Love that this place is affordable and had a cute vibe for brunch. It was close enough to the beach so convenient for a refuel. The food was delicious. I picked the shakshuka and a mimosa for brunch. The bread was so addictive.. wish I had more. The servers were friendly and the food came out pretty quickly as well. read more

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This place is great for brunch! I got a chicken and waffle and my bf got their breakfast burrito, and they were both fantastic. The chicken and waffle was beautifully presented and very flavorful. Honestly the first 2-3 bites were heavenly! My only issue was that it had a lot of sauce already on the waffle and while delicious, it got very soggy very quickly. If you're a slow eater like me, it might be a good idea to ask for the hollandaise on the side! I also got an iced matcha latte and my bf got an iced vanilla latte. Honestly I'd say pass, neither of them were very good, unfortunately. The matcha was super clumpy. Service was fairly attentive, ambiance is cute and casual. read more

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Was walking around and this was the perfect place to fuel up! Staff was so friendly, I forgot our waitress' name but she was so amazing , service was so attentive, fast, and just everything I could have ever wanted. The food is giant, I was reaching new levels of gluttony with my plate, merging myself with the lemon crepes and pistachio gelato. I don't think there was anything blueberry actually in it? But that doesn't matter, it was gorgeous. It was delicious. I was in heaven. The açaí bowl was also great. And ordered but not pictured because we demolished it, the sunshine smoothie was the perfect blend of fruity, tangy, smooth, and not too sweet. I saw many beautiful avocado toasts float by too, but I'm pretty happy with my order. Definitely swinging by again! read more

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Got the Braised Pork Eggs Benedict with potatoes -- tasty pork but one of the eggs was overdone/hard boiled basically, and the hollandaise was all on the side. Their meat ratio was also a bit much and made it hard to eat/soggy bread. The flavor was nice. The potatoes were also tasty. Also tried a bit of the Brioche Breakfast Sandwich which was nice too. A bit pricey. The service was good. Ambience also fine though it was very stuffy and no fan/AC. read more

Brightside California Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Food was very good. I loved everything here. Onion rings were very crispy, Huevos rancheros was great as well! The potatoes were crispy outside and tender inside. Rigatoni was good and big portion! Steak I added on it was cooked just right. Also there was live jazz music when I was dining (Saturday brunch time), amusing and relaxing. Service was good. read more

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Came on a Saturday afternoon for brunch, and was seated right away. It was a full house but seats were available. The service needs a lot of improvement. After 15 minutes of ordering our drinks, we had to remind the server to bring our water cups. Our coffee and tea didn't come till 20 minutes after ordering. The inside was nice and modern. The food portion was generous and was delicious. Overall, the service ruined our first and only experience here. read more

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Very happy with our decision to come here for brunch last weekend! Everything was delicious! Our food was packed with flavor, the service was great, and the portion sizes were perfect! We got the avocado toast with a side of smoked salmon, two strawberry lemonades (perfect amount of sweetness), and a breakfast burrito. Highly recommend you check this place out! We will be back! read more

Brightside California Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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I never got to try this place back when it was Jinky's, but I'm so happy to have a solid brunch spot in downtown Santa Monica! Parking is easy with the P6 public garage on 2nd Street - it's free for the first 90 minutes. My coworkers and I stopped by for brunch and were all impressed with our experience. I ordered the Brown Butter Benedict with an iced latte on the side. I have a weak spot for hearty, savory breakfasts, and this Benedict really hit the spot. The combination of Canadian bacon, pulled pork, runny egg yolks, English muffin, and hollandaise resulted in the perfectly decadent bite every time. The staff were able to accommodate my request to sub out half of the potatoes for some arugula instead, which made me feel marginally better about devouring such a hearty meal. I don't always expect restaurant coffee drinks to be that great, but I really enjoyed my iced latte as well. I look forward to visiting this spot again! read more

Brightside California Kitchen - Brown Butter Benedict, delicious! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

We came on a rainy Saturday morning and stumbled upon live jazz day! The ambiance could not have been more perfect - cozy, relaxing and full with melody. Service was good. We ordered: 1. House coffee (free refills) 4/5 Decent. 2. Brioche French toast : 3.5/5 Too much cream on top. Couldn't taste the brioche texture. Felt mushy. 3. Southwestern burrito 4/5 Tasty but the fried chicken was a bit much flavor wise. It overpowered the rest of the ingredients. The food could use more finesse in terms of flavor and texture. Ambiance was excellent! read more

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Can't go wrong with Brightside California Kitchen! Came with two friends for brunch around noon on a Saturday. We were seated immediately and given menus. I ordered a mimosa ($9) and one of my friends got the mega size mimosa which was $4 extra. My other friend got a beer on tap. The menu is big enough where there's something for everyone. I ended up deciding on the steak and eggs only because picanha is my favorite steak. I have only seen this cut at Brazilian steakhouses. Can I say that this dish was cooked perfectly. The steak was medium rare and the chimichurri and butter sauce on top was perfect. The potatoes were also flavorful with their seasoning and were lightly fried. The over easy eggs were runny and perfect. The service was excellent. The tables and bathrooms are clean. Paid street parking but there's also a paid parking garage connected to Santa Monica Place that people can park in. read more

