The 20 best breakfast restaurants in America

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What is it? A legendary Philadelphia Jewish deli that has occupied the corner of Fourth and Bainbridge streets in Queen Village since 1923. Best known for its oversized corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, but its extensive menu also features breakfast classics like eggs, smoked fish, bagels and baked goods.

Why we love it: Famous brings the same generous, spirited energy the space is known for to its breakfast menu. Its dining room remains a neighborhood staple, welcoming regulars, families, and tourists to a corner of the city that has been home for over a century. The novie, eggs, and onions dish folds nova lox and sautéed onions into your choice of eggs, while whitefish salad and chopped herring cover classic deli favorites. Feeling extra hungry? You can even swap home fries for potato pancakes with the Western omelet. For dessert, grab rugelach or a black-and-white cookie from the bakery—ideally packed to go, as you likely won't have room left.

Time Out tip: Portions are large, even by deli standards. Start with one breakfast plate for two and add sides only if you still have room.

Address: 700 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147

Opening hours: Daily 9 am-8 pm

What is it? Walter and Margarita Manzke’s French-inspired Los Angeles bakery, café, and restaurant resides in a 1929 building originally constructed for Charlie Chaplin. The La Brea landmark later housed La Brea Bakery and Campanile, connecting République directly to many eras of Los Angeles dining history.

Why we love it: Morning crowds fill the historic dining room while Margarita’s James Beard Award-winning croissants, tarts, and breads quickly sell out from the pastry case. The savory menu easily carries the meal beyond coffee and pastries, featuring dishes like a classic croque madame and short rib kimchi fried rice, and a smoked salmon potato pancake highlights the kitchen's range. Order from both sides of the counter and enjoy.

Time Out tip: Pick out a pastry before ordering your hot food, especially on weekends. The most popular items can disappear well before breakfast service ends.

Address: 624 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Opening hours: Café, daily 8am–2pm; Restaurant Tue–Fri 5:30–10pm; Sat 5–10pm

What is it? Philadelphia’s Fishtown sibling of Middle Child’s original Center City sandwich shop. Breakfast and lunch are counter-service and walk-in only, while the Clubhouse becomes a full-service restaurant and bar at night.

Why we love it: The Clubhouse takes familiar diner food seriously, while also keeping breakfast fun. Its pastrami, egg and cheese won a national Good Morning America competition, combining fluffy eggs, Cooper Sharp American and house-smoked pastrami on rye. For something sweeter, the Big Pancake pairs malted buttermilk batter with orange-honey syrup and flaky salt. Add the crisp “latke’d” hash brown with dill cream, and you get a meal that blends Jewish deli favorites, neighborhood diner comfort and the playful cooking that made Middle Child a Philadelphia staple.

Time Out tip: The kitchen closes from 2 to 5 pm daily, so arrive by 1:30 pm if you are planning a late breakfast or lunch.

Address: 1232 N. Front St., Philadelphia, PA 19122

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 8am–10pm; Fri, Sat 9am–midnight; Sun 9am–10pm (Breakfast served until 2pm)

What is it? Chris Yang and Maggie Ho’s breakfast-and-dinner restaurant in downtown Los Angeles’ Alhambra. The daytime menu brings Asian flavors and farmers market produce to breakfast plates, pancakes, rice bowls and Japanese-style set meals.

Why we love it: Yang’s skips the standard breakfast formula by creating a menu centered on fresh farmers market produce, Asian American flavors, and dishes that do not rely on excessive sugar or sauces. The Yang’s Set Meal includes multigrain rice, miso soup, seasonal vegetables, house pickles, a soy egg, and a choice of main such as yuzu-miso salmon or braised tofu. For something savory, the smoked salmon hash pairs crispy potatoes with roe and Meyer lemon crème fraîche. Meanwhile, the cornmeal mochi pancake—made from blue cornmeal and mochiko for crispy edges and a chewy center—is the perfect dish to share at the table. 

