The best breakfast spots in Los Angeles

What is it? An all-day Cali-French café, bakery and dinnertime spot where it is nigh on impossible to leave dissatisfied, where old meets new in L.A. dining history, and where the buzz of thrilled diners is electric from morning to night. 

Why we love it: Dinner here is always great, but daytime is the true star of République, when the James Beard Award-winning pastries come out in full force. The love and care husband-and-wife team Walter and Margarita Manzke puts into République is palpable, filling the gothic-style building—one that was once home to Charlie Chaplin’s office, as well as Nancy Silverton and the late Mark Peel’s groundbreaking Campanile restaurant—with the kind of warm, bustling atmosphere often missing in L.A. During weekday breakfast (available until 2pm), Walter swaps the seasonally inspired bistro cuisine for gourmet staples, including beef short rib kimchi fried rice, a cheesy lobster omelette and a Belgian waffle. Best of all, the breakfast menu is almost identical on weekends and weekdays.

Time Out tip: Arrive early on weekends to snag first pick of the pastry case’s croissants, baguettes, tarts, cakes and cookies; once they sell out for the day, they’re gone.

Address: 624 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 8am–2pm, 5:30–10pm; Fri 8am–2pm, 5–10pm; Sat 8am–2pm, 5:30–10pm; Sun 8am–2pm

What is it? A new-school San Gabriel Valley dining destination serving the farm-to-table Chinese-inspired dinner of our dreams (plus an excellent brunch).

Why we love it: Highly inventive yet tinged with nostalgia, Yang’s Kitchen is the new-school Chinese restaurant we’ve been searching high and low for. The more recently added dinner service is what won me over, but Yang’s deceptively simple brunch offerings are also available starting at 9am—which makes for a delightful Asian American spin on breakfast. Thoughtfully sourced ingredients, living wages and an ethos of sustainability thread themselves into every delicious dish, including their must-order sesame noodles made with Persian cucumbers and house chili crisp. Of course, a.m. delights like jalapeño bacon biscuits, smoked salmon hash and even a Japanese breakfast set (look for Yang’s Set Meal) receive a careful touch of artisanry that’s easily discernible on first bite. For something sweeter, order the cornmeal mochi pancake, which comes with whipped cream, condensed milk and seasonal fruit from the farmers’ market. 

Time Out tip: Those who arrive before 11am on weekdays can indulge in the Yang Slam—the restaurant’s gourmet take on a breakfast special. For $22, you’ll get two farm fresh eggs, cornmeal pancakes, sausage or bacon and a housemade hashbrown, plus the option to add coffee or toast for a dollar more.

Address: 112 W Main St Alhambra, CA 91801

Opening hours: Mon 9am–2pm; Thu 9am–2pm, 5–9pm; Fri 9am–2pm, 5–10pm; Sat 9am–2:30pm, 5–10pm; Sun 9am–2:30pm, 5–9pm

What is it? Chef Jordan Kahn’s pricey, counter service-style daytime café in Culver City.

Why we love it: No detail goes unaccounted for at Destroyer, where otherworldly presentation and high-quality ingredients combine for the most aesthetically pleasing (and delicious) breakfast menu in town. Helmed by the same critically acclaimed chef behind Vespertine and Meteora, Destroyer never fails to draw a crowd on late weekend mornings, so be prepared to wait for a seat to eat your strikingly plated food—and to jockey for the limited street parking in the area. Those who have the time and patience, however, will be treated to the joys of a bowl of almond milk-soaked oatmeal topped with red currants or a luscious avocado confit—a fine dining-esque experience without the sky-high prices. Destroyer’s menu offerings rotate with the seasons, but you can usually find a comforting koshihikari rice porridge anointed with roasted leeks, burnt onion rings, black garlic and puffed rice; a seasonal French toast; and a bowl of fruit-topped coconut yogurt layered with tapioca pearls and vanilla-almond oil.

Time Out tip: Don’t make the pastries the main event. They’re solid if you’re in the mood for a croissant or a cookie, but not the reason to come to Destroyer. 

Address: 3578 Hayden Ave, Culver City, CA 90232

Opening hours: Daily 8am–3pm

What is it? A ranch-to-table breakfast spot in Hollywood with fast-casual pancake-oriented offshoots in WeHo and Santa Monica.

Why we love it: Though its ranch-to-table ethos might no longer generate as much buzz today, Salt’s Cure and its pancake-oriented spinoff, Breakfast by Salt’s Cure, have remained one of the best quick, no-fuss morning options in the city, particularly when we’re not looking for a scene. Head to West Hollywood and Santa Monica for chef-owner Chris Phelps’s effortlessly delicious griddle cakes and a casual order-at-the-counter situation. Once you take a bite, you’ll immediately understand why people love them; somehow salty, sweet, doughy and crispy all at the same time, they give normal pancakes a run for their money. Oh, and there’s no syrup served with the griddle cakes. You’ll get over it after the first bite, we promise. At the Hollywood original, the hearty, full-service menu also includes sandwiches, salads and plenty of protein. Either way, Salt’s Cure has become our favorite laidback breakfast and brunch destination to keep in our back pocket—and hopefully, it’ll soon be yours too.

