If you want to take a trip to the Caribbean, skip the flight and head to Coco Maya. Located in the heart of Little Italy in San Diego, Coco Maya brings a contemporary take on the delicious flavors of island life.
Coco Maya is perched above India Street on a large, open rooftop decorated with the trappings of a tropical paradise. Ideal for a starry, romantic dinner or a sunny, bubbly brunch with friends, Coco Maya is not to be missed.
When we heard Coco Maya serves brunch every day they’re open, we had to check it out. While drinking during breakfast is questionable, cocktails at brunch are a necessity. We started with the Caribe Welcome, made with a house rum blend, apricot brandy, lime, fresh coconut water, coconut cream and served in fresh young coconut stamped with the restaurant logo. This cocktail is what Instagram dreams are made of–and it tastes delicious! While they have an incredible espresso martini, we decided to spice things up and try the Maya Coffee, which is made with tequila reposado, cinnamon, cold brew espresso, vanilla agave and topped with a salted caramel mascarpone foam that you’ll want to put on everything.
We also tried the La Lechuza, with sweet vodka, pomegranate, pineapple-hibiscus kombucha, papaya cordial and ginger concoction served with a gorgeous copper owl. The Siempre Verano, aptly named for the islands and California, is a tequila-based cocktail that will make you feel sunny all year long. We would be remiss not to mention Coco Maya’s Mimosas Tropicales, a flowery tower of mimosas in your choice of orange-pina, guava, prickly pear, watermelon and orange flavors that is quite a showstopper.
Tropical Baby is perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself. Baked rather than fried on a skillet, this Dutch baby pancake is topped with mango, dragon fruit, compressed pineapple and powdered sugar. The result is a sweet, light and fluffy exterior and custard-like center.
For our brunch entrees, we gravitated toward dishes that seemed unique and flavorful. The Boriqua Bowl consists of a generous serving of tender ground beef wagyu, green olives, sofrito and white rice topped with two fried eggs and tortillas on the side. While the ingredients were familiar, the taste was a new and exciting experience. Next, the star of the Breakfast Bokit is a fluffy, deep-fried bread, which originates in the French Islands of Guadeloupe. This incredible bread is filled with scrambled egg, hash browns, creamy cheese sauce and jerk bacon. We have two words for you: order this.
When visiting Coco Maya for dinner, enjoy a variety of small plant- and seafood-based plates and proteins like 14-oz. ribeye and a 3-lb. tomahawk cooked over coals in a Josper, a traditional Spanish charcoal oven.
Coco Maya is open Monday through Thursday,11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m.
For more information about Coco Maya, visit www.inlovewiththecoco.com.