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If there's one thing worth driving into the Valley for, it's breakfast. The 818 is rife with all sorts of spots to get your morning meal on. Here are some of our favorites.
Photo via Du-Par's on Facebook
Vip's Cafe
You can't help but be overwhelmed by all of the John Wooden paraphenalia at this Tarzana greasy spoon, but what'll really wow you is the fresh squeezed OJ, biscuits and gravy, and chicken and waffles. VIP's also has super affordable breakfast specials for the after church crowd, like 2 eggs, 2 sausage, and 2 pancakes for $4.95. And the service is always at lightning speed. Sit on the patio and soak up the sunshine before the summer Valley heat gets to be too punishing.
Vip's is located at 18345 Ventura Boulevard, Tarzana (818) 343-7361
Cici's
If pancakes are your idea of breakfast, then Cici's is absolute Mecca. There are over 20 different types of flapjacks, including Dutch babies, crepes, and our personal favorite, the Monkey Business made with banana flambéd on buttermilk pancakes. There's always a wait on weekends, but it's well-worth it.
Cici'sCafe is located at 18912 Ventura Boulevard, Tarzana (818) 881-6704
Jinky's
This Sherman Oaks eatery has been a Valley staple for years. They serve a variety of eggs benny variations, peanut butter banana French toast, omelets, pancakes, and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Again, weekend crowding can be an issue, but if you find a place in L.A. that's not, you're probably at the wrong spot.
Jinky's is located at 14120 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks (818) 981-2250
Photo via Aroma Coffee & Tea on Facebook
Aroma Coffee & Tea
We are big fans of all of the restaurants owned by the friendly folks that operate Aroma Coffee & Tea; the Big Bar and Alcove are some of our fave Los Feliz hangs. But we're super happy to have this sunny sidewalk cafe in Studio City. They have fresh baked goods daily, as well as some killer breakfast sandwiches, like the applewood smoked bacon panino with egg and brie. If you're trying to keep it light, go for the wild veggie burrito made with egg whites, steamed wild and brown rice, spinach, roasted bell peppers, and aged cheddar cheese.
Aroma Coffee & Tea is located at 4360 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City (818) 508-0677
Du-Par's
This classic diner has been open since 1938, and is still going strong. Fluffy, old fashioned pancakes are what they're known for, and thankfully they're open 24 hours in case you get a craving.
Du-Par's is located at 12036 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City (818) 766-4437
Bobby's Coffee Shop
Bobby's is a real community coffee shop, and not just for the early bird special crowd; it's also where all the El Camino and Taft High School kids would go hang out if they were ditching class. Not that we'd ever do such a thing, but if we did, we'd be totally down for a bottomless cup of coffee, some crispy bacon, and a stack of flapjacks.
Bobby's Coffee Shop is located at 22821 Ventura Boulevard, Woodland Hills (818) 225-1324
Nat's Early Bite Coffee Shop & Diner
This hole in the wall on Burbank and Hazeltine has been serving handmade cinnamon rolls, muffins, cookies, and pies for over 30 years. The best part: everything on the breakfast menu is under $10 -- except for the large scrambles. Those will cost you $10.50.
Nat's Early Biteis located at 14115 Burbank Boulevard., Van Nuys (818) 781-3040
Photo courtesy of Steam Punk Coffee Bar and Kitchen on Facebook
Steam Punk Coffee Bar & Kitchen
Free WiFI, good coffee, and a chicken and waffle sandwich. Need we say more? Oh fine, if you insist: There's good parking. Done and done.
Steam Punk Coffee Bar & Kitchen is located at 12526 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood (818) 508-1276
EAT
A longstanding staple in the NoHo Arts District, EAT is all about the morning meal. This small cafe on Magnolia is popular with locals for their breakfast menu, which includes the expected eggs and pancakes, but also some specialties of the house, like the Ned's Benedict (trivia: EAT used to be called Ned's) which are poached eggs with tomato, avocado, and jack cheese, on grilled English muffin topped with hollandaise sauce. Lots of veggie options, too, amid their offerings of scrambles, omelets, and "south of the border" specialities.
EAT is located at 11108 Magnolia Boulevard, North Hollywood, 91601 (818) 760-4787
Bea Bea's
For those in search of a place where you can stuff your face with any which one of what seems like a zillion crazy, creative breakfast concoctions, head to this unassuming Burbank strip mall restaurant where the pancakes are the size of your head. Speaking of pancakes, Bea Bea's specializes in outlandish flavors, like Oreo, S'mores, Strawberry Brownie, Blue Hawaiian, Chocolate Fantasy, and much more, with things equally as loaded up on the French Toast and Waffle front. If you'd prefer savory, the massive menu has a plethora of scrambles, omelets, Benedicts and beyond. Be warned, though, the service can get a little spotty.
Bea Bea's is located at 353 N Pass Avenue, Burbank 91505 (818) 846-2327
Honorable mentions:
Bob's Big Boy
Le Pain Quotidien
Coral Tree Cafe
Sweet Butter Kitchen
Another Broken Egg
Charlie's Pantry
Good Neighbor Restaurant
