Instagrammable Brunch Spots Around LA

By: Kristen Adams ‘25

Whether you’re celebrating a friend’s birthday, exploring the food scene around LA, or craving something other than dining hall food, here is a list of brunch spots around the USC area that you can add to your must-try list!

Elephante

Downtown Santa Monica // Menu

I have gone to Elephante several times with friends last semester, and it is one of my favorite brunch spots because of the delicious food, the gorgeous views, and the earthy/green aesthetic of the restaurant. While it is on the pricier side (I often save it for special occasions), there are tons of dishes to choose from. If you get a table by the balcony, you will get a beautiful view of the beach and the ocean. After brunching at Elephante, I highly recommend walking along the beach or through the downtown area to check out some shops with friends – it’s a great way to de-stress from classes and midterms!

My two personal favorite dishes are the avocado toast and the ricotta hotcakes. The avocado toast is simple but aesthetically pleasing and delicious, and the ricotta hotcakes are soft and savory – however, if you’re not a huge fan of salt in your pancakes, you may find this dish to be a bit too salty for your liking.

Perch

Downtown LA // Brunch Menu

Perch is another pricier dining option with delicious food and gorgeous views to brunch from. The restaurant, located on a beautiful rooftop, has an amazing view of the downtown Los Angeles skyline (an iconic backdrop for Instagram and Snapchat pictures). I personally have yet to try Perch, but many of my friends have gone for either brunch or dinner for friends’ birthdays and small celebrations, and have absolutely loved the experience and aesthetic of the rooftop restaurant. 

Some menu options that caught my eye include the Perch fromage + charcuterie, the Perch burger (with pat lafrieda beef, brioche, garlic aioli, fried egg), and the Ahi tuna tartare. Perch is definitely more of a more upscale restaurant with higher prices, so while the food and views are amazing, it’s a great place to spend brunch at for a very, very special occasion. 

Jacks N Joe

S. Figueroa St. in Los Angeles // Menu (Image courtesy of Sophia Lee from the Daily Trojan.)

Jacks N Joe’s slogan is “a breakfast all day kinda place,” which perfectly captures the cozy atmosphere of this restaurant. It is very close to campus, which is convenient if you’re going with a large group of friends and may not want a long Lyft ride, and it is also a family-owned business. The restaurant gives off home vibes, and the breakfast dishes consist of classic, American-style options, with a wide range of pancakes to choose from.

The menu is also very flexible, and there are options for whatever you are craving. The prices are more affordable, so Jacks N Joe is definitely a place that you can frequent without breaking the bank. There are combo options, where you can get pancakes and toast and bacon together, and you can also create your own omelette. Some of the pancakes that you can get include the Pudgie Elvis (peanut butter, bananas, and butter), Brook’s Blues (blueberry puree !and sweet lemon butter), Aloha Boy (pineapple puree, toast coconut, and butter), WTF?! (uniquely shaped pancakes with sweetened cream cheese and seasonal berries), and Totally L.A. (crepe-like pancakes). There is also a “Fight On!” pancake if you want to show your Trojan pride, which consist of 3 buttermilk pancakes with bacon and butter (a classic). If you are craving a home-cooked meal with some friends, and a ton of pancakes to try, Jacks N Joe is a great option.

Openaire

Koreatown // Menu (Image courtesy of Eater LA.)

In Koreatown, there is a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing restaurant called Openaire that resembles a green, lush garden room. While you enjoy your brunch, you are surrounded by gorgeous plants and a light, airy atmosphere. Openaire also has a ton of health-conscious brunch options to choose from, so you can enjoy a delicious dish alongside a beautiful environment around you.

Some dishes that caught my eye include the smoked salmon plate (everything bagel with lemon-dill cream cheese), cornflake-crusted french toast (with caramelized bananas and mint), and bottomless mimosas. Openaire is definitely on my list to try out, and while it is relatively pricy, it is a great place to relax, be surrounded by nature, and enjoy a delicious brunch.

Alta

W. Adams Blvd. in Los Angeles // Menu (Image courtesy of Urbanologie.)

Similar to Jacks N Joe, Alta is relatively close to campus on W. Adams Blvd. And like Opennaire in Koreatown, Alta is a green, lush, cozy spot to have brunch in. Their cuisine is all-American, home-cooked style, comfort food, so there are a ton of delicious options for whatever you are craving. Some dishes that caught my eye include the BBQ brisket sandwich, the Alta fried chicken with Fresno hot sauce, California gombo with market veggies, and the pineapple-coconut upside-down cake. The flavors sound very strong, so if you’re looking for a filling, savory meal for brunch (or any other meal for the day), Alta is a great option.

Conclusion

I hope some of these brunch spots made it your must-try list – I know that I will be going to some of these places this semester with my friends to try some new dishes, have some comfort food for brunch, and take some cute pictures for Instagram!

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