Jordan Kahn's Destroyer in Culver City, Los Angeles plates a Nordic-influenced morning menu at a counter, with grain bowls and a daily pastry case.
Must order: Toast porridge with stewed apples and a Stumptown filter coffee.
Tip: Jordan Kahn's daytime counter is a slow, deliberate menu; the pastries from the case sell out by 11:30.
Address: 3578 Hayden Ave, Culver City, CA 90232, Los Angeles
Salazar in Frogtown, Los Angeles plates a Sonoran-style Mexican grill brunch on a riverside patio. Chilaquiles and micheladas, walk-in only on weekends.
Order: Carnitas chilaquiles and a michelada.
Tip: Frogtown patio is the seat; come at 11:30 sharp on a Saturday and the host seats you immediately.
Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis's Bavel in the Arts District, Los Angeles plates Eastern Mediterranean weekend brunch from the Bestia family.
Order: Lamb belly hummus with hot pita.
Tip: The brunch menu overlaps with dinner but adds a few egg dishes; book the patio for the strongest light.
Jessica Koslow's Sqirl on Virgil Avenue, Los Angeles has plated the ricotta toast format since 2012 and still draws a daily brunch line from 08:00.
Order: Ricotta toast on Sqirl brioche with house jam.
Tip: The line at 09:30 weekends runs 45 minutes; midweek 10:00 has no wait.
Walter and Margarita Manzke's Republique on La Brea, Los Angeles plates brunch in a 1928 commissary, with a French pastry counter and a long sit-down menu.
Order: Kouign-amann with espresso, then the croque madame.
Tip: Pastry queue is for the counter; sit-down brunch is a separate reservation system that opens 30 days out.
Tyler and Ashley Wells's All Time in Los Feliz, Los Angeles plates a 30-seat neighbourhood brunch on weekends, with the best brunch eggs in Eastside LA.
Order: Pancake with peanut butter and chocolate shavings.
Tip: Walk-in only at brunch; the patio is the seat to ask for. The kitchen often runs out of pancakes by 12:30.
Botanica in Silver Lake, Los Angeles is Heidi Swanson and Emily Fiffer's vegetable-forward brunch room. Tomato toast and a turmeric latte to go.
Order: Sungold tomato toast and a turmeric latte.
Tip: Heidi Swanson and Emily Fiffer's room books out two weekends in advance; sit on the patio for the strongest light.
