American$$montana-avenueBreakfast and lunch dailyGriddle cakes and daytime baking
Breakfast by Salt's Cure griddles its famous oatmeal griddle cakes on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, a compact daytime spin-off of the original room.
Tip: Gluten-free and vegan versions of the griddle cakes exist; the counter sells the mix to take home.
Worth the queue: Oatmeal griddle cakes
Bakery$$downtownDaily 07:00-15:00Market-fruit pastries and all-day breakfast
Huckleberry has stacked its marble counter on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica since 2009, market-fruit pastries, quiche and all-day breakfast plates.
Tip: Weekday mornings are calm; weekends the line snakes by 09:30, so order the green onion and goat cheese quiche early.
Worth the queue: Maple bacon biscuit
Pizzeria$$mid-cityBreakfast daily 07:00-11:00; brunch Sat-Sun 07:00-14:30; lunch and dinner Sun-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00Wood-oven breads and pizza dough
Milo & Olive runs its wood oven from dawn bakery to late pizzeria on Wilshire in Santa Monica, garlic knots, breads and pies from the Rustic Canyon family.
Tip: The garlic knot with sea salt is non-negotiable; breakfast service turns into pizza service at 11:00 without pause.
Worth the queue: Garlic knot
Bakery$downtownWed-Sat 08:00-15:00; Sun 08:00-14:00; closed Mon-TueWalk-in onlyFrench viennoiserie and Mexican pan dulce
Petitgrain Boulangerie laminates French croissants beside Mexican conchas on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, a two-tradition pastry case with cult queues.
Tip: There is a two-cinnamon-roll maximum per party, in person or pre-order; put your name on the list 24 hours ahead.
Worth the queue: Concha
Bakery$$ocean-parkDaily 07:00-15:00; lunch 10:00-15:00; weekend brunch 10:00-15:00Long-fermented sourdough
Jyan Isaac Bread bakes deeply fermented sourdough on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, bagel sandwiches and brunch beside the Ghisallo pizza kitchen.
Tip: Loaves sell down by early afternoon; weekend brunch adds duck confit hash and cereal milk french toast.
Worth the queue: Sourdough country loaf
Bagels$ocean-parkDaily 07:00-14:30Walk-in onlyHand-rolled sourdough bagels
Layla Bagels hand-rolls sourdough bagels daily on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, open-face builds with seasonal fruit, honey and smoked salmon.
Tip: The Pre-Jam with seasonal fruit, cream cheese and honey is the signature; the everything loosies sell out first.
Worth the queue: Pre-Jam open-face bagel