Nine Last-Minute Mother’s Day Ideas in Los Angeles

There’s barely a three-day window to secure reservations for Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 12. It’s a challenging time to nab a free table, as everyone is trying to do the exact same thing in a bustling restaurant city with large parties that simply want to celebrate mom.

Eater is here to help, with took a detailed look throughout LA for these coveted available tables. We figured out which restaurants (and bar) has availability this Sunday. But if feeling lucky, take a look at our brunch heatmap which was updated last week. Or just choose from one of the nine options below.

Vartan Abgaryan’s Mother’s Day Brunch at Spread Mediterranean Kitchen

Well-known chef Vartan Abgaryan recently left 71Above to helm Venice’s Yours Truly in February. This Sunday, Abgaryan will be a featured guest chef for a dining series by Spread Mediterranean Kitchen called Spread the Love. Plus, while tasting falafel with cilantro, sumac, and pecorino, shakshuka, fried chicken with biscuits and yuzu kosho honey, a portion of proceeds benefits Miry’s List, a nonprofit offering aid to new arrival refugee families resettling in Los Angeles. The cost is $50 per person, or $68 with champagne. Get tickets here. 334 S Main St, Downtown, CA

The Veranda at Hotel Figueroa

With mild weather and no rain in the forecast, the Veranda at the Hotel Figueroa is an ideal spot to bring mom. With a poolside view, all mothers receive free bottomless mimosas. And $65 provides access to a brunch buffet with shrimp cocktails, ceviche, an omelette station, and waffle table with fried chicken. Children under 12 eat for free. Book reservations here. 939 S Figueroa St, Downtown, CA

Tallula’s

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tallula’s chef Saw Naing will bring Mother’s Day brunch in the form of blood orange mimosas and cocktails with Mexican coffee. Tallula’s team will prepare dishes like the grass hanger steak with eggs and chipotle tamarind sauce, and blue corn pancakes house made piloncillo syrup, fresh berries, and cardamom whipped cream. With a kid-friendly layout amongst bright colors and one block away from the Pacific, this seems like a slam-dunk choice. Make reservations through Resy.

Gracias Madre

Gracias Madre

It seems fitting to celebrate Mother’s Day at a restaurant called Gracias Madre. The vegan West Hollywood restaurant translates to “thank you mother” in Spanish. They’ve added a few items to the brunch menu, including a strawberry shortcake created by chef Armando Ayala. At both West Hollywood and Newport Beach location, they’ll serve special cocktails in a mug that says “Call Your Mother.” Reserve a table soon. 8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA

Hatch Yakitori + Bar

Hatch Yakitori + Bar is avoiding the Mother’s Day rush altogether by serving dinner in Downtown at The BLOC. Hatch’s cold bar is always a solid option, or something from the izakaya menu like the seared ahi belly. Entrees include the furikake salmon or 18-day dry-aged rib eye for mom, and there’s even a brand new cocktail bar to boot. Hatch is open on Mother’s Day from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. 700 West 7th Street, suite G600, Downtown, CA

Entre Nous

Pasadena’s Southern French eatery Entre Nous will serve a brunch menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by dinner until 10 p.m. The former owners of Cafe Beaujolais in Eagle Rock is purely traditional French in a relaxed room, and reservations can be made by email at entrenousfrenchbistro@gmail.com or 626.844.4500. 119 W Green Street, Old Town Pasadena, CA

MiniBar Hollywood

If mom is a bit less traditional and loves to laugh while sipping hard liquor, MiniBar put together an incredible late-afternoon gathering with its second annual Ya-Mama-Zaki. A stand-up comedy show begins at 3:30 p.m. with a tasting flight of single malt whiskies. The show is hosted by comedian Kat Ageson, and tickets are $65. 6141 Franklin Ave, Hollywood, CA

Water Grill Santa Monica and Downtown

LA’s well-known seafood specialist will serve its standard brunch menu along with a special Mother’s Day surf and turf with filet mignon and lobster, plus a halibut with mushrooms and lobster sauce. There’s plenty of reservations available at both Water Grill’s Downtown and Santa Monica locations, but don’t wait until the dining rooms are full. 1401 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA or 544 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Sloane’s in Valley Village

For a more casual option, try Sloane’s for a menu that’s sure to please moms who just want beer, crab fat fries, a hearty breakfast sandwich, or charcuterie plate. There’s no reservations, so this could be a risky call. But the vibe at Sloane’s — plus an attentive son or daughter — is enough to keep an easy-going mother happy. 5338 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Valley Village, CA

• The 16 Hottest Brunch Spots in Los Angeles, May 2019 [ELA]