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    Sugar and Scribe

    4.3 (3.1k reviews)
    Closed 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

    More like Sugar and Scribe

    Recommended Reviews - Sugar and Scribe

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    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.

    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!

    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!

    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.

    Steak and eggs
    Damian E.

    The place is so cute. The food was incredible too. We tried the brioche French toast and it was delicious. My husband had the steak and eggs and loved it too.

    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.

    Dining room
    Eliko S.

    Beautifully decorated inside and out, Sugar & Scribe has been a beloved La Jolla institution for 16 years. Chef Maeve, a Food Network Holiday Baking Champion, crafts innovative beautiful cakes, pastries, savory croissants, cookies, and other delights which you can access easily inside the restaurant for to-go / takeout orders. And, there is also a full coffee bar, brunch / lunch menu and alcoholic drinks menu (mimosas, bloody mary, beer, wine) so you can fully enjoy her welcoming and joyful establishment. I've enjoyed meals here several times, and each time, I've left happy and satisfied. Her dishes are fresh, interesting, and flavorful, and dining here is an absolute treat. Most folks choose to dine outside, but the interior dining room is also quite a showstopper, and great for photos! Keep in mind that the prices are a bit steep, but IMO they're accurate for the location and quality of what you receive. Today, I simply stopped in for an iced vanilla latte and a savory croissant (feta, ricotta, and spinach). Service was fast and friendly, and I was in and out in less that 5 minutes. My friend also purchased some Mexican Wedding Cookies, and let me tell you, they're fantastic - powdered, lightly sweet, crumbly, and studded with pecans. They're especially delightful with a coffee or tea. :) My latte was also perfect, and I made short work of it. So, I'm just wondering... what are you doing still reading this? You should be heading over to Sugar & Scribe for a delicious dose of happiness on Fay Street! Mahalo. P.S. They're also dog-friendly and they have a doggie menu!!

    sligo scramble, eggs benedict, emerald isle waffle
    Karen T.

    One of the best brunch restaurants of all time. I sincerely mean it. This place includes full-service dining as well as a front counter for their in-house bakery. There is a huge outdoor patio and some indoor seating. Plus, it's pretty cool that this is a dog-friendly restaurant that even allows your dogs to be inside. Everything I ate here was super delicious and beautifully presented. My husband and I shared the following plates: Emerald Isle Waffles: 2 crispy golden brown waffles plus 3 various side sauces: classic maple syrup, bourbon peaches, and elderberry white chocolate mousse. Oh my gosh, the elderberry mousse was to die for. This dish is so indulgent with the perfect blend of creamy and fruity flavors. You Choose Benedict: we chose sausage as the main component for this benedict. It was an excellent combination with the perfectly poached eggs, fresh arugula, rich hollandaise sauce, and toasty english muffins. The side of soft, scalloped-style potatoes really surprised me with how amazing it tasted. Sligo Scramble: fluffy scrambled eggs, goat cheese that adds a creamy tanginess, savory irish cheddar cheese, fresh chives, and 2 pieces of crispy artisanal bread. I liked that there was a side of a yummy jam to go along with the bread. This was super satisfying to eat, as the dish did not feel too heavy. Highly recommend coming here for anyone that is in La Jolla. They do not accept reservations unfortunately. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Make sure to check in with the host located outside. I think I was lucky to not have any kind of wait, even though the restaurant looked fairly busy.

    Pastries
    Chinyere E.

    This is such a cute restaurant in La Jolla. I went with a friend for breakfast and had a really good time. I got the pancakes and she got the French toast and both were really good. She tried the glitter bomb mimosa but didn't love it, the glitter kind of threw her off. The vibes are super cute and the hosts are really kind and welcoming. I will say it is on the pricier side, especially the pastries, but the decor throughout is really nice and adds to the experience.

    Sligo Scramble
    Kevin T.

    Sugar and Scribe, just like the name, this restaurant is just as sweet and sugary. Super adorable decorations all around, felt like a candy shop with a sweet like aroma when you walk in. My wife and I came around noon and were seated immediately despite the restaurant being super busy. (Friday Brunch) This restaurant is combined with a large outdoor seating area, indoor drinks/barista shop, merch/deco shop, and a stairs up to a dining area where the kitchen is located. I noticed that most people enjoy being seated outdoors as it wasn't too cold. Parking situation here is tricky I'd say, but you can find residential/street parking nearby and take a walk over. Watch out for metered parking and certain reserved ones. Staff here is friendly, efficient, and sufficient enough for a super busy restaurant. Very speedy overall when it came to taking orders and serving the food. Regular check ins too even though it was busy which was a nice touch. Food took about 15 minutes to come out, fairly quick since the restaurant was extremely busy. -- What We Ordered -- Sligo Scramble ($20.50) Filled with scrambled eggs, goat cheese, Irish cheddar, chives, and toast. This was the perfect dish to start the brunch. The jam provided is perfect for the toast. Eggs were cooked perfectly, and the potato slices were excellent overall. Not very salty and a good compliment to the scramble. The toast itself is a bit hard but it was still fairly tasty. You Choose Benedict ($22) Couldn't decide on which benedict to order, decided on the custom one. Once again, the potato slices were amazing, presentation is pretty standard for a benedict. Very tasty and a staple to the restaurant. Emerald Isles Waffles ($20.50) The waffles came with two spreads and syrup. - Bourbon peaches - Elderberry White Chocolate Mousse Waffle itself without the spread is already tasty, but with the spreads, it taste even better. My personal favorite spread is definitely the Elderberry, mixes extremely well with the savor style of the waffle, and with the berry, it's not super sweet which is great for the taste balance. It's very addicting and just overall one of the best waffles I've ever tasted. Highly recommend Overall, a wonderful brunch spot. My wife and I absolutely loved their food, especially the waffles. Very impressed overall with the food, service, and overall vibe. Super casual but also very cute. It was the perfect meal to start our Friday morning. Will definitely be back whenever We're back in the La Jolla area. A absolute GEM to the city.

