Breakfast is an essential part of any day. Whether you need to fuel up with a balanced meal or crave an indulgent stack of fluffy pancakes, there are plenty of options around Boston.
Even though some of these restaurants serve more than just breakfast, most keep the breakfast coming from the early morning to the late afternoon. That means you won’t miss out on the deliciousness even if you sleep in!
From classic American comfort food to traditional ethnic dishes, Boston knows how to do breakfast right. Each restaurant has its own unique vibe and specialty, so it’s best to try several before landing on a favorite. Keep reading if you want to know where to find the best breakfast in Boston.
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The Friendly Toast
The Friendly Toast was founded over 25 years ago in New Hampshire and now has locations throughout New England, including Boston’s Back Bay.
The restaurant is known for its quirky retro diner atmosphere, creative brunch dishes, and drinks served all day — including mimosa and Bloody Mary flights! It has been highlighted by several well-known national publications and programs, including the New York Times and Good Morning America.
Address: Various (35 Stanhope Street, Boston, MA 02116; 199 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467; 50 Independence Way, Danvers MA, 01923)
Website: The Friendly Toast
South Street Diner
When South Street Diner opened in 1947 as the Blue Diner, it served factory workers in the surrounding Leather District. Now, as Boston’s only 24-hour diner, it’s a popular place for college students and visitors from all over to grab some classic American breakfast food seven days a week.
According to TripAdvisor, the diner is in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide based on ratings and reviews from satisfied guests. It has also been featured on the Food Network and acted as the set for a number of box office films.
Address: 178 Kneeland St, Boston, MA 02111
Website: South Street Diner
The Paramount
The Paramount has been a Boston favorite since 1937 when it opened its doors in Beacon Hill. Today, there’s a second location in South Boston where you’ll find a slightly different menu. But no matter which location you visit, you’ll find more than enough American breakfast food to fill you up.
The Paramount serves breakfast and brunch until 4:30 PM, after which it transforms into a dinner restaurant.
Address: 44 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114; 667 E Broadway, Boston, MA 02127
Website: The Paramount
The Breakfast Club
The building that housed Malden’s The Breakfast Club, which resembles a train car, existed since 1962. In 2002, owner George Athanasopoulos acquired and refurbished the old diner to fit an 80s theme and began serving homemade breakfasts in Allston. In 2022, this local breakfast favorite made its way to its current location in Malden, with a fun vibe that’s “where novelty meets nostalgia.”
The restaurant is decorated with records, movie posters, and other memorabilia from 80s pop culture to bring out nostalgia in anyone who remembers the era. There’s even a section on the restaurant’s menu titled “library specials” with dishes that pay homage to the iconic 1985 film it’s named after.
Address: 269 Main St, Malden, MA 02148
Website: The Breakfast Club
Mike & Patty’s
Mike & Patty’s was established in 2008 and has locations in Boston’s Bay Village and Somerville with plans to expand to Jamaica Plain.
With one look at their Instagram page, your mouth will start to water. The restaurant specializes in gourmet breakfast sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients. You won’t find any boring sandwiches here — even the classic option is lovingly put together on a house-made English muffin.
Address: Various (12 Church St, Boston, MA 02116; 388 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130; 1 Bow Market, Somerville, MA 02143)
Website: Mike & Patty’s
The Neighborhood
Since 1983, The Neighborhood has been serving Somerville’s Union Square with hearty Portuguese American breakfasts, lunches, and baked goods. Since its first day, it has been run by the same Portuguese family whose passion for food and community shines bright.
Along with its famous cream of wheat and American classics, The Neighborhood offers Portuguese dishes like the Portuguese breakfast, which comes with linguica, traditional fish and meat cakes, and more.
Address: 25 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143
Website: The Neighborhood Restaurant
Tatte Bakery & Cafe
The founder of Tatte Bakery & Cafe, Tzurit Or, is a self-taught pastry chef who grew up in Israel and got her start by selling baked goods at Boston farmer’s markets. In 2007, she opened a storefront in Brookline and the business has since spread to 17 additional locations in Massachusetts and Washington DC.
Along with the baked goods that launched the cafe to success, there’s an extensive breakfast and lunch menu featuring sandwiches, tartines, shakshuka, and more.
Address: Various (399 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116; 70 Charles Street Boston, MA 02114; 345 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118; many more)
Website: Tatte Bakery & Cafe
Andala Coffee House
Central Square in Cambridge is a hotspot of diversity and ethnic cuisine, and Andala Coffee House fits right in. Since 2006, it has brought the culture of Jerusalem to the neighborhood with Middle Eastern dishes that feature ingredients like spiced zaatar, hummus, and falafel.
