Breakfast/Brunch near LAX?

September 20, 2014 12:28 PM

Looking for early brunch/late breakfast options on Sunday near LAX.

My mother will be visiting LA in a few weeks and we're looking for breakfast/brunch ideas near the LAX airport before she flies home. I live in Sherman Oaks, so I don't know the area around LAX well enough to know where to eat. Her flight leaves at 2 PM, so we want something close enough to the airport to get there by 12:30-1:00 at the latest. Nothing too fancy, but just a nice comfortable meal before the airport. Suggestions?

posted by downtohisturtles to Food & Drink (17 answers total)

Haven't eaten there myself but I've heard good things about Pann's.
posted by dhammond at 12:41 PM on September 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

There is only one answer to this question.

NTHING PANN'S :))
posted by jbenben at 12:49 PM on September 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

This is a great question for the Chowhound LA message board.
posted by BlahLaLa at 1:11 PM on September 20, 2014

J. Nichols in Marina Del Rey is a great choice.
posted by calgirl at 1:58 PM on September 20, 2014

I've had a few very enjoyable (bottomless mimosa) Sunday brunches at Mercede's Grill. Bonus point: it's right on Venice beach which makes for some choice people-watching.
posted by carsonb at 2:56 PM on September 20, 2014

I was going to suggest Pann's or Dinah's if you're up for an OG diner meal.
posted by Room 641-A at 3:16 PM on September 20, 2014

That should be "either Pann's or Dinah's..."
posted by Room 641-A at 5:34 PM on September 20, 2014

Just throwing it out there in case this type of place appeals: there's a little mostly unknown cafeteria-type place at the base of the Theme Building called City Deli Cafeteria (run by the city). It's simple, not airport priced, and is basically as close as somebody can eat to the gates without having a ticket. It's mainly where employees eat, but is open to everyone. Eggs, french toast, etc. You'd have to park in one of the structures, however.
posted by Defenestrator at 5:39 PM on September 20, 2014

Oh dang I was going to suggest Encounter but it closed. =(
posted by carsonb at 6:00 PM on September 20, 2014

You might check out The Kettle. It's been a while, but I think it's probably no more than 15 minutes from the airport. You can take a walk out on the pier before/after eating.
posted by lex mercatoria at 6:23 PM on September 20, 2014

It can get a little pricey/fancy, but Proud Bird is probably the closest spot to the airport that serves a decent brunch.
posted by hwyengr at 8:30 PM on September 20, 2014

The Proud Bird lost its lease and has closed.

We've taken friends up to the Cheesecake Factory in the marina (for the outdoor patio), or else to El Segundo, plenty of great places there. There's also a fantastic restaurant at The Belmar in Manhattan Beach (it's on Sepulveda, not on the beach), check though to see if they're serving brunch. Also Salt Creek Grill or Tin Roof Bistro, but again, check their hours.
posted by vignettist at 8:47 PM on September 20, 2014

I would stay south of Jefferson. I think that saves you 20 mins of driving and/or traffic.
posted by Room 641-A at 9:20 PM on September 20, 2014

either Pann's or Dinah's

Given the choice, I'd go for Dinah's (try their oven pancakes) although Pann's has the superior Googie architectural stylings.

But for a plate of great (non-breakfast) food, the best teriyaki I know is at Aloha Teriyaki -- and it's near LAX (but south-east, not north of).
posted by Rash at 9:19 AM on September 21, 2014

Response by poster: Thanks for all the great ideas! I'll let you know where we end up.
posted by downtohisturtles at 11:52 AM on September 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

Pann's and Dinah's are closer to the airport but have you considered breakfast in Santa Monica? You can have breakfast/brunch and head straight down Lincoln to the airport. M Street Kitchen on Main Street is casual with a patio or indoor options. A little more pricey is Zengo's bottomless brunch on the rooftop of the Santa Monica Place if you want cocktails. For something a little fancy with a view of the ocean, you could go to the Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel--the prices are not too bad. The patio and brunch at the Rose Cafe in Venice is also nice.
posted by biscuits at 4:18 PM on September 21, 2014

I read that Proud Bird lost the lease, but then got it back. Yelp says it's open now, but that certainly isn't the end-all-be-all.
posted by hwyengr at 2:20 PM on September 23, 2014