Houston’s A Great Breakfast Town
Houston is one of most diverse cities in the United States. It is also one of the most diverse culinary cities in the world. Every conceivable type of cuisine is available in Houston. But what about breakfast? Are you stuck at a hotel with hotel food for breakfast? How boring!! In all of North America, there is perhaps none better than Houston to provide an amazing diversity of morning food delights. There are tens of thousands of places to eat breakfast in the Greater Houston area. Here are our 12 in no particular order that all meet the following criteria –
- They are all within 5 miles of either the Galleria area (Uptown) or Downtown, and consequently a short Uber, Lyft, or cab ride away, assuming you are staying in either downtown or in the Galleria area (Uptown)
- They all have an interesting décor and distinct personality
- They generally serve 7 days a week
- I have eaten there and like the place
- My wife has eaten there and she likes the place (most important criteria)
Phil Stewart
The Breakfast Klub
Midtown
3711 Travis St.
Houston, TX 77002
713.528.8561
The Breakfast Klub has about every local and national accolade you can think of. Called one of the “best breakfasts in the nation” by Good Morning America, USA Today and Esquire, among many others, this is a top spot for good food served in a soulful atmosphere. Loyal, hungry Houstonians and city visitors come early to enjoy the flavor of the Southern specialties like Katfish (everything starting with a “C” is spelled with a “K” on the menu) and Grits or Wings and Waffles. Green eggs and ham, and pork chops and eggs are Southern standouts as well.If you don’t believe soul food can be heart healthy, check out the Heart Scrambler, the Breakfast Heart Special or the Hearty Klub Sandwich. You won’t gain a pound.
Common Bond Café and Bakery
Montrose
1706 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77006
713.529.3535
An eclectic café and bakery, Common Bond is a major hangout in the Montrose area, and the place to go for a bit of good conversation and breakfast. Pastries are gorgeous, and taste as good as they look.High on everyone’s listis the Chef’s Scramblefeaturing a daily selection of seasonal ingredients. Definitely not your regular bacon, eggs and hash browns, you’ll love these delicately scrambled eggs, crispy hatch potatoes, and biscuits with jam like you’ve never had before. Biscuits are a specialty, and the Biscuits and Gravy, buttermilk biscuits, jalapeño pork sausage gravy, two eggs, soft yolk, are a meal in itself. Don’t worry, you won’t leave this fun, quirky restaurant hungry.
Urban Eats
Near Downtown
3414 Washington Ave.
Houston, TX 77077
832.834.4417
The charm of Urban Eats is that it houses abakery market downstairs and full-service bistro upstairs. Whether you’re in the mood to sit out on the garden patio and enjoy a quick bite from the bakery or relax upstairs with a Mimosa and a Benedict, you can’t go wrong here. This farm to table restaurant is inspired by family recipes using only local, fresh ingredients. Enjoy a wide variety of egg sandwiches, omelets, pancakes pretty much American style, or take a trip to India with the Breakfast Naan with salsa verde. The Triple Crème Brie Parisian Breakfast transports you instantly to a Champs-Elysees café.For a Saturday or Sunday brunch, try the Breakfast Pie or the Beignets and Fried Chicken.
Baby Barnaby’s
Montrose
602 Fairview St.
Houston, TX 77006
713.522.4229
Barnaby was the owner’s dog and best childhood pal, so needless to say this fun, cozy café is dog friendly, and serves great people food too. Highly recommended is the smoked salmon and bagels with all of the red onions, cream cheese and capers to beat the best deli in town. Also, the chicken fried steak and eggs will let you know you’re in Texas.
Black Walnut Café
Near Downtown
5512 Memorial Dr.
Houston, TX 77007
713.868.1800
In a warm, relaxed setting, this casualcafé is known for fresh, stick-to-your ribs, artfully prepared comfort food. Try the hearty Pot Roast Eggs Benedict, two extra large eggs atop English muffins with a sauce of slow-cooked chuck tender, scallions, cayenne citrus hollandaise. Another favorite is the Dressed Up Grits, rich in sour cream, cheddar and other ingredients, and complementing the two extra-large eggs that are paired with it. Whether your choice is Chocolate Chip Pancakes or Texas Cut Challah French Toast, you can’t go wrong with anything from the griddle. Have breakfast inside or on the patio, indulge yourself and enjoy.