Time Out tip: Breakfast is walk-in only, but you can join the same-day Yelp waitlist remotely. 

Address: 112 W. Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801

Opening hours: Thu 10am–2pm, 5-9 pm; Fri 10am–2 pm, 5–9:30pm; Sat 9am–2:30 pm, 5–9:30pm; Sun 9am–2:30 pm, 5–9pm; Mon 10am–2pm

What is it? A modern Filipino restaurant and bakery in Chicago’s East Ukrainian Village, run by chefs Genie Kwon and Tim Flores. The daytime menu combines Filipino breakfast favorites with Kwon’s French pastry training, while dinner shifts to a reservation-only Filipino-inspired tasting menu.

Why we love it: Kasama lets you experience Filipino breakfast several ways, depending on your appetite–and your patience with the line. The longanisa sandwich puts house-made sausage, egg and cheese on a potato roll, with an added hash brown providing the crunch. The Filipino breakfast comes with garlic fried rice, a fried egg, atchara and your choice of longanisa, tocino or both. Genie Kwon’s pastry case completes the picture with ube and coconut ensaymada, black truffle croissants and seasonal Danishes.

Time Out tip: Daytime service is walk-in only. Go Wed or Thu near opening for your best chance at a shorter line.

Address: 1001 N Winchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 9 am–3pm (kitchen and dining room close at 2 pm or once capacity is reached)

What is it? A longstanding seasonal New American restaurant in Chicago’s Logan Square since 1999. Chef and co-owner Jason Hammel create the menu around Midwestern produce while drawing on Mediterranean, Mexican, and Japanese flavors. Lula earned the James Beard Award for Outstanding Hospitality in 2024.

Why we love it: Lula has been cooking in Logan Square for nearly 30 years, yet its breakfast stays surprisingly fresh and new. Hammel keeps mainstays like the classic breakfast burrito on the menu, filled with soft-scrambled eggs, potato, avocado, cheddar, and green chile soffritto. Meanwhile, seasonal options give regulars something new to try, from a smoked trout scramble with dill and cream cheese to French toast topped with peaches and sweet corn. The warm, attentive service is so great that it earned Lula the 2024 James Beard Award for Outstanding Hospitality.

Time Out tip: Check the online menu before visiting as the specials rotate constantly.

Address: 2537 N. Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647

Opening hours: Wed–Mon 9am–3pm, 4:30-10 pm

What is it? Chef Sam Yoo’s wildly popular Asian American diner is tucked beneath the Manhattan Bridge, right where Chinatown meets Two Bridges. It is one of the most sought-after breakfast spots in the country, serving classic New York diner comfort food reimagined through a Korean American lens all day long.

Why we love it: Sam Yoo keeps the familiarity of a New York diner intact while bringing in inspiration from his Korean American heritage and the surrounding Chinatown neighborhood. The honey-butter pancakes are a standout order: tall, perfectly bronzed, and rich enough to share. The Chinatown egg-and-cheese elevates the classic bodega sandwich with a crisp hash brown on a sesame-scallion milk bun, while the mushroom Reuben quesadilla also shines, pairing pastrami-spiced portobellos and sauerkraut with Russian dressing. The memorable food easily justifies the long waits, while the counter stools and tight quarters maintain an authentic New York feel.

Time Out tip: Reservations open 30 days ahead at exactly midnight. Book one for weekend brunch, when walk-in waits can stretch for hours. The pancakes are served all day.

Address: 123 Madison St, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Daily 9am–10pm

What is it? A family-owned Kailua diner and a local Hawaiʻi breakfast spot that has served Windward Oʻahu since 1959. Times earned its name as customers gathered over early meals to discuss local news, or the “times,” often with an order of the restaurant’s popular fried rice.

Why we love it: Breakfast here is uniquely Hawaiian. Rice comes naturally alongside eggs, while Portuguese sausage and Spam share the menu with classic bacon, and loco moco sits next to banana pancakes. The signature fried rice is hearty and slightly sweet, making it a natural match for runny eggs and the house-made corned beef hash patty. The small dining room, quick service, and steady stream of Kailua regulars complete the experience. 

