West Los Angeles is blessed with a plethora of excellent restaurants, and several of them serve the most delectable brunch menus. To help you find the best ones, we have curated a guide of the best restaurants for a scrumptious Sunday brunch in West L.A. From delightful all-American diner food to traditional Indian dishes and Mexican classics, these Sunday brunch offerings are fit for a king. Bookmark this guide for your next leisurely Sunday brunch outing! 

Mel’s Drive-in, Santa Monica

With multiple outposts in Los Angeles, Mel’s Drive-In is a local chain serving classic American comfort food in a nostalgic diner setting. I checked out Mel’s Drive-In in Santa Monica, which is located at the end of Route 66 (where Olympic Blvd. meets Lincoln Blvd.), making it an easily accessible spot for tourists and locals. The restaurant boasts mid-century modern architecture and 1950s-inspired interiors. The eatery offers all the traditional American diner food you’d expect, such as burgers, fries, sandwiches, and milkshakes. They also have an extensive brunch menu that’s served all day long. Highlights from their brunch offerings include the Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pancakes, Fried Chicken ‘n’ Waffle, Nutella French Toast, New York Steak And Eggs, and the Veggie Omelette. I ordered the El Rancho Breakfast Burrito ($18) and was greatly satisfied. The burrito, which was made using fresh ingredients, was a generous portion and packed a punch. 

Badmaash, Fairfax

Badmaash Fairfax is a wildly popular Indian eatery. It was founded by chef Pawan Mahendro and his two sons—Nakul and Arjun. The restaurant’s light-filled interiors are warm and welcoming, and the staff is friendly and approachable. The well-loved eatery is renowned for its innovative take on Indian cuisine, which marries traditional dishes with modern twists. On weekends, Badmaash offers an Indian-style brunch dish called Poori Aloo ($24). This dish is like a tasting platter comprising several curries served with two crispy pooris (fried whole wheat flatbreads) and a dessert. This dish is comforting, packed with bold flavors, and hits the spot. I highly recommend ordering Poori Aloo, which the Badmaash team has painstakingly perfected. 

Gjusta, Venice 

Gjusta is a neighborhood bakery, deli, cafe, and grocery store in Venice. The eatery’s expert culinary team crafts fresh, seasonal food using locally sourced ingredients. Their California-inspired menu and offerings are constantly evolving. As soon as I reached Gjusta, I fell in love with the eatery’s laid-back vibe and charming al fresco patio, which was filled with plants and rustic furnishings. From their brunch menu, the Salmon Roe Bagel, Multi-Grain Porridge Waffle, Breakfast Burrito, Huevos Rancheros, and Egg Sandwich, are crowd favorites. I tried the Egg Sandwich ($16), which comprised an English muffin, sunny egg, gruyere, braised kale, bacon, and hot sauce. I loved how simple yet delicious the sandwich was. I could tell that the ingredients were fresh and of good quality. Gjusta is perfect for an indulgent Sunday brunch. However, be prepared to wait in line, as it gets super busy on the weekends. 

​​Le Frenchie Cafe, Culver City

This casual bistro serves delightful French plates in a vibrant setting. They offer a menu of delicious baked treats, including croissants, pain au chocolat, and delicate macarons, alongside gourmet sandwiches and refreshing beverages. The cafe’s French Toast ($17.99) has a cult following, and for good reason. The French Toast is a traditional family recipe and is made using a flaky croissant. It is served with fresh berries, whipped cream, and syrup. ​​Le Frenchie Cafe’s Breakfast Omelettes, Belgian Waffles, and Breakfast Burrito are also very good. 

HomeState, Playa Vista 

Established by Briana Valdez, HomeState is a Texas-style casual restaurant chain serving breakfast tacos, queso, brisket, and other lip-smacking dishes made with house-made flour tortillas. The eatery’s breakfast tacos are particularly worth trying. I visited the Playa Vista location, which houses an expansive outdoor dining section. From the breakfast tacos list, I ordered Trinity ($5), which had pasture-raised eggs, bacon, potatoes, and cheddar cheese, and Guadalupe ($5), comprising pasture-raised eggs, chorizo, and cheddar cheese. I was very impressed by HomeState’s tacos, which were served with a side of red and green salsas. The flour tortilla was not too thin and not too thick, and the fillings were just perfect. 

République, Miracle Mile

This award-winning eatery is housed in a historic building built in 1928 by Charlie Chaplin. The venue houses a bakery, cafe, and bar in the front, with a more formal dining section situated in the rear, serving a French-inspired menu. République offers a distinctive Brunch Menu that includes classic brunch items such as Croque Madame, Buttermilk Pancakes, and Avocado Toast, along with unorthodox brunch dishes like Kimchi Fried Rice and Meiji Warm Soy Tofu Pudding. I ordered the Shakshouka ($19), which consisted of wood oven-baked tomatoes, peppers, farm eggs, black kale, chickpeas, yogurt, baguette, and soft poached eggs. It was a well-made Shakshouka, boasting a rich, spicy tomato base with perfectly runny eggs, all balanced by creamy dollops and fresh herbs.

Photo of Poori Aloo Brunch at Badmaash taken by the author.