The Kitchen at the Dunlavy
Near Downtown
3422 Allen Parkway
Houston, TX 77019
713.360.6477
Surrounded by glass and looking out at the lush greenery of Buffalo Bayou Park, you’ll be enjoying breakfast with a Southern California influence in a treehouse atmosphere. A West Coast invention in the 1930’s, the California Smoothie certainly has made its way to The Kitchen at the Dunlavy. The Chocolate Java, the Blueberry Colada, and the Banana and Jam are definitely smoothies that will take you to the beaches of Southern California. Breakfast sandwiches and toasts with a variety of goodies loaded on top are also popular and in abundance at The Kitchen at the Dunlavy. Do not pass up the biscuits, with either cheddar jalapeno and roasted garlic cream cheese, or Rosemary honey with honey butter. The Strawberry Shortcake Scone with vanilla bean glaze could teach the Scots a thing or two, and I bet you can’t have just one!
Postino
Heights
642 YaleSuite A (in the Heights Mercantile)
Houston, TX 77007
346.223.1111
Charming farm to table restaurant in a historical 1940’s brick post office, Postino is Italian for “Postman”. For a weekend brunch, a top choice is their French toast with fresh strawberries, house made berry preserves, almonds and vanilla crème fraiche. Try their Farm Scramble too. Starting with roasted Yukon Gold potatoes and scrambled with the freshest eggs, herbs, onions, gruyere and white cheddar, the Farm Scramble is not to be missed. Add pop art and great tunes to this sumptuous food, and you’ve found a place to visit the first time and again and again.
Adair Kitchen
Galleria Area
5161 San Felipe St. (in the Sage Plaza Shopping Center)
Houston, TX 77056
713.623.6100
Aromas of everything from freshly made French toast and waffles, to Huevos Rancheros, waft through this bright and airy restaurant known for good comfort food. Start with a Mimosa or the House Bloody Mary. Their juice bar is impressivetoo, and offers a wide array of ingredients in each drink. Build your own omelet with a choice of over twenty mix-ins, or enjoy going south of the border with a breakfast taco or a house specialty, Huevos Rancheros. Whether your choice is north or south of the border, you’ve traveled to the right place for a great breakfast.
Le Peep
Galleria Area
4340 Westheimer
Houston, TX
713.629.7337
Having been one of Houston’s predominant breakfast restaurants since 1987, Le Peep’s consistent quality of food and service over the years makes this a “go-to” restaurant for many Houstonians. Relax in this spacious and comfortable restaurant before a busy day, and enjoy their extensive menu of traditional egg dishes and a variety of pancakes, waffles, and French toast. If you’re trying to watch your waistline, try a Healthy Benedict. Whatever your fancy, Le Peep won’t disappoint.
Goode Co. Taqueria
River Oaks/West U. Area
4902 Kirby Dr.
Houston, TX 77098
713.520.9153
Texas meets Mexico at this authentic taqueria with dishes inspired by the grandmother of the owner’s family. An immigrant from Mexico, her passion shows in the colorful recipes that are enjoyed by regulars and first-time visitors alike. This tasty menu is filled with many “huevos” dishes with her Mexican influence. Also unique and delectable are eggs paired with venison, quail or catfish. The charming ambience of this taqueria and the delicious dishes are a recipe for a truly delightful experience.
Tiny Boxwoods
River Oaks Area
3614 W. Alabama
Houston, TX 77027
713.622.4224
Originally built in the middle of the River Oaks nursery, this lovely restaurant is surrounded by lush greenery and an outdoor patio. Their pastries are a standout. Try the Days Pastry Board, a variety of three yummy pastries with house made jam and honey butter. If you’re in the mood for a “stick to your ribs” breakfast, the Mother’s Breakfast is sure to fill you up. This house favorite features Mother’s sausage or bacon, scrambled eggs, a biscuit and strawberry jam. Sit on the patio, take in the lovely setting, and enjoy a Fruit and Yogurt Parfait or a House Smoothie. You’ll never want to leave.
