Bring a Knife, Fork and Your Hungry Stomach to These 8 Cities in LA County for a Healthy or Hearty Brunch
Written By: Jamee Lind Breakfast in Los Angeles
A bowl of Lucky Charms, a sloppy egg sandwich and instant coffee—many Angelenos suffer during the week, eating heartless breakfast meals and looking forward to weekend brunch. Well, your prayers have been answered! The Goddess of LA herself has blessed this Los Angeles brunch guide to make up for any generic cereal you ate earlier this week. Prepare your taste buds for endless mimosas, eggs cooked to perfection, fresh seeded baked bread, seasonal juice platters and delicious gluten-free pastries. Put the breakfast Hot Pocket in the trash—brunch o’ clock starts now!
Breakfast in Los Angeles
Redondo Beach
A Toast to Gluten-Free
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Originating in Japan, Kirari West is a charming bakeshop that is entirely gluten-free. This is the perfect breakfast spot for a gluten-free almond brioche or avocado toast. Your friends who have Celiac disease will also thank you.
Kirari West
707 N Pacific Coast Hwy
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
310.376.5313
Breakfast in Los Angeles
Sticking With It
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Come to Painter’s Tape for a little painting inspo and stay for the Yuzu Lemonade. Blue painter’s tape and other paint accents will make your Japanese Curry and Cheddar Donut feel like less of a sin and more of a creative investment.
Painter’s Tape
1725 W Redondo Beach Blvd
Gardena, CA 90247
310.353.3780
Breakfast in Los Angeles
Leen Back
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BALEENKitchen is an upscale, beach brunch spot with cornmeal pancakes and a great view of the Marina. They do not mess around on their brunch cocktail options either—be sure to check out their bottomless mimosa deal on the weekends.
BALEENKitchen
260 Portofino Way
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
310.372.1202
Breakfast in Los Angeles
Manhattan Beach
Stranded by the Beach
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Get a fancy view of the beach while enjoying The Strand House’s Chicken and Waffles or Stuffed French Toast—both local favorites. Request to sit on the second floor by a window to guarantee that you have a good view of the beach for your entire breakfast.
The Strand House
117 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310.545.7470
A Dash of Love & Salt
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Order a warm Nutella Italian Donut lightly dusted with crunchy brown sugar at Love & Salt and fall in love with breakfast again! A modern restaurant with a mighty Duck Egg pizza and an open kitchen. This place gets pretty packed for brunch, so be sure to make a reservation.
Love & Salt
317 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310.545.5252
Breakfast in Los Angeles
Right at Homie
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“Homie is not a place, it’s a feeling” is written on the inside wall of Homie Manhattan Beach’s exposed brick and mortar. Feel out their Honey Lavender Latte, croissants or order a full-on breakfast at this spacious, brunch hangout.
Homie Manhattan Beach
1140 Highland Ave
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310.546.4663
Long Beach
Take a Chive
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Memorable vegan brunch options have built a regular fandom at The Wild Chive. Their vegan Stuffed French Toast masters the artful ratio of sweet to savory, satisfying both meat crunchers and vegans alike.
The Wild Chive
6602 E Marina Dr
Long Beach, CA 90803
562.682.8388
Breakfast in Los Angeles
Hear Our Brunch Prayers
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You know you’re in for a food awakening when religious words are involved. At Saint & Second, regulars praise the Breakfast Sandwich and Iced Irish Coffee combo. The Tri Tip Breakfast is a close second. They also take reservations and will send you a text reminder that you are going to be eating a lot the next day.
Saint & Second
4828 E 2nd St
Long Beach, CA 90803
562.433.4828
Breakfast in Los Angeles
Up in The Attic
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A modernized, Southern brunch at The Attic includes vegan and gluten-free options. The Blue Bayou, an omelette with blue crab, shrimp, jack cheese and avocado, is a must-try. Request a patio seat if you want to bring your dog along for this brunch adventure.
