30 Photos
ZipPicks Awards
Best Sandwiches in Culver City
Best Brunch in Culver City
Best Breakfast in Culver City
Master Critic Review
Breakaway Cafe
7.8
Brothers Zach and Nick Bayse combine Michelin-star technique with California casual at this surfboard-decorated cafe. The Mediterranean sandwich with crispy haloumi and the pulled pesto chicken showcase elevated cooking in approachable breakfast and lunch formats, drawing a loyal local following since opening.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mediterranean Sandwich, Pulled Pesto Chicken, Breakfast Burrito
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Michelin-trained chef bringing elevated techniques to neighborhood breakfast and lunch with surfboard vibes
Who should go: Brunch enthusiasts wanting quality cafe food from experienced chefs
When to visit: Weekday mornings 8am-3pm for shorter waits, avoid weekend brunch rush
What to order: Mediterranean sandwich with haloumi and harissa aioli, shakshuka, breakfast burrito with mushrooms
Insider tip: Check their specials menu for constantly updated creative options
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking on side streets, small lot behind building with 8-10 spaces, typically available weekday mornings
Dress code: Casual California - athleisure, shorts, and sandals totally fine
Noise level: Low to moderate - easy conversation over coffee, gets livelier during weekend brunch
Weekend wait: Closed for dinner - breakfast/lunch only until 3pm
Weekday lunch: 10-15 min wait typical 12-1pm, minimal wait before 11:30am or after 1:30pm
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - strong options including shakshuka, Mediterranean sandwich (can sub haloumi), avocado toast variations
Vegan options: Limited - 2-3 options, mostly salads and modified toasts, not their strength
Gluten-free options: Yes - gluten-free bread available for sandwiches, naturally GF egg dishes and salads
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for 2nd or 3rd date brunch/lunch - casual vibe takes pressure off, but daytime hours and counter-service format lack dinner date romance
Can I get a table without a reservation? They don't take reservations - it's first-come counter service with outdoor seating. Arrive before 10am weekends or come weekdays to avoid waits
Is it kid-friendly? Very - outdoor patio accommodates strollers, casual vibe welcomes families, kids menu has simple egg dishes and sandwiches. Popular with Culver City parents
Can I work on my laptop here? Not ideal - limited indoor seating, no clear laptop culture, better for eating and leaving. Try nearby coffee shops for work sessions
Do they do coffee well? Solid espresso drinks from Stumptown beans - not specialty coffee destination but way above average cafe quality
Best For
Better for: Elevated technique at neighborhood prices - get Michelin-trained cooking without the markup. Superior to typical brunch spots for ingredient quality and creative specials while keeping it accessible
Skip if: You want a sit-down service brunch experience, need vegan-specific focus, or prefer traditional American diner breakfast over Mediterranean-California fusion
Hours
Monday8am - 3pm
Tuesday8am - 3pm
Wednesday8am - 3pm
Thursday8am - 3pm
Friday8am - 3pm
Saturday8am - 3pm
Sunday8am - 3pm