Best Brunch Restaurants in Chinatown
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Nick's Cafe
Cash-only diner operating since 1948 with counter-seat-only breakfast that draws Dodger Stadium crowds and Chinatown locals alike
Worthy Picks
#1
Nick's Cafe
7.9
A cash-only, counter-seat-only breakfast spot that has held down the same corner of Chinatown since 1948, running a tight menu of diner staples like chilaquiles and biscuits and gravy that keep regulars rotating through the stools. It fills a specific role in the LA morning circuit—pre-Dodger game fuel, weekday solo breakfasts, weekend brunch for those willing to circle the block for parking. The format is no-frills by design; you sit at the counter, order fast, and eat well for cheap.
Must-Try Dishes:
Eggs Benedict, Chilaquiles, French Toast
What Makes it Special: Cash-only diner operating since 1948 with counter-seat-only breakfast that draws Dodger Stadium crowds and Chinatown locals alike
An Oaxacan-rooted kitchen that grinds its own moles from scratch and builds around traditional preparations like pozole and nopales, steps from Olvera Street in the historic LA Plaza. The setting rewards families and walk-in crowds who want outdoor seating with a direct line to regional Mexican cooking that skips the Tex-Mex shortcuts. Expect casual pacing and a menu that leans heavier on technique than presentation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole, Nopal, Pozole
What Makes it Special: Oaxacan-rooted kitchen specializing in from-scratch moles and traditional Mexican dishes served steps from Olvera Street in the historic LA Plaza.
7.6
A small, early-opening Olvera Street counter spot best known for menudo and breakfast-leaning Mexican comfort. Low-key and affordable, it’s a reliable stop for a warm bowl and a stack of tortillas.
Must-Try Dishes:
Menudo, Al pastor torta, Chicken flautas
What Makes it Special: One of the few Olvera spots doing legit breakfast and menudo daily.