Some restaurants are built for dinner. Others are built for brunch. This one falls firmly in the second camp.
Set in Los Angeles, CA, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has carved out a corner of the city's weekend brunch scene with a personality of its own. The room comfortably seats a mix of solo diners working through a coffee and a newspaper, couples splitting a stack of pancakes, and friend groups settling in for a slow, three-hour Saturday.
The chicken and waffles plate hits the table looking like a magazine cover and tastes even better than it looks.
Menu highlights
Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.
- Breakfast burrito with eggs, chorizo, beans, cheese, and salsa roja
- Veggie scramble with spinach, mushrooms, and goat cheese
- Crab cake Benedict with old-bay hollandaise (regional specialty)
- Acai bowl with granola, banana, coconut, and honey drizzle
- House bloody mary with bacon, olives, and pickled vegetables
- Buttermilk pancakes with whipped butter and warm maple syrup
- Avocado toast on grilled sourdough with chili crisp and a soft egg
- Chicken and waffles with hot honey and pickled jalapeño
It's a tight room, with maybe a dozen tables and a handful of counter seats facing the open kitchen, where you can watch the line cooks work.
Their breakfast burrito is the kind of thing locals order with eyes still half closed — eggs, chorizo, a scrape of refried beans, melty cheese, and salsa with real heat.
Vegetarians and vegans are well taken care of — at least three plant-forward mains anchor the menu, not just an afterthought side of fruit.
Like a lot of the best brunch spots in Los Angeles, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is at its most magical on weekend mornings, when the kitchen is firing on all burners and the room slowly fills with the kind of low, happy hum that only good food and unhurried company can produce. It's the kind of brunch that reminds you why we made brunch a tradition in the first place.
Tips from the regulars
- Tip generously — the brunch shift is the toughest in any restaurant, and the staff here keeps it warm even at peak rush.
- Save room: the pastry case at the front is part of the experience.
- Best time to go: arrive before 9:30 a.m. on weekends to skip the worst of the wait at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
- Best for: groups of 2 to 4 — larger parties may want to call ahead.
- Don't miss the daily-special chalkboard near the host stand — it changes weekly and tends to feature the kitchen's best ideas.
Hours
| Mon | Mo-Th 05:30-23:00; Fr 05:30-24:00; Sa 06:00-24:00; Su 06:00-23:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | Mo-Th 05:30-23:00; Fr 05:30-24:00; Sa 06:00-24:00; Su 06:00-23:00 |
| Wed | Mo-Th 05:30-23:00; Fr 05:30-24:00; Sa 06:00-24:00; Su 06:00-23:00 |
| Thu | Mo-Th 05:30-23:00; Fr 05:30-24:00; Sa 06:00-24:00; Su 06:00-23:00 |
| Fri | Mo-Th 05:30-23:00; Fr 05:30-24:00; Sa 06:00-24:00; Su 06:00-23:00 |
| Sat | Mo-Th 05:30-23:00; Fr 05:30-24:00; Sa 06:00-24:00; Su 06:00-23:00 |
| Sun | Mo-Th 05:30-23:00; Fr 05:30-24:00; Sa 06:00-24:00; Su 06:00-23:00 |
Frequently asked questions
What time does The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf open for brunch?
Posted hours are: Mo-Th 05:30-23:00; Fr 05:30-24:00; Sa 06:00-24:00; Su 06:00-23:00. Hours can change on holidays — call ahead if you're traveling.
Does The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf take reservations?
Most brunch spots in Los Angeles are walk-in friendly, with a wait list during peak hours. Larger parties (5+) should call ahead to ask about a reservation.
Is The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf kid-friendly?
Yes — The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf welcomes families. Most brunch menus include simple kid-friendly options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Highchairs are usually available.
What kind of cuisine does The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf serve?
It's classified under coffee_shop — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in Los Angeles.
Is there outdoor seating at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf?
Outdoor seating is not always confirmed. We recommend calling ahead during nice weather.
Location
Located at 2081 Hillhurst Avenue. Coordinates: 34.1098, -118.2878. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.