Brunch is a commodity here in Long Beach. When Sunday rolls around, you will see anyone and everyone out brunching. From families bonding together to couples exploring new foods to party-goers curing their hangovers with bloody marys and mimosas. Brunch is more than just a late breakfast, it is an event that can last all day. Selecting a great restaurant in Long Beach is not hard since there are so many options, but one can be paralyzed by choice. Here are our top 5 favorite spots to brunch in Long Beach in no particular order.
James Republic
The local sustainable restaurant is situated in the beautiful downtown area in the Courtyard Marriott on First and Linden. James Republic is aesthetically pleasing with an outside flow and plenty of patio seating. They focus on quality ingredients, which is why the menu changes daily. With a variety of food and a bottomless mimosas special on both Saturday and Sunday, this is our new favorite restaurant in downtown.
Starling Diner
This quaint little diner nestled in the Belmont Heights neighborhood is easy to miss, but it is definitely one you don’t want to. They offer quite a wide variety of breakfast foods including their famed San Francisco sourdough french toast. The diner also has many different cocktails and mimosa drinks. Make sure to get there early because the wait tends to be a bit lengthy.
Schooner or Later
Another great Long Beach staple is Schooner or later, but we recommend you get there sooner rather than later as the wait tends to pile up. Even if you have to wait, you can grab a drink at the bar and wait on the patio with gorgeous views of the marina. The food is good, the atmosphere is bright, and the views are stunning. It’s so good even Guy Fieri recommends it.
Blackbird Cafe
This cute little cafe is located in the Northern neighborhood of Bixby Knolls and is a favorite amongst locals. With a cute interior and ridiculous portion size, we understand the hype. Like the other places, we recommend coming early because it can get quite busy and the parking can be a bit troublesome since it is only street parking.
Potholders
With three separate locations throughout the city, “Long Beach is Potholders country.” With brunch being a way of life in Long Beach, there are many fantastic places, but Potholders is a standout on our list. With endless choices on the menu, we have yet to try one that disappoints in the least. The breakfast place takes a classic spin on the most important meal of the day and has created a fun and warm environment. Just a little tip, the location on E. Broadway tends to get a tad crowded on the weekends so plan accordingly.
