Living for the weekend? The best restaurants in Santa Monica are the ones that have a boozy brunch. (Photo: Getty Images)
When the weekend arrives, there’s no better way to kick off — or wrap up — its festivities than with a boozy brunch among friends. Grab a mimosa and dig into Santa Monica’s brunch scene at one of these five local hot spots. From all-you-can-eat tapas to bottomless mimosas and farm-to-table specials, even the most famished appetites will be sated.
Border Grill
Head to the Border for a brunch fiesta, where you and your crew can chow down on a $29.99 all-you-can-eat tapas brunch. Thirsty? Pay an additional $12 to guzzle unlimited mimosas. Must-order small plates include the ancho jalapeño home fries served with salsa fresca, jalapeño bacon, cotija (cheese), and fried egg, as well as the Yucatan egg benedict slider — a heaping plate of over-easy eggs, roasted pork, hollandaise sauce, and pickled onions plopped atop a manchego cheese biscuit.
Farmshop
Tucked inside the Brentwood Country Mart, Farmshop turns the farm-to-table experience up a notch, allowing diners to stroll through an on-premise farmers market at their leisure. Bring your love of carbs to brunch: the restaurant’s maple sticky buns —topped with locally grown pecans and whipped creme fraiche — are beloved by locals. Satisfy savory cravings with the Dungeness crab omelet seasoned with Calabrian chili pesto and served with avocado-pickled cucumber salad and a fresh, buttered croissant.
Huckleberry Cafe & Bakery
Wear comfy shoes and bring something to read to Huckleberry; the lines during brunch are legendary — and totally worth the wait. The farm-fresh menu changes seasonally, but always includes standards like the beef brisket hash and a fried-egg sandwich with Niman Ranch bacon, gruyere cheese, arugula, aioli, and sunny-side-up eggs. You’ll be tempted to stuff yourself silly, but save room for one of Huckleberry’s signature house-made pastries.
Ox & Son
You’ll find unique twists on new-American fare at Ox & Son, located on the eastern edge of bustling Montana Avenue. Feeling adventurous? Try the banh mi breakfast bowl, a hearty concoction of coconut-flavored black sticky rice, pickled veggies, pork sausage, poached eggs and jalapeño. To sate your sweet tooth, order the decadent chocolate, bacon, bourbon pancakes. Wash it all down with a soju Bloody Mary, or fork over $14 for bottomless mimosas (with an entree purchase).
Herringbone
You might play like you’ve come to Herringbone for its coastal California-inspired menu, eclectic array of fresh oysters, and belt-busting French toast with whipped ricotta. But really — let’s face it — you’re secretly there for the $25 bottomless mimosas and $25 endless glasses of rosé. Sop up those drinks with the pork belly hash or the open-faced lobster roll. Still going? Try the powdered sugar donuts with lemon curd for dessert.
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