There’s nothing quite like starting your day with a memorable breakfast—especially when you’re traveling. Whether you’re a foodie on the hunt for the perfect pancake or a traveler who believes great mornings begin with great meals, this 2025 list rounds up America’s most beloved, top-rated breakfast spots that locals and tourists can’t stop raving about. From old-school diners to modern brunch havens, these breakfast places are worth the trip alone. Each one has been selected based on real customer reviews, food quality, local reputation, and travel expert recommendations. Top 15 Best Breakfast Places in New York City (2025 Guide by Locals). 15 Best Pizza Places in New York City (2025) – Local Favorites & Hidden Gems
1. Mother’s Bistro & Bar – Portland, Oregon
Nestled in downtown Portland, Mother’s Bistro is more than a restaurant—it’s a warm hug on a plate. Helmed by Chef Lisa Schroeder, the place is famed for its comforting, made-from-scratch meals that honor traditional “mother-style” cooking from around the world.
🍽 What to Order:
Challah French Toast – Golden, fluffy, and just sweet enough.
Biscuits & Gravy – House-made buttermilk biscuits topped with country-style sausage gravy.
The Crunchy French Toast – Coated in cornflakes and cooked to perfection.
2. The Original Pantry Café – Los Angeles, California
Open since 1924 and never closing its doors (literally—it’s open 24/7), The Original Pantry Café is a Los Angeles institution. Known for its generous portions and fast service, this no-frills diner is the real deal when it comes to old-school breakfast.
🍽 What to Order:
Buttermilk Pancakes – Thick, fluffy, and served with creamy butter.
Ham Steak & Eggs – A breakfast classic with serious protein power.
Sourdough French Toast – A fan favorite with a crispy edge and custardy center.
3. The Breakfast Club – Boston, Massachusetts
Decked out in full 80s nostalgia with posters and pop culture galore, The Breakfast Club is a charming and fun-filled diner that balances flair with seriously good food. Located in Allston, it’s a go-to for Boston locals and visiting foodies alike.
🍽 What to Order:
Breakfast Burrito – Stuffed with eggs, cheddar, bacon, and avocado.
Fruity Pebbles Pancakes – A childhood dream come true.
Eggs Benedict – Made classic or with local lobster for a New England twist.
4. Blue Heaven – Key West, Florida
Where else can you eat breakfast under the shade of tropical trees with roosters roaming freely? Located in historic Bahama Village, Blue Heaven is a funky and laid-back gem that blends Key West charm with culinary excellence.
🍽 What to Order:
Lobster Benedict – Locally sourced lobster topped with homemade Key lime hollandaise.
Banana Bread with Mango Butter – Freshly baked and impossibly good.
Blueberry Pancakes – Gigantic and loaded with juicy berries.
5. Tupelo Honey – Asheville, North Carolina
This modern Southern kitchen takes comfort food to another level. Located in Asheville’s buzzing downtown, Tupelo Honey offers locally sourced ingredients, seasonal menus, and Southern-style breakfasts with a creative twist.
🍽 What to Order:
Shoo Mercy Sweet Potato Pancakes – Topped with whipped peach butter and spiced pecans.
Fried Chicken & Waffles – Crispy, juicy, and drizzled with honey.
Avocado Toast – Served on sourdough with sriracha honey and pickled onions.
6. Pinewood Social – Nashville, Tennessee
Located in a stylish, repurposed warehouse near downtown Nashville, Pinewood Social blends amazing food with a unique social atmosphere. Think breakfast meets bowling alley, complete with craft coffee and sleek vibes. It’s a hotspot for creatives, travelers, and locals alike.
🍽 What to Order:
Smoked Brisket Hash – Tender, smoky meat served with sweet potatoes and poached eggs.
Avocado Toast with Za’atar – Middle Eastern spices meet Southern charm.
Cinnamon Rolls – Fresh-baked and massive, served warm with cream cheese glaze.
7. Wildberry Pancakes and Café – Chicago, Illinois
Located steps from Millennium Park, Wildberry Pancakes and Café is one of Chicago’s most beloved breakfast spots. Locals line up daily for their over-the-top pancakes and high-quality brunch fare that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
🍽 What to Order:
Signature Berry Bliss Pancakes – Layered with fresh berries, vanilla anglaise, and blackberry coulis.
Chilaquiles Verde – A spicy, savory option for those who like a Mexican twist.
Omelet Your Way – Customize with dozens of fillings and cheeses.eason.
8. Jam – Chicago, Illinois
Also in Chicago but with a very different vibe, Jam in Logan Square is where gourmet meets approachable. This Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant is perfect for foodies looking for a more refined breakfast with creative ingredients and seasonal flair.
