It’s Never Too Late for Breakfast at These DTLA Brunch Spots
Written By: Julia Edelman Brunch in Downtown LA
Thank god for brunch! Sure, it’s the best of both worlds: breakfast and lunch. But even better, it’s one of the only times that no one bugs you for drinking vodka at 10:30 a.m., as long as it comes in a bloody mary with a cute olive garnish. So, where are you supposed to go to spill the tea with your friends, and inevitably spill that bloody mary once you’ve had one too many? Here is a list of our absolute favorite brunch spots in DTLA, so you can get straight to it!
1 | Find Your Bliss Brunch in Downtown LA
Must-Order Brunch Item: Open-Hearted / Buckwheat Flax Pancakes
In this upbeat, vegan-friendly restaurant, be prepared to feel Vibrant, Grounded, Whole, Loved, Magical, Precious and Cozy (Yes, those are all real menu names.). Get ready to try dishes like their Terrific / Raw Pad Thai Kelp Noodles or Blessed / Blackened Tempeh Bolognese with cresta di gallo pasta, cashew mozzarella, broccolini and brazil nut parmesan. You’re about to feel very full and hopefully even find some inner peace.
Cafe Gratitude
300 S Santa Fe Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213.929.5580
2 | A New Kind of Kitchen Brunch in Downtown LA
Must-Order Brunch Item: Habanero Scramble
KTCHN DTLA is one of LA’s most exciting pop-up destinations. Currently posted up at Resident in the Arts District, their menu is subject to change without notice, so come in ready to be surprised. Still, you can never go wrong with some brunch classics, like their Tomato Burrata sandwich with sun-dried tomato aioli and burrata cheese, or their Chilaquiles with tortilla chip strips and house chile sauce. Plus, they have lots of different kinds of potatoes. Definitely try their Mediterranean Pots—crispy potatoes topped with hummus and fattoush tzatziki.
KTCHN DTLA
428 S Hewitt St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213.400.8216
3 | Fly Away! Brunch in Downtown LA
Must-Order Brunch Item: Basque Baked Eggs
Redbird is set in a massive space, and you feel the grandeur of it as soon as you walk inside. Plus, it’s in the perfect spot with Ahmanson, Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Broad nearby. But let’s get to the food—more specifically their incredible BLD Ricotta Blueberry Pancakes or their Duck Confit Chilaquiles. Just wait until you get to the patio—it was built solely for brunching.
Native Knowledge: Go with a group who enjoys family style because the menu is huge. There are about 35 shared plate options to go around, and you’re going to want most of it.
Redbird
114 E 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213.788.1191
4 | Your New Best (Girl) Friend Brunch in Downtown LA
Must-Order Brunch Item: The Eggs en Cocotte
The overall vibe at Best Girl, especially during brunch, is relaxed, energetic and fun. “Best Girl launched on Oct. 31, 2017 with our chef-partner, [who is a] James Beard Award winner, Michael Cimarusti, who also owns the restaurants Providence and Connie & Ted’s here in Los Angeles. His wife, Crisi Echiverri, oversees our pastry program, so it’s a real family affair,” says Brett Luevanos-Elms, Best Girl‘s General Manager. When browsing the menu, don’t skim over the Eggs en Cocotte—our must-order brunch item—it’s got everything you need and nothing you don’t, and it perfectly represents the varied influences on their menu.
Native Knowledge: The name Best Girl is a nod to Ace Hotel Los Angeles’ history as the once-home of maverick film studio, United Artists. Actress and producer Mary Pickford was a co-founder of United Artists, and Pickford’s silent film My Best Girl was the first one screened at the United Artists Theatre (now The Theatre at Ace Hotel next door). My Best Girl premiered on Oct. 31, 1927; Best Girl opened its doors 90 years later.
Best Girl
927 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213.235.9660
5 | Win Some More Brunch in Downtown LA
Must-Order Brunch Item: Fried Egg Sandwich
Walking into Winsome, the place always feels bright, airy and spacious. The vibe is definitely laid-back but has a classy edge with a 12-seat counter and row of brown leather booths lining the floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on the patio. Try anything from their Brioche French Toast to their Duck Egg Toast. You won’t regret it.
