Burbank Native Shares Top Dining Spots for a Day in Her Hometown

LAist Director of Programming Jenn Baughman gives insider recommendations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Burbank.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 5:31pm

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Jenn Baughman, a Burbank native and the Director of Programming at LAist, shares her top picks for a day of dining in her hometown. From a beloved coffee cart serving delicious decaf and baked goods, to a laid-back bar with tasty vegan and carnivore-friendly options, to a tiki-themed restaurant with creative cocktails and an immersive bathroom experience, Baughman highlights the diverse and delicious food scene in Burbank.

Why it matters

As a lifelong Burbank resident, Baughman provides an insider's perspective on the best places to eat in her hometown, which is home to major entertainment industry players like Warner Bros, Disney, and NBCUniversal. Her recommendations showcase Burbank's vibrant food culture, from independent coffee shops to innovative gastropubs.

The details

Baughman starts her day at Kaleido Coffee, a coffee cart inside the patio garden at Tansy that serves up a robust decaf brew and baked goods from Cake Monkey Bakery. For lunch, she heads to Tony's Darts Away, a laid-back bar with a menu that caters to both carnivores and vegans, including their signature Disco Fries and breakfast burritos. For dinner, Baughman recommends Broken Compass, a tiki-themed restaurant with modern pub fare, creative cocktails like the Chupacabra's Vacation, and an immersive bathroom experience.

  • Baughman was born and raised in Burbank and graduated from the same high school as her parents.

The players

Jenn Baughman

The Director of Programming at LAist and a lifelong Burbank resident.

Kaleido Coffee

A coffee cart inside the patio garden at Tansy that serves delicious decaf and baked goods from Cake Monkey Bakery.

Tony's Darts Away

A laid-back bar with a menu that caters to both carnivores and vegans, including their signature Disco Fries and breakfast burritos.

Broken Compass

A tiki-themed restaurant with modern pub fare, creative cocktails, and an immersive bathroom experience.

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The takeaway

Burbank, a city often overshadowed by its larger neighbor Los Angeles, has a thriving and diverse food scene that reflects its rich entertainment industry roots and community-driven values. From independent coffee shops to innovative gastropubs, Baughman's recommendations showcase the best of Burbank's dining options.