🍽 What to Order:
Eggs with Purple Potato Hash – Hearty, flavorful, and plated like fine art.
Lemon Curd French Toast – Tangy, sweet, and unforgettable.
Malted Custard Pancakes – A must-try item that made Jam famous.
9. Clinton Street Baking Company – New York City, New York
Ask a New Yorker where to get the best pancakes, and Clinton Street Baking Company will come up almost every time. Known for legendary brunch lines and award-winning blueberry pancakes, this Lower East Side staple is a must-stop for breakfast lovers.
🍽 What to Order:
Blueberry Pancakes with Warm Maple Butter – Arguably the best in the USA.
Southern Breakfast – Fried green tomatoes, cheese grits, and eggs.
Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwiches – Flaky, buttery perfection.
10. The Sunny Side Café – Berkeley, California
A local favorite in the Bay Area, The Sunny Side Café is everything you want in a California breakfast joint: fresh, organic, locally sourced, and full of flavor. The vibe is casual and cozy—perfect after a walk through the UC Berkeley campus.
🍽 What to Order:
Dungeness Crab Omelet – Loaded with fresh crab and creamy avocado.
Banana Pecan Pancakes – Served with house-made maple butter.
Shakshuka – Poached eggs in a spicy tomato-pepper sauce with pita bread.
11. Stanley – New Orleans, Louisiana
Overlooking historic Jackson Square in the French Quarter, Stanley serves up a perfect mix of Southern comfort food with upscale presentation. The location alone makes it a standout, but it’s the food that keeps people coming back.
🍽 What to Order:
Stanley Classic Eggs Benedict – With grilled ham, poached eggs, and Creole hollandaise on a toasted English muffin.
Bananas Foster French Toast – A New Orleans twist on a breakfast classic, flambéed to perfection.
Breaux Bridge Benedict – Topped with house-made boudin and spicy hollandaise.
12. Buvette – New York City, New York
Tucked away in NYC’s West Village, Buvette feels like a charming Parisian café. It’s cozy, elegant, and consistently delivers high-quality, European-inspired breakfast and brunch that locals love.
🍽 What to Order:
Steamed Scrambled Eggs with Prosciutto – Light, fluffy, and luxurious.
Waffles with Berries and Crème Fraîche – Simple, sweet, and divine.
Croque Monsieur – A rich and cheesy French delight.
13. The Griddle Café – Los Angeles, California
The Griddle Café is a pancake lover’s dream. Located in Hollywood, it’s become legendary for giant, over-the-top flapjacks and hearty American breakfasts. Celebs and tourists alike flock here for a carb-loaded start to the day.
🍽 What to Order:
Red Velvet Pancakes – Yes, they’re as decadent as they sound.
Golden Ticket Pancakes – Filled with caramel, walnuts, and streusel.
“Tequila Sunrise” Omelet – Packed with jalapeños, cheese, and chorizo.
14. Vickery Café – Fort Worth, Texas
Tucked into a cozy corner of Fort Worth, Vickery Café is a down-to-earth, locals-favorite breakfast joint that nails the basics: fresh, filling, and full of flavor. It may not be flashy, but it’s real Texas comfort.
🍽 What to Order:
Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs – Crispy, tender, and smothered in cream gravy.
Breakfast Tacos – A Texas essential, with fluffy eggs and spicy salsa.
Texas Skillet – Hash browns, peppers, sausage, cheese, and eggs all cooked together.
15. Early Bird – Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha might not be the first place that comes to mind for foodies, but Early Bird is changing that. This trendy brunch spot is known for its inventive menu and playful twist on American breakfast classics.
🍽 What to Order:
Flight of Pancakes – Try three flavors like lemon poppyseed, Oreo, and classic buttermilk.
Chicken Fried Benny – A bold combo of fried chicken, poached eggs, and jalapeño gravy.
“Cereal Killer” Latte – A sweet latte topped with your favorite childhood cereal.
16. Tilikum Place Café – Seattle, Washington
Nestled in Seattle’s historic Belltown neighborhood, Tilikum Place Café brings a cozy European touch to the Pacific Northwest breakfast scene. It’s known for its rotating seasonal menu, intimate ambiance, and standout Dutch baby pancakes.
🍽 What to Order:
Dutch Baby with Lemon and Powdered Sugar – Light, puffy, and slightly crispy.
Housemade Granola with Yogurt – Simple and fresh with Pacific Northwest berries.
Savory Tart with Eggs and Greens – Perfectly flaky with bold flavors
17. Hash House A Go Go – Las Vegas, Nevada
Breakfast in Vegas doesn’t have to be a gamble—Hash House A Go Go delivers farm-fresh comfort food with a wild twist. Think larger-than-life portions and bold flavors served in a buzzing, fun-loving environment.
