Best Breakfasts in the Valleys

1. Great Maple — Pasadena, Newport Beach, and Anaheim

Great Maple is a brunch-themed restaurant that caters to all ages. While it skews toward upscale, it serves classic breakfast staples like donuts, french toast, chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, and more all day. 

2. Porto’s — Glendale, Burbank, Buena Park, Downey, Northridge, and West Covina

Porto's is an iconic Cuban bakery beloved by many, and there are always families in tow dining at their many locations and taking their recognizable yellow boxes to-go. From savory potato balls (and seasonal turkey balls during Thanksgiving) and Cubano sandwiches to croissants and other breakfast pastries, it's a must-try for anyone living in or visiting Southern California. Plus, we're looking forward to their newly announced location in Downtown Disney. 

3. La Grande Orange — Pasadena

La Grande Orange is in the plaza adjacent to the Del Mar light rail station. The airy layout of the restaurant makes it easy to enjoy the perfect Southern California weather, and kids will love breakfast items like lemon ricotta pancakes. 

4. Black Cow Cafe — La Crescenta

The Black Cow Cafe is a classic diner serving the breakfast staples you might expect. There are eggs and omelets, bacon and sausage, biscuits and gravy, waffles, and much more. Honolulu Avenue in La Crescenta is one of the region's hidden gems, a quiet, shop-lined street perfect for strolling after breakfast.

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Step into a delicious morning. Photo courtesy of Sweet Butter

5. Sweet Butter — Sherman Oaks

Sweet Butter Kitchen on Ventura Boulevard has an extensive breakfast menu that will please kids and adults alike. The Sunrise Kid's Breakfast includes two buttermilk pancakes with the restaurant's namesake sweet butter, maple syrup, and fresh berries.

Best Breakfasts in the South Bay

6. Uncle Bill’s Pancake House — Manhattan Beach

The name says it all: this is one of the best places to get pancakes in the Los Angeles area. There's much more to this beachside restaurant than pancakes, with all the breakfast favorites on the menu. Plus, it's just a short walk down to the beach to burn off those carbs. 

7. Martha’s — Hermosa Beach

Another beachside diner, Martha's whips up mouth-watering breakfast items like cinnamon bun pancakes, stuffed French toast, and more. Plenty of savory items are available, including omelets and eggs benedict.  

8. Dinah’s — Inglewood

Dinah's is a soul-food institution and has been in business for decades. Chicken is their specialty, but they have a wide-ranging menu with many breakfast items. There's French toast, oven-baked pancakes—and of course, their famous waffles with fried chicken. 

9. The Original Pancake House — Redondo Beach

If you can imagine any pancake, The Original Pancake House probably has it on its menu. They have buckwheat pancakes, bacon pancakes, Hawaiian pancakes, banana pancakes, sourdough pancakes, coconut pancakes, pigs in a blanket—the list goes on and on! 

Best Breakfasts on the Westside

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A quiet place to eat with kids on the second floor of the Farmer's Market. Photo by Amanda Schutt

10. Original Farmers Market — Mid-Wilshire

The Original Farmer's Market is a dining destination that will please everyone and is a Los Angeles must-visit. Choose from dozens of vendors like Charlie's Coffee Shop, Du-Par's, Coffee Corner, and more. 

11. Huckleberry — Santa Monica

Choose from delectable pastries and morning standards like a breakfast sandwich or burrito on Huckleberry's all-day breakfast menu. Plus, there's a kid's menu. Ordering is counter service, and it can get busy here during the morning rush, but the staff are incredibly accommodating, especially to young kids. 

12. Inn of the Seventh Ray — Topanga

Feeling something a little more rustic? Head up to Topanga's Inn of the Seventh Ray. This restaurant is already one of our favorite places to eat while kids play, so try their breakfast and start your day with some creekside dining.

13. Back on the Beach — Santa Monica

As the name suggests, this is your go-to spot for beachside breakfast dining. You'll be hard-pressed to find more picturesque dining accommodations in Los Angeles or anywhere else. The menu includes eggs, pancakes, fruit salad, French toast, and more. 

14. Playa Provisions — Playa Del Rey

Inspired by Los Angeles' country markets, Playa Provisions incorporates four dining experiences into one location. The restaurant is owned by Top Chef winner Brooke Williamson and her husband, with King Beach serving as the location's breakfast outpost. From granola and pastries to eggs and salads, there's something for everyone of all ages. 

15. The Rose — Venice

The Rose is a Venice Beach staple, and a popular one at that, with an enormous outdoor space perfect for families. They serve breakfast all day on the weekend with items like huevos rancheros, sandwiches, and breakfast burritos. 

Best Breakfasts on the Eastside

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Bonus! A kid's play area is adjacent to the dining room. Photo courtesy of Kitchen Mouse

16. Kitchen Mouse — Highland Park

Kitchen Mouse on Figueroa is a bright and colorful space with a variety of snacks to nosh. The menu includes breakfast tacos, sandwiches, huevos rancheros, and more. We especially love the play area for the little ones. 

17. Spoke Bicycle Cafe — Frogtown

If you're out for a bike ride along the Los Angeles River, Spoke is a must-visit. This little riverside cafe is easily accessible from the river bike trail and features snacks like baked goods, scrambles, sandwiches, and more. 

18. Lady Byrd Cafe — Echo Park

Lady Byrd Cafe is a fantastic choice on the eastside for all your favorite breakfast dishes (plus vegan options), as well as a juice bar and cafe. There is a larger-than-usual kids' menu, with breakfast items like an egg and cheese burrito, silver dollar pancakes, and a delectable Monte Cristo sandwich.

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This outdoor space is perfect for kids. Home photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Mayor's Office

19. Home — Los Feliz

The food at Home is delicious, but one of the biggest draws for families is the expansive outdoor dining space. Kids can enjoy the freedom to move around and be a little loud while you enjoy avocado toast, an eggwich, or huevos rancheros. 

20. HomeState — Hollywood, Pasadena, Highland Park, Playa Vista and Sherman Oaks

Not to be confused with Home, HomeState is a whole different locale. Straight out of Austin, Texas, this up-and-coming restaurant chain has locations across the Southland. Breakfast tacos and burritos are their specialties, but there are plenty of other options on the menu. 

Best Breakfasts in DTLA 

21. Grand Central Market — Historic Core

While Grand Central Market isn't a breakfast spot per se, it does have many options for a morning meal. Jose Chiquito serves breakfast all day, PBJ.LA takes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the next level, or grab a sweet treat from The Donut Man. 

22. Nickel Diner — Historic Core

The Nickel Diner is a throwback to old-school dining. This restaurant strives for the affordability of a greasy spoon combined with gourmet cooking. 

23. The Original Pantry Cafe — South Park

While its surroundings have changed significantly over the last few decades, The Pantry has managed to stay relatively the same. The menu is straight out of the classic diner playbook, with eggs, steaks and chops, pancakes, oatmeal, and French toast.