Brightside California Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Service was friendly, location was convenient. I ordered the steak and eggs and it felt like there was more to be desired. My wife ordered the breakfast burrito and that was excellent (especially the pico that was inside). My daughter got a pancake which was great. If we go again, I would've tried the chicken & waffles as it had a Korean twist to it. They also had a short rib burrito which sounded unique and worth getting. Lastly, the bathroom could use an upgrade. The toilets don't all work well, it's quite dingy/out dated which make it appear less clean, and some of the toilet paper rolls were broken. To be clear, it was clean but could use a refresh. read more

Such a cute place, service was great and quick. I stopped as a random place with no plans but was hungry. My Bloody Mary was AMAZING I had to have 2. Food was good, could've used more potatoes but it was worth it. I ate my food too fast to take a picture lol read more

Brightside California Kitchen - Bloody Mary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Amazing breakfast in Santa Monica! We got the Benedict with salmon, omelette, cappuccino and OJ. The food was absolutely delicious, great portions with a yummy arugula side salad that comes with both dishes. Our server was kind and attentive. Highly recommend this place for a great meal with great service! read more

Brightside California Kitchen - Benedict - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Went to the brightside cafe for their new dinner menu and it was so good! Definitely a not so hidden hidden gem among more expensive places around the area. The food was not what you'd expect from a cafe style restaurant but more like a fancy steak house without the price tag. I tried a bit of everything and would recommend the braised short rib; so tender paired with creamy mashed potatoes and flavorful veggies. The waiters, Caeser and Marcus, checked on us often and helped keep the table clear of empty and done plates. The manager Jiver also came by to ask us what we thought about the menu and we gave everything a thumbs up! Definitely going to try the breakfast next :) read more

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Juan is amazing! Very attentive and friendly. First time here and it's been a great impression. We got three dishes and it's great that you can add sides too. Plenty of seating so an open and wide ambiance! read more

Brightside California Kitchen - Pulled Pork Sandwich and Brown Butter Benedict - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Had the eggs Benedict and it was delicious. The sauce and the shredded pork made th eggs Benedict event better than the traditional. I wish the potatoes were crispy, with the seasoning they would have been great but alas they were soft but otherwise it was very good. read more

This was the BEST smoked salmon bagel I've ever had in my life. All of the ingredients were really fresh, no complaints. Juan was our server and he was nice and attentive. There was a live singer and was not a wait when we arrived. I would recommend this place for everyone to visit. I'm looking forward to my next visit.​ read more

Brightside California Kitchen - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

This is a rebranded cafe that used to be called Jinky's cafe. The waffles were filling and tasty, more country style than light and fluffy. French toast was cooked just right. The fruit that came with it was fresh and high quality. The SaMo sandwich was a great Vegan option. Tasty and very filling! The vibe is relaxed and casual, feel free to wander in right off the beach. The music adds to the chill vibe; classic rock! The service was pretty quick, the staff were all attentive and happy to help all the customers. read more

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If I could give them 0 stars I would. We got there and were seated. It took the waiter 20 mins to come to take our order- people came after us got their orders before us- one table got there after he finally took our order they got their drinks before we even got two cups of water and one cup of orange juice! Then they got their full breakfast before we got ours. After he put their food down was when he freaking realized we haven't gotten our food and says from across the table I'll check on your order now. At that point I was already pissed off and decided to walk out. 45 mins later!!! And his explanation was the other people just got eggs. I don't give a crap what they ordered there were a total of 4 tables that got there after and they got their food before us! Unacceptable! I do not recommend this place at all! How they got so many stars is unbelievable! read more

We had the most amazing time & it was my friends birthday! This place made it so magical! The live guitar'st on Sunday bunch did a shout out & sang happy birthday & the kitchen made a birthday surprise pancake!! We LOVE this place! Great food and friendly staff! Clemente an amazing waiter and we had so much fun!! read more

Brightside California Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Brightside made our evening feel extra special. The staff greeted us like old friends, and the food? Absolutely delicious and so pretty I turned into a full‑on food photographer before taking my first bite . The atmosphere was relaxed and inviting, giving our family the perfect space to talk, unwind, and enjoy the moment. Soft music, comfy temperature, great food -- it all came together beautifully. And to have the attention of the manager is a plus, thank you Jiver! read more

The food was amazing, Juan was so friendly and accomodating!! The French toast was next level read more

Brightside California Kitchen - Berry French Toaat - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Food was great. Service was not. It was not super busy and yet we couldn't get water or attention timely.

