Los Angeles is home to more visual artists, musicians, writers, actors and filmmakers than any other place in the world – and you can feel it. The creative industry is granting the freedom and flexible work schedules for a buzzing breakfast culture in LA to thrive. The lines at Sqirl, Eggslut and Huckleberry hint at the fact that the first meal of the day has a different significance in Los Angeles than anywhere else in the country. A breakfast in LA lasts all day – and many cafés have adapted to the rhythms of the city offering breakfast until late in the afternoon. The morning food scene of Los Angeles is luring with a striking mix of local fresh foods, international culinary delights and exotic new creations. A selected list of the best brunch spots in LA, the capital of breakfast .
– LA –
The Capital of Breakfast
1. MALIBU FARM Pier Café
Located at the end of the Malibu Pier, Malibu Farm Pier Café is overlooking one of the most famous surf spots in California. The little health oasis that is serving fresh, organic and local food has turned into a Malibu hotspot attracting visitors, local families as well as celebrities and surf stars like Laird Hamilton. Chef Helen Henderson originally started “Malibu Farm” giving cooking classes and farm dinners in the backyard of her Malibu farm home. The little farm that is home to chicken and a pig called Arnold grows persimmons, figs, pomegranates, apricots, oranges, lemon, beets and fresh herbs – all ingredients that she used for her farm dinners. Today, Helen runs the café at the end of the pier, where some of the very same recipes are used for seasonal fresh menus. Pursuing the mission “from farm to table”, all the produce that the little farm cannot provide is sourced as much as possible from local organic farms.
Fresh, organic, local.
Photo Credit: Malibu Farm
Despite the success of the café, the sympathetic Swedish-American has remained faithful to her credo using simple food, no substitutes or fake food, but lots of veggies and fruits. “If you don’t know how to make it, or where it comes from, don’t eat.” is her advice – and maybe one of the secrets of her acclaimed cuisine. What started in the backyard of a Malibu Farm has reached nationwide success. “Malibu Farm” is opening two new locations in Miami Beach & Hawaii, exporting California`s health-conscious lifestyle.
23000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
2. OSTRICH FARM
The intimate 50-seat restaurant Ostrich Farm in Echo Park was opened by husband and wife Jaime Turrey and Brooke Fruchtman. Much of the restaurant’s classic American heritage fare is cooked over a wood-fired grill and is often locally sourced, including some produce from the restaurant’s own garden. The farmer`s market-driven menu comprises delicious French tartine sandwiches, blueberry pancakes and healthy green bowls with quinoa or scrambled eggs. The cool and casual restaurant has turned into a new favorite hangout among locals in Echo Park – On weekends you can enjoy a laid-back brunch until 3 p.m. in the afternoon.
BRUNCH
Tues–Fri, 10 am–2 pm
Sat–Sun, 10 am–3 pm
1525 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
3. CAFÉ GRATITUDE
Photo Credit: Nicholas Roberts
Heaven for any vegan or vegetarian, is the plant-based vegan restaurant Café Gratitude. Being far more than a café, the organic eatery is adorned with beautiful inspirational quotes celebrating gratefulness towards ourselves, the environment and life in general. Their mission is to support health and sustainability for both our community and the planet by cooperating with local farmers & producers. The breakfast menu includes gluten-free pancakes, bagels, a powerful superfood crunch, that can be enjoyed with freshly pressed juices, healthy smoothies and shakes. A tasteful light interior, friendly service and deliciously prepared healthy food are a perfect start for a grateful day.
BREAKFAST
Weekdays 8 am–11 am / Weekends 8 am–1 pm
639 N Larchmont Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90004
300 S Santa Fe Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90013
4. MILO & OLIVE
Photo Credit: Milo & Olive
Santa Monica`s rustic eatery Milo & Olive has become famous for serving some of the best Cali-Italian foods. With a wood-fired oven and a bakery that opens at 7 a.m. daily, Milo & Olive is the perfect place to grab breakfast with some deliciously fresh baked goods. The menu offers numerous tasty food choices that are prepared in the welcoming open kitchen. Milo & Olive is loved for their delicious carbs. The “Breakfast Pizza” is one of the best in SoCal, but also wood-fired pancakes, homemade granola or polenta with poached eggs are great choices. You will definitely leave this place happy – and with a big smile on your face.
BREAKFAST 8 am–11 am
2723 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90403
5. SQIRL
Photo Credit: Sqirl
Hidden behind a flowering Pink Tabebuia tree, on the edge of Los Angeles’ Silver Lake neighborhood, you will find the tiny 800 square foot space Sqirl. Serving breakfast until 4 p.m., the little eatery is attuned to the rhythms of an L.A. day. Sqirl`s popular “burnt brioche toast” has meanwhile attained cult status. People are willing to wait in long lines for the crunchy toast that is topped with homemade ricotta and spread to the edges with small-batch jam in flavors like strawberry–rose geranium.