    Classic bacon and eggs
    Jennifer O.

    Cute place! Went for Mother's day brunch. Of course lots of people but didnt wait that long on. Kinda hard to find parking. Glad we were seated outside because inside was a little crowded, felt very chaotic. They have a little bakery inside and you can order from their bakery and drinks while you wait for your table. Our food was ok. Had the avocado toast. The toast was a little hard. The steak and eggs were ok, the steak was kinda tough. Their classic bacon and eggs were good but their pancakes were great!

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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

    Parisien Gourmandises - Towards the back June 25, 2025

    Parisien Gourmandises

    4.5(360 reviews)
    0.1 miLa Jolla
    $$

    *Frickin amazing freshly made pastries *Innovative flavors…read moreand art *High quality *Beautiful presentation *Prices super reasonable considering the high quality you are getting *Located in the Floral Palette store *A few dining seating in the store *Staff are helpful and will take the time to tell you what the pastries are *Sweet sand savory baked goods available *Parking is a bear in La Jolla... but worth it for a visit *Only challenge you will have (once you find parking of course): choices. So many and all of them equally delightful.

    I've visited the bakery 3 times, usually around noon and have not seen the full spread of items…read moreavailable. Today I stopped in since I was celebrating my birthday. This review is for the rolled banana croissant . Every time I visit I always order the rolled banana croissant and it never disappoints!!! The round croissant is cut in half, piped with delicious cream that is perfectly sweet that goes so well with the caramel sauce and bananas, perfect combo! If the bakery reads this review, it would be even better if there were a few more banana slices inside or caramelized banana on top, IMO. One more thing, it would be awesome if you opened on weekends. Today I ordered the banana and creme brulee rolled croissant and the banana was better. I was the only customer so ordering was simple. There are 3 tables in the store and a few outside the store. I'll be back when I have another sweet craving.

    Photos
    Parisien Gourmandises - Awesome coffees and a $10 tiny stick eclair.

    Awesome coffees and a $10 tiny stick eclair.

    Parisien Gourmandises - Towards the back June 25, 2025

    Towards the back June 25, 2025

    Parisien Gourmandises - Pear croissant, pure deliciousness!

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    Pear croissant, pure deliciousness!

    Magnolia Kitchen and Bakery - Cookie Catering Spread, great for corporate events, birthdays, weddings, memorials, parties, events, gatherings, christmas, hanukkah, dewali

    Magnolia Kitchen and Bakery

    4.9(31 reviews)
    1.0 miLa Jolla

    My husband and I LOVE the cookies from Magnolia! They are typically at the La Jolla Open Aire…read moreFarmer's Market on Sundays and so we often splurge and get half a dozen cookies to eat throughout the week. They offer a variety of unique cookie flavors along with granola. You really can't go wrong with any of the options (pretty much had them all), but our favorites are the salted brown butter chocolate chip, espresso toffee chocolate & sea salt, peanut butter brown butter butterfinger, and the s'mores. They can package up your cookies in a nice box as well or they are wrapped individually. It's hard not to eat all of the cookies in one sitting, but they do last throughout the week if you have some self control! They do offer samples and even have a frequent buyer card. Buy 12 and get one free! I've gone through probably more cards than I should, but these cookies are just that amazing! Pricing is reasonable for the quality of cookie you get. The owner, Max, and the rest of the folks that work there are super friendly and you can tell that they have a passion for baking these delicious goods. I definitely recommend checking out Magnolia!

    I am not the type of person to just buy cookies because I've been perfecting a recipe. Max makes…read moresuch amazing cookies- my favorite is the earl gray, fig jam, and almond cookie. It honestly could not be replicated so I won't even attempt to do so. Max is also such a pleasant owner. He's super nice!! Give him a follow!!

