Village of La Jolla · Bakery cafe, Cakes and desserts

Sugar and Scribe

A La Jolla brunch restaurant, pastry counter and custom cake studio led by chef Maeve Rochford.

What people go for here

  • Bread pudding French toast
  • Blueberry Love pancakes
  • Scones and pastry-counter items
  • Custom event cakes and cookies

Worth knowing: Peak service can be loud. Weekend takeout is not offered.

Signature bakes

  1. 01Scones
  2. 02Pastry-bar specials
  3. 03Signature Comb Cake
  4. 04Macaron Crown Cake
  5. 05Custom cookies and cupcakes

Bread, pastry, savory, cake

Pastry
Scratch-made pastries, cookies, cupcakes and seasonal daily features fill the bakeshop counter.
Savory
Full-service breakfast, brunch and lunch includes benedicts, skillets, sandwiches, salads and Irish-inspired dishes.
Cake
Made-to-order signature cakes, fully custom celebration cakes and wedding cakes are offered in multiple sizes and tier configurations.

When to go

Best time: Arrive near opening or before the late-morning weekend brunch rush for the fullest pastry choice and shortest wait.

Ordering

Order ahead
Custom cakes should be ordered as early as possible; posted lead times run 5 to 15 days or longer depending on complexity and existing commitments.
Walk in
No reservations are accepted. Dining is first come, first served; the bakery counter remains available during service.
Custom orders
Submit the custom-order form; for events within two weeks, call or visit. Orders are confirmed only after direct contact and payment. Pickup begins at 9am on the event day.
How it works
Full-service breakfast and lunch plus a separate walk-up bakery counter; weekday restaurant takeout is available through Toast.
  • Signature Comb Cake: 6-inch $95; 8-inch $150; 10-inch $250; 6+8-inch tier $325
  • Dripping in Finesse cake: 6-inch $120; 8-inch $180; 10-inch $280; 6+8-inch tier $355

The room

Inside
Full-service indoor dining is available.
Outside
A dog-friendly patio offers outdoor seating.
Coffee
Coffee drinks are served with the bakery and brunch menus.

Good to know

  • The tradition: Contemporary American bakery with Irish influences
  • Sugar and Scribe combines a full-service brunch room with an in-house pastry counter and a serious custom-cake operation. Walk in for scones, pastries or lunch; use the order process for signature, sculpted or wedding cakes. Weekends are busiest, reservations are not accepted, and restaurant to-go ordering pauses on weekends and holidays.
  • Rotating: Seasonal pastry surprises
  • Rotating: Daily featured bakes
  • Diet: Gluten-free custom cakes for an added fee
  • Diet: No dairy-free custom cakes
  • Diet: No vegan custom cakes
  • Charming pink-and-floral dining room
  • Friendly, attentive service
  • Pleasant covered patio

More San Diego bakeries

  • Custom cakes
  • Order ahead
  • Also on the cafe list

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Go for: Cream puff, Croissant and almond croissant

Best for: French pastries and croissants

  • Gluten-free options
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Go for: Guava-and-cheese pastelito, Cheese roll

Best for: Cuban pastries

  • Gluten-free options
  • Vegan options
  • Custom cakes
  • Order ahead

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Go for: Chocolate-almond croissant, Almond croissant

Best for: Filled croissants