The Very Best Mother's Day Brunches in Los Angeles: Treat Mom Right

Dining together is always more fun when you don't have to cook or clean up!

Mother's Day, and the brunching is easy. This is not a day for the Denny's Lumberjack Slam (not that there's anything wrong with that); Mother's Day brunches in Los Angeles are filled with coffee in carafes, ocean views, and maybe a harp plucked with a rose. The key is Mom's Choice—all day! We've rounded up the best mom-pleasing places: those with gorgeous outdoor patios, special menus for Mother's Day, and buffets that will keep the whole family happy. Because moms all love to make everyone happy, even on their own special day.

Read on for some of our favorite restaurants that offer a pretty darn fabulous Mother's Day brunch, any way you want it. We've also got a list of 30+ Things To Do on Mother’s Day in Los Angeles, so you know just what to do with the rest of the day...

Mother's Day Brunches on the Westside

Inn of the Seventh Ray — Topanga

Book early if you think you're heading to this little corner of heaven in Topanga because you won't be the only one with the idea. (Call, rather than reserving online, to request a creek-side table, when dining with kids.) Send the kids off skipping stones and hunting for tadpoles while you drink in the fresh air, healthy food, relaxing music, and spiritually renewing ambiance.

As the windchimes tinkle and the wind whispers, you'll find your cares melting away.

Geoffrey's Malibu — Malibu

We all do it—drive up PCH from time to time, spy the Geoffrey's sign, and think, "one of these days..." Well, what better day than Mother's Day? The views can't be beat, but the food sure tries hard to come close. It's a fancier place for kids, but a staircase down to the beach makes for a fun treat after dining.

Best Mother's Day Brunches in Los Angeles: Rooftop by JG

Posh at the very height of poshness at The Rooftop by JG. Photo courtesy of The Waldorf Astoria

The Rooftop by JG — Beverly Hills

Mom really deserves something special. This, this is something special! Take mom for brunch on the top of the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills. The rooftop restaurant has a garden-like setting and sweeping views of the hills and the city. The special Mother’s Day Brunch includes treats like caviar and lobster, of course. It’s not cheap. But this is our one crazy, dreaming option, and it’s so spectacular and special, we just had to include it!

Best Mother's Day Brunches in Los Angeles: Shutters
She celebrates special occasions by the seashore. Photo courtesy of Shutters

One Pico at Shutters on the Beach — Santa Monica

Speaking of special occasions, when's the last time you actually sat down and ordered some food at Shutters? The answer is probably "not recently enough." The food is terrific, the service is everything a mother deserves, and the location—could you get any closer to the beach? Order from the special Mother's Day Brunch menu well into the afternoon.

Back on the Beach — Santa Monica

To answer the rhetorical question above, the only way to get closer to the beach than Shutters is to go to Back on the Beach. The cafe at the Annenberg Beach House has yummy, healthy, unpretentious fare right on the beach. Wiggly kids can play in the sand and climb all over the beach playground until the food arrives. Sometimes burgers on the beach with happy kids tops even lobster.

The Rose Venice — Venice

While dinner is delicious, brunch is best on the massive patio at The Rose in Venice when dining with kids, making it a natural place to celebrate Mother's Day. The pastries are out of this world, and it’s a perfect time to sit in the sunshine and share some of the most tempting options with a never-ending cup of coffee. Brunch reservations are available online.

Best Mother's Day Brunches in Los Angeles: Huckleberry
House-Cured Scottish Salmon Tartine is one of the tastiest breakfasts in town. Photo courtesy of the Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe

Huckleberry Cafe — Santa Monica

You can tell that the owner/chefs at Huckleberry are parents themselves; this place gets kids (and parents!). The food is, of course, fantastic, and the atmosphere makes you feel like you’re dining with extended family. One of the great options that Huckleberry offers is family meals to go. You can call in advance to place an order for something like pancakes for four with Tcho chocolate or organic blueberries, pick it up curbside, and have it home for mom while it’s still warm. No muss, no fuss, no dishes, and fabulous food, eaten at home where kids have their toys to occupy themselves and you actually get to finish a cup of coffee.

Herb Alpert's Vibrato Grill, Jazz, Etc. — Bel Air

Want to listen to some cool, live jazz (even if your kids cover their ears)? Legendary horn player Herb Alpert is a co-owner, and the food is better than you'd expect at a place where the focus is music—think lobster, scallops, and filet mignon.

Mother's Day Brunches from Hollywood to Downtown

Off Vine — Hollywood

You won't believe you're in Hollywood. This adorable little hide-away hasn't got the space of the beach, or a high entertainment factor for kids, but if your little ones can put up with a little quiet table time, you'll be so glad you brunched here. Call to see if the bottomless mimosa will be offered...

Best Mother's Day Brunches in Los Angeles: Mama Shelter

Enjoy the gorgeous Hollywood views at Mama Shelter. Photo courtesy of Mama Shelter, Los Angeles

Mama Shelter — Hollywood

Dine on the top of this Hollywood hotel with gorgeous city and Hollywood sign views. Whether the mom in your life likes shrimp and grits, gluten-free and vegan mochi waffles, or the Sloppy Toppy (wine braised beef cheeks with truffle Hollandaise on fries—yum!), there’s something here for her to indulge in; all while lounging on comfy couches, sipping a cocktail, and enjoying the view.

