Breakfast is such an enticing time of day. Weekdays we rush through it, grabbing the easiest thing and heading out the door while daydreaming of the weekend and leisurely meals with friends and family. Those breakfasts we daydream about, though, are all composed of very different things. For some it’s a killer cup of coffee with a fresh pastry; for others it’s an exceptional farm-fresh meal, a boozy brunch, or an egg sandwich in a greasy, albeit favorite, neighborhood diner.
Luckily, for every type of daydream-worthy breakfast there is a spot. From coast-to-coast and just in time for national breakfast month these are the American cities for breakfast lovers.
Boulder, Colorado
Tucked into a valley below the Flatirons, Boulder is known for its local food and you’ll find plenty of farm-to-table-inspired menus in the city. But Boulder is more much more than its hippie reputation. You’ll also find extravagant brunches with bottomless sangria, housemade baked goods, and, of course, vegan and gluten-free options. Pick your poison and then take advantage of the city’s 300+ days of sunshine a year by window shopping on Pearl Street, hiking or, tasting the craft beer.
Where to visit:
Tangerine 2777 Iris Ave, Boulder, CO 80304
Walnut Cafe 3073 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO 80301
Beehive 2018 10th St., Boulder, Colorado 80302
Veggie omelette at Tangerine in Boulder, CO | Image courtesy of Tangerine
Image courtesy of Tangerine in Boulder, CO
Owner Dana Derichsweiler at Walnut Cafe in Boulder | Image courtesy of Walnut Cafe
Eggs Marcos at Walnut Cafe in Boulder | Image courtesy of Walnut Cafe
Charleston, South Carolina
It’s impossible not to be charmed by Charleston. Cobblestone streets, moss-covered buildings, a historic outdoor market to treasure hunt in. And when in this Southern city it’s shrimp and grits, known as the “poor man’s breakfast, you’ll be ordering. Made from fried corn that is cracked and ground and shrimp caught from the local waters, the dish is a staple.
Where to visit:
Virginia’s on King 412 King StreetCharleston, SC 29403
Husk 76 Queen St., Charleston, SC 29401
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit 476 King St., Charleston, SC 29403
Husk Restaurant in Charleston | Photo credit: Michael Kelley
Husk Restaurant in Charleston | Photo: Squire Fox Photography
Chicago, Illinois
The Windy City will make night owls become morning people. During the weekdays few places serve breakfast (although LuLa Cafe for the pancakes is worth a visit and they also deliver) – but it’s the weekends where Chicago breakfasts shine. Cocktails upon cocktails, pastries made in-house and dishes to satisfy everyone from the adventurous (breakfast spaghetti ‘n’ clams ‘n’ crab) to the sweet tooth (stuffed french toast with nutella and bananas).
Where to visit:
LuLa Cafe 2537 N. Kedzie Blvd., Chicago, IL 60647
Little Goat Diner 820 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607
Palace Grill 1408 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60607
Pancakes at Lula Cafe in Chicago | Image courtesy of Lula Cafe
Lula Cafe in Chicago | Image courtesy of Lula Cafe
Houston, Texas
Houston tends to play second fiddle to Austin but when it comes to the first meal of the day, the Space City rules. The country’s fourth-largest city treats diners to Southern hospitality with menus full of modern inventions. Think Korean-style fried chicken with blackberry margaritas for brunch, migas, and, of course, brisket and eggs. Plus, the fact that Houston is a popular business travel spot makes it easy to get a delicious breakfast any day of the week.
Where to visit:
Dak & Bop, 1801 Binz St. Suite 120, Houston, TX 77004
Dish Society 5740 San Felipe, Houston, TX 77057
Chicken and waffles for brunch at Dak and Bop in Houston | Photo: Mary Cho
Dak and Bop in Houston | Photo: Mike Puckett
Brisket and eggs at Dish Society in Houston, TX | Image courtesy of Dish Society
Nutella french toast at Dish Society in Houston, TX | Image courtesy of Dish Society
Los Angeles, California
The glitzy West Coast city appreciates a slow-paced breakfast full of people watching and meandering conversations. On the weekends, this is normally over Bloody Marys. Throughout the city’s many neighborhoods you’ll find places doling out the traditional pancakes and french toast, but also spots dishing out smoked fish, pastries that include maple bacon biscuits, and power fruit bowls. No matter the day of the week, LA has a breakfast spot waiting for you.
