Tucked behind a white picket fence at 1307 Stratford Ct, Del Mar, CA 92014, Stratford Court Cafe occupies a converted 1900s Cape Cod-style cottage just one block from the ocean. This family-owned breakfast and lunch spot is where Del Mar locals start their mornings, gathering on the garden courtyard patio beneath mature trees and yellow umbrellas for coffee, conversation, and counter-service comfort food. Liquid Bean Cafe on nearby Camino Del Mar is another early-morning gathering place for the village crowd, though Stratford Court's shaded courtyard gives it a distinctly residential, hidden-garden feel. Breakfast is served all day and anchors the menu with dishes like the Stratford Scramble with avocado, bacon, cheddar, and potatoes, eggs Benedict in three variations including a seasoned tri-tip version and a lox Benedict, Belgian waffles, and a steel-cut oatmeal that regulars consider the best in town. Lunch options include the Turf Club turkey sandwich with avocado, bacon, and ranch dressing, the Del Mar sandwich, and daily rotating homemade soups that lean vegetarian, though the chicken tortilla soup is worth timing a visit around. Croissant sandwiches, fresh-baked pastries and cookies, acai bowls, and homemade granola round out the offerings. Drinks range from specialty coffee and espresso to smoothies, mimosas, and a small beer and wine selection. The cafe is dog-friendly and even bakes its own housemade doggie biscuits for four-legged visitors. Street parking on this quiet residential block is the only option, though many locals arrive by bike and lock up at the dedicated rack. The cafe sits between Camino Del Mar and the beach, a short walk from Seagrove Park and Powerhouse Park, making it a natural first stop before a morning on the sand. Visitors heading to nearby Del Mar Powerhouse Community Center will find Stratford Court just a few minutes' walk north along the quiet side street. Hours run 7 AM to 2 PM Monday through Friday and 7 AM to 3 PM on weekends, and the courtyard is available for private event bookings.