Superb food, atmosphere and service. I am a coffee snob and it was delicious. The Brightside Omelette and Gravlax plate was enjoyed by my hubby and me. So yummy and fresh! Beautiful presentation, too! Izzy was our warm and welcoming server and there was a lovely jazz trio playing. We are planning a visit next weekend with friends and can hardly wait! Thank you for a lovely experience from start to finish. -Pam read more

Came here for a run club event, food was delicious and staff were amazing!! Highly recommend. read more

Brightside California Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Back again!! Juan created a beautiful hand- crafted Bloody Mary, no mixer! It is the right balance of acidity & perfect ratio of vodka. Don't forget to ask for him:) read more

Brightside California Kitchen - Bloody Mary from scratch! Made by Juan - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I must say walking into this promenade adjacent gem on Broadway I was greeted warmly by the staff who not only strive to make service a top priority but who serve up eats and specialty cocktails (for my friends who drink not me) that not only look visually stunning but also satisfy the palate. I loved the eggs Benedict. They're running a 5 dollar per drink price for margaritas all month in honor of cinquo de mayo! I mean that's less than half the price of any happy hour menu anywhere. Hand made. Mocktails avail for sober folks! I love this breakfast spot open to 3pm daily - it has very comfy booths and a warm and light decor. I'm told that the owners are going to expand to dinner soon and that means the Brightside will be shining even brighter to bring light and happiness to Santa Monica. read more

I was pleasantly blown away by the quality and taste of the dishes here. For being a newer joint everything was dialed in. The service was awesome, the restaurant is cute, and the food was fantastic. All eggs Benedict's should come with pulled pork. I don't think I'll ever find another benedict as good as the one at Brightside. The brown butter hollandaise was exquisite. Across the table my friend ordered the Monte Christo. Luckily for me, we're close, and willing to share bites of our orders. The Monte Christo was a perfect combination of sweet and savory. Truly the quintessential breakfast sandwich for someone that can't decide between French toast or an egg dish. 10/10 would recommend, and am already planning my return for lunch. read more

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We got the Monte Cristo, Brioche Breakfast Sandwich, and Salmon Benedict. All were DELICIOUS. Service was prompt, courteous, and thorough.

Delicious food! I ate the crispy chicken sandwich and my husband ate the rib eye sandwich. Sadly, no pictures because we ate our entire plates clean! The service was wonderful! Being right near the beach and sitting by the open window with the breeze was lovely! We will definitely be back! Thank you! read more

The amazing food was served as deliciousness accompanied with incredible live jazz ambiance - and then outperformed once again by all the amazing staff that made my wife's special birthday lunch memorable. Special shout out to Cindy for going above and beyond for us in service, and all the other staff who who made this first visit a a one of a kind joyful experience. Thank you Brightside crew & may God bless! read more

Brightside California Kitchen - Breakfast - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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We had a super enjoyable time here! Food was delicious and our server, Juan, was super kind and welcoming. The music played also really adds to the whole vibe! I would recommend the place to anyone looking to enjoy good food and have a good time. read more

Brightside California Kitchen - Sunshine smoothie, Brightside Burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

What a great spot! Chill vibes for breakfast, brunch, lunch and the staff told me that soon they will have dinner!! They do have coffee, soft drinks and alcohol. Food is gorgeous and delicious. Coffee is solid. Service is very friendly and fast. I've been several times now and have always had a lovely experience. There is parking in the garage around the corner that has 1st 90 minutes free. Just a block from the Santa Monica Pier. read more

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Good food nice server named marco. Nice host, great environment. Good place to watch the game. Fast good service. Gave us gratuity. Highly recommend. read more

I love already loved Brightside for brunch/lunch, but I recently had my 50th birthday party there and they absolutely knocked it out of the park! The food was amazing. My guests were raving about the steak with chimichuri. And the cocktails were perfect. If you're looking for a location for your next event you should definitely consider Brightside. read more

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I had the best brunch experience of my life here. The food was absolutely delicious, everything was fresh and full of flavor. The service was even better ,everyone who works here is incredibly kind, attentive, and welcoming. They truly make you feel special from the moment you walk in. I would come back a thousand times, honestly even every day if I could. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for an amazing brunch! read more

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It was my first time there. The monte cristo is to die for! But what impressed was how well the place functioned on a very busy morning. They were efficient and work so well as a team, seamlessly helping each other so that no customer felt a delay in service. read more

The customer service at this location is exceptional staff are genuinely kind and welcoming. The food is delicious and absolutely worth the visit. Beyond that, the view is beautiful and calming, and the playlist adds a really nice touch to the overall experience. Juan especially made the experience more pleasant because of his hospitality I will definitely come again with friends :) read more

Brightside California Kitchen - Sunshine smoothies and a burger with fries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

The service is amazing!! Juan took care of us and service was amazing! Took my friends from out of the country and staff made us feel super welcome! We had the burgers and they were too good! Staff y'all did amazing Thank you!! read more

Lovely clean and bright restaurant, came for breakfast and served by Juan. Great service and very attentive. Excellent food, highly recommended. read more

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