Where to visit:
Sqirl 720 Virgil Ave #4, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Huckleberry 1014 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401
Sqirl in Los Angeles | Image courtesy of Sqirl
Chocolate and nut butter toast at Sqirl in Los Angeles | Image courtesy of Sqirl
Salted Caramel Bars at Huckleberry | Photo: Emily Hart Roth
Green Eggs & Ham at Huckleberry | Photo: Emily Hart Roth
New Orleans, Louisiana
You go to New Orleans for the music, the art, the history, and the party of the French Quarter. But above all you go to New Orleans to eat. Chargrilled oysters and Po’Boys. Gumbo at Commander’s Palace and lunches that turn into dinners at Antonine’s. You haven’t really experienced the Crescent City, however, until you’ve had beignets, fried dough squares topped with powdered sugar, and cafe au lait – a blend of chicory coffee and hot milk, at Cafe du Monde. Touristy, yes, but for three centuries this has been the place to start your day, sometimes even end it.
Where to visit:
Cafe du Monde 800 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70116 (and additional locations)
An afternoon snack of café au lait and beignets at Café du Monde, New Orleans. | Photo via Kaige on Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Steel City has become the place to be in the past few years. Zagat named it the Number 1 Food City of 2015 and Vogue said, “Pittsburgh is not just a happening place to visit — increasingly, people, especially New Yorkers, are toying with the idea of moving here.” At the heart of Pittsburgh’s transformation into a destination is its food. But while you find plenty of spaces whipping up innovative menus, breakfast here is classic American. Think paper-thin pancakes and egg omelets in old-school diners.
Where to visit:
Pamela’s 60 21st St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (additional locations)
DeLucas 1110 Park Manor Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15205 (plus additional location)
DeLuca’s Diner in Pittsburgh | Image courtesy of DeLuca’s Diner
DeLuca’s Diner in Pittsburgh | Image courtesy of DeLuca’s Diner
Portland, Oregon
Securing a breakfast spot is practically a sport in Portland, Oregon. The West Coast city’s breakfast obsession runs almost as deep as its love of coffee, craft beer, and food trucks. You’ll find all three at breakfast. But waiting for a table or in the mobile eats line is worth it once you bite into chicken and waffles or the maple bacon bar that sparked the nation’s bacon craze.
Where to visit:
Voodoo Doughnut 22 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, Oregon 97204 (and additional locations)
Screen Door 2337 East Burnside St., Portland, OR 97214
Bijou Café 132 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, OR 97204
Image courtesy of Voodoo Doughnut
Image courtesy of Voodoo Doughnut
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Crooked streets, adobe architecture, and the Sangre de Cristo foothills form the backdrop of New Mexico’s capital city. It’s easy to spend a weekend or a week getting lost in Santa Fe’s charms. And while it wasn’t long ago that the city was getting a bad rap for the influx of chains and franchises diluting its authentic Southwestern cuisine, you’ll now never want to miss a breakfast during your stay. Savor dishes such as carne adovada, chorizo burritos, and even pancakes with scooping heaps of fresh berries.
Where to visit:
Tia Sophia 210 West San Fransisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Modern General 637 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Tia Sophia’s in Santa Fe | Image courtesy of Tia Sophia’s
Tia Sophia in Santa Fe | Image courtesy of Tia Sophia’s
Modern General in Santa Fe, NM | Photo: Jen Judge
Avocado with cilantro and olive oil on toast, and poached egg with butter and fresh herbs on toast at Modern General in Santa Fe, NM | Photo: Amanda Proudfit
Washington, DC
Morning lovers: the nation’s capital is for you. Days begin early and business meetings take place over breakfast more often than dinner, meaning, you’ll never have to wait for the weekend for breakfast options. But be prepared – in Washington, DC breakfast is meant to be a scene full of people watching, especially at Old Ebbitt Grill, the city’s oldest bar where you’ll find political power players having meetings in the morning and the most delicious crepes outside of Paris.
Where to visit:
Old Ebbit Grill 675 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005
Founding Farmers 1924 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006 (and additional locations)
Image courtesy of Old Ebbitt Grill
Image courtesy of Founding Farmers
