Kitschy brunch spot with a whole lotta French toast.

Go: brunch with the girlz

Order: french toast, crab royal

Foodies know: be ready for a wait

Bakery and cafe on Abbot Kinney filled with beautiful people (and their tiny dogs). 

Go: for a German-inspired brunch

Order: Nutella cronut, anything on a pretzel roll, souffled German apple pancake, avocado fries

Foodies know: grab your pastries from the bakery next door before or after brunch

So vegan. So LA. 

Go: with a vegan, obviously

Order: eggplant panini, coconut pie

Foodies know: when you order a bowl ("I Am Gracious", for example), the waiter will repeat it back to you: "You are gracious." You've been warned. 

What you'd expect, but better.

Go: for a breakfast date, afternoon snack, or nice dinner

Order: salmon rillette, caponata hash

Foodies know: make a reservation if you're going for dinner

Unpretentious, really good breakfast food.

Go: post-surfing, rollerblading, or biking in Venice

Order: acai bowl, make-your-own cereal bowl, veggie rad, super cro-jo, breakfast burrito

Foodies know: it's nothing fancy, but in the best way

Lives up to the hype. This is as LA as it gets, people. 

Go: for brunch when your out-of-town friends are visiting, or for dinner when your parents are in town 

Order: everything! But especially pizzas and butterscotch pot de creme

Foodies know: make a reservation in advance. (If you forget, grab something from Gjelina Takeaway next door and eat it on the curb while you wait for your table.) 

Bakery (and so much more) from the Gjelina team. 

Go: with your foodiest friends

Order: everything, but especially smoked fish, salads in the case, baklava croissant

Foodies know: we can't wait for them to get real seating soon because our butts are sore from those crates (#worthit)

The original hipster coffee shop. 

Go: with coffee snobs

Order: the s'mores scone to accompany your coffee

Foodies know: the Silver Lake location might be even cooler

Colorful Caribbean from Roy Choi.

Go: for the post-grad brunch scene (/frat party?)

Order: Cuban torta, anything with yucca fries or plantains

Foodies know: it's THE Roy Choi, you guys

Toast-lovers, rejoice! 

Go: for breakfast/brunch

Order: avocado toast, grain bowl, homemade candy bar

Foodies know: part of the Superba Snack Bar family

Funky shared plates.

Go: with hipster foodies

Order: smoked bucatini carbonara, cauliflower t-bone, chicken liver mousse, wakame spaghetti

Foodies know: if you're sitting on the patio on a cool night, grab one of the pretty blankets

I don't normally eat at the same place twice, but when I do, it's at the Tasting Kitchen. 

Go: for a celebratory dinner when your parents are in town... and come back for brunch with friends

Order: any of the pastas, ALL OF THE BREAD AND BUTTER (yes you have to pay for it but #worthit), 3 or more desserts. At least. At brunch: the sticky bun, fried chicken and waffles, pork hash

Foodies know: reservations are a must

The best-kept secret in Venice: TOMS flagship store is part coffee shop, part retail store. 

Go: wearing your TOMS

Order: coffee and pastries and take them to the gorgeous patio outside

Foodies know: check out the schedule of fun events, like movie night, story time, arts lab, and coffee tasting (they serve Cafecito Organico) 

Biergarten known for its gourmet sausages.

Go: with a group of friends (esp. the males in your life) 

Order: rattlesnake & rabbit sausage, if you're feeling adventurous; Belgian truffle fries

Foodies know: second location in the Arts District (DTLA)

Food truck central on Abbot Kinney on the first Friday of each month. 

Go: with one or two hungry friends (go with a group and... chaos) 

Here's how to do it: 

1. Arrive at 5:30 or 5:45 to search for parking.

2. Be the first in line at Kogi (in the lot next to the Brig) because the line will get long! Order: blackjack quesadilla, short rib tacos.

3. Head farther into the same lot for the mac-n-cheese grilled cheese at the Grilled Cheese Truck. 

4. Just to the left of Grilled Cheese, stop by Coolhaus for an inventive, architecture-inspired ice cream sandwich. 

5. If you're lucky: head down the street and find the Amazebowls truck for a refreshing acai bowl. 

6. If you're still hungry, stop at the B Sweet dessert truck (usually just across the street from Kogi) for a "slutty brownie." (Yes, that's actually what it's called) or head to the Pudding Truck (near the tables, also near Kogi) for a Southern banana pudding with homemade brown-butter vanilla wafers. (I opt for the vegan chocolate hazelnut and butterscotch combo with a sprinkling of free coarse sea salt.) 

Tiny, paleo-friendly breakfast counter on Abbot Kinney. 

Go: with your paleo friends (they'll love you) 

Order: buttery brew coffee, granola/cereal bowl, frittata

Foodies know: it's tucked into an alleyway so look hard!