Some say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. There are those who skip breakfast but never lunch. And for others, dinner is the highlight of the day. No disrespect to any of those people, but we just happen to think that the rising popularity of brunch has real merit, especially when you take a peek at these mouthwatering brunch spots in Southern California. Could this be the best meal of the day?

1. Bacari Silverlake, Los Angeles

With a treehouse vibe and an eclectic mix of Oaxacan and Mediterranean flavors, it’s hard to not love Bacari. Brunch is served on the weekends and includes specialties like the Free-Range Egg Pizza, Chilaquiles with house-made tortilla chips, Shakshouka, and a Smoked Salmon Pita. There are plenty of vegan and gluten-free options on the menu, too.

2. FARM, Palm Springs

Farm is described as French country-chic and has a delightful patio for dining al fresco. An extensive brunch menu features a variety of sweet and savory crepes, brioche French toast (try the Bacon and Cheese!), delicious breakfast sandwiches, and creative egg dishes from Benedict to Florentine. A unique menu item is the Baked Brie, served with hazelnuts, brown sugar, housemate date jam, pear slices, and sliced baguette. Coffee is, naturally, prepared and served by French Press.

3. GARAGE Kitchen and Bar, San Diego

Located in San Diego’s famous Gaslamp Quarter, Garage Kitchen and Bar serves up contemporary American fare in a historic building with a rustic brick and wood design concept and communal bar tables. Pancake breakfast shots, or Rumchata cereal shots, cold brew cocktails, and bottomless mimosas set off a great brunch menu that features “The Best Breakfast Sandwich Ever” and a “Sweet Treat Flight” that includes chocolate chip, blueberry, and banana pancakes, and French toast.

4. Great Maple, Newport Beach

Located on Fashion Island in Newport Beach, Great Maple takes brunch to creative new heights with favorites like Fried Chicken and Doughnuts, Cajun Shrimp Biscuit Benedict, Ribeye Hash, Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich, Great Maple BLT, and Famous Maple Bacon Doughnuts. Of course, the mimosas are creative, too, with options like lavender lemonade, caramelized pineapple, or white peach Bellini.

5. Maison Cafe and Market, Dana Point

Maison Cafe and Market serves a fresh, organic, seasonal menu that changes often and pleases always. Shareable starters include hummus, poached salmon belly Rillettes, warmed olives with marcona almonds, and more. Almost ten different toast options feature ingredients like crushed avocado, honey whipped ricotta, wild mushrooms, goat cheese, eggs and prosciutto, and even nut butter with bananas, berries, and pecans. That’s just the beginning. Enjoy a delightful Dutch Baby filled with berries and mascarpone, Duck Confit Hash, grass-fed steak and eggs, or one of the amazing Tartines. If you are in a hurry, stop in for coffee and pastries starting at 7 a.m.

6. Mama’s on 39, Huntington Beach

Come to Mama’s for the ultimate in comfort food. A large part of the extensive menu is dedicated to the “Any-time breakfast” options, which include heart-healthy options as well as so-called “widow-maker” items (comically marked with a broken heart) like the Loaded Biscuit Skillet. There are plenty of delicious items and combos on the menu, but you can also order the “Tell Mama What You Want Scramble.” If the food is not enough comfort, head for the Sunday PJ Brunch; wear your pajamas and order brunch before 10 a.m. to get 20 percent off your meal!

7. Nep Cafe by Kel Concepts, Fountain Valley

Brunch at the French-Vietnamese Nep Cafe celebrates the traditional Vietnamese morning routine and takes it to a new level with incredible hand-crafted coffees and drinks to go with a menu full of mouthwatering dishes like Crab Toast, Cajun Pork Jowl, pork and shrimp dumplings, and inventive fried rice and bowls. Desserts like Coffee Flan, Mango Sticky Rice, and Salted Egg Yolk Bread Pudding finish off brunch in a sweet-salty style.

8. Oak, Laguna Beach

California itself serves as inspiration for rustic, modern farm-to-table comfort food at Oak Laguna Beach. The menu features a wonderful selection of starters made to share, such as Burrata with tomato-cranberry relish, Charred Avocado, Grilled Artichokes, and the Charcuterie Board with its fig jam and grain mustard flourishes. Main dishes include Short Rib Chilaquiles, Double Smoked Bacon Tacos, Biscuits and Gravy, and the oh-so-SoCal “Beach Bum Omelette.” Oh, let’s not forget to mention the orange, pineapple, blood orange, and guava bottomless mimosas!

9. Sugar and Scribe, La Jolla

Self-described “quintessential La Jolla hangout,” Sugar and Scribe is a bakery and restaurant serving all-day breakfast and lunch by the winner of Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship, Chef Maeve. There is something for everyone, from light, healthy bites to indulgent Blueberry Love Pancakes - lemon curd pancakes served with blueberries, edible glitter and flower petals, and vanilla bean whipped cream. Or go for something truly unique such as a Full Irish Breakfast, Butter Poached Lobster Benedict, or Southern Love - cheesy grits with tiger shrimp, lager creole sauce, and levain toast.

10. Toast Kitchen and Bakery, Cosa Mesa

If you want a mouthwatering twist on your absolute favorite comfort brunch foods, head to Toast Kitchen and Bakery. Craving something sweet? Try the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Short Stack, Ube French Toast, or the PB and J French Toast. This beauty is not kid food. It is brioche with creme brûlée batter, miso-peanut butter pastry cream, strawberry sauce, strawberry whipped cream, and peanut butter feuilletine. For savory moods, the Croque Madame, Thai Chile Chilaquiles, or Roasted Bell Pepper and Kale Quiche may fit the bill. You could enjoy your brunch with a Champagne flight or Hail Mary, but there are tons of delightful options, including Strawberries on a Summer Evening - basil fillet blanc sangria with strawberry popsicle.

11. The Wild Chive, Long Beach

The Wild Chive in Long Beach is “Globally inspired, vegan soul food,” proudly ignoring creative boundaries and building community. Vegan or not, you cannot help but love the sound of a Monte Christo on caramelized potato French toast, a Breakfast Banh Mi with all the toppings, or Stuffed French Toast, with fresh fruit and housemaid chocolate-hazelnut spread on caramelized potato Texas toast. Pair your choice with a Jamaica aqua fresca mimosa, red grape sangria, a spicy Michelada, or a Luna Bay Kombucha.

Every one of these restaurants is proving that brunch is the meal not to miss! Which of these brunch spots in Southern California have you tried, or would like to try? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments. Now that we’ve covered where to eat, check out some wonderful places to visit with this list of hidden gems in Southern California.