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Montrose and The Heights
(Montrose) (The Heights)
3217 Montrose Blvd, Suite 100 718 W. 18th, Suite A
Houston, TX 77006 Houston, TX 77008
713.574.6655 346.237.9150
Snooze is vibrant, retro and certainly not your father’s bacon ‘n eggs diner. Snooze is fun and has an energetic atmosphere that hits you at the door and gets your day off to a good start. Begin with the MmmMmm Mimosa, loaded with Snooze Sparkling, orange juice and Pama Pomegranate Liqueur, or try the Bangkok Bloody Mary. It rivals the MmmMmm Mimosa with a generous portion of 1876 Vodka. Add Sriracha, lime, cilantro, basil fish sauce, and the House Bloody mix, and you’ll have a Bloody Mary you won’t forget. The creativity doesn’t end with the drinks. For a wide array of Benedicts, they have perfected the art of hollandaise. Cream cheese hollandaise complements the Benny Goodman, a lox style salmon Benedict. The Chile Verde Benny, a Mexican influenced Benedict complete with barbacoa or pulled porktopped with cotija cheese and pico de gallo, chooses green chili hollandaise as its mate. Sweet utopia best describes the pancakes. Try the Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes, buttermilk pancakes with caramelized pineapple chunks topped with an excellent crème anglaise and cinnamon butter, highly recommended!Also, don’t forget to ask about the Pancake of the Day. By all means, have the hash browns. They’re in a league of their own, the best in the city. The eclectic, seasonal menu includes much more, but you have to be there to see it.Get there early. Other hungry patrons might beat you to it.
Brennan’s of Houston
Midtown
3300 Smith St.
Houston, TX 77006
713.522.9711
Yes, it’s that Brennan’s, you know, like the one in New Orleans. One of the Crescent City’s best traditional Creole restaurants is seamlessly transported to this Houston location, and their brunch is every bit the experience you would expect. Start off with the Turtle Soup with a splash of Sherry. Nobody does this signature dish like Brennan’s. Famous for their classic Benedict dishes, Eggs Benedict features the all-natural Duroc bacon, and Eggs Sardou, is a mouth-watering combination of an artichoke bottom and creamed spinach. Can’t decide on one? Pick one of each, and it’s called Eggs Brennan. Breaux Bridge Crawfish Cakes and Texas Shrimp and Grits bring out the best of Texas’ and Louisiana’s fresh local offerings. Add the ambience of New Orleans complete with live jazz music, and you have all the fine Southern hospitality that Brennan’s is known for.
Ouisie’s Table
Galleria/River Oaks Area
3939 San Felipe St.
Houston, TX 77027
713.528.2264
Nestled in thelovely River Oaks area is the perfect setting for Elouise Jones’ restaurant Ouisie’s Table. Nostalgic for past houses that she has adored, Elouise designed her restaurant with each room unique, comfy, and designed to encourage conversation and congeniality.The Main Dining Room’s slow turning fans and a cozy fireplace is the perfect room to start your day with a leisurely breakfast.Enjoy an array of egg dishes from frittatas to omelets and Benedicts, and for the sweet tooth, enjoy banana or blueberry crepes, or your choice of delectable pastries. This only scratches the surface of the variety of sumptuous breakfast offerings. Try brunch on Saturday or Sunday in The Bear’s Garden. Here, you’ll relax listening to the fountains, and the dripping Wisteria, other lush greenery and a nice herb garden are easy on the eyes. Start with a Perfect Peach Bellini, a combination of Peach Schnapps, Texas Peach Sorbet and Ruffino Prosecco. Recommended highly, you’ll love the Grilled Beef Medallions and Eggs. The Béarnaise sauce is Ouisie’s own and melts in your mouth. If you are in the mood for fish, try the Pan Seared American Snapper with Sauce Vierge. French for “Virgin”, this sauce is fresh and vibrant on the palate and complements the snapper beautifully. Whether you join Ouisie’s for breakfast or brunch, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget!
Contact Us
Call 713-222-9255