Brunch offers the best of all worlds. You get to eat eggs or sandwiches, booze or coffee, and it’s totally acceptable to dress casual. Brunch is always my go-to when I have friends visiting from out of town because it’s a guaranteed people-pleaser. After all, who doesn’t love a bloody mary or eggs Benedict?

Entertaining out of town guests always means two things. First, you’ll be tasked with showing them all the cool spots and giving them an ample “Los Angeles experience.” Second, you’ll be expected to take them to the best restaurants: all need to be unique to LA, and it must be a place they’ll never experience anywhere else. Now, that’s virtually impossible on both counts, especially if said out-of-towners are only here 36 hours.

This is when taking people out to brunch is such a genius plan. Brunch is available at many expensive restaurants but for less money. If you play your cards right, you can test out the food, the ambience, and the service for a fraction of what you might spend at dinner.

Whist, at The Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica, is a lovely choice, offering expansive ocean views to complement their tasty brunch menu. The underappreciated chilaquiles is a delicious choice, or try the classic eggs Benedict (my personal favorite). Pair your breakfast with a mimosa; they leave the whole champagne bottle on the table!

Sunset Boulevard’s Eveleigh not only offers a stellar libation selection in the evening but during their weekend brunch, as well. The avocado toast is seemingly simple, but it is deliciously prepared with espellette pepper and a gribiche sauce.  Paired with a fresh lime caipirinha, it’s a thing of beauty. Of course, if eggs aren’t your thing, why not try the baked beans? Yes, you heard that correctly: baked beans for brunch. Soulful and satisfying, the baked beans are served with bacon, brown sugar, and hot sauce. Mouth-watering!

3 Square, situated on the bustling Abbot Kinney Boulevard, has perhaps the tastiest bacon in all of LA. Maple-glazed thick-cut bacon is a surefire crowd pleaser. Plus, 3 Square serves a huevos rancheros that would give a Spanish grandmother a run for her money. Sitting alfresco is the way to go, where the classic LA pastime of people-watching is in full-effect. What can we say? 3 Square serves up a phenomenal trifecta!

All these brunch spots are win-win choices. You hit two birds with one stone. First, you show your out-of-towners a great eatery and then all the hip spots minus the touristy mentality. So next time you’re entertaining, embrace the brunch. LA is chockfull of great wallet-friendly options. It will be our little secret.