The Ultimate Los Angeles Guide to Brunch For Every Occasion

All-Around Favorites

Much to the delight of East Side weekend warriors, brunch is finally back after a long pandemic-induced hiatus at Sarah Kramer and Sara Hymanson’s sun-drenched Mediterranean-inflected standby. A few ingredients from the dinner menu make their way into new dishes here, like the flaky malawach bread, topped here with a jammy egg, tomato, and labneh; plus daytime-only newcomers like the Kismet Kuku, a frittata-esque creation loaded with spinach, barberries, and fresh herbs. Don’t leave without trying pastry chef Meadow Ramsey’s “legendary” scone, so-called for good reason.

Quintessentially L.A., Botanica’s market-driven brunch hits all the seasonal high notes you’ve come to expect from Heather Sperling and Emily Fiffer’s Silver Lake spot. With new chef Alex Barkley at the helm, there are plenty of fresh new dishes, like turmeric lemon cake with blueberry preserves, and marinated bean tartine with whipped tahini and salsa verde. Peruse the natural wine list, or keep it low-fi with a matcha or ginger-turmeric latte. Do note that the daytime menu runs Wednesday through Sunday, so a midweek brunch isn’t out of the question.

All you need to know is that you can get those insanely good oatmeal griddle cakes all day, any day at this perpetual Hollywood favorite. The breakfast menu is available until 4 p.m. most days (3 p.m. on Sundays). So you can get a side of sunny side-up eggs, a freshly-ground sausage sandwich, orange juice made with Schaner Farms citrus, and call it a day.

Enrique Olvera’s L.A. outpost of his much-loved New York restaurant is the perfect destination for a low-key brunch on the Westside. Drawing inspiration from the fondas (or food stalls) of Mexico City, the brand’s home base, ATLA’s all-day menu features signature items like a lobster burrito, black bean tlayudas, and chilaquiles. Focusing slightly more on health-minded dishes for the California crowd, you’ll also find L.A. staples like their take on an avocado toast or shaved carrot salad as well. Wash it all down with expertly mixed cocktails like a mezcal margarita, a palo-santo agua fresca, or a classic cafe con leche.

Inspired by old-school Midwestern diners, this new ground-floor restaurant at the Hoxton is perfect for channeling your own childhood nostalgia or making new memories with family and friends. The vintage leather booths and retro counter seating sets the tone for a relaxed midday meal, and the all-day and all-night menu never changes, so it’s brunch-o-clock every hour with items like Cool Ranch hash browns, Phil’s Denver omelette, latke and smoked salmon, chicken tortilla soup and so much more. Wash it down with ’80s-inspired cocktails like a Sex on the Beach or a Salty Dog.

Great For Groups

Chef/owner Kat Turner teamed up with Cary Mosier from Gracias Madre and the owners of HERE Studio to open a new outpost of her hit all-day cafe, Highly Likely, in a sprawling space in Highland Park in late 2023. On the all-day menu, you’ll find standards like the cheekily named Ubiquitous Avo Toast, chilaquiles, and even a bodega-inspired breakfast sando. But the dish you’ll likely see on every table is the Chicken N Waffle: Black sesame waffle, fried chicken strips, hot honey, and miso honey butter — a reimagining of one of L.A.’s most iconic dishes. And it’ll be easy to make a day out of it once you’re sipping on piña coladas in their massive backyard patio. 

This Culver City newcomer opened in the former Etta space earlier this year, offering playful takes on Italian classics. Roll in with a crew–there’s plenty of room within the massive indoor-outdoor space–and feast on an array of pastas and pizzas (baked in their wood-fired oven), as well as takes on a bagel & lox, scrambled eggs “cacio e pepe,” lemon-ricotta pancakes, or even an Italian riff on steak and eggs.

If you still haven’t gotten over the loss of Hollywood’s beloved 101 Coffee Shop, drop everything and immediately get to its replacement. Now run by the Clark Street Bakery crew, the space is virtually untouched, and the menu is filled with classic brunch fare — all the Benedicts, biscuits, and pancake stacks, plus burgers and more — with the added bonus of Clark Street’s excellent breads and pastries.

Generous portions, family-run hospitality, and some of the best gumbo, po’boys, and Louisiana-style catfish dinners are just a few reasons regulars flock to this South L.A. staple. With a fresher look (third-generation owners, Ryan and Jessica Legaux, spruced things up a few years ago) and more room to spread out, it’s a go-to for group gatherings.

With sweeping views of Culver City from its glass-box dining room and outdoor lounge, Margot is the perfect perch for brunch with friends. The menu leans Mediterranean with crudo, whole grilled fish, lots of seasonal vegetables, pastas, and oysters, but there are plenty of brunch (some vegan) options like avocado toast, eggs and polenta, and French toast. Espresso martinis are happening here, too.

Long known as one of the San Gabriel Valley’s best dim sum restaurants, Lunasia has since expanded to four locations across greater L.A. (one opened in Cerritos during the pandemic, and the latest debuted in Torrance in 2022). Expect similar menus at all: classic all-day options like handmade dumplings, barbecued meats, congee, noodles, and more. Torrance is a bit more pared down, but it has a patio. All locations take reservations for groups of eight or more, otherwise it’s first-come, first-serve. 

