The Best Brunches In Los Angeles

If you've been scared off of the brunch time ritual due to reading books like "Kitchen Confidential," fear not; while it used to be that brunch was the time for chefs to get rid of leftovers from the week's service, now restaurants are going above and beyond to deliver extravagant spreads with the freshest local ingredients on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

It's become so much of a ritual here in L.A. that we've decided to update our best brunch list, highlighting some of our favorite spaces to partake in the ultimate morning mealtime hybrid. Here are our favorites.

Chilaquiles at Brilliantshine (Photo by Krista Simmons/LAist)
Brilliantshine

Brilliantshine might be known more for their bar program headed by Josh Goldman and Julian Cox, but the food by Richie Lopez is worth a trip on it's own. Lopez used to work over at Picca, and his Latin American roots are present in dishes spiked with aji amarillo, lacuma, and Peruvian potatoes. Our favorite on the brunch menu was the perfect rendition of chilaquiles—a humble dish that's traditionally made with leftover chips topped with salsa and eggs. His are made with panca sauce and topped with two perfect sunny side up eggs, and is best enjoyed with a grapefruit sour and a side of their ridiculously delicious house-cured bacon.

Brillianshine is located at 522 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, (310) 451-0045

The greenhouse/dining room at Commissary is the perfect spot for K-Town brunching (Photo by Krista Simmons/LAist)
Commissary

We are all about everything that's going on at The Line Hotel, including the recently-launched breakfast at Roy Choi's rooftop greenhouse, Commissary. Along with their excellent cocktails served in deli cups, they do smoked salmon platters, Korean-style congee, sourdough breakfast sammies, Spam and eggs, pancakes, French toast, and of course a take on the classic breakfast burrito spiked with chorizo and salsa verde. Both the view and the food can't be beat when it comes to K-Town brunching.

Commissary is located at 3515 Wilshire Blvd. in Koreatown

Fig

Chef Ray Garcia's thoughtful use of local produce and ingredients has always embodied our ideal Santa Monica restaurant. While you can order vegetarian or get into some serious salads, his brunch menu can err towards some sinful (but delicious!) decisions. Some of our favorite brunch staples are his shrimp and grits as well as the bacon waffle a la mode. If you're up for a real day of boozin' by the beach, you can do unlimited craft beer plus any brunch item using their keg n' eggs deal for $35. The bloody mary is also fantastic.

Fig is located at 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, (310) 576-7777

Polenta, asparagus and soft eggs at AOC (Photo by Krista Simmons/LAist)
AOC

The stunning Spanish-style patio at the new location of AOC looks out onto a lemon tree-lined street, making you feel like you're a world away from the L.A. crazy. Chef Suzanne Goin's brunch menu showcases market-fresh fruit and veg, including items like grilled asparagus with polenta, spring vegetables and soft egg; and meyer lemon french toast with pistachios, blueberries and candied meyer lemon; and the signature breakfast sandwich of arugula, prosciutto and a sunny side up egg on top of a thick slice of brioche. Their specialty cocktails are $10 each, meaning you can get a little nip of the hair of the dog at a decent rate. Brunch goes from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

AOC is located at 8700 W 3rd St Los Angeles, (310) 859-9859

Milo & Olive

Not only does Zoe Nathan's Santa Monica spot make amazing wood-fired pies and baked goods, but they also are a wonderful spot to grab brunch. Her take on the classic croissant sando with house-made pork belly sausage, soft scrambled eggs, and arugula salad is simple perfection, just like the dizzying array of pastries that adorn their cases each morning. They also do a luxuriously creamy polenta with poached eggs, bacon bits, and baby greens, as well as more healthful options like the greek yogurt with market fruit and honey. You can swap in egg whites to any dish without getting scowls from your server if you're trying to keep it light. If you're feeling the hurt of the night's past, opt for one of their rocket-fueled Vietnamese iced coffees.

Milo & Oliveis located at 2723 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, (310) 453-6776

The stunning space at Republique (Photo by Krista Simmons/LAist)
Republique

Walter Manzke's California-inspired French cuisine at this sun-drenched La Brea Avenue restaurant has quickly become one of the more talked about restaurants in L.A., and rightfully so. It's not just worth stopping by for dinner; his wife Marge also happens to make the most incredible breads and pastries that are served during the daytime hours of the restaurant. And they recently launched weekend brunches to round out the repertoire. Because of the quality of the breads and baked goods, we'd recommend brioche French toast, salmon tartine with avocado, and the classic croque madame are just a few of the stand outs on the menu.

Republique is located at 624 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, (310) 362-6115

Barbrix

We could stop at the mention of $5 bottomless mimosas, but that would be selling this Silver Lake restaurant's brunch short. Their menu has something for everyone, but our personal favorites are the blueberry cornmeal pancakes topped with a berry compote and served with Vermont maple syrup. If you're after a savory dish, go for the perfectly-seared prime hanger steak and eggs or the blue crab hash. Their charcuterie and cheese selections are always winners, too.

Barbrixis located at 2442 Hyperion Avenue in Silverlake, (323) 662-2442

Little Dom's (Photo by Foodwoolf via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
Little Dom's

This little Italian eatery is our go-to spot for Sunday brunch, namely because they offer $10 bottles of prosecco, it's pup-friendly patio, and their excellent baked farm house eggs. They also have fantastic salads, like their raw Tuscan kale with currants. Now, the wait is admittedly long on weekends, but you can bring your dog along and go for a walk down Hillhurst in the interim.

Little Dom's is located at 2128 Hillhurst Ave. in Los Feliz; (323) 661-0055

Sticky buns with pecans and brown sugar, one of our favorite pastries at MB Post (Photo by nomsnotbombs via the LAist Featured Photos pool)
MB Post

Chef David LeFevre's Manhattan Beach restaurant has the best sticky buns in town, and their bloodies are to die for. Not to mention their bacon buttermilk biscuits served with a side of maple butter, which are worth the drive alone. The poached egg on polenta with asparagus and ricottta-stuffed French toast are also hits. Bringing your bike down to the beach for a ride down the Strand afterwards makes for the perfect Sunday afternoon.

MB Postis located at 1142 Manhattan Avenue in Manhattan Beach, CA; (310) 545-5405

Alcove

For a laid-back neighborhood vibe that's also doggie friendly, Alcove is a great spot. From breakfast sandwiches to variations on the eggs benedict and fully-loaded crepes, it's all on the menu. You can also order up a drink from Big Bar, or try your own hand at cocktailing with their make-your-own-mimosa option.

Alcove Cafe & Bakery is located at 1929 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, (323) 644-0100