The Attic
3441 E Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90803
562.433.0153
Breakfast in Los Angeles
Santa Monica
Elephante in the Room
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Step up your brunch game with the Italian spot that everyone won’t stop Instagramming about—Elephante! The Green Eggs totally ups the ambiance and ocean view. Make reservations in advance and clear out space in your photo albums.
Elephante
1332 2nd St
Santa Monica, CA 90401
424.320.2384
Breakfast in Los Angeles
Clair de Lunetta
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Lots of parking at Lunetta All Day—need I say more? The Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and Chicken Fried Sandwich are bomb. It’s a very clean, cute brunch spot along the beach with indoor and outdoor seating.
Lunetta All Day
2420 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310.581.4201
Breakfast in Los Angeles
No Treason Here
Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern
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Keep the mimosas coming at Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern! I highly recommend the Fried Chicken Benedict. An American flag is painted behind the bar—take this as you wish.
Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern
1733 Ocean Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90401
424.292.5223
Venice
Like a Good Neighbor, Brunch Is There!
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Charming and comfortable, these filling brunch dishes are at the heart of Neighbor. The Aged Cheddar Polenta is highly recommended. Or, go sweet with the Buttermilk Pancakes, adorned with blueberries, walnuts, coffee butter and maple syrup.
Neighbor
1031 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90291
310.314.3625
Roses Are Red, Venice Is Blue
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Hello, fresh outdoors and pastries! Grab a Horchata Beignet or try the Jenny Lea at The Rose Venice. You can also enjoy the beer gardens for special events!
The Rose Venice
220 Rose Ave
Venice, CA 90291
310.399.0711
Like Butcher, Like Daughter
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Take people watching to the next level with a live view of Abbot Kinney at The Butcher’s Daughter. Live like a true Santa Monica native with their Matcha Pancakes (which are gluten-free, of course). Take it to an even higher level with a fresh Juice Flight.
The Butcher’s Daughter
1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
310.981.3004
Give It a Taste
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The Sticky Bun is worth every calorie at The Tasting Kitchen. This hotspot filled with bookshelves and hipsters has a mighty fine menu—biscuits and gravy included. A lot of care and creativity goes into The Tasting Kitchen and its brunch menu.
The Tasting Kitchen
1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
310.392.6644
Hollywood
They Walk Into a Bar…
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Boy meets girl and they open a restaurant called Met Her At A Bar. Brunch with your SO and try the “You Make Me Wake Up Happy” breakfast: waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage. Re-cap: homemade Belgium waffles, curated coffees and an opportunity to fall in love? Count me in.
Met Her At A Bar
759 S La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.847.5013
Highlight of Our Day
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The Highlight Room is the perfect rooftop brunch for groups, couples or just yourself—and some Lobster Toast. Atop the Dream Hollywood, the gorgeous views and delicious cocktails make up for the more expensive menu and will magically transform you into your true Hollywood self.
The Highlight Room
6417 Selma Ave
Hollywood, CA 90028
323.366.8007
Bonjour, Mes Amis
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An LA staple, Republique has long lines that can turn some brunchers away—but the wait is well worth the Mushroom Toast or Croque Madame, which is a slice of house-cured ham, gruyère cheese, baby green salad and fried egg. Find out what everyone’s talking about for yourself—I promise it will be worth the wait.
Republique
624 S La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
310.362.6115
That’s My Jam
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Crunchy. French. Toast. Blu Jam Café is the best spot on Melrose to brunch before a long day of shopping. Maybe try the Crunchy French Toast? It’s their signature dish after all.
Blu Jam Café
7371 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323.951.9191
El Segundo
True Food Me And You
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So fresh, so clean, so healthy. Gear up for a long week ahead with an especially refreshing Honey Lemonade and a Sunrise Bowl. True Food Kitchen has a seasonal menu, so you’ll always be in tune with seasonal produce.