Time Out tip: Ask whether the off-menu shoyu fried rice is available if you prefer a more savory version. Arrive early on Sun to beat the post-church crowd.

Address: 153 Hamakua Dr, Suite A, Kailua, HI 96734

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8am–1pm; Sat, Sun 6:30am–1pm

What is it? A landmark French Quarter restaurant serving Creole cuisine inspired by French and Spanish flavors. Since 1946, Brennan’s has turned breakfast into a grand occasion with classic morning cocktails, posh service, multi-course meals, and dramatic tableside preparations.

Why we love it: Breakfast here feels special from the moment you enter the iconic pink Royal Street building. Take your time enjoying a meal in one of the elegant dining rooms or the outdoor courtyard. Standout Creole dishes include Eggs Hussarde—poached eggs and coffee-cured Canadian bacon layered with hollandaise and a rich red-wine sauce—and Eggs Sardou, which features poached eggs with crispy artichokes, creamed spinach, and Choron sauce. Complete your visit with Bananas Foster, the famous dessert created at none other than  Brennan’s and is flambéed tableside and served over vanilla-bean ice cream.

Time Out tip: Reserve your table well in advance for weekend breakfast, and let your server know early if you plan to order the Bananas Foster so they can pace your meal properly. If the weather is nice, request a seat in the courtyard.

Address: 417 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9am–2pm; Sat–Sun 8am–2pm

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What is it? A funky Lower Garden District breakfast café serving New Orleans comfort food with a splash of Latin flavor. This Magazine Street stalwart has been open since 2001, building its menu around organic juices, local breakfast plates and a casual neighborhood setting.

Why we love it: Surrey’s offers a taste of everyday New Orleans breakfast, tucked away from the crowds of the French Quarter. The cozy, converted house fills up quickly, with tight seating and a line that often stretches down the sidewalk. Local favorites include shrimp and grits with Louisiana Gulf shrimp in a savory New Orleans-style barbecue sauce, and a decadent Bananas Foster French toast made with banana cream cheese-stuffed po-boy bread topped with a rum, brown sugar, and butter glaze. The menu also highlights Latin-inspired options like migas, huevos rancheros, and a Costa Rican breakfast. For a heartier meal, try the corned beef hash loaded with boudin and andouille sausage, and pair it with a fresh juice to balance out the rich flavors.

Time Out tip: Surrey’s does not take reservations. If the wait for a table is long, ask whether there is room at the counter. Breakfast is served until closing, but the restaurant is closed Tue and Wed.

Address: 1418 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Opening hours: Thu–Mon 8am–3pm

What is it? A charming, from-scratch American breakfast and lunch café in Ogunquit, where Maine seafood and wild blueberries make their way into diner-style breakfasts. The restaurant opens early, bakes its own muffins and breads, and serves portions suited to a day at the beach.

Why we love it: The Greenery perfectly captures the essence of coastal Maine breakfast. Fresh lobster and Jonah crab star in the rich Benedicts, while large blueberry pancakes lead a sweet lineup of house-baked muffins, cinnamon bread, and fresh pastries. Alongside the seafood, the casual dining room serves hearty classics like corned beef hash, huevos rancheros, and breakfast burritos.

Time Out tip: Summer mornings get busy, so arrive early. For two people, split a seafood Benedict and blueberry pancakes, then ask which muffins or breads came out of the oven that morning.

Address: 369 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907

Opening hours: Daily 6am–1pm

What is it? A tiny, family-run American diner inside New York City’s Essex Market with a massive menu and a personality all its own. The late Kenny Shopsin built the restaurant's reputation on unconventional pancakes, egg dishes and comfort-food mashups, and his family continues to run the restaurant.