Time Out tip: Bring all your friends with dietary restrictions: Salt’s Cure pancakes can be made gluten-free or vegan.

Address: Multiple, including Hollywood, West Hollywood and Santa Monica

Opening hours: Varies

What is it: The newer, larger second location of Vivian Ku’s beloved fast-casual Taiwanese eatery in Silver Lake. 

Why we love it: Compared to the original, Pine & Crane Downtown offers a seriously major menu upgrade: Taiwanese breakfast staples like purple rice fan tuan, daikon rice cakes and chive-and-egg pockets, all served from 8 to 11am. Luscious thousand-layer pancakes stuffed with basil and cheese, plus a smattering of other dishes from Highland Park’s Joy on York, are available as well. My favorite item, by far, is the vegan-friendly breakfast rice porridge set, which comes with your choice of braised pork belly or bean curd and six different toppings for your congee. The Downtown outpost’s expansive open-air patio, plentiful seating and relatively central location make for a wonderful, centrally located Taiwanese breakfast—and if you arrive just before 11am, you can turn it into an early brunch as well. 

Time Out tip: Order a mug of soy milk. While you can order it plain, you can also amp up the flavor with black sesame or make it a savory snack with a mix of pork floss, youtiao (cruller doughnuts), preserved vegetables, scallions, vinegar and chili oil.

Address: 1120 S Grand Ave Unit 101, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Opening hours: Daily 8am–10pm

What is it: The upscale, all-day Cal-Italian dining destination along Abbot Kinney that helped usher in the era of Venice’s full-blown gentrification.

Why we love it: Whether you love or hate it, Gjelina has quite a few disciples, and for good reason. Even in the dead of winter, the seasonally focused menu, eaten alongside a mix of tourists, locals and influencers, can’t help but bring in the sunshine. Founding chef Travis Lett has long since departed the kitchen—you can find him cooking at RVR, an izakaya located down the street—but current management has maintained the quality, consistency and seasonality of cooking that Gjelina is well-known for. During breakfast hours, the lemon ricotta pancakes topped with blueberry compote are always a crowd-pleaser, as is the duck hash, topped with a crispy fried egg and seasoned with whole grain mustard. The restaurant also offers several variations on eggs, from scrambled to fried to Moroccan-style with tomato sauce and merguez sausage. 

Time Out tip: On sunny mornings, my favorite seats in the house are on the back patio.

Address: 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Opening hours: Daily 8am–10:30pm

What is it: A no-frills, budget-friendly Taiwanese breakfast spot in a Monterey Park strip mall.

Why we love it: Huge Tree Pastry isn’t the only Taiwanese breakfast spot in the San Gabriel Valley, but it’s one of the most affordable, long-running options in the area. This cash-only spot has all the classics of the genre, from fantuan—bundles of sweet purple or white wrapped around scrambled egg, fried youtiao (cruller doughnuts), pork floss and pickles—to scallion pancakes, pan-fried radish cakes, baked sesame bread and full-sized youtiao, which are perfect for dipping into a cup of steaming hot soy milk (available in both sweet or salty). These days, the family-run restaurant has reopened its modest dining room for on-site dining, so you can enjoy your meal right there on the spot.

Time Out tip: If you’re coming for lunch, order some of the dumplings, a pork chop rice plate or a bowl of noodle soup.

Address: 423 N Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754

Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Thu–Sun 7am–3pm

What is it: A mini-chain of bakery-cafés with a focus on naturally leavened sourdough breads and pastries. 

Why we love it: Founded in a backyard by Alexander Phaneuf (who’s since left the company) and Or Amsalam, this once-humble bakery pop-up focused on naturally leavened breads has grown into a best-in-class breakfast destination in its own right. The same detail-oriented baking process goes into Lodge Bread’s excellent coffee cake and other pastries, as well as toasts and sandwiches, and the tea and coffee are top-notch as well. Indulge in their humongous cinnamon rolls slathered with cream cheese icing, or opt for the toast topped with ricotta and jam; for those who prefer savory over sweet, the luscious eggplant hummus with the Jerusalem bagel or a warm piece of pita will more than satisfy.

Time Out tip: The cinnamon sugar toast makes for a decadent morning treat.

Address: Culver City: 11918 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066; Woodland Hills: 20929 Ventura Blvd #22, Woodland Hills, CA 91364; Beverly Hills: 295 S Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.