True Food Kitchen
860 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste 100
El Segundo, CA 90245
310.469.7725
That’s a Superba Idea!
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“We’re ingredient and season driven, so what’s new and fresh at the farmers market is what we develop our menu with,” Director of Operations Laura Martin says. But that is only the beginning of Superba’s tasteful brunch menu as they make their own bread in the kitchen and only use magical avocados for their Avocado Toast—I swear. Superba also has a solid Keto Plate that will take your post-workout hunger to a satisfying (but healthy) full. Did I mention their Juice Flight? Everything about this ingredient-focused brunch spot will have you walking away happier. “The Spanish latte is a crowd favorite,” Martin says. Try. It. All.
Superba Food + Bread
830 S Sepulveda Blvd, Ste 100
El Segundo, CA 90245
310.906.4598
Sun’s out, Guns out
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Two Guns Kitchen’s Vanilla Latte with oat milk is the perfect blend of rich and creamy—never too sweet. It’s a great spot to work on your laptop while also enjoying a full brunch menu (breakfast plate suggested).
Two Guns Kitchen
321 Main St
El Segundo, CA 90245
310.416.9194
Vive la Vida
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Post-workout couples love this spot! Join them in ordering a Protein Plate with egg whites, chicken, fresh salsa, guac, fruit and toast. Or, go rogue and order something just as healthy from Cafe Vida (spoiler: it’s all healthy).
Cafe Vida
2250 Park Pl
El Segundo, CA 90245
310.643.6205
Downtown
And the Best Girl Goes to…
“You bring your own cup or whatever vessel you would like—a cereal bowl maybe or a bucket—and that will be a dollar,” Tommy Kieley of Best Gal says. Translation: bring in your own mug and enjoy $1 coffee. That’s an easy way to start a power brunch. Powershot your coffee in between bites of fluffy, Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes. If you’re looking to take your brunch into the evening, Best Girl also offers $1 oysters Sundays through Fridays from 3-6 p.m.
Best Girl
927 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213.235.9660
Vera Nice
“Being as fresh as possible” is a huge part of the Veranda’s brunch menu according to Nick Biglari, Senior Vice President of Food and Beverage. The Veranda takes freshness to the next level with their superior cocktail menu and poolside views. Even your Instagram will look fresher after a Pompeii Freeze, poured with Blanco Tequila, Bordiga Bianco, Fresh Lime, Mango, Peach and Thai chili—served frozen. Have you ever eaten breakfast in front of a coffin-shaped pool? There are so many photo spots! Check out the staircase inside of Hotel Figueroa for more optimal angles.
Veranda
939 S Figueroa St, Ste 500
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213.660.3032
Can’t Change These Stripes
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Caffinators come to Go Get Em Tiger to order the coffee sampler: starting with a fizzy hoppy tea to cleanse the palate, an espresso shot, cappuccino, macchiato and a coffee milkshake. Their Avocado Toast is also off the chain and the space provides a nice relaxing brunch experience.
Go Get Em Tiger
230 N Larchmont Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90004
323.543.4321
Full of Gratitude
You will immediately feel better about yourself after drunk-texting your ex the night before when you order the pancakes at Café Gratitude and your waitress tells you that “you are strong.” The motherland of the Turmeric Latte, Manager Ryland Engelhart might pass by your brunch table and ask, “What are you grateful for?” The restaurant is entirely focused on “cultivating gratitude and great experiences,” Engelhart says, and will leave you with a little more pep in your step.
Café Gratitude
300 S Santa Fe Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213.929.5580
Dekka-dent Food and Dancing
Breathtaking views of downtown paired with a pretty extensive menu—can’t go wrong with that! Customize your own omelet or ask your waiter about their bottomless mimosa options. Also ask why the restaurant is called Dekkadance and on the 69th floor—the answer will surprise you.
Dekkadance
900 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90017
213.688.7777