Photo Credit: Sqirl
The preserves on site, in copper jam pans, are homemade. Depending on the season, you might find Gravenstein Apple Butter, Moro Blood Orange Marmalade, Wild Boysenberry, or a Blenheim Apricot preserve that you can take home in a jar. If you like toasts with innovative spreads, dishes you’ve never heard of before and you are not opposed to a little bit of chaos, you might want to check out Sqirl. Don`t be deterred by the long line – it is worth the wait for the best brioche toast in LA.
Photo Credit: Sqirl
BREAKFAST 8 am–4 pm
720 N Virgil Ave 4, Los Angeles, CA 90029
6. EGGSLUT
Photo Credit: Teallamb
At Grand Central Market, you can find tons of great food. The food stand Eggslut is a must if you want to taste the ultimate egg sandwich. These folks truly know what they are doing when it comes to eggs. The egg-centric eatery serves mouth-watering sandwiches in daily delivered warm brioche buns, all freshly prepared with their key ingredients eggs. The hype for this spot is real, their most popular Sandwich Fairfax truly is heaven. Try to arrive early, but expect to be in line for one of their famous egg buns, especially during peak times. Good news for all Eggslut fans, in summer 2016 the eggy eatery is expanding with another location at Pacific Avenue in Los Angeles.
Photo Credit: Eileen Lee
OPENING HOURS 8 am–4 pm
317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
1611 Pacific Ave Los Angeles, CA 90291 – new opening summer 2016
7. THE ROSE
Photo Credit: Pascal Shirley
The skateboarding & surf culture is still thriving the laid-back lifestyle of Venice, the LA neighborhood that is known as a hangout for creatives and hedonists. In the heart of Venice, the iconic Rose Café is serving locals and travelers alike since 1979. The boho-chic restaurant that includes a bar, a bakery and a patisserie, offers a rustic local Southern California cuisine that is strongly influenced by Chef Jason Neroni`s world travels. The culturally diverse brunch menu covers local fresh salads from the farmer`s market, Italian pizza & pasta, Mexican chilaquiles and French savory quiches.
Photo Credit: Pascal Shirley
Venice still is an important cultural center of LA. The Rose Café paid tribute to the local arts community, by partnering with Venice artist Craig Stecyk to cover one of its walls with historic imagery from the neighborhood. The lofty all-day eatery offers indoor and outdoor eating, including an outdoor patio and a cozy a beer garden – a great place to soak up the fun & laid-back culture of Venice.
Photo Credit: Pascal Shirley
OPENING HOURS
Tues–Thurs, 7 am–10 pm
Friday 7am–11 pm, Saturday 8am–11pm, Sunday 8am–5pm
220 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291
8. THE BUTCHER `S DAUGHTER
Photo Credit: Grace Leone Kelly
The Butcher`s Daughter is a juice bar and café which is 100% vegetarian and non-dairy. The restaurant that calls itself a “vegetable slaughter house” is treating fruits and vegetables as a butcher would treat meat. A daily-changing menu offers healthy vegetarian (mostly vegan) dishes with gluten-free options and fresh juices. The café`s interior is beautifully designed with bleached-woods and lots of greens that are creating a cheery & airy atmosphere. If you are looking for an Instagram-able breakfast – this is your place.
Photo Credit: Chang Chiy
Photo Credit: Marci de La Rose
OPEN DAILY 8 am–10 pm
1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd Venice, CA 90291
http://www.thebutchersdaughter.com
9. HUCKLEBERRY
Photo Credit: Emily Hart Roth
The warm and welcoming Santa Monica neighborhood spot Huckleberry is owned and operated by husband-and-wife-team Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan. The country style bakery, that has famous fans like Taylor Swift and Gwyneth Paltrow, is a fantastic breakfast spot especially on Sundays. As the former pastry chef at Rustic Canyon, Zoe`s pastries, desserts, and breads have won widespread acclaim. People now line up for the freshly baked goods at Huckleberry`s that are busting in abundance and variety.
Photo Credit: Emily Hart Roth
Produces, many coming from nearby Santa Monica Farmer`s Market, are sustainable farmed and almost exclusively organic and GMO free. The breakfast menu includes a selection of Zoe`s acclaimed cookies, rustic cakes, traditional French pastries and morning breads. Highlights are certainly the Fried Egg Sandwich, Brioche Donuts and Salted Caramel Chocolate Tarts.
Photo Credit: Emily Hart Roth
BREAKFAST 8 am–11 am
BRUNCH Saturday & Sunday 8 am–5 pm
1014 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
http://www.huckleberrycafe.com