Breakfast – The Most Important Meal of the Day
Ever wonder where this phrase originated?
Like a breakfast detective, I scoured the Internet in search of answers to this culinary mystery. Unfortunately, I came up short: there are conflicting responses on who said this first.
Many sources point to a local cereal family member (John Harvey Kellogg) while others attributed it to industry rival General Mills, with their Grape Nuts ads in the 1940s. Â
No matter who said it, I would argue that breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.
Ready to try some local fare? After 6600+ votes for the best restaurants in Kalamazoo, we have the top picks for the best breakfast spots below.
Leaving Breakfast + Brunch to the Professionals
While my love for breakfast is strong, my cooking skills to prepare breakfast are not.
I’ll admit that I have no idea how to make a frittata or eggs benedict. And I’m not fully sure what a blintz is.
On the bright side, this gives me a fantastic excuse to try new restaurants.
If you’re in the same want to explore beyond pancakes and waffles comfort zone, read on for local breakfast restaurants and brunch spots serving delicious foods. And, most offer kid-approved menu options.
Who Has the Best Breakfast in Kalamazoo?
Here are the top breakfast restaurant in Kalamazoo, as voted by our readers:
1 – Crow’s Nest
2 – Breakfast at Tiffiny’s
3 – Roxie’s Breakfast & Lunch
4 – Antique Kitchen
5 – Studio Grill
Directory: 20+ Best Restaurants for Breakfast
Waffling on your restaurant choice for breakfast in the Kalamazoo area?
Here are the favorite places for pancakes, eggs, waffles, crepes and a bevy of mouth-watering breakfast entrees.
Crow's Nest
Crow’s Nest serves breakfast all day and features coffee and pastries from Fourth Coast Cafe (located downstairs).
This upscale diner is known for its variety of egg specialty dishes, French toast flavors, and extensive vegan options.
Tables are limited at this quaint restaurant; while worth the wait, expect some delays in snagging a table during peak meal hours.
This upscale diner is known for its variety of egg specialty dishes, French toast flavors, and extensive vegan options.
Tables are limited at this quaint restaurant; while worth the wait, expect some delays in snagging a table during peak meal hours.
Where to Find Crow's Nest
Located in the Vine Neighborhood, you'll find Crow's Nest next door to Bagel Beanery on Westnedge.
Located in the Vine Neighborhood, you'll find Crow's Nest next door to Bagel Beanery on Westnedge.
Skillet
Opened in 2021, this small-town cafe serves both breakfast and lunch in Kalamazoo.
While a relative newcomer to the breakfast scene in SWMI, their creative dishes are gaining fans with entrees including fried ice cream hot cakes, breakfast tacos and cheeseburger omelets (pictured).
While a relative newcomer to the breakfast scene in SWMI, their creative dishes are gaining fans with entrees including fried ice cream hot cakes, breakfast tacos and cheeseburger omelets (pictured).
Where to Find Skillet
Skillet is located in Kalamazoo on Douglas Avenue, just off the business loop.
Skillet is located in Kalamazoo on Douglas Avenue, just off the business loop.
Breakfast at Tiffiny's
Breakfast at Tiffiny’s serves breakfast all day, with fun food and a touch of southern flare.
Top picks include their Chicken and Waffles, Hippie Stew or stuffed French Toast.
Top picks include their Chicken and Waffles, Hippie Stew or stuffed French Toast.
Where to Find Breakfast at Tiffiny's
Breakfast at Tiffiny's resides in two locations:
• 3271 W Centre St in Portage, in between Centre Street Tap House and Biggby
• 5222 W Main St, near Target in Kalamazoo
Breakfast at Tiffiny's resides in two locations:
• 3271 W Centre St in Portage, in between Centre Street Tap House and Biggby
• 5222 W Main St, near Target in Kalamazoo
Antique Kitchen Restaurant
Known for its large portions, including the biggest omelets in town.
Antique Kitchen has been a local favorite for three decades with fast, friendly service.
Antique Kitchen has been a local favorite for three decades with fast, friendly service.
Where to Find Antique Kitchen Restaurant
Antique Kitchen is located on South Westnedge in Portage, within the same parking lot as Chili's and Big Lots.
Antique Kitchen is located on South Westnedge in Portage, within the same parking lot as Chili's and Big Lots.
Colonial Kitchen on Drake
Locally-owned and operated, the Colonial Kitchen serves both breakfast and lunch all day, allowing you to enjoy a variety of entrees at any time.
Dig-In Cafe & Catering
This Augusta favorite includes a drive-thru (in addition to takeout and dine in) for easy meal pickups.
Be sure to try Cindy's Biscuits and Gravy, featuring a 50-year-old from-scratch sausage gravy that is made fresh daily.