Republique — Mid-City

This temple to gastronomy guarantees a happy mom. Breakfast is served until 2pm, and the restaurant doesn't take reservations until dinner service. Luckily, parents have a secret weapon—kids who double as roosters, waking parents up at the crack of dawn. Put this to work for you, scoring a table the freshest Kouign-Amann, homemade Pop-Tarts, french toast, and potato pancake with smoked lox before hipsters are even awake.

Best Mother's Day Brunches in Los Angeles - Fred 62
This is the perfect spot for a post-hike brunch. Photo courtesy of Fred 62

Fred 62 — Los Feliz

Is Fred 62 popular among hipsters and celebs? Well, yes, it is. But it's also family-friendly and affordable—only in Los Feliz. Brunch is a treat of comfort foods, healthy foods, and interesting twists on both of the above, and well worth a visit on Mother's Day. It's a perfect stop before or after a hike in Griffith Park. If the mom in your life is more into takeout pizzas for celebrations, try Fred's new pizza joint downtown, Pi^LA. Divine.

Manuela — Arts District, DTLA

Manuela serves seasonal and locally sourced food in the Hauser & Wirth art gallery. The space is as gorgeous as the food, and the restaurant is open on Mother's Day for extended brunch hours. (Be sure to make a reservation; it books up fast.) While there’s no kids' menu, the French toast, beignets, biscuits, and fresh cornbread platter keeps kids very happy.

Best Mother's Day Brunches in Los Angeles: Kincaid's on the pier
Eat right over the water on the pier. Photo courtesy of Kincaid's Fish, Chops & Steaks

Mother's Day Brunch Option in the South Bay

The Rockefeller — Hermosa, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo

Dine by the shore, or pick it up to bring it home—this is one fabulous South Bay brunch and the only one that we know of where you can have good old-fashioned chicken 'n' waffles with mimosas. You won't need to travel far because there are locations in each of the South Bay Beach Cities—Hermosa, Manhattan, and Redondo!

MB Post — Manhattan Beach

If kicking your day off with a Bloody Mary by the beach sounds appealing, this is the spot for your family! Brunch is served until 4pm, though the menu changes a bit in the afternoon. But the famous bacon cheddar biscuits are available all day (and so are the Bloody Marys). Just leave room for dessert.

Best Mother's Day Brunches in Los Angeles: Eat at the Huntington
Linger at the Huntington after dining to see the new additions at the Chinese Gardens. Photo courtesy of the Huntington Library

Mother's Day Brunch in the Valleys

The Huntington Library — San Marino

The Huntington is a Mother's Day classic, and while the best part of dining at the Huntington is, of course, that you're at the Huntington, and can stroll the spectacular grounds before and after your meal, the spectacular Mother's Day brunch is pretty darn impressive.

Best Mother's Day Brunches in Los Angeles: The Reagan Library's Mother's Day Brunch
Enjoy being treated like the First Lady at this annual celebration of mothers. Photo courtesy of The Reagan Library

The Reagan Library — Simi Valley

Head here for brunch if Grandma misses the Reagan years; she can reminisce about the '80s while being treated like the First Lady at the museum restaurant's annual celebration of mothers. After brunch, you'll be able to tour the museum and special exhibitions, all of which are included in the cost of your ticket.

Green Street Restaurant — Pasadena

Pasadena's favorite brunch spot knows how to treat Mom right. The champagne cocktails have guava, ginger, and rose petals; need we say more?

Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery — Pasadena

The newest fine-dining experience in Pasadena is perfect for moms who appreciate the finer (and cheesier) things. The menu is designed around the cheesery's many different types of fromage, and of course there's an extensive wine menu. If this sounds too fancy for your kiddos, it's not; the brunch menu features plain toast, loads of pastries, and a soft-serve ice cream and sundae fixins bar.

Best Mother's Day Brunches in Los Angeles: Healthy eats at Gracias Madre
Dine outside on the beautiful patio. Photo courtesy of Gracias Madre Newport

Mother's Day Brunches at Restaurants with Multiple Locations

Truxton's — Santa Monica, Westchester, Torrance

The buffet is fabulous, and kids pay less than a third of the adult price. Champagne and Bloody Marys flow, and there's plenty of organic food for veggie and carnivore alike. While you're there, sign up for the birthday club so that you can repeat the experience for free later in the year!

Marmalade Cafe — Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Malibu, Calabasas, El Segundo, Westlake Village, Los Angeles

Enjoy an indulgent brunch with cocktails at one of Marmalade Cafe’s seven locations around the LA area. The extensive menu has something for even the pickiest person in your party.

Gracias Madre — West Hollywood and Newport Beach

“Thank you, Mother” is the perfect name for a Mother’s Day brunch spot! Come for the incredible plant-based food, stay for the gorgeous patio. Oh, also stay for the tequila and mezcal-based cocktails. And the nachos. And the hearts of palm crab cakes. And...

Originally published April 27, 2012