Opening hours: Daily 8am–4pm

What is it: A casual Hong Kong-style café in San Gabriel and Rowland Heights that serves an affordable, top-notch Cantonese breakfast.

Why we love it: Available from 8 to 11am, the breakfast menu at Tam’s Noodle House offers all the greatest hits of a Cantonese morning meal. This includes congee with various toppings and a few variations on cheung fun (steamed rice rolls), which come to your table soft, velvety and ready to be doused with sweet soy sauce. Wake yourself up with Hong Kong-style milk tea or coffee and an extra helping of carbs in the form of soy sauce chow mein or a sugary pineapple bun. Of all the Hong Kong-style cafés I’ve tried in the San Gabriel Valley, Tam’s is also the most consistent across the board, whether you’re stopping by in the morning or coming here for dinner. You can also find a similar menu in the mornings at HK Macau Bistro in San Gabriel, which is run by the same family behind Tam’s.

Time Out tip: I don’t recommend coming here with more than six; unlike Chinese banquet-style dining rooms, the tiny no-frills space isn’t particularly suitable for large groups.

Address: San Gabriel: 120 N San Gabriel Blvd #J, San Gabriel, CA 91775; Rowland Heights: 19035 Colima Rd, Rowland Heights, CA 91748

Opening hours: San Gabriel: Daily 8am–9pm; Rowland Heights: Daily 8am–10pm

What is it: A counter-service breakfast destination in Santa Monica from the same group behind Milo + Olive, Rustic Canyon and Birdie G’s. 

Why we love it: The weekend scene at Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan’s Huckleberry can be intense, so it’s worth stopping by early, if you can, to peruse the daily specials in the pastry case and decide whether you want to pair your huevos rancheros with Valrhona dark chocolate-studded pancakes or something a little more savory, like a farmers’ market vegetable quiche. If you’re in the mood for umami, it’s hard to go wrong with the fried egg sandwich that features the trinity of Tillamook cheddar cheese, applewood smoked bacon and housemade aioli on country toast. These days, you can also find the same menu on weekdays, when you’ll also get a chance to breathe at this Santa Monica counter-service stalwart while still enjoying equally delicious food. 

Time Out tip: For a more formal sit-down breakfast situation in Santa Monica, head to Loeb and Nathan’s other restaurant, Milo + Olive, which features market-fresh takes on all the classics plus an egg-topped polenta bowl.

Address: 1014 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening hours: Daily 7am–3pm

What is it: An iconic LAX-adjacent diner that’s one of the city’s leading examples of Googie architecture. 

Why we love it: This Westchester daytime staple offers impeccable retro vibes—you’re literally stepping into a piece of L.A. history—and some of the best fried chicken and waffles in the city. The high-quality service and straightforward fare has kept morning crowds at Pann’s thick since the diner first opened in 1958, and the location makes it fairly convenient for travelers flying in and out of LAX—at least if you’re departing or arriving in the morning or early afternoon. Beyond fried chicken, Pann’s also serves the increasingly hard-to-find ham steak, pancakes, omelettes and pancakes. The hefty country-fried steak, which comes with a fluffy biscuit, is another menu standout. For lunch, look towards the patty melt, cornmeal breaded catfish and a slew of sandwiches and salads. 

Time Out tip: If you’re in a rush, Pann’s also offers takeout, but I really recommend taking the time to dine in.

Address: 6710 La Tijera Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Opening hours: Daily 7am–3pm

What is it: A no-frills diner inside an inland South Bay bowling alley with destination-worthy homestyle takes on Hawaiian local food.

Why we love it: The South Bay is home to a sizable Japanese American population, including many who moved to L.A. from Hawaii. As such, there are plenty of eateries serving “local food”—a term for fusion-style island cuisine informed by Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Puerto Rican and Portuguese immigrants. While Gardena Bowl serves the usual American breakfast plates, this no-frills neighborhood joint is best known for local food breakfast staples like the Hawaiian Royal (a teriyaki-laden mix of sausage, chashu, green onions and scrambled eggs over rice) and French toast made with Hawaiian-style sweet bread. If you’re arriving closer to lunch hour, order the loco moco, served with a classic beef patty or kalua pork; a comforting bowl of saimin noodle soup; or one of the teriyaki rice plates. The bowling alley crowd and a steady stream of regulars keeps Gardena Bowl fairly busy, however, so steel yourself for a wait if you’re arriving on the later side of the morning on weekends.

Time Out tip: If you’re not able to get down to the South Bay, the longtime Rutt’s in Culver City will hit the spot—though I think the breakfast at Gardena Bowl is still slightly better.

Address: 15707 S Vermont Ave, Gardena, CA 90247

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 8am–9pm; Fri, Sat 8am–10pm; Sun 8am–9pm