The 10 Best Brunches In Echo Park, Los Angeles, USA
Courtesy of Square 1 At The Boathouse
Brunch is a weekly ritual for many Angelenos, and the hipster population of Echo Park is no exception. When diving into the dishes at the neighborhood’s best spots, it’s easy to see why brunch is the best meal of the week. Whether you’re looking for bottomless mimosas or breakfast burritos, quick and casual or hipster gourmet, Echo Park has it all.
Square One at the Boathouse
Cafe, American
Square One at the Boathouse was opened in 2013 as part of a larger project to refurbish Echo Park Lake. At this little cafe on the water, breakfast is served all day, which for the Boathouse means until 3pm. The menu is limited but full of tasty offerings. A crowd favorite is the Squash Blossom Breakfast Burrito, a scrumptious vegetarian alternative to the LA classic. Diners have been known to work off their meals with a pedal boat ride around the lake.
Looks like it's closedHours or services may be impacted due to Covid-19
Brunch at Lot 1 Café is served every Saturday and Sunday until 5pm. Among the biggest draws are the ‘endless’ mimosas. This cafe-by-day and music-venue-by-night offers a budget-friendly alternative to Echo Park’s growing list of brunch spots. The three-ingredient omelets sell for a low $5, but come hungry, because sharing is not permitted.
Looks like it's closedHours or services may be impacted due to Covid-19
Mohawk Bend is housed in a 100-year-old former Vaudeville theater. This vegetarian haven offers brunch every Saturday and Sunday, with uncommon eats like the Tofu Scramble Breakfast Burrito or the Soyrizo Cast Iron Frittata. Meat eaters will devour the mouthwatering short rib hash. Enjoy your morning meal at this gastropub with a choice of the 72 craft beers on tap; who says brunch drinks are limited to mimosas and greyhounds? Early arrivals can eat in the Ramona Room, a delightful glass atrium in the back of the restaurant.
Brite Spot's vegan apple pie and coconut cupcake. | Courtesy of Brite Spot
Brite Spot serves a modern LA twist on classic Southern diner food. Walking through the doors of this Eastside diner is like taking a time machine back to another era of dining. The walls, floor, and bar are paneled with dark maple wood, and the retro plastic booths feel as though they’d come straight from the 1950s. The griddle is where Brite Spot shines; the chicken and waffles could rival any diner in Louisiana.
Ostrich Farm is the perfect place for diners looking for something beyond the standard LA brunch. Rather than waffles and pancakes, delectable savory dishes like the poached egg, chickpea, feta, and spicy tomato sauce bowl make up this restaurant’s brunch menu. The waiters wear perfectly coiffed hair and grey v-necks. Even visitors from the Westside will admit that the piping hot brioche cinnamon buns make this spot worth the trip.
Like any gastropub should, The Holloway offers bottomless mimosas as part of its small brunch menu. The choices may be limited, but the flavors won’t disappoint. Always a safe and delicious choice is the breakfast sandwich, filled with two fried eggs, bacon, and sharp cheddar and served on a buttery brioche bun. Breakfast can be enjoyed in the dim, romantic lighting of the bar or, on warmer days, in the sunny back courtyard.
With only vegetarian and vegan offerings, it is a bit surprising just how busy this little shop can get during brunch. Since the morning menu is only served on Sundays, diners may very well find themselves in a line reaching out the door at this adorable cafe. Elf Café shows its Middle Eastern influence in brunch menu choices like the shakshuka and the döner kebab.
A casual neighborhood joint, The Park has the look of a charming diner with black-and-white checkered floors and mismatched chairs. The service is friendly and unpretentious, and the brunch menu offers classics like steak and eggs and huevos rancheros. The ambiance and food make The Park the perfect place for a laid-back brunch with close friends.
At Angelus Salads, brunch isn’t limited to the weekends. Its breakfast sandwiches and açaí bowls are offered every day all day, starting as early as 7am. This little juicery serves English muffin egg sandwiches at prices as low as $5.50. The sweet açai bowls, many blended with granola and honey, are perfect for those looking for a healthy and cheap breakfast alternative.
For a sandwich shop, Trencher offers a surprisingly wide-ranging brunch menu. The waffles are made with cinnamon and vanilla, the perfect contrast to the fried chicken topping. Avocado is served atop a buttery slice of brioche toast. The dishes, both delicious and Instagram-worthy, offer something for everyone.