Why we love it: Shopsin’s approaches diner food as an invitation to experiment. The Mac’n Cheese Pancake remains the cult order, available on its own or stuffed with bacon, egg and cheese in the Chubby 1. Blisters on My Sisters piles sunny-side-up eggs, black beans, rice, corn tortillas, collards and vegetables under broiled cheddar. Even the sweeter options stray from the standard fare, featuring Danish-style ebelskivers served plain or filled with banana or chocolate. While the sprawling menu and dish names require some decoding, it still feels like one family’s unique take on a diner.

Time Out tip: Shopsin’s does not serve parties larger than four. Bring cash for a 3% discount and remember that coffee and water are self-service.

Address: Essex Market, Stall 8, 88 Essex St, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Wed–Fri 9am–3pm; Sat, Sun 10am–4pm

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What is it? Pronounced “zin-zoon-zan,” this daytime  Mexican café, bakery, and brunch spot comes from the family behind Fonda San Miguel. Located right next door, it serves breakfast, lunch, sweet pastries, and café de olla in a stylish indoor-outdoor setting.

Why we love it: The kitchen here highlights classic breakfast dishes from across Mexico. Dine on chilaquiles with red or green salsa, sunny-side-up eggs, queso fresco, crema, and black bean purée, or opt for Yucatecan huevos Motuleños, which layers fried corn tortillas with beans, ranchera sauce, ham, plantains, and peas. For a heartier option, try the scrambled eggs with machaca. The bakery also offers regional treats like corn conchas, marranitos, and chocolate-covered mole negro pingüinos. 

Time Out tip: The takeout window opens at 8 am, an hour before the dining room, and offers the best chance of getting your pick of the pastries before the case clears out.

Address: 2302 W North Loop Blvd., Austin, TX 78756

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 9am–3pm;

What is it? A small Latin American café and rotisserie tucked in a Coral Gables strip mall, serving all-day brunch. Created by the team behind Miami Slice and La Latina, Tina pairs classic diner staples with Venezuelan arepas, pasture-raised eggs, and cold-pressed juices.

Why we love it: Tina brings several sides of Miami’s breakfast scene together on one short and sweet menu. The Sunny Side Duck features two fried duck eggs alongside smoked duck bacon, pâté, and thick-cut country bread, with crisp tallow-fried Peruvian potatoes on the side. For something sweeter, the French toast keeps it simple with brioche, salted butter, maple syrup, and fresh orange zest. The menu also offers a fried soft-shell crab sandwich on shokupan alongside seeded arepas filled with rotisserie chicken and avocado salad.

Time Out tip: Keep the party small, arrive near opening and consider a rideshare because parking is limited. 

Address: 4700 S Le Jeune Rd., Coral Gables, FL 33146

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 8:30am-4pm

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What is it? A family-run East Austin Mexican and Tex-Mex diner and panadería serving the neighborhood since 1962. Now operated by Joe Avila’s daughters and granddaughter, Joe’s has even earned a James Beard America’s Classics Award in 2023.

Why we love it: Joe’s opens at 6 am and serves all-day breakfast wrapped in flour tortillas made fresh in-house for generations. The classic order is the migas, combining soft scrambled eggs, cheese, and crispy tortilla pieces. Joe’s signature bacon is coated in flour and rested overnight, then griddled into flat, extra-crispy strips. Add some to a migas taco con todo, or try a taco filled with tender, fork-apart pork carne guisada. Finish your visit at the bakery case, which stays stocked with conchas, empanadas, and the restaurant’s iconic pink cake.

Time Out tip: Arrive before 9:30 am on weekends to avoid a wait.

Address: 2305 E. Seventh St., Austin, TX 78702

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 6am–2pm

What is it? A roadside Southern restaurant west of downtown Nashville. Lon and Annie Loveless began serving fried chicken and biscuits from their home here in 1951. Today, this former family operation has grown into a full destination, featuring a country store, an event space, and one of Tennessee’s best-known breakfast menus.