    Photos
    Magnolia Kitchen and Bakery - Assortment of our chef crafted gourmet cookies.  Pick and choose from our flavors and create your own box, perfect for gifts or shipping

    Assortment of our chef crafted gourmet cookies. Pick and choose from our flavors and create your own box, perfect for gifts or shipping

    Magnolia Kitchen and Bakery - Gourmet Cookies San Diego, Gourmet Cookie Catering, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Cookie, Smores Cookie, Office Lunch Catering, Best Cookies

    Gourmet Cookies San Diego, Gourmet Cookie Catering, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Cookie, Smores Cookie, Office Lunch Catering, Best Cookies

    Magnolia Kitchen and Bakery - Mix and Match Cookie Boxes - pick and choose from all of our flavors and create a perfect mix.  Great gift and ship nationwide Best Cookies

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    Mix and Match Cookie Boxes - pick and choose from all of our flavors and create a perfect mix. Great gift and ship nationwide Best Cookies

    Michele Coulon Dessertier - Mini desserts: almond cake, black and white cake

    Michele Coulon Dessertier

    4.3(250 reviews)
    0.1 miLa Jolla
    $$

    -beautiful hidden high end little known to outsiders local bakery where the owners know the long…read moretime locals by name family owned local neighborhood folks ...long time decades past restauranteur in the neighborhood ... all the cakes are absolutely moist, not too sweet we recently ordered a carrott bday cake for a relative on a visit to town and it was surprisingly not so sweet , very moist! Always in high demamd ... most being sold out by end of day cakes are not cheap but... special occassionas.... sometimes you splurge once in awhile

    One of life's joys is to celebrate another birthday with cake, yes CAKE! I like cake, not all cakes…read moreare alike. Specifically, a white or yellow fluffy bread with light not sugary sweet icing and a light vanilla custard filling with multiple berries...this cake has many names and I found some of the best at Tutto Bene Beverly Hills, Sweet Lady Jane Beverly Hills and sometimes at WholeFoods all named differently. When I saw some posted pics of this cake from this shop, I was so excited to try it. This is a very small shop with only one table inside and a few more in the outdoor patio. For reference, this cake shop is across from Pavilions in La Jolla, where I parked and grocery shopped before crossing the street to this cake shop. Upon entry I saw their version: Gateau Aileen. 'Gateau' is french for cake and Aileen is someone's name. I ordered a slice togo. The female staff behind the counter was helpful and friendly. The display case also had macarons and lots of other enticing desserts, and a small shelf of wines and sparkling wines. With excitement and anticipation, I headed home immediately and plated my slice on my fancy porcelain dish. After the first bite, I was shocked with disappointment to realized this is NOT the one, Not even close to other versions I've had. Apparently, this cake looked better than it tasted, and it tasted horribly bad, possibly the cake passed its expiration date, because ups on closer inspections, the strawberries on top looked over ripen. Good thing I didn't order a whole cake, but I hate spending any $$ on anything I can't enjoy. Perhaps is was just an off day at this bakery. Sadly, whoever Aileen is should not be associated with this awful tasting thing they call Gateau Aileen is cake NOT worthy of your Royal tastebuds. Sorry, NOT Sorry, Cannot Recommend

    Photos
    Michele Coulon Dessertier - Black and white cake

    Black and white cake

    Michele Coulon Dessertier
    Michele Coulon Dessertier - Soup and sandwich

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    Soup and sandwich

    The French Gourmet - Front of building!

    The French Gourmet

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
    2.6 miPacific Beach
    $$

    Literally, no one makes a croissant as good as this place. Their plain croissants are simply…read moredivine. Flaky buttery soft it's like crunch on the outside. When I eat that, I prefer to takeoff the hard layers and then savor the yummy middle separately. It's a whole experience! Well, I originally came for the croissant. I also ordered some Too Good To Go bags to see about testing other things out. To my surprise, there were some savory croissants bread and Napoleon's. I always assume Napoleon's were overrated and then I got to try this and thought wow I get why they make these now.

    The French Gourmet on Turquoise in Pacific Beach was on my list today to visit, for lunch and…read moredesserts to honor my Dad's birthday, even though he's in heaven. Sadly, the restaurant was officially closed; only the bakery section was open to buy treats and take it togo, you can't even sit inside or outside to enjoy it :( I ordered a box of my Dad's favorites and chatted with the very nice lady behind the counter whose service was fantastic especially with the news she shared. I told her I was so sad to see this place close down. She informed me the owner did sell the property to a real estate developer who also bought three other properties next to this restaurant and plans on building an enormous sky high residential condos and rentals. And news to me was owner of French Gourmet plans to open at another location!! This factoid was shocking news if it's true and it was good news. Details on where exactly the new place will be is unknown, TBD. Alas, I will no longer be sad, because I look forward to a new French Gourmet restaurant and bakery. Trés Bien!!

    Photos
    The French Gourmet - Feb 23, 2024

    Feb 23, 2024

    The French Gourmet - Feb 23, 2024

    Feb 23, 2024

    The French Gourmet - Canelé

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    Canelé

    Sugar and Scribe - bakeries - Updated May 2026

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