The Griddle Cafe
Coffee Shop · Hollywood Hills West, Los Angeles
Restaurant in Los Angeles, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Oversized Pancake Format
Chef
Jodi Hortze
Dress
Casual
Why go
The Griddle Cafe on Sunset Blvd is a West Hollywood breakfast institution with three consecutive years on Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats in North America list and. It is open Wednesday through Sunday, 8 am to 3 pm, walk-ins only. Go early on weekends to avoid a queue; the portions are generous and the room fills fast.
About The Griddle Cafe
Is The Griddle Cafe Worth the Wait on Sunset?
Yes; if you're after a generous, no-fuss breakfast or brunch on the Westside of the Hollywood Hills, The Griddle Cafe at 7916 Sunset Blvd is a reliable call. It has earned three consecutive years on Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats in North America list (Recommended in 2023, #439 in 2024, #451 in 2025), which is a meaningful signal for a coffee shop format in a city not short on breakfast options. This is not a destination you drive to for a quiet, intimate morning; the room runs loud and the portions run large, but for a West Hollywood breakfast that delivers on value and scale, it earns its place on the shortlist.
The Room and the Experience
Walk into The Griddle Cafe and the first thing you register is the size of the plates coming out of the kitchen. The room itself is casual and visually busy: wood-panelled walls, close-set tables, a general energy that tilts toward weekend-crowd rather than weekday-calm. The setting is not designed for a long, unhurried conversation over coffee, it is designed for volume, it delivers accordingly. If you are looking for the quieter, more considered coffee shop atmosphere that Cora's Coffee Shoppe or Du-par's offers, this is a different proposition. The Griddle trades on abundance and a certain lively irreverence that suits its Sunset Strip address well.
The counter and bar seating, where it exists, works if you are dining solo or as a pair. It puts you closer to the kitchen action and typically moves faster than waiting for a full table. For the solo diner who wants to eat quickly and watch the room, counter seating is the practical choice. Groups of four or more should expect to wait for a proper table, particularly on weekends when the line forms before opening.
Timing and Booking
The Griddle Cafe is open Wednesday through Sunday, 8 am to 3 pm. It is closed Monday and Tuesday. That Wednesday-to-Sunday window is worth noting if you are planning a midweek visit, you will need to adjust accordingly. Walk-ins are the standard approach here; the format does not lend itself to the kind of advance reservation model you would use for a fine-dining room. Arriving early, particularly on Saturday and Sunday, is the most reliable way to avoid a long queue. By 9:30 am on a weekend, expect a wait.
Reservations: Walk-in only, arrive early on weekends to avoid a queue. Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 8 am–3 pm; closed Monday and Tuesday. Budget: Cheap Eats category per OAD, pricing is accessible relative to comparable Los Angeles breakfast spots. Dress: Casual. There is no dress expectation here beyond being comfortable.
Who Should Book This
The Griddle Cafe works well for a group breakfast or a casual special occasion morning, think birthday brunches, post-event fuel, or a relaxed family meal where portion size matters more than atmosphere refinement. It is not the right call for a quiet anniversary brunch or a business breakfast where you need to hear each other speak. For those occasions, a quieter room elsewhere in Los Angeles would serve you better. But if you want a meal that feels generous, unpretentious, reliably executed, The Griddle Cafe delivers. Its OAD Cheap Eats recognition across three consecutive years is a useful benchmark, this is a venue that has sustained quality at an accessible price point, which in Los Angeles is harder than it sounds.
If you are building a broader Los Angeles itinerary, see our full Los Angeles restaurants guide, our full Los Angeles hotels guide, our full Los Angeles bars guide, our full Los Angeles wineries guide, and our full Los Angeles experiences guide.
Ratings and Recognition
- Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats in North America: Recommended (2023), #439 (2024), #451 (2025)
How It Compares
Pearl Picks Nearby
- Cora's Coffee Shoppe, for a quieter, more intimate Los Angeles breakfast
- Du-par's, a classic Los Angeles diner with a longer history and similar accessible pricing
- Pie 'n Burger, if you want a casual, value-forward Los Angeles institution in a different format
- La Cabra Coffee Roasters, for a benchmark on what a coffee-forward concept looks like at the other end of the spectrum
- Devoción, a useful New York City comparison point for the coffee shop format done with more precision
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: Closed · Tuesday: Closed
- Location
- 7916 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046
- Website
- thegriddlecafe.com
- Phone
- (323) 378-6311
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Griddle Cafe presents an unapologetic, old-school breakfast identity on the Sunset Strip. It leans into abundance rather than restraint, favouring generous plates and a familiar, durable format that has endured neighbourhood change. The room reads like a classic, comfort-focused breakfast spot—casual, characterful and confidently itself—rather than a trend-chasing concept. Regulars and repeat visitors reward that consistency, and its inclusion in independent 'cheap eats' lists underlines the approachable, wholehearted spirit that defines the place.
Best For
This is a go-to for people who come to Los Angeles seeking a hearty morning meal and for anyone who treats brunch as an occasion. The Griddle is built for large, comforting plates rather than minimalist tasting portions, so it suits groups, families and solo diners who want generous servings. Longstanding popularity and repeated recognition on cheap-eats lists signal that it’s less about culinary novelty and more about reliable, filling breakfasts on the Sunset Strip.
Ordering Tips
Portions here skew generous—breakfast is treated as an occasion—so plan to come hungry or to share. The Griddle is best known for its over-the-top pancakes; order signature plates such as the Eyes Wide Open, Bluesberry and Golden Ticket pancakes. Given the cafe’s reputation and steady demand, expect a popular brunch scene and make time for the experience rather than a quick bite.