Why we love it: Loveless still builds every meal around hot, scratch-made biscuits. On a busy day, the kitchen bakes as many as 10,000 biscuits, serving them alongside butter and fruit preserves. After starting with biscuits, move on to the salt-cured country ham served with eggs and red-eye gravy—a classic Southern sauce made from ham drippings and coffee. The fried chicken still follows the original 1951 recipe and pairs wonderfully with eggs or on top of a waffle. Complete with a scenic drive along Highway 100, an iconic neon sign, and shelves stocked with biscuit mix and preserves, a visit here completes the morning experience. 

Time Out tip: Order the half portion of country ham, which leaves more room for biscuits, preserves and hashbrown casserole, then browse the country store after breakfast.

Address: 8400 Highway 100, Nashville, TN 37221

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8am-9pm; Sat, Sun 7am–9pm

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What is it? A modern American diner that started in 2004 in a tiny, 800-square-foot red-brick building in downtown Phoenix. Eight years later, the original location moved half a block to a larger space. Since then, Matt’s has expanded with a few Arizona locations, but the downtown spot remains the essential place to visit.

Why we love it: Matt’s earned its reputation by taking simple, classic American breakfast seriously. The kitchen uses real butter, olive oil, cage-free eggs, and top-notch ingredients from local producers like Hickman’s Family Farms and Schreiner’s Fine Sausage. Dishes like the Hog & Chick brings these items together with eggs, thick-cut bacon or country sausage, potatoes, toast, and house preserves. The Salami Scramble folds Molinari sopressata into eggs, while the Big Papa Burrito offers Southwestern flavor with chorizo, pinto beans, jalapeños, roasted potatoes, and ranchero sauce. 

Time Out tip: If you visit on a weekday between 7 and 8:30 am, you can order the Rise-N-Shine special, which includes eggs, potatoes, toast, preserves, and coffee or tea.

Address: 817 N. First St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Opening hours: Daily 7 am-2 pm

What is it? A sunny California breakfast-and-lunch café in Potrero Hill, opened in 2010 by husband-and-wife team Maxine Siu and Joel Bleskacek. The compact restaurant serves eggs, seasonal produce, house-made pancakes, and some of San Francisco’s most popular breakfast potatoes.

Why we love it: Siu and Bleskacek opened Plow after noticing a lack of local breakfast options in their neighborhood. Today, it remains a beloved local spot despite long weekend lines. House-made ricotta gives the lemon pancakes a soft, creamy center, topped with lemon curd, salted whipped butter, and maple syrup. The twice-fried potatoes with rosemary and thyme feature crisp edges that share top billing with the pancakes. Ordering The Plow lets you sample both alongside eggs and your choice of bacon or sausage, while the fried egg sandwich on an Acme bun demonstrates the kitchen's equal care for the rest of the menu.

Time Out tip: Plow does not take reservations. Add your name to the waitlist and walk around Potrero Hill until you receive a text, or visit on a weekday when the line tends to move faster.

Address: 1299 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-2pm; Sat, Sun 8am-2pm

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What is it? A classic Seattle breakfast diner founded in 1987 by Gloreen “Glo” Raineri. After a fire closed its original, cozy East Olive Way location in 2022, Glo’s reopened in 2023 in a spacious new space above the Capitol Hill light rail station.

Why we love it: While the new location offers much more space and focuses on daytime hours, Glo's continues to prepare its beloved menu entirely from scratch. Its signature "Remarkable Benedicts, "especially the smoked salmon version, remain the standout dish. Classic comfort choices like house-made corned beef hash and fresh buttermilk biscuits smothered in savory mushroom gravy keep diners coming back, alongside rotating specials for omelets and pancakes. 

Time Out tip: Seating is walk-in only, and weekend wait times can easily exceed an hour. Take the light rail directly to Capitol Hill Station, and ask for counter seating if you are dining solo or with a partner to cut down your wait.

Address: 928 E Barbara Bailey Way, Seattle, WA 98122

Opening hours: Daily 8am–3pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)