Marie Taylor-Morrison

Excellent breakfast spot. Best hash browns we’ve ever had. As a former Brit it was nice to try their English bangers. They did not disappoint. Coffee and juice were really tasty too.

Ken Uhazie

It's always great when you try a place for the first time and the whole experience ends up being phenomenal. We had wings, grilled cheese/ham and cheese with tomato basil, and two sides. All the food was fantastic and very flavorful. Our server (Perris) was very attentive and professional. He deserves an A+. Next time we're in Marina del Rey we'll definitely be back.

Sam S

What a way to start the day. You want a great selection of breakfast slams with one of the kindest servicing staff I’ve had in a while, this is your spot! I tried the fried egg and arugula sandwich and hash browns, both true pleasures. My coffee mug was filled and I’m ready to take on the wild streets of LA now! Look out 😃

AnuReviews

The food at J Nichols was really good! The pancakes were extremely delicious, the sweet potato fries were perfectly cooked, and the French toast was also very tasty. The chipotle chicken sandwich could have used a little more chicken, but it still had great flavor. The waitress was kind and attentive, which made the experience even better. It does get very busy here on weekends, so expect a bit of a wait but the food is worth it. I’ll definitely be going back

Alessandro Caso

I know most people come here for the food, service, or atmosphere—but I have to take a moment to highlight something truly overlooked: the spoons. Perfectly weighted, with just the right balance between handle and bowl, they somehow elevate even a simple stir of coffee into an elegant experience. The shine? Immaculate. The feel? Smooth and sturdy without being heavy. Honestly, I left thinking less about the meal and more about how I could get my hands on one of these spoons for home use. If anyone at J Nichols Kitchen sees this—do you sell them, or is there a way I could possibly acquire one? I’d gladly come back just for the flatware alone.

Greg Semos

When we moved back to California years ago our first apartment was in the Marina Del Rey area. It was great, a nearby walk-able Starbucks, a Gelson's and J. Nichols restaurant. That was 20 some years ago. We had a chance to revisit the area last week, and to head back to Nichols for dinner. We were happily blown away with the food and the remodel there. Nichols had been a go to for both breakfast and lunch years ago. It has since remodeled, looking to upscale with lots of dark woods and cutting down on counter seating. We found the look classy, a bit darker than my taste but not off-putting. We use to like the counter for breakfast, so there's that. The food was great. I had the Reuben sandwich, with french fry's. The sandwich was well made, a little burnt cheese escaping and adding a classy touch. Lots of meat, bread with crunch and a lovely toast. The fry's were great as well, hot, crispy and well salted. It is served with a side of very thinly sliced dill pickle on the side, a delightful tangy treat. Nancy had the grilled cheese sandwich with tomato slices and a bowl of tomato soup. This is not a light sandwich. Thick and cheesy good, thick tomato slices and a hardy soup. She raved about the sandwich, I think the soup was not a highlight. Well, everyone needs some room for improvement, right? We both had a craft beer and their selection was good. The menu is fairly broad, with great choices. I really was tempted by the meatloaf with mashed potatoes, I remembered it from the old days. I have to say, our trip there was well worth the time and cost.

+7

Ruben Becher

The menu didn't seem promising, but the food was very good, great! Service and excellent wine. Only thing is that it's a bit dark for my liking, I wish they would have opened the black shade curtains on the big windows.

Derek Eckley

J Nichols Kitchen is a true gem in the West Los Angeles dining scene. Whether you’re stopping in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this spot delivers consistently great food, warm service, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to come back again and again. One standout on the menu is their Reuben sandwich—hands down one of the best I’ve had. The corned beef is perfectly tender, the sauerkraut is just the right balance of tangy and crisp, and the Swiss cheese melts beautifully into the toasted rye bread. Every bite is packed with flavor, and it’s clear that they take pride in using high-quality ingredients. Beyond the Reuben, the entire menu is well-crafted, offering a mix of classic comfort dishes and fresh, modern takes. The service is always friendly, and whether you’re dining in or taking food to go, you can expect a great experience. If you’re looking for a reliable, delicious spot in Los Angeles with a laid-back yet elevated feel, J Nichols Kitchen is a must-visit. Highly recommended!