While the restaurant’s breakfast menu lists traditional American food, you can also try signature Middle Eastern creations from their all-day menu starting at 9 AM.
Address: 286 Franklin St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Website: Andala Coffee House
Milkweed
Opened in 2017, Milkweed is relatively new to Boston’s Mission Hill, but it has fully embraced its home. The cozy and welcoming cafe is named after a plant that grows natively in the area.
Breakfast is served until 4 PM each day with a wide-ranging menu consisting of eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, rotating specials, and more. The restaurant’s Instagram-worthy weekend brunch is especially popular, so be sure to get there early or be prepared to wait.
Address: 1508 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120
Website: Milkweed
Mr. Crepe
Mr. Crepe in Somerville’s Davis Square is a creperie that serves a variety of sweet and savory crepes. Whether you’re seeking a classic sugar crepe, a stuffed “super crepe,” or anything in between (you can build your own!), Mr. Crepe has you covered. They even have a gluten-free buckwheat option.
In addition to crepes of all kinds, Mr. Crepe serves soups, salads, baked goods, and drinks, so even if you’re not a fan of the thin pancakes, you’re set.
Address: 51 Davis Square, Somerville, MA 02144
Website: Mr. Crepe
Theo’s Cozy Corner
When Theo Cristo moved from Brazil to Boston, his first job was as a dishwasher at a North End restaurant. Years later, in 1995, he opened his own successful restaurant in the same spot and called it Theo’s Cozy Corner.
Theo’s Cozy Corner is open for breakfast and lunch from 6 AM to 3 PM every day. It specializes in Italian and Brazilian food with irresistible dishes like the Italian sausage omelet and picanha steak and eggs plate.
Address: 162 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113
South End Buttery
When Boston’s South End Buttery was founded in 2005, it opened as a humble coffee shop. Eventually, it grew into a bakery, cafe, and restaurant serving a mix of breakfast, lunch, and baked goods.
South End Buttery’s daily breakfast menu consists of sandwiches, toast, oatmeal, and other staples. If you come on a weekend for brunch, you’ll have the option to try even more delicious breakfast foods like pancakes, French toast, and various egg plates.
Address: 314 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Website: South End Buttery
Thornton’s
If you’re in the mood for all-American breakfast food at reasonable prices, look no further than Thornton’s in Boston’s Back Bay. The restaurant has won several awards from TripAdvisor and other authorities in the food world.
Its massive menu offers eggs, pancakes, waffles, crepes, and more — and that’s just for breakfast. Thornton’s remains open until 4 PM daily, so if you just can’t get enough, you can return for lunch.
Address: 150 Huntington Ave #02115, Boston, MA 02115
Website: Thornton’s
Henrietta’s Table
Located inside the Charles Hotel in Cambridge’s Harvard Square, Henrietta’s Table has been a go-to for hungry guests and locals since 1995. Its specialty is quality farm-to-table, locally sourced, and organically grown food.
Henrietta’s Table is open for lunch and dinner, but you won’t want to miss the delicious breakfasts served every morning or the award-winning brunch offered on weekends.
Address: 1 Bennett St, Cambridge, MA 02138 (2nd floor)
Website: Henrietta’s Table
Zoe’s
Harvard Square in Cambridge has tons of amazing eateries, but few are quite as colorful as Zoe’s. It’s a retro diner decorated with bold colors, a jukebox, and vinyl booths, which is enough to make you feel like you’ve stepped into the past.
Zoe’s is open morning to night and serves classic American breakfast and diner foods all day (including over 50 frappe varieties). The restaurant is also known for its traditional Greek food.
Address: 1105 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Website: Zoe’s
Cafe Bonjour
Cafe Bonjour in Boston’s Downtown Crossing serves breakfast from 7 AM to 3 PM daily and operates with an emphasis on health and sustainability. The cafe uses natural, organic, cruelty-free, and local ingredients as much as possible.
Their breakfast offerings include crepes, pastries, omelets, sandwiches, and more. There are gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, paleo, and keto options, so there’s likely to be something for you no matter what type of lifestyle you lead.
Address: 55 Temple Pl, Boston, MA 02111
Website: Cafe Bonjour
Sarah’s Market & Café
Since 2003, people have been going to Sarah’s Market & Cafe in Cambridge’s Huron Village to run errands and grab something to eat.
After picking up groceries at the market, you can pick up food at the cafe’s counter. On weekends, a full breakfast menu is available all day long. The cafe serves crowd favorites like omelets, sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and pancakes.
Address: 200 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Website: Sarah’s Market & Café