The Ultimate Guide to Breakfast in the Valley: Part One

If pancakes are your thing Bea Bea’s is one of the best restaurants in Toluca Lake to enjoy these fluffy morning treats. Located near the studios in a Burbank shopping center off Pass Avenue, this buzzy, studio-adjacent breakfast and lunch spot is known for its outrageously decadent pancake, waffle, and French toast concoctions. There are four pages of breakfast items that range from quasi-healthy to just “get back on track tomorrow.” If you enjoy a classic breakfast with eggs and bacon, but desire something a little more exciting, order the Pooh’s Sunrise, which consists of two eggs, bacon, and a choice of pancakes, waffles, French toast or crepes. For an extra $2 you can “make it special”—meaning add any of the aforementioned carb treats. A popular favorite is the matcha with mascarpone and white chocolate.

This super sweet farmhouse style café/bakery is owned by Top Chef Season 5 contestant Alex Eusebio and his wife Sarah Mann, who serve up consistently good eats (they also own nearby Cascabel and Cascabel Taco Shop). The breakfast menu is on the brief side but it's unique, and there's something for everyone—from the truffled eggs sandwich to egg hash, kumquat avocado toast, the breakfast sandwich ciabatta, and more. Wonderful pastries will satisfy a sweet tooth, as will a lavender or lemongrass latte.

Situated between Warner Bros. Studio and NBC, this family owned Toluca Lake eatery was one of the first to enter the gourmet café/marketplace counter service category using local, organic and sustainable ingredients, and it's still one of the best. Standouts include the breakfast burrito, brioche sandwich (add avocado), Nutella pancakes, and the Forager Panini with mushrooms, sausage, and fontina cheese. Lighter options include house made granola and oatmeal with dried cherries. Of course, there are freshly made pastries that pair perfectly with espresso bar drinks with Intelligentsia coffee.

Opened in 1960 in the heart of Toluca Lake, this landmark could be called the studio “green room” for the countless television and films stars who have dined here over the years. Owned by the Metsos family since 1999, this classic diner with a counter and indoor/outdoor seating has been updated over the years, but the old school style remains with the addition of gluten free, vegan and healthy options. Breakfast begins at 7 a.m. with eggs every which way, waffles, pancakes, and more. Don’t miss the cinnamon roll.

Whether you want breakfast or brunch, Studio City has some great spots. Writers, directors, actors and parents with kids in tow can all be found at this predominantly outdoor café with covered and garden patios, plus a cozy reading room. At key hours a line files out the door, but it moves quickly with just enough time for you to decide if your order will include a large slice of cake or a pastry beckoning from the display case. You’ll find it all here, from granola to benedicts, omelets, breakfast sandwiches, south of the border specialties, and brioche French toast. And of course with coffee and tea in the name, rest assured they are worthy—as are smoothies and juices.

If you’re looking for a classic breakfast, Studio City is home to this great joint. You’ve got to love Art’s for its red booths, enormous deli, bakery counter, and for its longevity in Studio City. Art Ginsburg and his wife opened the deli in 1957. Although Art passed away a few years ago, it is still a family operation that's now run by his children. If the booths could talk, they would tell tales of the many television and film deals that were discussed and inked at the tables, and the celebrities who’ve sat there. Breakfast is served all day with expected standards like eggs, omelets, smoked fish, benedicts, pancakes, and of course, matzo brie. Don’t leave without a black and white cookie.

These family-owned cafes in Studio City and Sherman Oaks have two different owners, but both have a college town feel and are perfect for a quick meal with a little bit of everything, from eggs to omelets, pancakes, bagels and lox, and chicken with waffles. The popular crepes offer a choice of sweet and savory flavors and come with a side salad. Big plus: both Craves are open 24 hours a day - that means breakfast any time you want it.

