When You Had a Few Too Many and Need to Feel Alive Again
Written By: Traci Carter Holsey The 10 Best Places for Brunch in Downtown LA
The beauty of brunch is that it features tastes to suit almost any craving. Are you in the mood for sweet or savory? Are you are thirsty for a cocktail or a cheat day with tons of carbs? No matter your fancy, Downtown Los Angeles’ brunch offerings have the answer. With menus as diverse as its population, international cuisine and good old-fashioned American fare live side by side. So go ahead; sleep in on the weekend and then venture out. And whether they just have a breakfast menu or a dedicated brunch, each of these favorites will be well worth the trip.
Cause I Buffet, All Day
Commissary at The Line
A quick trip to the second floor of The Line transports hungry brunch patrons in Koreatown to a rooftop oasis. The glass greenhouse is the idyllic setting for the seemingly endless buffet. The festive crowd lines up for the succulent prime rib carving station and the Build-You-Own Omelets.
Native Knowledge: Walk-ins are accepted but reservations are recommended.
Commissary at The Line
3515 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90010
213.368.3030
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So Retro
Nickel Diner
This vintage-style diner is very low key, with original art adorning the walls. Best known for their maple bacon donuts and favorites like the Hangover Helper, the diner is open for breakfast and lunch but is closed on Mondays.
Native Knowledge: The spot was featured on Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives, the Cooking Channel and on Jonathan Gold’s 101 List!
Nickel Diner
524 S Main St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213.623.8301
Brunch in Downtown LA
Mexcellent
Bar Amá
Inspired by Chef Josef Centeno’s favorite family dishes, this Tex-Mex restaurant’s most popular brunch items include Migas, which includes eggs, tortilla chips, potatoes and onions, as well as their Grandma’s Chorizo served with jack cheese, a fried egg and flour tortillas.
Native Knowledge: The atmosphere is compact and cozy, so reservations are recommended.
Bar Amá
118 W 4th St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213.687.8002
Catch My Tokyo Drift?
JiST Café
JiST Café in Little Tokyo incorporates traditional Japanese food into their menu. A fan favorite is the Katsu Sandwich or their seasonal pancakes.
Native Knowledge: Join their dinner club waitlist! Once in a while, they open their doors at night for their biggest fans.
JiST Café
116 Judge John Aiso St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213.792.2116
Brunch in Downtown LA
I Literally Can’t Even
Faith and Flower
Faith & Flower is a contemporary restaurant located in the WaterMarke Tower in DTLA’s South Park district. The upscale interior, complete with gigantic chandeliers complement the aptly named “Downtown LA” breakfast of eggs, chorizo hash, cotija cheese and crispy tostada.
Native Knowledge: Valet parking is available at the entrance of the WaterMark Tower. The fee is $9 a car, daily.
Faith and Flower
705 W 9th St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213.239.0642
Brunch in Downtown LA
Do You Even Avo Toast, Bro?
Zinc Cafe and Market
The peaceful courtyard dining area is a nice contrast to the hustle and bustle of DTLA. Zinc has table service and a marketplace with prepared foods such as salads, entrees and desserts to go. The avocado toast with a poached egg is a total must-try.
Native Knowledge: Tell your server if you have dietary restrictions! They have gluten free options available.
Zinc Cafe and Market
580 Mateo St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
323.825.5381
Brunch in Downtown LA
Nama-Swagger
Café Gratitude
Café Gratitude’s menu of plant-based gourmet cuisine serves a variety of salads, wraps and organic vegan goodies. The smoothies and entrees with well being-inspired names can be enjoyed in the laid-back interior or on the patio. The chilaquiles and the French toast keep the crowds coming back for more.
Native Knowledge: If you had a weekend-long bender that is making you feel a bit low, Café Gratitude has their “I Am Renewed” cleanse program!
Café Gratitude
300 S Santa Fe Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213.929.5580
Morning Glory
The Rustiq Table
Located near the USC campus, Rustiq offers a unique and modern take on comfort food. Favorites on the menu include the farro bowl, blueberry-buttermilk pancakes, the RUSTIQ Burger, light rye avocado toast and mashed potato chive waffles with fried chicken.
Native Knowledge: They have their own lot in the back for easy parking!
The Rustiq Table
2280 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213.536.5542
Brunch in Downtown LA
Global Flavor
The Exchange Restaurant
This colorful bohemian eatery sits on the ground floor of the Freehand Hotel. California meets the flavors of Israel in dishes like the gluten-free porridge mixed with turmeric, or the Jerusalem bagel.
Native Knowledge: A three percent charge is added to all checks to help cover the cost of health care benefits for their full-time employees. You can ask your server to remove it if need be.
The Exchange Restaurant
416 W 8th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213.395.9531
#BrunchSquad
KTCHN DTLA
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Posted in the Arts District, the DTLA location is 21 and over. Both the habanero scramble and breakfast burrito are stacked with delectable crispy potatoes. The falafel wrap and pulled pork sandwich are colorful and loaded with enough textures to make any foodie filled with glee.
KTCHN DTLA
428 S Hewitt St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213.400.8216