🍽 What to Order:
Sage Fried Chicken & Waffles – Towering, spicy-sweet, and iconic.
Andy’s Farm Scramble – Loaded with bacon, onion, spinach, and mozzarella.
Snickers Flapjack – Yes, a pancake stuffed with Snickers bars
18. Pine State Biscuits – Portland, Oregon
This isn’t your grandma’s biscuit joint (but she’d probably love it too). Pine State Biscuits takes the Southern staple to a whole new level, making it one of Portland’s most iconic breakfast stops.
🍽 What to Order:
The Reggie Deluxe – Fried chicken, bacon, cheese, and egg smothered in gravy on a biscuit.
Shrimp and Grits – Creamy, spicy, and full of depth.
Biscuit with Marionberry Jam – Oregon berries at their best.
19. The Collins Quarter – Savannah, Georgia
Bringing an Aussie-inspired café culture to historic Savannah, The Collins Quarter combines Instagram-worthy aesthetics with globally inspired, healthy(ish) brunch options. It’s stylish, laid-back, and loaded with flavor.
🍽 What to Order:
Avocado Smash with Feta and Beetroot – Light and refreshing.
Swine Time Beni – Pulled pork, bacon, poached eggs, and hollandaise on ciabatta.
Spiced Lavender Mocha – A must-try for coffee lovers.
20. Toast – Charleston, South Carolina
Toast in downtown Charleston is a go-to breakfast spot for both tourists and locals. It blends Southern charm with classic Lowcountry cuisine in a cozy, welcoming setting—and the mimosas don’t hurt either.
🍽 What to Order:
Shrimp and Grits – A Charleston essential with bold, buttery flavor.
Fried Green Tomato BLT – Crispy, tangy, and unforgettable.
Stuffed French Toast – Filled with cinnamon apples and cream cheese.
21. The Arcade Restaurant – Memphis, Tennessee
Established in 1919, The Arcade is Memphis’s oldest café and a beloved local landmark. Elvis Presley himself used to dine here! With its retro diner vibe and hearty Southern-style breakfasts, it’s a nostalgic slice of Americana.
🍽 What to Order:
Sweet Potato Pancakes – Unique, fluffy, and slightly sweet.
Country Fried Steak and Eggs – Classic comfort food done right.
Elvis Sandwich – Peanut butter, banana, and bacon grilled to perfection
22. The Blue Benn Diner – Bennington, Vermont
Tucked in a classic 1940s railcar, The Blue Benn Diner is as old-school as it gets. It’s where Vermont charm meets homemade breakfasts, with plenty of comfort and character.
🍽 What to Order:
Homemade Corned Beef Hash – Crisped just right with runny eggs.
Pumpkin Pancakes – Especially popular in fall but served year-round.
Maple Sausage and Eggs – With pure Vermont maple syrup, of course.
23. Koko Head Café – Honolulu, Hawaii
Looking for a truly tropical breakfast experience? Head to Koko Head Café, where chef Lee Anne Wong (Top Chef finalist) delivers Hawaiian-Asian fusion brunch that’s innovative and unforgettable.
🍽 What to Order:
Cornflake French Toast – Crisp, sweet, and island-inspired.
Kimchi Bacon Fried Rice – Topped with a sunny-side egg.
Breakfast Bibimbap – A spicy twist on morning rice bowls.
24. Geraldine’s Counter – Seattle, Washington
Located in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood, Geraldine’s Counter is a favorite among locals for comfort food with high-quality ingredients and generous portions. It’s no-frills but full of soul.
🍽 What to Order:
French Toast – Made from thick slices of challah, caramelized on the outside.
Eggs and Hash Browns – Done simply and perfectly.
Huevos Rancheros – A spicy, satisfying start to your day.
25. The Friendly Toast – Portsmouth, New Hampshire
With funky retro décor, a playful menu, and strong coffee, The Friendly Toast is quirky, creative, and full of flavor. A regional favorite in New England with a cult following.
🍽 What to Order:
Green Eggs and Ham – Pesto scrambled eggs with smoked ham and toast.
King Cakes – Pancakes with bananas, peanut butter, and bacon.
Breakfast Egg Rolls – Yes, you read that right—scrambled eggs and sausage wrapped and fried.
Final Recap: 25 Best Breakfast Places in the USA (2025 Edition)
You now have a complete coast-to-coast guide to the very best breakfast spots the U.S. has to offer—from NYC’s bistros to Hawaiian rice bowls and Southern diners. Each location has been chosen not just for its food, but for the authentic, memorable experience it offers.
I am Sabiq Rasel is an Entrepreneur and broadcaster. I believe that every sip of coffee holds the potential for a moment of inspiration, creativity, and every cup tells a story.
