

Permanently Closed

Oakland, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 312: Tacos, Turtles, and Tri-tip
AmericanMexicanBreakfast
24th Street Cafe

24th Street Cafe

Still Open

Bakersfield, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 277: Sweet, Savory and Saucy
BurgerBreakfastDessert
North End Caffe

North End Caffe

Still Open

Manhattan Beach, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 269: Pork Hall of Fame
BreakfastSandwich
The Starling Diner

The Starling Diner

Still Open

Long Beach, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 249: Old Standards, New Styles
AmericanBreakfast
Loulou’s Griddle In The Middle

Loulou’s Griddle In The Middle

Permanently Closed

Monterey, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 243: Righteous Bites
SeafoodBreakfast
Haggo’s Organic Taco

Haggo’s Organic Taco

Still Open

Leucadia, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 214: From Pound Cake to Pot Pie
AmericanMexicanBreakfast
Putah Creek Café

Putah Creek Café

Still Open

Winters, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 139: Signature Twists
BreakfastPizzaDessert
Sunflower Caffé

Sunflower Caffé

Still Open

Sonoma, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 138: From Mozz to Matzo Balls
BreakfastSandwichVegan/Vegetarian
Paul’s Coffee Shop

Paul’s Coffee Shop

Still Open

Fountain Valley, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 113: You Called It
BreakfastSandwich
North End Caffé

North End Caffé

Still Open

Manhattan Beach, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 102: Surf ‘n Turf
SeafoodBreakfastSandwich
Nickel Diner

Nickel Diner

Still Open

Los Angeles, California

★★★★☆ 4.6
Episode 86: Blast from the Past
AmericanBreakfast
Flour House

Flour House

Still Open

San Luis Obispo, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 539: From Breakfast to the Boot
ItalianBreakfastPizza
Chúla Artisan Eatery

Chúla Artisan Eatery

Still Open

La Quinta, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 485: From Chicken to Chiles
MexicanChickenBreakfast
From Scratch Restaurant

From Scratch Restaurant

Still Open

Carmel, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 254: Cross-Country Classics
AmericanBreakfast
Rosine’s Restaurant

Rosine’s Restaurant

Still Open

Monterey, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 248: Stuffed and Twisted
AmericanItalianBreakfast
Dad’s Kitchen

Dad’s Kitchen

Permanently Closed

Sacramento, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 135: Soup & Sandwiches
AmericanBreakfastSandwich
Aunt Mary’s Café

Aunt Mary’s Café

Permanently Closed

Oakland, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 134: Favorites With A Twist
AmericanMexicanBreakfast
Rick & Ann’s Restaurant

Rick & Ann’s Restaurant

Permanently Closed

Berkeley, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 94: Triple D Goes Tailgatin'
AmericanBreakfast
Rocco’s Café

Rocco’s Café

Permanently Closed

San Francisco, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 74: All Over The Map
AmericanItalianBreakfast
Schooner or Later

Schooner or Later

Still Open

Long Beach, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 23: Off the Hook Specials
AmericanBreakfast
Patrick’s Roadhouse

Patrick’s Roadhouse

Permanently Closed

Santa Monica, California

★★★★☆ 4.5
Episode 3: Blue Plate Special
BurgerBreakfast
Nutmeg Bakery & Cafe

Nutmeg Bakery & Cafe

Still Open

San Diego, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 498: West Coast Wonders
BreakfastDessert
Little Jewel of New Orleans

Little Jewel of New Orleans

Still Open

Los Angeles, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 459: Takeout: Shipped, Sweet & Savory
SeafoodBreakfastSandwich
Wilma & Frieda

Wilma & Frieda

Still Open

Palm Desert, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 348: Island and Desert
Breakfast
The Bun Shop

The Bun Shop

Still Open

Los Angeles, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 327: Burgers, Buns and Bagels
BurgerBreakfast
The Little Jewel of New Orleans

The Little Jewel of New Orleans

Still Open

Los Angeles, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 282: Intercontinental Flavorfest
SeafoodBreakfastSandwich
Sabroso Mexican Grill

Sabroso Mexican Grill

Still Open

Garden Grove, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 247: California Cruisin
MexicanSeafoodBreakfast
Café Nooner

Café Nooner

Still Open

Eureka, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 236: Dynamite Duos
BreakfastMediterraneanVegan/Vegetarian
Crest Café

Crest Café

Still Open

San Diego, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 219: Neighborhood Knockouts
Breakfast
Bette’s Oceanview Diner

Bette’s Oceanview Diner

Still Open

Berkeley, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 97: And The Kicker Is…
Breakfast
Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe

Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe

Still Open

Emeryville, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 94: Triple D Goes Tailgatin'
BreakfastVegan/Vegetarian
Hob Nob Hill

Hob Nob Hill

Still Open

San Diego, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 59: Just Like Yesterday
Breakfast
Studio Diner

Studio Diner

Still Open

San Diego, California

★★★★☆ 4.4
Episode 22: Open 24/7
AmericanBreakfast
Tiger! Tiger!

Tiger! Tiger!

Still Open

San Diego, California

★★★★☆ 4.3
Episode 405: Crazy Chicken and Twisted Burgers
BurgerChickenBreakfast
Sin of Cortez

Sin of Cortez

Still Open

Chico, California

★★★★☆ 4.3
Episode 398: Burger and Breakfast
BurgerBreakfast
At Last Cafe

At Last Cafe

Still Open

Long Beach, California

★★★★☆ 4.3
Episode 303: Holiday Hoopla
AmericanMexicanBreakfast
W.O.W – Worth Our Weight

W.O.W – Worth Our Weight

Permanently Closed

Santa Rosa, California

★★★★☆ 4.3
Episode 266: Best of Breakfast
Breakfast
Wild Plum Cafe & Bistro

Wild Plum Cafe & Bistro

Still Open

Monterey, California

★★★★☆ 4.3
Episode 251: All Day Dining
BreakfastVegan/VegetarianDessert
Miller’s East Coast Deli

Miller’s East Coast Deli

Permanently Closed

San Francisco, California

★★★★☆ 4.3
Episode 221: Servin' Up San Francisco
BreakfastSandwich
Chili John’s

Chili John’s

Still Open

Burbank, California

★★★★☆ 4.3
Episode 207: Chicken, Chili and Chowder
ChickenBreakfast
Willie Bird’s Restaurant

Willie Bird’s Restaurant

Still Open

Santa Rosa, California

★★★★☆ 4.3
Episode 19: Talkin' Turkey
Breakfast
Oui Melrose

Oui Melrose

Still Open

Los Angeles, California

★★★★☆ 4.2
Episode 564: Funky Flavors
AmericanBreakfastSandwich
Gatsby’s Diner

Gatsby’s Diner

Permanently Closed

Sacramento, California

★★★★☆ 4.2
Episode 132: A Little Twisted
Breakfast
Jax At The Trax

Jax At The Trax

Still Open

Truckee, California

★★★★☆ 4.1
Episode 108: Comfort Food With Attitude
AmericanBurgerBreakfast
Santa Cruz Diner

Santa Cruz Diner

Still Open

Santa Cruz, California

★★★★☆ 4.1
Episode 89: Diners Times Three
AmericanBreakfastAsian
Grubstake Diner

Grubstake Diner

Still Open

San Francisco, California

★★★★☆ 4.1
Episode 20: One of a Kind
AmericanBurgerBreakfast