Great Spots for Coffee, Breakfast, & Brunch
Get your day off to a great start with these lovely local coffee, breakfast, and brunch destinations in the LA Arts District.
But First, Coffee
Boxx Coffee Roasters
950 E 3rd St
Born in Turkey, Boxx Coffee was "inspired by centuries-old traditions where coffee is more than just a drink—it's an experience." Specializing in light roasts, this elegant spot is known for its serene decor, experienced baristas, and meticlously crafted blends. Pastries and light fare also available.
Verve Coffee Roasters
500 Mateo St #102
Founded in 2007, Verve Coffee Roasters is a beloved staple in California's coffee scene. They're known for their exceptional, meticulously sourced blends and their ethical, direct relationship swth farmers. Their Arts District space serves up superb coffee, pour-overs, and espresso drinks in a light-filled, buzzy modern space with plenty of seating. Fresh pastries and grab-and-go bites also available.
Groundwork Coffee
811 Traction Ave
Founded in 1990 in Venice Beach, Groundwork started as a small café and organic coffee roastery with a focus on sustainability and community. Committed to producing only Certified Organic coffee, theirs is batch roasted daily for maximum freshness and flavor. Their Arts District location offers superb pour overs, drip coffee, espresso drinks, teas, and baked goods / pastries.
Eightfold Coffee
1294 E 6th St
This minimalist coffee shop offers excellent coffee, curated tea selections, and a simple atmosphere. Popular items include expertly crafted espresso drinks, pour-over coffee, and a selection of pastries sourced from local bakeries.
Guerrilla Cafecito
704 Mateo St
An offshoot of Guerrilla Tacos, this spot specializes in breakfast burritos, pastries, and coffee, offering a flavorful start to the day. Popular items include the GTLA Burrito, featuring steak, hash browns, cheese, avocado, and salsa, and the Breakie Burrito with bacon, scrambled eggs, cheese, avocado, hash browns, beans, and avocado salsa.
Maru Coffee
1019 S Santa Fe Ave
This trendy, industrial-chic café has a reputation for high-quality, meticulously crafted coffee, emphasizing balance and the ritual of a well-made cup. Signature drinks include the Cream Top, a cold brew topped with semi-whipped sweet cream, and the Bon Bon, an espresso shot layered with condensed milk. Maru adopts its name from a native Korean language, San Ma Ru, which means ‘mountaintop’.
Cafes, Bakeries, Breakfast Spots
Urth Caffe
459 S Hewitt St
This local, LA-based chain is known for its organic coffee and teas, health-conscious menu, and hip, bustling vibe. Breakfast favorites are served until 1pm on weekdays and until 2pm on weekends, and include everything from their extensive selection of baked goods and pastries to their house-made brioche french toast, gluten-free waffles, Urth-crunch granola parfait, and more.
Zinc Café & Market
580 Mateo St.
Open daily from 7am - 11pm, Zinc Café & Market is always ready with a delightful array of breakfast, brunch, and lunch options for dine in, take out, or delivery. Grab a pastry, pick up a gift from their market that's full of gourmet goodies and books, and definitely check out their expansive daily brunch menu that includes their asaparagus and mushroom omelet, steel cut oatmeal, lemon ricotta pancakes; pizza, soups, and salads; fresh sandwiches, entrees, and a lot more.
Guerrilla Cafecito
704 Mateo St
An offshoot of Guerrilla Tacos, this local café specializes in breakfast burritos, pastries, and coffee, offering a flavorful start to the day. Popular items include the GTLA Burrito, featuring steak, hash browns, cheese, avocado, and salsa, and the Breakie Burrito with bacon, scrambled eggs, cheese, avocado, hash browns, beans, and avocado salsa.
Poppy + Rose
765 Wall St
Open for breakfast every day from 9am, this cozy downtown café is celebrated for its classic American comfort food, specializing in Southern-inspired breakfast and brunch dishes. Fan favorites include their buttermilk fried chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, and hearty breakfast sandwiches, all made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Located slightly outside and to the west of the Arts District.
Hi Bakery (Healthy Indulgence)
2037 E 7th St
Open Monday-Saturday from 8am, this European-style organic bakery and café in the Arts District is renowned for its fermented focaccia sandwiches, bagels, and the acclaimed #WeLikeThemThick cookies. Lots of delicious, vegan options available. The café also features an organic Lavazza espresso bar. Closed on Sundays.
Bread Lounge
700 S Santa Fe Ave
This modern bakery and café, established in 2010 by baker Ran Zimon, specializes in traditional European breads and pastries, all crafted with wild yeast and all-natural ingredients. Signature items include their ciabatta, sourdough loaves, and a variety of croissants and danishes, complemented by an all-day breakfast menu featuring Mediterranean dishes like shakshuka.
Rose Bakery
606–608 Imperial Street
Located within Dover Street Market, Rose Bakery offers a selection of freshly baked goods, light fare, coffee, and espresso in a charming outdoor setting.
Tous les Jours Bakery
404 E 2nd St
This French-Asian bakery located in nearby Little Tokyo offers a diverse selection of freshly baked breads, pastries, and cakes, blending traditional French techniques with Asian-inspired flavors. Popular items include the Milk Bread, Fresh Cream Red Bean Bun, and Ham and Cheese Croissant Sandwich, all crafted with high-quality ingredients.
Open for Weekend Brunch
While many restaurants aren't open for breakfast on week days, be sure to check out these popular spots that open their doors for brunch on Saturdays and/or Sundays:
The Rising Sun Café & Bistro
1356 Palmetto Street
Serving brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from a convenient 9am all the way through 2pm, The Rising Sun Café & Bistro specializes in breakfast and brunch offerings with a distinct Southern flair. Think fluffy, sugar-dusted beignets; authentic dishes like Shrimp & Grits or Chicken & Waffles; and a selection of Po'boys that includes a Fried Chicken Po'Boy.
Manuela
907 E 3rd St
Manuela is open for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am - 2:30pm. Current items we're eyeballing on their online brunch menu include the green salsa chilaquiles, popover eggs benedict, hen of the woods polenta cake, and more. October 2016 within the Hauser & Wirth art complex in LA's Arts District, Manuela is renowned for its modern heritage American cuisine.
Girl and the Goat
555 Mateo St
Serves brunch on Sundays from 10am - 2pm. Fabulous items on their curated menu include everything from a Vietnamese-style potato crepe to spiced apple sourdough pancakes, coconut sticky rice yogurt, crabby pork belly omelette, can't-miss basics like the veggie omelette of the day, and more. Opened in 2021 by acclaimed chef Stephanie Izard, Girl and the Goat is known for its bold, globally-inspired small plates blending diverse flavors and culinary traditions.
Bike Shed Moto
1580 Industrial St -
Bike Shed Moto's huge weekend brunch menu includes a myriad of choices for any palate, from a "Full Shed" breakfast with all the fixins', to avacado toast, buddha bowls, steak and eggs, chicken and waffles, and much much more. Recently opened in April 2022, Bike Shed Moto Co. is a 30,000-square-foot venue that combines a restaurant, bar, barbershop, tattoo parlor, retail shop, and event space. Plus brunch!
Eat, Drink, Americano
923 E 3rd St
Open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am, delicious brunch options at Eat, Drink, Americano include everything from breakfast sandwiches and burritos to corn bread waffles, a nova lox flatbread with egg, and more. Established in 2012, this locally sourced, globally inspired bar and eatery is known for its farm-to-fork gastropub fare.
