Brunch – it’s the meal taking over weekend mornings and Instagram accounts. The internet is a barrage of photos containing bright, runny eggs or bagels piled high with lox or a sandwich with a beach backdrop, designed to make you drool. To aid in your search for the best brunch spots, The Culture Trip narrows down 10 of the best brunches in Culver City.
Akasha
Restaurant, American, French, $$$
Located in downtown Culver City, Akasha serves California and New American cuisine with a menu that changes seasonally, reflecting the use of local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. Brunch is offered Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30am to 2:30pm, served in Akasha’s modern-styled dining room. There’s something for everyone on the menu, from the breakfast burrito to the smoked salmon platters to the kids’ menu that offers the basics, like French toast and chocolate chip pancakes.
Metro Café sits in simple and modern glory next to the Travelodge Hotel in Culver City. This small cafe gets busy during prime hours and boasts a menu that packs a punch. The Sautéed Banana House Pancakes are among the more popular dishes; sautéed bananas between pancake layers, dusted with powdered sugar — a dish sweet enough on its own that no syrup is necessary. If sweets don’t satisfy you, then try the Serbian Americana scramble – scrambled eggs with bacon, cured meats, and fresh mozzarella.
Café Laurent feels like a piece of France in Culver City, offering live music on its outdoor patio on the weekends and serving a variety of French-inspired options. Crêpe fans can choose the savory taste of La Parisienne crêpes (filled with Swiss cheese, ham, and a sunny-side-up egg) or the sweetness of the La Carnaval crêpe (with strawberries, bananas, and Nutella). The patio is dog friendly, so even the puppy can come along for brunch.
For a bite on the go, stop by Copenhagen Pastry. Copenhagen offers authentic Danish pastries reminiscent of the owner’s childhood spent in Denmark. The Kringles (pastry filled with almond paste and custard and topped with thin-sliced almonds and sugar) and the Copenhagens (a flaky pastry with yellow custard in the middle) are popular choices. Paired with coffee or tea, they make a perfect to-go meal that won’t hurt the wallet.
For those who like less traditional brunches, stop by East Borough for Vietnamese street food–inspired meals. Popular dishes include the banh xeo (a Vietnamese crêpe with crab, mushrooms, and bean sprouts) and the belly and egg, which combines pork belly and a poached egg, marinated in house chili sauce and served with jasmine rice. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday, from 10am until 3pm.
The S&W Country Diner serves country cooking — ‘comfort food,’ for the more casual diners. Its old fashioned decor lends to its 50s diner vibe, and its simple façade mimics the simplicity of its menu. For true country-style cooking, try the homemade corned beef hash, served with eggs and a choice of breakfast side. Hit up an ATM before arriving — the S & W Country diner only accepts cash.
Public School 310 offers ‘an education in the art of food and beer.’ An education-themed dining experience, happy hour is called ‘Recess’ and ‘Night school’ offers classes on beer pairing and cocktail tastings. For brunch, the menu is seasonal, serving local food on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30am to 2:30 pm. The chicken and waffles, with bacon gravy, maple syrup, and a fried egg, is a popular dish. Learning never tasted so good.
Brunch at the Overland Caféis served Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 3:30pm, and its claim to fame is its bottomless mimosa deal – bottomless mimosas with any order of a regular brunch entrée. The brunch entrée menu is egg heavy, offering simple pairs of eggs and sausages or fancier eggs Benedict with Maryland crab cakes. Be prepared to wait a bit, as the place can get busy during peak brunch hours.
Wildcraft‘s black lacquer and smoky glass details really add ambiance to its modern take on Italian cuisine. Customers can choose to sit in the outdoor dining patio as they look over a menu that features favorites like the pizza knot skillets (a combo of spicy sausage, Pomodoro, and chilies wrapped in warm bread and topped with a sunny-side-up egg), or the white truffle pizza (with 12 toppings, including fried sage, a soft egg, mozzarella, and carbonara), all while enjoying bottomless mimosas.
Inspired by the famous Rush Street of Chicago, Rust Street is a multi-level building hosting a restaurant, bar, and lounge, fit for any meal — but try to catch the extensive and delicious brunch menu. The menu rotates seasonally, while still offering classics like pancakes, custom-made omelets, and breakfast burritos, stuffed with eggs, bacon, tater tots, and avocado. Enjoy them alongside a custom bloody Mary from the build-your-own bloody Mary bar.
