Photograph Courtesy of Freehand LA, By Raina EdelThe Only DTLA Brunch Guide You’ll Ever Need Locale Magazine January 19, 2021 Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on RedditShare on LinkedInShare on InstagramShare on YouTubeShare on EmailShare on WhatsAppIt’s Never Too Late for Breakfast at These DTLA Brunch Spots As state and county regulations are in a constant state of flux due to Covid-19, some of the businesses mentioned may be only open for takeout/delivery or temporarily closed. Please visit their individual websites to ensure they are currently open, and please follow all safety procedures in place. We do encourage readers to support local businesses and order directly from the restaurant. 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 | A New Kind of Kitchen | Temporarily closed 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 2 | A Worldly Breakfast | Temporarily closed The Exchange Must-Order Brunch Item: Shakshuka divorciados for two Photograph By: Rick Poon Photograph Courtesy of Freehand LA, By Raina Edel Photograph Courtesy of Freehand LA, By Raina Edel Photograph By: Rick Poon Photograph Courtesy of Freehand LA, By Raina Edel 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 3 | Fly Away! | Temporarily closed Brunch in Downtown LA Must-Order Brunch Item: Basque Baked Eggs Interior Photography Provided By: Laure Joliet Brunch Photography Provided By: Redbird Brunch Photography Provided By: Redbird Interior Photography Provided By: Laure Joliet 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 | Temporarily closedBrunch in Downtown LA Must-Order Brunch Item: The Eggs en Cocotte Photography Provided By: Jakob Layman Photography Provided By: Jakob Layman Photography Provided By: Jakob Layman 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 | A Well-Deserved Staycation Must-Order Brunch Item: Mexican French Toast Photography Provided By: Hotel Figueroa Photography Provided By: Hotel Figueroa If you’re looking for a place to get away, look no further than Veranda. Part of DTLA’s tropical Hotel Figueroa, the dining area feels like an urban oasis, and overlooks an all-too-welcoming pool. But that’s not all there is to check out—be sure to try their Mexican french toast, topped with berry compote, Mexican chocolate and mint. Or, relax and enjoy Sunday funday with one of their watermelon or frozen hibiscus margaritas! Veranda 939 S Figueroa St #500 Los Angeles, CA 90015 213.660.3032 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 Photographed By: Charlie Chipman Photographed By: Charlie Chipman 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 Photography By: Gabriel Nivera Photography By: Gabriel Nivera Photography By: Gabriel Nivera 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 Photos Provided By: Rossoblu Photos Provided By: Rossoblu 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