Be sure to try Cindy's Biscuits and Gravy, featuring a 50-year-old from-scratch sausage gravy that is made fresh daily.
East Egg Campus
East Egg Campus near Western Michigan University has made a name for itself with its massive cinnamon roll pancakes and from-scratch corned beef. Be sure to try their monthly specials.
East Egg Portage
Located near Crossroads Mall, East Egg Portage's quirky atmosphere with massive eggs on the walls and tennis balls on the chairs serves up pancakes, 3-egg omelets, eggs benedict, breakfast hash and more.
Full City Cafe
Experience their “eclectic American cuisine” in this family casual restaurant. Full City sources from multiple local farms and offers catering.
We recommend their signature omelets and breakfast bowls.
Prefer to dine at home? Fully City has convenient, online ordering for carryout.
We recommend their signature omelets and breakfast bowls.
Prefer to dine at home? Fully City has convenient, online ordering for carryout.
Larue's Family Restaurant
Family owned and operated and aims to serve tasty homemade food. Known for their eggs benedict, they serve breakfast all day.
Cash only.
Cash only.
Liz's Parkview Cafe
Located in the heart of Richland, Liz's Parkview Cafe serves breakfast all day and features Water Street Coffee. Part of the EMA Group of restaurants with Michelle's.
Try their family bundles, featuring food to serve 2, 4 or 6 people.
Try their family bundles, featuring food to serve 2, 4 or 6 people.
Maggie's Cafe
Home to the famous Breakfast Stew! Their signature grilled skillet dish includes scrambled eggs, hash browns, chopped ham, bacon, and sausage. Maggie’s also offers an extensive bakery case and takeout/catering.
Michelle's Restaurant
Specializing in breakfast fare, Michelle's cracks over 13,000 eggs per week. All locations serve breakfast all day with Water Street Coffee and feature convenient online ordering.
Additional Location:
25441 Red Arrow Highway, Mattawan, MI 49071
Additional Location:
25441 Red Arrow Highway, Mattawan, MI 49071
Nina's Cafe
Over 18 waffle entrees at Nina's with fun names including the Elvis Waffle, the Turtle Waffle, and the Hammy-Pammy.
Poor Richard's Cafe
Family-owned and operated for over 30 years.
This old-fashioned breakfast restaurant is adorned with collectibles and home to the Original Alaskan French Toast.
This old-fashioned breakfast restaurant is adorned with collectibles and home to the Original Alaskan French Toast.
Rise N Dine of Vicksburg
Family-owned diner on Main Street in Vicksburg, open for breakfast and lunch. Check their white board for daily specials.
Roxie's Breakfast and Lunch
Known for their signature blueberry lemon curd pancake, Roxie's opened in 2021 in two of the former Michelle Restaurants locations.
The also serve waffle flights, omelets and a huge variety of breakfast fare.
The also serve waffle flights, omelets and a huge variety of breakfast fare.
Where to Find Roxie's Breakfast and Lunch
Find Roxie's in two locations locally:
• 4010 Gull Road: just east of ALDI
• Vicksburg: near N Boulevard & W Prairie at 343 W Prairie Street
Find Roxie's in two locations locally:
• 4010 Gull Road: just east of ALDI
• Vicksburg: near N Boulevard & W Prairie at 343 W Prairie Street
Rykse & Co
This family-owned restaurant features a drive-thru, two-story seating and an extensive bakery case full of goodies.
Their cinnamon rolls are legendary- try them grilled for something different!
Their cinnamon rolls are legendary- try them grilled for something different!
Studio Grill
Studio Grill is great for omelet fans. This restaurant is family run since 2010 and sources ingredients locally.
Where to Find Studio Grill
Find Studio Grill on West Michigan Ave in Downtown Kalamazoo, near N Church Street, just west of La Familia Cafe and Jimmy John's.
Find Studio Grill on West Michigan Ave in Downtown Kalamazoo, near N Church Street, just west of La Familia Cafe and Jimmy John's.
Uncle Ernie's Pancake House
Locally owned & operated since 1959, Uncle Ernie’s has been a staple & rated one of the #1 breakfast spots for locals in the Kalamazoo area.
Kalamazoo Brunch Spots
Brunch is BIG in SWMI and we’ve rounded up some of the local favorites.
In addition to traditional breakfast items, many brunch spots offer mimosas, coffee flights, and some entrees from their lunch or dinner menus.
Map
Use our map to find Kalamazoo’s best brunch breakfast restaurants and brunch spots.
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Who has the best breakfast or brunch in Kalamazoo?
Leave us a comment with your favorite spots for waffles, eggs, pancakes and more!