Cookies at M Street Kitchen | © M Street Kitchen
The OP Café
This petite breakfast favorite on Ocean Park Boulevard had a facelift in recent years, and now flaunts a sunny yellow paint job and a shortened name (it was originally ‘Ocean Park Café’). Inside, the walls and menus are plastered with nostalgic photos of old Santa Monica. Try the Mexican-inspired dishes like Machaca con Huevos, a heaping plate of pulled pork dressed in fried eggs and avocado slices. For something sweet, pancakes stuffed with fruit and sprinkled with powdered sugar are sure to hit the spot.
The OP Café, 3117 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, USA +1 310 452 5720
Brioche French Toast at Farmshop | © Jakob Layman
M Street Kitchen
Just off Venice Beach, M Street Kitchen pairs rustic, romantic interiors with modern American fare. This restaurant (formerly known as La Grande Orange) boasts a concise yet wildly popular breakfast menu. On weekends, breakfast switches to brunch, basically the same items but served for longer and with more lunch options tacked on. Satiate a sweet tooth with anything from Bake Shop counter; cookies and pastries are what M Street is known for.
M Street Kitchen, 2000 Main St, Santa Monica, CA, USA +1 310 396 9145
Farmshop
Farmshop in the Brentwood Country Mart is one of two locations (the other being all the way up in Marin County). Farmshop’s farm-to-table breakfast celebrates the best of California cuisine with fresh ingredients and sumptuous presentation, which explains why many locals claim it’s one of the best brunches in Santa Monica. Brioche French Toast and Deviled Eggs are great introductions to the Farmshop dining experience. Plan ahead though; this place gets packed.
Farmshop, 225 26th St, Santa Monica, CA, USA +1 310 566 2400
Cora's Coffee Shop | © Anthony Citrano/Flickr
Bagel Nosh
While bagels are the cornerstone of this Santa Monica deli’s menu, Bagel Nosh also serves sit-in breakfast items at reasonable prices. Bagels come in all flavors, with more varieties of cream cheese and toppings than you’d ever think to order. And like any good deli should, Bagel Nosh has lox. On hungrier days, be sure to order one of the stacked Bagel Sandwiches.
Bagel Nosh, 1629 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, USA +1 310 451 8771
Cora’s Coffee Shoppe
Quaint Cora’s Coffee Shoppe is far more than its name implies. Squeezed between Main Street hotels, Cora’s seats its guests in the shade under a romantic vine awning and treats them to big portions of gooey poached eggs, fresh salads, and creamy burrata over bruschetta. Paired with delicious coffee, the Orange Blueberry Pancakes are our favourite.
Cora’s Coffee Shoppe, 1802 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA, USA +1 310 451 9562
Huckleberry
As far as baked goods go it’s hard to choose between Huckleberry and sister restaurant Milo & Olive, both founded by chef power couple Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan. Huckleberry opened in 2009 to much fanfare and as far as breakfast goes, it packs a heavier punch. Nathan’s signature Brisket Hash is a must-try, along with any of the shop’s decadent pastries.
Huckleberry Café, 1014 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, USA +1 310 451 2311
FIG Restaurant | © FIG Restaurant
Bru’s Wiffle
Bru’s Wiffle on Wilshire Boulevard wins the award for both strangest name and most apt celebration of the almighty waffle. Waffles range anywhere from sickly sweet (smothered in cinnamon sugar and ice cream) to savory (folded and stuffed with chicken and taco ingredients).
Bru’s Wiffle, 2408 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA, USA +1 310 453 2787
Rae's Restaurant | © Omar Bárcena/Flickr
FIG
Tucked inside the Fairmont Miramar hotel, this warmly lit bistro is all about seasonal, organic, and locally sourced ingredients. Expect upscale breakfast and brunch standards cooked to perfection or with slight twists, like the Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes. FIG is also popular for its Kegs and Eggs deal, which pairs endless draft beer with a brunch item of your choice.
FIG, 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, USA +1 310 319 3111
Rae’s Restaurant
Local mainstay Rae’s is a 1950s style haunt immortalized in films like Not Another Teen Movie and Lords of Dogtown. The menu is solely diner standards; think butter-laden pancakes, hash browns and scrambled eggs; with a hearty helping of brunch/lunch offerings.
Rae’s Restaurant, 2901 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, USA +1 310 828 7937
Areal
Let’s face it we all need to know a brunch spot that does bottomless mimosas. Areal, a Main Street fixture with a distinct bar vibe, answers the call with daily bottomless mimosa deals. Grab a seat on the roomy, welcoming patio and soak up the liquor with breakfast sandwiches and crab cakes.
Areal, 2820 Main St, Santa Monica, CA, USA +1 310 392 1661