Bali Hai Restaurant brunch menu
Bali Hai Restaurant offers buffet brunch on Sunday from 9:30am-2:45pm. Brunch is $68 per adult, $25 for children 6-12, and free for children under five. View the menus below for more information.
Brunch food menu
Salads | local greens salad (G/F) (may contain nuts) (V) / Thai Caesar salad (G/F) / island style macaroni salad |
Breakfast | bacon & sausage (G/F) / Bali Hai seasoned breakfast potatoes (G/F) / crab Benedict with Hollandaise / coconut pancakes / Nutella French toast / fresh seasonal fruit (G/F) |
Lunch | spam vegetable fried rice / firecracker pork ribs / chef's choice salmon / honey sriracha fried chicken / vegetable chow mein / Korean short ribs |
Cold Seafood Bar | oysters on the half-shell / peel & eat shrimp (G/F) / Bali Hai poke / snow crab legs (G/F) |
Action Stations | hand-carved prime rib (G/F) / carved ham / build your own omelets (G/F) |
Dessert | fresh cookies / cinnamon rolls / seasonal fruit tarts / assorted chef-selected desserts |
Brunch drink menu
Non-Alcoholic Drinks | coffee, hot tea, and iced tea included |
Alcoholic Drinks | $4 mimosa brut / $6 Bali Hai mimosa / $13 SD Bloody Mary |
Bali Hai Restaurant Brunch
Bali Hai Restaurant
VANESSA A.
UPDATED
August 7, 2025
Brunch basics:
Bali Hai Restaurant offers buffet brunch on Sunday from 9:30am-2:45pm.
Enjoy popular food dishes like eggs firecracker pork ribs or coconut pancakes.
Sip on classic brunch cocktails like mimosas or Bloody Marys.
Bali Hai Restaurant
Bali Hai Restaurant brunch tips
Book early and specify that view: when reserving on OpenTable, request a waterfront table for the best skyline and harbor views, as these are in high demand and fill up quickly, especially during celebrations.
Come hungry for the seafood bar: the buffet features crowd favorites like poke, oysters, crab legs, and shrimp cocktail—many guests start here and loop back for seconds.
Hit the carving and omelet stations first: the prime rib, ham, and made-to-order omelets are brunch staples, and the lines get longer as the morning rolls on.
Don't sleep on dessert (or the cinnamon rolls): the scratch-made bread pudding and warm cinnamon rolls get near-universal praise, especially from sweet tooths (and yes, they're worth the carbs).
Sip those Mai Tais with caution: Bali Hai's Mai Tais are notoriously strong (limit two per guest) and come with a local reputation for knocking out newcomers.
Get there between 9:30am-10:00am: arriving at the beginning of brunch ensures the freshest selections and minimal wait times at the stations.
Enjoy free parking, but walk-in crowds build up: there's ample self-parking, but by 11:00am, it's not unusual for traffic to back up so arrive early to avoid frustration.
Dress for island comfort and casual glam: from tropical shirts to flowy sundresses, brunchers lean into the Polynesian theme, perfect for selfies with that mid-century tiki vibe.
FAQs
Do they have outdoor seating?
Yes, Bali Hai Restaurant has outdoor seating with a beautiful view of downtown San Diego.
Is there a dress code?
The dress code at Bali Hai Restaurant is casual elegant.
Do they take reservations?
Yes, reservations are accepted and highly suggested. You can book a table online.
Bali Hai Restaurant Brunchspotter review
VANESSA A.
CONTRIBUTOR
Bali Hai knows how to do a waterfront brunch right. From the moment you walk in, the view takes over. Picture sailboats drifting across the bay, the skyline in the distance, and just the right amount of breeze coming through the open-air dining room. The space is lush and welcoming, with a touch of vintage tiki charm that feels both timeless and fresh. The brunch buffet is generous in all the right ways. Chilled oysters, crab legs, poke, and shrimp cocktails anchor the seafood spread, while carving stations and made-to-order omelets keep things lively. Coconut pancakes and warm cinnamon rolls come out like a reward for pacing yourself. Service is gracious and attentive, even with a packed room, and the team keeps everything flowing without a hitch. And yes, the Mai Tais live up to their reputation: strong, smooth, and just the thing to toast a San Diego Sunday. If you’re looking for a brunch that feels like a mini-vacation without leaving the city, this is it.
Nearby brunch spots
Brunch at Bali Hai Restaurant is a legendary waterfront experience, blending Polynesian flavors, panoramic bay views, and tropical island vibes on San Diego’s Shelter Island. Served on Sunday from 9:30am-2:45pm, this bountiful buffet brunch features Firecracker Pork Ribs, Coconut Pancakes, and a Cold Seafood Bar with oysters and snow crab legs, alongside chef-carved prime rib and signature island-inspired dishes. Sip on a Bali Hai Mimosa, a bold SD Bloody Mary, or their world-famous Mai Tai, and take in the historic tiki ambiance of this iconic restaurant, which has been a San Diego favorite since 1954. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or indulging in a weekend escape, brunch at Bali Hai Restaurant is a tropical retreat like no other.
Bali Hai Restaurant brunch times
Day | Times |
Monday | N/A |
Tuesday | N/A |
Wednesday | N/A |
Thursday | N/A |
Friday | N/A |
Saturday | N/A |
Sunday | 9:30am-2:45pm |
Last updated: 3/8/25 (Source)