Bread Head: Your Next Favorite Lunch in Manhattan Beach
Bread Head Manhattan Beach brings freshly baked bread and thoughtfully made sandwiches to Manhattan Avenue, making it an easy stop for locals and visitors alike. Pick up lunch before heading to the sand, take a break between shopping or grab something satisfying after a morning on the Strand.
It’s casual and welcoming, with some impressive kitchen experience behind the counter.
From a Michelin-Starred Kitchen to Manhattan Beach
Longtime friends Alex Williams and Jordan Snyder met while running the kitchen at Trois Mec, the acclaimed Los Angeles restaurant where they helped earn a Michelin star. Alongside their fine-dining work, they shared an appreciation for a great sandwich.
Their goal was simple: make something familiar taste incredible.
They started by developing their own bread, a custom focaccia baked in special pans every few hours and finished with a light glaze. Then they carefully selected the fillings, considering texture and aroma alongside flavor. Each sandwich was tested and refined before making the menu.
Years of pop-ups and catering events gave Alex and Jordan the chance to build a following. In 2023, they partnered with entrepreneur Greg Willsey and former Night + Market operations director Michael Pasternak to establish Bread Head Restaurant Group.
Their first shop opened in Santa Monica in June 2024, followed by Manhattan Beach in June 2025. For downtown, it’s a delicious addition: accomplished chefs putting their attention into something you can happily take to the beach.
It Starts With the Bread
At Bread Head, the bread deserves as much attention as what’s inside it.
Baking throughout the day puts freshness at the center of the menu. The signature focaccia gives the sandwiches their own identity, whether you choose a classic BLT or something piled with Italian meats and crunchy vegetables.
That same care carries through to the fillings. Familiar combinations get interesting additions, a little fresh horseradish, pickled onion, or shaved green apple… that make choosing lunch more interesting.
What to Order at Bread Head Manhattan Beach
The menu includes hot and cold sandwiches, meat-free choices, and smaller options for children. A few worth considering:
Combo Grinder: Italian meats, aged provolone, pepperoncini, crisp vegetables and red wine vinaigrette. A substantial choice when you’ve worked up an appetite.
BLT: Crispy bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and garlic mayo. A classic for good reason.
Reuben: Griddled pastrami, Swiss, sauerkraut and Russian dressing, with fresh horseradish.
Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella, avocado, sprouts, pickled red onion and za’atar spread.
Chicken Salad: Roasted chicken salad with shaved green apple and apple butter.
Turkey Pesto: Roasted turkey, basil pesto, cheddar, avocado, arugula and garlic mayo.
Add chips and a cold drink, and you’re ready to go. Check the Manhattan Beach menu for the latest options and specials.
An Easy Lunch in Manhattan Beach
Bread Head’s location on Manhattan Avenue makes it easy to work into a day downtown. Browse the boutiques, stop for lunch, and continue toward the pier and beach.
For visitors, it’s a convenient way to enjoy a neighborhood business without setting aside a long restaurant meal. For locals, it’s an option for a lunch break, a picnic, or for grabbing delicious food on those afternoons when nobody feels like cooking.
You can order ahead for pickup, too. Get everyone’s choices sorted, collect your sandwiches, and spend the rest of your afternoon enjoying Manhattan Beach.
Breakfast Before the Beach
Bread Head also serves breakfast in Manhattan Beach Friday through Sunday, from 8–11 a.m. The current menu includes a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, smoked salmon, and breakfast burritos.
It’s a good excuse to start your day early. Pick up breakfast, take a walk toward the water, and enjoy the neighborhood before the rest of the day gets going.
Make a Day of It
There’s plenty to enjoy around Bread Head, from boutique shops to the pier and the bike path along the Strand. You don’t need a packed itinerary. Leave time to browse, find a spot to enjoy lunch, and take the scenic route back.
That’s what makes Bread Head such a great fit for Manhattan Beach: Choose a sandwich and enjoy your day.
Bread Head Manhattan Beach
1129 Manhattan Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
View the menu and order online
