Please suggest some good places for breakfast in Santa Monica. We will be staying at the Fairmont so we'd like some places near there. However, we will have a car and would drive to some place special. Thanks.

there are lots of recommendations at www.chowhound.com. try there. www.yelp.com is also a good place to sort by top reviewed.

Go to the Farmers Market [Third and Fairfax] and have breakfast at the French Crepe place. It is excellent and their french press coffee is diving too. Worth the drive. We ate there 3 mornings in a row!

farmersmarketla.com/directory/vendor/the_french_crepe_company/index.html

Dupar's is good too.

Deb

Check out the French Market Cafe in Venice - 2321 Abbot KInney Blvd. / 310-577-9775 / frenchmarket-cafe.com or The Rose Cafe (the Best!)

Farmer's Market is a full 30-40 minute drive from Santa Monica.

I like the Rose Cafe in Venice as well.

It is indeed a long ride from Santa Monica to Farmer's Market, but once there -- lots to see and do.

Deb

Hi--this place in Venice is just a little way down the road from SM... http://www.joesrestaurant.com/

My son has eaten there and says it is great as well as my having read a rave review on it. They only serve brunch on Sat and Sun, if that will fit into your plans.

I agree that the Grove and Farmer's Market is a great place to see, but I assume they will be combining it with their visit to that general area (Hollywood, Beverly Hills, LACMA/Tarpits, etc). If not, they should. There are dozens of great restaurants in Santa Monica, so no reason to go out of their way just for a meal.

Some good places around Santa Monica are:

Joe's as mentioned
Rose Cafe as mentioned
Restaurants at Casa del Mar and Georgian
Urth
Jinky's
Zabies

Several years ago we had breakfast at the Broadway Deli and liked it. Are there other good delis open for breakfast in or near Santa Monica?

If you say you would drive for someplace special, this is special!

Doughboys Bakery & Cafe, 8136 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA --for full menu, see website http://www.doughboys.net/

If you go, the blueberry flax seed pancakes and the semolina waffle w/mascarpone and cherry compote are out of this world!!

Blueberry [tiny; waits can be long]
501 Santa Monica Blvd. (at 5th St.)
SM
www.eatblueberry.com

Rae's Diner [retro; huge portions]
2901 Pico Blvd. (at 29th St.)
SM

Swingers [more for lunch than breakfast]
802 Broadway (near Lincoln Blvd.)
SM
www.swingersrestaurant.com

Maxwell's Cafe [stuffed strawberry French toast, yum]
13329 Washington Blvd. (near Walgrove Ave.)
Venice

Rose Cafe [my favorite, on the patio]
220 Rose Ave. (near Main St.)
Venice

Doughboy's is pretty good, though they are not as good as they used to be. Be aware that it's also near the Grove, so a 40 minute drive. If it's a weekend, there is a also a wait for a table.

I am pretty sure that Blueberry Cafe is no longer in business, having looked for it with no luck about six months ago. A trendy and fun little place that serves a very good breakfast is Babalu on 10th and Montana.

Anna

Try Jinkys Cafe at 1447 2nd St at Broadway. http://www.jinkys.com/home.html
Great menu--traditional items and some more esoteric ones--including breakfast quesadillas and chili fillings that are rated by hotness.
Check out the menu on the website.
Walking distance from the Fairmont.
A short drive is Marmalade Cafe on Montana Ave, a short drive. I've eaten at both many times and have enjoyed it very much.

Gee, smartcookie, we ate there (Doughboys) last October (06) and most recently this past May. Have they deteriorated since then? B/c both of those times it was great!!

The 3rd St. Doughboy's is still closed (maybe forever); there's a new location near Sunset & Highland.

In Santa Monica proper, Jack & Jill's (5th & SM Blvd.) is good -- or if you fancy a drive up to Malibu, Coogie's is a fun spot (but gets very crowded) and Hideaway Cafe is also a good pick with excellent views.

check out the discussion on Doughboy's on www.chowhound.com. I still like it, but as mentioned above, the 3rd St location is closed and many haven't had the best experiences there lately.

The Omelette Parlor is awesome! Lots of the usual suspects, but also interesting things like breakfast tacos and avocado benedicts. Good stuff!
2732 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405

Another vote for the Omelette Parlor. They have a great patio area I loved.

I've always enjoyed Cafe Montana not only for breakfast but for lunch and dinner too. Their desserts and really great!