Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner or a 2am snack, Los Angeles has you covered. It’s not like New York, however, where you can wander the streets on a Sunday morning and eventually stumble across a diner for your brunch – but in LA that’s going to be an unlikely feat. You need a car (or an Uber) and you’ve got to know where to go. So the next time you’re in the City of Angels, have this article bookmarked, because we’re about to give you the ultimate guide to eleven of the best brunches in Los Angeles, California.
BLD
7450 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles CA, 90036
bldrestaurant.com
Many of the best brunches in the US are at restaurants that also serve great lunches and dinners. BLD literally stands for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner so it is no exception, but its brunch is a highlight of its menu. The typically American menu is prepared by Redbird chef Neal Fraser, and sits on Beverly Boulevard. Its Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes (pictured above) are worth their trip alone, and others rave about their Eggs Benedict.
LITTLE DOMS
2128 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles
littledoms.com
If you’re looking for something a bit less traditional, look no further than Little Doms, in the heart of Los Feliz. Though its Hollywood booths and vintage stained windows give it the vibe of a typical American dining experience, Doms serves up Italian classics from the early hours of the morning. Better still, they have a deli adjoined for those who wish to eat brunch on the go. Dishes like the cauliflower-rice with Eggs (above) and their take on a breakfast pizza (below) are among the highlights of a diverse and mouthwatering menu.
REPUBLIQUE
624 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
republiquela.com
We move now from Italy to France in the sun soaked, spacious interiors of Republique, right near Miracle Mile. Chef Walter Manzke’s menu brings you everything from the mouth watering sweets you’ll see above (the creme brûlée bombolini may cause a mouth orgasm – you have been warned) to brioche French toast and soft farm eggs and poblano chili served with a crusty baguette.
DUKE’S MALIBU
21150 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
dukesmalibu.com
The Sunday Bunch at Duke’s in Malibu is worth the trip to the beachside city alone. Sitting right on the ocean, this Hawaiian inspired restaurant features one of the most decedent buffet spreads you’ll ever see – and an omelette chef at the ready (as well as a la carte options). Sadly Sunday is the only day you’re going to be able to treat yourself to this delicious spread.
L.A. CHAPTER AT ACE HOTEL
927 S Broadway, Los Angeles
lachapter.com
Downtown LA’s Ace Hotel has become the favourite accomodation for many, and it’s rooftop bar and hot tub is a perfect way to spend any evening – but their on site restaurant, which sits on the ground level, is also worthy of a visit whether you’re staying at the hotel or not. The Pork Steak and Eggs is a personal favourite of their menu, though it’s Avocado Toast is a popular one, especially from Australian travellers, as is the make-your-own breakfast which allows you to mix and match everything from chorizo and kale to mushrooms and bacon with your eggs and toast.
BOUCHON
235 N. Canon Drive, 2nd Floor, Beverly Hills
thomaskeller.com/bouchonbeverlyhills
Just off of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Bouchon brings the grandeur and French classics you would expect from world-renowned chef Thomas Keller. At Bouchon you can treat yourself to everything from a perfect Croque Madame (pictured above) to best seasonal produce, an extensive menu of raw seafood and even chicken and waffles. Bouchon Bakery also sits next door, and you’ll be hard pressed not to get a takeaway after you’ve devoured your delicious and generous brunch portions.
CANELE RESTAURANT
3219 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles
www.canele.la
Found in the heart of Atwater Village, just south of Glendale, Canelé is a modest brunch spot that showcases the oft-popular rustic, farmers market driven taste of L.A. Favourites here include the fried farro with bacon, egg and Sriracha; as well as their breakfast sandwich of fried eggs, braised leeks and romesco. There’s something very “L.A.” about enjoying a Sunday brunch here before making the short walk to the weekly local farmers markets.
EGGSLUT
Grand Central Market, 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles
eggslut.com
Less a spot for Brunch and more a glorified food truck (which is how the now iconic LA brand got its start), eggslut had to be included on this list because it represents a different side of Los Angeles cuisine: fast, easy, takeaway food that doesn’t skip on quality. Located in the Grand Central Market – which I covered in my feature on Los Angeles earlier in the year – their bacon and egg sandwich is near perfection, featuring hardwood smoked bacon, cage-free over medium egg, cheddar cheese and chipotle ketchup in a warm brioche bun. They’ll also do you a cheeseburger with egg which I’m told is pretty excellent, as is the Fairfax, which is a great option for Vegetarians, with scrambled eggs, cheese and sriracha mayo served in the brioche bun.
Oh and it’s name is pretty great too.
GJUSTA BAKERY
320 Sunset Ave. Venice, 90291
gjusta.com
Following on from the quick and easy vibe of eggslut (queues pending, of course), we take you next to an industrial building in Venice and the Gjusta Bakery. It would be a crime to pass this place off as just another bakery – even though it may appear as so at first glance. It’s more of a New York style deli, with a Los Angeles twist (e.g. Kale Smoothies). It packs a mighty menu, and for just $9 you can pretty much make a deli sandwich with anything you want in it – meats, cheese, veggies and spreads, you name it. Naturally, the breads are divine. From their breakfast menu it’s hard to go past their Steak and Eggs – though I know some people who swear by the Mushroom bowl.
LEDLOW
400 S Main St, Los Angeles
www.ledlowla.com
Situated amongst a pile of great brunch spots popping up in the revitalised and eclectic Downtown L.A, Ledlow presents a unique L.A. take on Americana cuisine; a nod to the resurgence of classic American comfort cooking. The breakfast combo, which is pictured in part above, comes with fried eggs, potatoes cooked in duck fat, with crispy pork belly and salsa verde. Then there’s other staples like grits and eggs, buttermilk pancakes with bacon and brioche French toast. And of course mimosa’s are available (and encouraged) to wash it all down.
BRITE SPOT
1918 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles
britespotdiner.com/
When I’m looking for a relaxed diner atmosphere, with affordable, good food, my go to is Brite Spot, tucked away near the corner of Sunset and Glendale and the heart of Echo Park. Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner it’s hard to get a bad dish here (their burgers and mac n cheese are particularly worth mentioning) – but their diverse range of breakfast treats is what keeps me coming back. Their omelettes are fantastic – the mushroom, feta and spinach as pictured no exception – and served with a generous hash.
The diner has often been used in film and TV – most recently I’ve spotted it in the Netflix series Love and Stand Up Guys starring Christopher Walken and Al Pacino. I’ve most definitely sat in the chair Walken sat in for this film. I’m sure many of the diners, cafes and restaurants on this list have similar stories. This is Los Angeles after all.
To discover more of Los Angeles, head to http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/
Photos supplied by the locations listed with the exception of eggslut, L.A. Chapter and Brite Spot, which were supplied by the author.
