With the pandemic thankfully slowing down and allowing restaurants to open back up for dine in, some of the best brunch spots in LA are ready to welcome those craving a seat under a sunlit patio with a bottomless mango mimosa in their hand. Despite the pandemic forcing everyone to hone in on their culinary capabilities, sometimes the ambience you get at home doesn’t match the feeling you get at a Sunday morning brunch out in the sunny weather.
A portion of the best brunch spots in LA have worked to remain open for takeout and delivery throughout the pandemic. However, with vaccinations being implemented across the nation, some of your favorite morning eateries are starting to open back up for outdoor and indoor dining. So, on your next Sunday off, be sure to abide by mask mandate and social distancing protocols and consider visiting some of these local eateries in the city of Los Angeles to satisfy your cravings for a good brunch.
Manuela
Located near the heart of Los Angeles in the Arts District is Manuela, a restaurant that celebrates seasonal ingredients sourced from some of the best farms in Southern California. With executive chef Kris Tominaga in charge of the kitchen known for its Southern influenced cuisine, Manuela and their artistic European-looking courtyard is a dine-in experience unlike any other in the city. The aesthetic of the dining area takes on a classic modern look with inviting open spaces full of greenery and artwork to enjoy while you wait for their famous cream biscuits and banana French toast.
Lady Byrd Cafe
Over in Echo Park awaits Lady Byrd Cafe, a newly reopened restaurant that has taken on a unique approach to social distancing protocols with their new outdoor dining. Having multiple mini greenhouses to dine inside, Lady Byrd has transformed a part of their cafe for guests that want to adhere completely to social distancing protocols. Aside from the fresh spring greenery surrounding the cafe, the menu is full of freshly sourced greens and vegan-friendly options that include everything from Soyrizo burritos to freshly made turmeric and plantain smoothies.
EggSlut
One of the most recognizable name brand breakfast spots in the area, Eggslut is located within the Los Angeles Grand Central Market and is known for having the best breakfast sandwich you can hope to get in the city. Despite not having bottomless mimosas on the menu, they do have specialty sandwiches that people wait hours in line for. Specialties including an over medium egg and seared Wagyu tri-tip steak served on a warm brioche bun and housemade buttermilk biscuits. If you’re looking for a quality brunch sandwich, Eggslut might check all the boxes.
Watts Coffee House
Dedicated to exploring activism in the years following the Watts Rebellion in 1956, Watts Coffee House has been an artistic cultural hub committed to preserving the communal integrity it’s historically known for. Through generations, Watts was considered to be the cafe to go to for local musicians, poets and any type of creative wanting to perform.
Fast forward 50 years, and it is now one of the most desired soul food restaurants in Los Angeles. Comfort staple food like fried chicken wings, eggs and biscuits or fresh salmon croquettes are ordered by dozens of guests every day, and hot item names like “On the 1 Gangsta Breakfast” are there for those wanting a little taste of everything on the menu.
A.O.C
After over 20 years of success on their first restaurant Lucques, Caroline Styne and Suzanne Goin set out for a new experience that involves venerable wine by the glass and a refined menu of market-driven small plates to pair with them. The A.O.C wine bar is entering its second decade, and as popularity of their small plates and wine become well-known around Los Angeles, crowds come cruising in for some of the best tapas and small-plates in the city. The weekend brunch menu is full of some of the most cultivated and creative brunch plates one can hope for, along with drinks that will satiate your taste buds.
Republique
Known for both their French-inspired bakery and restaurant, Chef Waltzer and Margarita Manzke have been serving their community at Republique for a little over five years now. The restaurant offers an a la carte menu throughout the week and a pre-fixe dinner menu that’s only available on Thursdays. Plus, the bakery has its own menu with some of the loveliest looking pastries in Los Angeles. Dine in and try one of their smoked salmon potato pancakes while your server brings you a carafe of some freshly squeezed orange juice and prosecco. Afterward, stop by their bakery and order some pastries for the morning after. You won’t regret it.
Little Dom’s
Combining the atmosphere of LA with the dynamics of New York comes Little Dom’s, a homestyle Italian American eatery that prepares classic dishes with a taste of Italy in every dish. Although known for their top tier lunch menu, their breakfast menu is full of Italian breakfast flavors you wouldn’t normally taste in the City of Angels. Everything from fresh blueberry pancakes with ricotta cheese and fresh oven roasted breakfast pizzas will surely pair well with “Little Dom’s Bloody Mary.”
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