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Best Brunch Restaurants in Downtown LA (90012)

7 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated

Notable Picks

$ Chinatown
A century-old French dip institution with sawdust floors and cafeteria swagger. The rolls are sturdy, the jus is beefy, and the no-frills pace makes it ideal for a fast historic bite.
Must-Try Dishes: Roast Beef French Dip, Lamb French Dip, Pickled Eggs
What makes it special: Birthplace-level French dip lore with nonstop local loyalty.
8.4
$$$ Historic Core
A former rectory turned airy dining room where Californian-leaning American plates meet a serious cocktail program. The kitchen is at its best with market-driven vegetables and wood-grilled mains.
Must-Try Dishes: Grilled Hamachi Collar, Housemade Pastas, Seasonal Vegetable Plates
What makes it special: New American in a dramatic historic church setting.
$$ Chinatown
A bright, mission-driven café in Chinatown serving hearty breakfast plates with a light, healthy tilt. Expect well-executed classics, welcoming service, and a community vibe that keeps locals coming back.
Must-Try Dishes: Sunny-side eggs with potatoes and toast, Chile relleno grilled cheese, Carnitas tacos (breakfast-adjacent)
What makes it special: Great breakfast with a real neighborhood mission behind it.
$$ Chinatown
Old-school diner comfort that’s steady, generous, and exactly what you want before a day downtown. Expect griddle classics, brisk pacing, and a loyal morning crowd.
Must-Try Dishes: Corned Beef Hash & Eggs, Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, Biscuits & Gravy
What makes it special: Reliable classic LA diner breakfast with big portions.

Worthy Picks

$$ Historic Core
A low-key Historic Core counter spot where breakfast is fast, fresh, and reliably satisfying. The menu leans classic—burritos, sandwiches, waffles—done with care and strong coffee.
Must-Try Dishes: Breakfast burrito, Breakfast sandwich, Waffles with crispy potatoes
What makes it special: Dependable all-morning breakfast in the heart of downtown.
$ Little Tokyo
A Little Tokyo bakery-café that’s perfect for a pastry-forward brunch and coffee break. Donuts, made-in-house sweets, and a few savory bites make this an easy, culture-soaked morning stop.
Must-Try Dishes: Green Tea Donut, Sausage Donut, Blueberry Matcha Latte + Pastry
What makes it special: Signature mochi-adjacent donuts and matcha-leaning pastry culture.
$ Chinatown / LA State Historic Park Edge
A semi-hidden Chinatown kissaten-style café that brings Japanese egg sandos and nostalgic coffee drinks into a sunlit, vintage room. It’s more of a coffee-breakfast hybrid than a full diner, but the concept is thoughtful and the morning bites are dialed in.
Must-Try Dishes: Japanese egg sando on milk bread, Strawberry sesame latte, Kissa soda float
What makes it special: A new-school Japanese kissaten tucked off Spring Street.