Sabahat Ali

Stopped by here after a flight into LAX and loved the open sunny vibes of the restaurant. Really beautiful interior and great staff. Food wasn’t super cheap but plating was vibrant and food was clean and very enjoyable! Would certainly go back again if I’m in the area. Do check it out for breakfast / brunch with friends.

C Guittard

Awesome! Lots of healthy options. Delicious! Best avocado toast and salmon toast we've ever had. Super clean and nice bathrooms.

Scott Leandro

I was genuinely impressed with this place. The service was great; they met our every request, were timely, and accommodating to our baby. The food was wonderful. I loved the Pork Pancakes. They were almost too generous with the meat! I tried my dad’s chorizo sandwich and that was also tasty. Good vibes and food.

Nova Giacalone

WOW!! I will be coming again and again. We ordered the pork & pancakes-MUST HAVE ! As a coffee lover I ordered the hot chocolate with an espresso shot and it was soooo smooth and delicious. I had the French toast and it was to be as expected nothing over the top and just right :) the eggs were cold but everything else was sooo good. I was eating my partners food too it was so good !! Thank you to the amazing service for making the morning great

+3

David Rodriguez

Went here on a Sunday late morning. Had a bit of a wait, about 30 minutes. The service was fantastic and the food was delicious. We had the chilaquiles and the ground beef omelette with mixed greens. The outside of the omelette doesn't look like much but inside is a hidden treasure! The sourdough toast is amazing.

Matthew Ozuna

This place is more of a seat down restaurant rather than a place to get food to go. The inside of the restaurant looked very nice but yet casual. I knew it was going to be a small portion but the concoction of food that they mixed together in my holiday turkey plate was still pretty good and tasty. I want to come back here and have a dinner inside while also trying something new.

Jonathan Leonen

One thing to note is the fantastic service by my waiter, Paris (unique enough name to never forget). As a first timer, he gave me a good selection of his faves. I had the calamari as a starter and the steak frites as my main entree. It was all just amazing. Really enjoyed. It’s a small place. Looks even smaller on the outside, but the vibe is cozy, warm, elegant. Nice little candle at every table. The food was top notch, but it’s the service that sold me. There wasn’t a dessert menu option but when I looked online it does say there is, but by then it was already too late. Will definitely return here some time again and try out more options. In short, this a big recommendation from me. Grade: A

brian keith

The wait was 15 min which was not to bad. Service was not as good had to ask different people for items as waitress was bust with other tables. I asked the waitress what was on the burger and she did not mention that it came with mustard so did not enjoy it that much. Fries were ok but not super hot. Wife enjoyed her omelette.

+1

Nav Singh

Our last day in Santa Monica and we couldn’t find any restaurant that were open or had breakfast items we wanted. We dined at the other good breakfast spots the prior days and wanted to try something different. I found J Nichols on maps outside of the area we were staying and decided to venture out. I called ahead and was told to join the wait list on the website. We arrived at the restaurant and were seated after 15 minutes so was a bit disappointed with the o line wait list. As for our breakfast experience, the service was great. The ambiance was also inviting and lively. Very busy breakfast spot. Our meals were also tasty, especially the chicken chilaquiles. The pancakes were delicious and the egg whites, onions and mushrooms were a bit on the bland side but could have been lacking a bit of salt. Meals were hearty portions and we couldn’t finish all the Turkey bacon since one portion was three slices, we had two portions. Hash was also hearty, tasty and filling. Our overall experience was satisfactory and pleasing and it was worth the 15 minute drive from Ocean drive. I may return on future visits to Santa Monica.

+1