Winsome
1115 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213.415.1818
6 | Time to Get Grand Brunch in Downtown LA
Must-Order Brunch Item: Steak and Eggs
In Bottega Louie, you’ll be faced with an enormous, white-walled dining room and immediately be impressed. But that’s not all! To match these grand surroundings, be sure to order some truly superb brunch. The menu offers a Lobster Hash with Yukon Gold potatoes, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and Shakshuka with artichokes.
Bottega Louie
700 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90017
213.802.1470
7 | A Japanese Breakfast Brunch in Downtown LA
Must-Order Brunch Item: The Japanese Breakfast includes a variety of small dishes served omakase such as pickles, smoked fish, miso-strone, satsuki rice with uni and a Castelfranco salad. It’s a way to taste a bit of everything and have an incredible, savory breakfast.
Orsa & Winston is a small, intimate restaurant with a big, bright, open kitchen. At brunch, it is bustling and relaxed with a great mix of regulars and first-time diners. “Orsa & Winston opened in September of 2013,” says Chef and Owner Josef Centeno.” It is Chef Centeno’s third restaurant and is named after his two dogs. Inspired by Italian and Japanese ingredients, “the kitchen strives to create innovative and soulful tasting menus and snacks.”
Orsa & Winston
122 W 4th St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213.687.0300
8 | A Friendly Oasis
Must-Order Brunch Item: Toad in a Hole
Bar Amá’s casual, walk-up vibe is exactly what you want it to be and is a friendly oasis in this upscale part of DTLA. The menu is full of real-deal, Tex Mex food and always a crowd-pleaser. Be sure to try the Fried Eggs with Chicharron or Grandma’s Chorizo and then top it all off with a Pineapple Bellini.
Native Knowledge: Chef Josef Centeno has three other restaurants on the same block! Now that’s a power move.
Bar Amá
118 W 4th St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213.687.8002
9 | You Get the JiST
Must-Order Brunch Item: Tokyo Tater Tots
JiST Cafe is overwhelming with warmth and positivity. Time to enjoy their Katsu Sandwich and creme-brulee-soaked French toast for curbside-pick or pop-in. They also offer breakfast for lunch. Check out their Guittard Chocolate Chip and Banana Pancakes, or their Angeleno Veg.
Native Knowledge: They have their very own blog that you can follow right here!
JiST Cafe
116 Judge John Aiso St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213.792.2116
10 | Have Some Faith
Must-Order Brunch Item: Prime Beef Picadillo
Inspired by a global influence of flavors and techniques, Faith & Flower redefines Californian rustic cuisine. The cocktail program in particular celebrates the drinking culture spanning the Gilded Age and the Roaring ‘20s in DTLA. The decor boasts a large scale, handmade sunburst wall installation and a wall mural by local street artist Robert Vargas. It gets even more exciting when we get to the food, with Deviled Jidori Eggs and Loco Moco!
Native Knowledge: They have a free jazz night every Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m.
Faith & Flower
705 W 9th St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213.239.0642
11 | Never Be Blu Again
Must-Order Brunch Item: Nutella Stuffed French Toast
Get ready for some super friendly, Italian comfort food, and try your best to pick from items like Appenine Breakfast plates with heirloom beans and roasted pork belly, to Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and Bolognese Burgers. Sorry, it won’t be easy.
Rossoblu
City Market South
1124 San Julian St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213.749.1099
12 | A Worldly Breakfast
Must-Order Brunch Item: Shakshuka divorciados for two
The Exchange pays homage to the 12-story vintage blade sign (the largest in LA) that hangs right above it. Its menu explores the multi-cultural flavors of urban LA through an Israeli lens. This is the first restaurant in California from the design team Roman & Williams. Items include The Exchange Breakfast Spread with housemade labneh, and Ayocote Bean Tlacoyo. Dig in!
The Exchange
416 W 8th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213.395.9531