5 Brunches to try in Los Angeles

Brunch is one of the insanely popular things to do as an Angeleno and it is definitely my goal to eat my way through Los Angeles. So I've gathered a few of my favorite Los Angeles Brunch spots!

MUSTARD SEED CAFE

Mustard Seed is currently my go-to brunch place. This is entirely based on how excellent the food and my current overwhelming cravings for Mexican style brunches. Mustard Seed does not rely on any gimmicks to sell their brand: they don't have fancy cups or plates, they don't even add kitsch to their diner vibe, and I am pretty sure they don't even have a website anymore to showcase any 'image'. It doesn't need artisinal spices or fair-trade coffee to bring in the crowds because their food is so damn good that it sells itself. When you have some of the best breakfast burritos in Los Angeles, you really do not need very much else. I recently have been ordering their chilaquiles for my post-Griffith hikes (now I just have to learn how to pronounce it).

BLU JAM CAFE

 I love Blu Jam for all the same reasons I love Mustard Seed. No pretension, no showing off, just simply great food. While I typically stick to Huevos Rancheros or their savory Breakfast sandwiches, Blu Jam is known for their decadent deep-fried French toast. Your thighs will be screaming no! but your heart will be screaming yes!

SQIRL

Sqirl is relatively new to the brunch scene but has already risen to almost every top 10 brunch list around. They are adventurous enough to craft crazy dishes like their crispy rice salad or their breakfast pesto rice bowl. Every dish seems to be this conglomerate fusion of different ethnic foods, borrowing spices and flavors from a variety of things that shouldn't work but they do! They add shishito peppers to their hash browns, accent their avocado bread with Za'atar, and top their pesto brown rice bowls with hot sauce. Its worth the long line that you are likely to meet every weekend.

SQUARE ONE

Square One has two locations: one at the Boathouse on Echo Park Lake and the other in the shadow of the Large blue behemoth that is The Scientology center. I will say as a vegetarian, I never really order Benedict because they are pretty much just open face breakfast sandwiches if you order them without the ham, but NOT HERE! I love when places offer an actual vegetarian Benedict concoction and as I sat under the art-deco blue Scientology center eating my arugula tomato benedict, life was good :)

TART

As @teamwoodnote said: if you choose your brunch locations based on their instagramability? the Tart is the place to come too. Tart is the restaurant at The Farmer's Daughter on Fairfax. They are known for their punch bowls and boozy brunch drinks and while their brunch menu may be smaller than other places, they pack quite a punch with their Sriracha Breakfast Sandwich. For another photo-op and discount (but lets be real, its more for the photo!) they offer 50% discount if you jump in their pool fully clothed. Yes, that's right. Clearly their social game is on point!

THE VILLAGE BAKERY & CAFE

The Village Bakery is tucked away in Atwater Village and doubles as a cafe-style brunch spot and a full on bakery. They do a mean chai latte and is perfect for a quick meet up or a post-hike grub hub and while their breakfast sandwiches will always hit the spot their true bread and butter is in their baked goods. They have an entire wall-lined glass case with everything from scones, muffins, cupcakes, bear claws, coffee cakes, quiches, danishes, sugar cookies, bars, biscotti, and I could go on. They even theme a lot of their baked goods on holidays or events like the Oscars. They are so fun and inventive and will do custom cakes and baked goods for birthdays/parties in you want!

AROMA BAKERY CAFE

Aroma Bakery is an Israeli/European style brunch spot. I asked my friend what on earth that meant the first time he took me and his response was: It means that have deep-fried avocado egg rolls. I was sold. Their breakfast sandwich is also one of the best. I also love places that put importance on their teas. Their mint tea is made from real mint leaves and hot water. But seriously, DID I MENTION AVOCADO EGG ROLLS!!!!!!!

AROMA COFFEE & TEA

Not to be confused with Aroma Bakery, this spot is one of my favorite places to go for the atmosphere. they have a large menu that you can find almost anything you want but the actual space is what makes the trip worth it. You order cafe style and you can choose to sit inside, which feels very much like sitting in a charming farm house or you can sit out on the back patio which is a secluded garden complete with twinkly lights and umbrellas. I often find myself coming here with my best friend when we want to get work done or just sit and take a breather from life.

URTH CAFé

Urth Caffé is truly one the names most associated with brunch in Los Angeles. With 6 locations around Los Angeles, its easy to see why the organic, toxin-free inspired location grew to be the haven of customers seeking rich yet organic and GMO-free breakfast foods. Urth got its start by placing so much importance on fair trade coffee and fine teas, yet now their novelty is their creative and unique coffee art.

BEACHWOOD CAFE

Beachwood is tucked into the Hollywood hills underneath the Hollywood Sign and is the haven for all the locals (who all just happen to be the actors and actresses in the neighborhood). It is a leisurely place to come in for a mom & pops breakfast which glorifies '60's and '70's textiles. Beachwood is so unique when it comes to brunch spots, it doesn't boast itself to be inventive and cutting edge, rather it presents itself as your grandmother's home cooking, if you know, your grandmother cooked Asian and Mediterranean fusion dishes. Sure you may run into some celebs there but this spot is so laid back, you may not even notice the two main characters from Silicon Valley waiting for their table as you are heading out.

For more yummy food posts follow my friend/foodie/pastry-chef Natalie Cohen – @natileats