More info here. 

Boozy Brunch Picks

Brunch isn’t just brunch at this Baldwin Hills hot spot; it’s an absolute happening. The vibe is set with live jazz on the patio, bottomless mimosas, friendly servers, and a delicious Southern-inflected menu from chef Martin Draluck. Don’t miss braised oxtail hash, pecan pie French toast, and other sweet and savory dishes.

If a late, leisurely brunch is up your alley, check out Soul Food Sundays at Melrose’s African-inspired hotspot Ubuntu, featuring some of the most beloved menu items from sister vegan soul food restaurant Cadence in NYC. Look for the famed Southern fried lasagna; biscuits & gravy with porcini mushrooms, carrots & buttermilk; and fried oyster mushrooms & waffles. Pair it with cocktails from the legendary barman Sother Teague, including a salted maple old fashioned and jerk-spiced lemon tea.

The New York-meets-Paris-meets-New Orleans vibe inside the Arts District’s most charming new French restaurant and wine bar makes it an obvious choice for a casual weekend brunch. The 4000-square-foot indoor-outdoor space is roomy enough for a group, but ideal for a leisurely afternoon sipping wine and eating oysters with just two or three friends as well. The menu changes seasonally but features classics like a croque madame, a straightforward omelette, salmon with poached egg, and duck confit. The wine list is the main event here, with some 80 rotating bottles, largely biodynamic, as well as many wines by the glass.

Arguably one of LA’s best rooftops, there’s always a celebration going on, even at brunch time.  Just picture it: Lingering on a sunny afternoon, the verdant green Hollywood Hills in the background, pitchers of cocktails on repeat, and waffle fries, tacos, burgers, and fried chicken sandwiches shared among friends. And sometimes strangers, because it definitely feels like a party up here.

Special Occasion Destinations

Enrique Olvera’s first Los Angeles restaurant embodies everything we’ve come to expect from the Mexico City chef: gorgeous food that’s as much about Los Angeles as Mexican tradition; a space that’s sultry and colorful; and cocktails made with small-batch Tequila and mezcal you won’t find everywhere else. Now think about all of that for brunch: shrimp tostadas, the iconic hibiscus meringue, chilaquiles with salsa roja, and a frozen yuzu margarita to wash it all down.

This Boston import is taking the Sunset Strip by storm with its overflowing shellfish towers, tinned fish, and famed New England-style lobster roll. At brunch, there’s all of that, plus weekend-only caviar and eggs, fried lobster and waffles, and Sweetboy sweet buns with cinnamon swirl and toffee drizzle.  When it’s time to splurge, the sunny patio awaits.

When you need a civilized brunch Downtown, with the gleaming Walt Disney Concert Hall as a backdrop, chef Ray Garcia’s Asterid is the answer. Sunday brunch features a breadth of hyper-seasonal and local ingredients in dishes both traditional and reimagined. His version of avocado toast comes with egg mousse and trout roe; there’s a “tuna melt” made with albacore confit; and there’s even fried chicken with chive biscuits. The cocktails, including a few zero-proof options, are extraordinary.

This isn’t your typical buffet-style hotel brunch, and that’s okay. Think of it more as a spot to linger over eggs Benedict, bruléed French toast with blueberry-maple syrup, Keto-friendly smoothies, or chia pudding in a lovely Beverly Hills garden setting. Because sometimes you just need to feel fancy.

Best for Kids

Dockside is the full sit-down option at Brooks Williamson and Nick Robert’s Playa Provisions complex, and the sprawling weekend brunch menu has something for everyone, kids included — think pretzel croissant breakfast sandwiches, biscuit bites, and skillet-baked eggs. Should you need something a little more beach-friendly (and tantrum busting), try their adjacent King Beach Cafe menu.

Whether it’s the original Venice location or the gorgeous tree-covered patio in Hollywood, Superba has exactly what families want when it comes to weekend brunch. Chilled oysters, kale salads, and slow-poached eggs with polenta for mom and dad; warm cinnamon rolls, cheesy scrambles, and crispy breakfast potatoes for the youngsters. Plenty of full-proof and zero-proof drinks for all, too.

The Los Feliz standby is known for its chef-driven takes on Italian and Italian-American classics. Naturally, its brunch menu is loaded with crowd-pleasers that will satisfy both kids and adults alike. Choose from comfort food favorites like spaghetti and meatballs, a variety of pizzas, a cheeseburger and fries, or the legendarily fluffy ricotta-blueberry pancakes. Plus, there’s plenty of outdoor seating that’s amenable to strollers, unruly four-year olds, and slightly larger groups alike. 

What’s become a favorite for Silver Lake families — as well as everyone else — All Day Baby is another great option for weekday brunch, should the kids have an unexpected school day off. The biscuit sandwiches, Belgian waffles with smoked maple syrup, and breakfast burritos with longaniza sausage will hit with groups of any age, with the kid’s menu offering a few basics like grilled cheese and fries. 

More info here.

After setting up at Yamashiro during the pandemic, The Griddle’s original Sunset Boulevard cafe is back in action. The plate-sized pancakes and things like chocolate chip-crusted French toast could be considered over the top by some, but they’ll make your kids’ eyes pop out in glee. Bottomless mimosas will do the same for adults.

More info here.