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Why Brunch Belongs on Your Los Angeles Itinerary
If you’re planning a trip to Los Angeles, you’ve probably already mapped out beaches, hikes, and Hollywood landmarks. But here’s something seasoned visitors know: brunch in LA isn’t just a meal — it’s a cultural experience worth building part of your trip around.
Los Angeles’ brunch scene is as diverse and vibrant as the city itself, offering everything from classic California comfort food to upscale brunch destinations to hidden neighborhood gems. With sunny patios, creative menus, and local flair, LA brunch has become a must-do for visitors and locals alike. And unlike some cities where brunch means the same eggs Benedict at every corner, the sheer range of what’s available across LA neighborhoods means you could brunch every day of your trip and never repeat yourself.
Whether you’re after James Beard award-winning pastries, soul-food classics, or spirited mimosa flights, the city delivers. Here’s where to eat — and why each spot deserves a place on your itinerary.
Start With the Best: Republique and Its Award-Winning Pastry Program
For famed LA brunch dining that consistently tops best-of lists, Republique earns its spot thanks to its French-inspired menu, bustling daytime vibe, and must-try pastries.
What sets Republique apart — and makes it a destination worth seeking out on your trip — is the caliber of its pastry program. The mastermind behind the pastry menu, Chef Margarita Manzke, won the 2023 James Beard award for “Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker” for her work here. For visitors unfamiliar with the significance, a James Beard Award is widely considered one of the most prestigious honors in the American culinary world. Earning one signals a level of excellence that food lovers travel specifically to experience.
The creative menu blends gourmet brunch staples with seasonal California ingredients, meaning what you’ll find on the plate reflects the best of what’s fresh and local. If you’re the kind of traveler who uses food as a lens for understanding a city, Republique is an essential stop. It’s the kind of place that justifies rearranging your schedule.
Downtown Charm at Moonlark’s Dinette
If your group is craving a laid-back vibe, Moonlark’s Dinette delivers refined brunch classics in an intimate downtown setting perfect for cozy weekend gatherings. For visitors staying in or near downtown LA, this is a particularly convenient option that doesn’t sacrifice quality for location.
Locally sourced, approachable comfort food dominates the menu here. Think of it as the kind of spot where everything feels familiar but polished, like an elevated version of a classic diner. It's the sort of brunch experience that lets you settle into the rhythm of LA’s more relaxed side. If you’re visiting on business and want a quieter start to a weekend morning before meetings or sightseeing, the intimate atmosphere makes Moonlark’s Dinette an easy choice.
All-Day Breakfast on Melrose at Fratelli Cafe
One of the practical challenges of being an out-of-town visitor is timing. Jet lag, packed schedules, and late nights can make a strict brunch window feel impossible to hit. That’s where Melrose favorite Fratelli Cafe comes in — it offers a casual upscale cafe vibe while serving breakfast all day.
Their menu is full of hearty brunch options, from their signature Croissant French Toast to classic waffles and coffee. For visitors exploring the Melrose area — a popular stretch for shopping and gallery-hopping — Fratelli Cafe is a natural stop. The all-day breakfast format means you don’t have to rush, making it an ideal fueling station between activities. The casual upscale atmosphere strikes that sweet spot between feeling special and feeling comfortable in whatever you happen to be wearing that day.
Group-Friendly Celebrations at Met Her At A Bar
Traveling with a group? Planning a birthday brunch or a reunion with friends who live on the West Coast? For a lively, social brunch atmosphere, Met Her At A Bar combines great food with spirited daytime vibes.
This is the spot for group outings, mimosa flights, and weekend celebrations. If you’ve been looking for that quintessential LA brunch moment — the kind with energy, laughter, and clinking glasses — this is where you’ll find it. Their authentic Belgian waffles are a must-order, offering a rich, indulgent anchor to a meal that’s as much about the atmosphere as the food. For visitors who want their brunch to double as a social event, Met Her At A Bar delivers exactly that experience.
Soul Food and Local Flavor at The Serving Spoon
One of the things that makes LA’s food culture so remarkable is its depth and diversity. You can go from a French-inspired pastry program to hearty soul food within the same city, and both experiences feel deeply, authentically Los Angeles.
Don’t overlook neighborhood classics like The Serving Spoon, where hearty soul-food brunch favorites like grits and fried chicken and waffles offer a satisfying local experience for laid-back weekends. This is the kind of spot that may not show up on a typical tourist map, but it represents a vital part of LA’s culinary identity. For visitors who want to eat beyond the well-trodden path and experience the city’s food culture in a more local, grounded way, The Serving Spoon is a rewarding choice.
The dishes here — think grits, fried chicken and waffles — are the kind of stick-to-your-ribs comfort food that fuels a full day of exploring. It’s a neighborhood classic for a reason, and visiting it gives you a window into the kind of community-rooted dining that makes LA’s food scene so much richer than its reputation for avocado toast might suggest.
Planning Your LA Brunch Crawl
What’s worth noting for trip planning purposes is the geographic spread of these recommendations. From downtown to Melrose, these spots are scattered across different parts of the city, which means you can match your brunch pick to whatever neighborhood you’re exploring that day. Rather than going out of your way for a single restaurant, you can weave standout brunch experiences into the natural flow of your sightseeing.
Make Brunch Part of Your LA Story
Whether you’re brunching for celebrations, lazy Sunday mornings, or a foodie-centric day in the city, LA’s mix of upscale classics and casual gems makes it one of the most exciting brunch destinations in the country.
For visitors, this is a genuine opportunity to eat like a local. Skip the hotel restaurant. Open your map. Pick a neighborhood and a restaurant that matches your mood — whether that’s refined pastries, comfort food, lively celebrations, or soul-food classics — and let LA’s brunch culture show you a side of the city you won’t find on a tour bus.
Your best LA memories might just start at a brunch table.