Venue details
Ambiance
Bustling, noisy diner atmosphere with a hip, youthful crowd and classic American charm.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
View
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Eyes Wide Open pancakes
- Bluesberry pancakes
- Golden Ticket pancakes
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 8 am–3 pm
- Thursday
- 8 am–3 pm
- Friday
- 8 am–3 pm
- Saturday
- 8 am–3 pm
- Sunday
- 8 am–3 pm
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Kato; New Taiwanese, Asian, $$$$
- Hayato; Japanese, $$$$
- Vespertine; Progressive, Contemporary, $$$$
- Holbox; Mexican Seafood, Mexican, $$
- Sushi Kaneyoshi; Sushi, Japanese, $$$$
Restaurant context
The Griddle Cafe sits in a different tier entirely from most of the venues on Los Angeles's most-discussed lists. If you are weighing up a breakfast or brunch option against fine-dining rooms like Kato, Hayato, or Vespertine; all of which operate at the $$$$ price point with advance booking requirements; the comparison is not really a competition. Those venues serve a fundamentally different purpose. If your decision is about where to take a group for a casual, affordable morning meal in West Hollywood without the friction of a reservation system, The Griddle Cafe is the easier call.
A closer comparison is Holbox, which also carries OAD recognition and sits at the $$ price point. Holbox wins on culinary specificity; its Mexican seafood focus is more defined and the execution more precise; but it does not operate as a breakfast venue, which makes the two venues complementary rather than competitive. For daytime eating at an accessible price in Los Angeles, The Griddle Cafe and Holbox each occupy a distinct slot. Sushi Kaneyoshi is, again, a different category entirely: omakase at the top price tier, advance booking required, no overlap with The Griddle's casual walk-in format.
The practical verdict: if you want the most logistically straightforward breakfast option among well-regarded Los Angeles venues, The Griddle Cafe delivers. It is walk-in, daytime only, accessible on price. It will not compete with the technical ambition of Los Angeles's fine-dining rooms; and it is not trying to. For the reader whose decision is where to eat on a Wednesday morning without planning ahead, it is the path of least resistance with consistent recognition behind it.
Around this place
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Compare The Griddle Cafe
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Griddle Cafe | Los Angeles | Coffee Shop | 2026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Recommended2025 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #4512024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #4392023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended | ; |
| Kato | Los Angeles | New Taiwanese, Asian | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #302026 North America's 50 Best Restaurants · #492026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2026 James Beard Award Nominees2026 James Beard Award Winners2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2026 Michelin 2 Stars2025 LA Times 101 Best Restaurants · #22025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #25 | $$$$ |
| Hayato | Los Angeles | Japanese | 2026 Food & Wine Top 10 US Restaurants · #62026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #132026 Michelin 2 Stars2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 LA Times 101 Best Restaurants · #52025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #102025 The Best Chef One Knife2025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Michelin 2 Stars | $$$$ |
| Vespertine | Los Angeles | Progressive, Contemporary | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #932026 Michelin 2 Stars2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 LA Times 101 Best Restaurants · #332025 Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century · #712025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #982025 The Best Chef Two Knives2025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Michelin 2 Stars | $$$$ |
| Holbox | Los Angeles | Mexican Seafood, Mexican | 2026 North America's 50 Best Restaurants · #262026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #532026 James Beard Award Nominees2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2026 Michelin 1 Star2025 LA Taco Best Tacos in LA · #22025 World's 50 North America's Best Restaurants · #422025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #432025 James Beard Award Semifinalists | $$ |
| Sushi Kaneyoshi | Los Angeles | Sushi, Japanese | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #1032026 Michelin 1 Star2025 LA Times 101 Best Restaurants · #242025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #782025 Michelin 1 Star2024 LA Times 101 Best Restaurants · #322024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #882024 Michelin 1 Star2023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #69 | $$$$ |
How The Griddle Cafe LA compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about The Griddle Cafe?
Come hungry and arrive early. The Griddle Cafe has been ranked on Opinionated About Dining's Cheap Eats in North America list three consecutive years (2023–2025), which signals consistent quality at an accessible price point. It's open Wednesday through Sunday, 8am to 3pm only, so plan around that window. The portions are the main event here; this is a breakfast-forward cafe, not a quick coffee stop.
Can I eat at the bar at The Griddle Cafe?
The Griddle Cafe is a casual cafe-format space on Sunset Blvd, not a bar-service venue. There is no bar seating in the traditional sense. Your best bet for a solo visit is to ask for counter or small-table seating when you arrive; the format suits it.
What should I wear to The Griddle Cafe?
Come as you are. This is a casual breakfast and coffee spot on Sunset Blvd with no dress expectations beyond what you'd wear to any neighbourhood cafe. Its repeated placement on OAD's Cheap Eats list confirms the draw is the food, not the formality.
Is lunch or dinner better at The Griddle Cafe?
The Griddle Cafe is a breakfast and lunch spot only; it closes at 3pm daily and does not serve dinner. The kitchen runs Wednesday through Sunday, so your window is the morning and midday shift. For this type of venue, arriving closer to opening at 8am means shorter waits and the full menu available.
Does The Griddle Cafe handle dietary restrictions?
The venue database does not include specific dietary accommodation details for The Griddle Cafe. Given its casual coffee shop format and consistent OAD Cheap Eats recognition, it's worth calling ahead or checking directly before visiting if dietary needs are a factor; the format suggests a fairly standard American breakfast menu.
Can The Griddle Cafe accommodate groups?
The Griddle Cafe works for group breakfasts; it's one of the stronger use cases for this spot on Sunset Blvd. That said, it's a popular venue with limited hours (Wed–Sun, 8am–3pm), so larger parties should arrive early or be prepared to wait. Groups of 6 or more should factor in potential wait times, as there's no indication of reservation availability in the venue record.