This international chain serving organic, farm-fresh eats with European style has Valley locations in Studio City, Encino and Woodland Hills. Each eatery feels a little different, although they all share a rustic charm with wooden tables for communal and private parties, freshly made bread and pastries, and a few market selections, like jam and peanut butter. Breakfast selections include Belgian waffles, frittatas, omelets, mini-Dutch pancakes, avocado toast, oatmeal, and a colorful dragon fruit smoothie bowl. There are also daily juice blends. For quick service, order online and your breakfast will be ready when you arrive.

Not much has changed style-wise since this converted house opened in 1964 as Vivian’s Café. The tiny front room leads to a slim passageway through the kitchen to reach a patio with an avocado tree. The fun-spirited menu includes tributes to customer and owners favorite dishes. Variations of eggs, chili, and pancakes are house favorites. And food is always served with a smile. Vivian's was sold in November 1999 - "millennium" was added to mark the new century and the cafe is now run by actress Leah Remini’s mother, stepfather, and husband, and was featured on the reality show, “It’s All Relative.”

Located in a corner Sherman Oaks strip mall at Burbank and Hazeltine, this classic coffee shop has been serving up great food and coffee for nearly 40 years. While Nat's began as a no-frills coffee shop known for all-American diner dishes with a dash of Jewish deli, it eventually incorporated some “south of the border” specials when the original owner, Bud Elias sold the restaurant to his head cook, Victor Carlos (he started as a busboy). The classic feel remains and the breakfast menu is choice. Most breakfast dishes come with house-made cinnamon rolls or muffins and are served with home fries, hash browns, grits or toast. All jams are made in-house as well. There are Nat's locations in Woodland Hills (Nat's On Ventura) and Canoga Park (Nat's West Cafe).

Get a little taste of Portugal at this café and bakery that serves breakfast all day. Owner/chef Fatima Marques has designed her eatery with Portuguese tiles and wall art, and wood tables for an authentic feel. Stop by for coffee and a pastry, such as the namesake Portuguese custard specialty, natas, or a duchaise, a custard éclair topped with whipped cream and fios de ovos (a sugar/egg topping). French toast and breakfast sandwiches are all made with Portuguese sweet bread. Toppings for pancakes, waffles, crepes, and French toast run from simple to decadent—bananas, caramel, Nutella, fudge, cream cheese—with all the works.

If you yearn for Paris or the street cafes of Europe, this cozy family-owned Sherman Oaks neighborhood café/bakery/marketplace may fill the gap. Order at the counter, then take a seat, or peruse the boutique for imported goods, vintage serving pieces, candles, and gift items. The breakfast menu includes sweet and savory crepes, pancakes, omelets, croque madam, French toast, and tartines. Fresh baked homemade goods, include a changing selection that includes as macarons, tarts, truffles, cakes, and bread pudding.

As you drive down Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, it’s practically impossible to miss this bright yellow and white corner eatery with wraparound seating. Enter the covered patio area to a narrow interior space filled with display cases of baked goods, a coffee counter, gift items, specialty candy, and a refrigerated case of prepared to-go goods. Order at the counter and then take a seat at an outdoor table. Best bets for all-day breakfast include the filet mignon breakfast burrito, Croque Madame (rumor has it Chef Ludo Lefebvre gave some tips), bistro sandwich, and vegan chilaquiles.

Not to be confused with Toast on West Third Street, this small Ventura Boulevard café is kosher and serves scrambles and omelettes, but what you really want to order is one of the Israeli breakfast dishes. Shakshuka is found at many mainstream restaurants these days, but here it’s the real deal and served two ways: traditional (a spicy base of cooked tomatoes topped with eggs—tip: get it with hummus) and the less well known green version (sautéed onions, cilantro, pesto, green onion, and nutmeg mixed with heavy cream and topped with eggs). Malawach is flaky, fried dough shaped like a pancake, served with a hard-boiled egg, shredded cold tomato salsa, and pickles. The horseshoe-shaped Ziva is a puffed pastry stuffed with feta and topped with sesame seeds in an egg yolk wash with olives and a hard-boiled egg on the side.