25+ Best Breakfast Restaurants + Brunch Spots Near Kalamazoo

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. No matter who said it, I would argue that breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.

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 breakfast 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.

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Directory: 20+ Egg-cellent Breakfast Restaurants + Brunch Spots

Waffling on your restaurant choice for breakfast in the Kalamazoo area?

We asked for reader input and rounded up more than 20 of the best places for pancakes, eggs, waffles, crepes and a bevy of mouth-watering breakfast and brunch entrees.

600 Kitchen & Bar

Kalamazoo Best Brunch Restaurants

What We Love About 600 Kitchen & Bar

600 Kitchen joins the list due to their fantastic weekend brunches. Be sure to try their pancake board or market omelet.

Brunch Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 10AM to 3PM

Kids' Top Picks
Order Sophia's French Toast stack for the kids. Toppings rotate weekly.

Anna's House

Kalamazoo Best Breakfast Restaurants

What We Love About Anna's House

Anna's House expanded their Michigan footprint into Kalamazoo a few years ago, opening on Stadium Drive in Kalamazoo. Their menu is very allergy-friendly, including an extensive Vegan menu.

Kids' Top Picks
"Snowy" French toast, topped with powdered sugar and strawberries

Dietary Options: Gluten Free, Nut Free, Dairy Free, Vegan

Antique Kitchen

Portage Best Breakfast Restaurants

What We Love About Antique Kitchen

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.

Kids' Top Picks
"Kiddy" size waffle & chocolate chip pancakes

Bird Dog

Mattawan Best Brunch Restaurants

What We Love About Bird Dog

This brunch spot in Mattawan is known for their firecracker cauliflower and early dog double burger, among other yummy options.

Brunch Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 10AM to 3PM

Kids' Top Picks
Dutch baby pancake, French toast

Breakfast at Tiffiny's

Kalamazoo Best Breakfast Restaurants

What We Love About 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.

Kids' Top Picks
French toast sticks & pancakes

Cafe Meli

Portage Best Breakfast Restaurants

What We Love About Cafe Meli

Located near the airport, Cafe Meli offers an extensive breakfast menu including baked frittatas, swanky pancakes, and wicked crepes

Kids' Top Picks
Chocolate chip waffle & granny's oatmeal

Colonial Kitchen on Drake

Kalamazoo Best Breakfast Restaurants

What We Love About 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.

Kids' Top Picks
Chocolate chip griddle cakes

Crow's Nest

Kalamazoo Best Breakfast Restaurants

What We Love About Crow's Nest

Located in the Vine Neighborhood, the 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 and decadent French Toast.

Kids' Top Picks
Kid-sized breakfast burrito

Dietary Options: Vegan

Dig-In Cafe & Catering

Augusta Best Breakfast Restaurants

What We Love About Dig-In Cafe & Catering

This Augusta favorite includes a drive-thru (in addition to takeout and dine in) for easy meal pickups. Locals like Cindy's Biscuits and Gravy, featuring a 50-year-old from-scratch sausage gravy that is made fresh daily.

Kids' Top Picks
Kids can add blueberries or chocolate chips to their pancakes or French toast.

Dog & The Bank

Plainwell Best Brunch Restaurants

What We Love About Dog & The Bank

While they don't serve breakfast, Dog and The Bank in Plainwell is worth the stop for brunch. They offer sandwiches in addition to omelets, crab benedict, and Dutch baby pancakes.

Brunch Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 10AM to 3PM

Kids' Top Picks
Dutch baby pancake

East Egg

Kalamazoo Best Breakfast Restaurants

What We Love About East Egg

All East Egg locations offer locally grown eggs, house-made bread and a quirky ambiance (some locations have eggs on the ceiling).

2 Locations: East Egg Campus on W Michigan Ave + East Egg Portage, near Crossroads Mall

Kids' Top Picks
Chocolate chip pancakes & yogurt with granola

Dietary Options: Gluten Free

Food Dance

Kalamazoo Best Breakfast Restaurants

What We Love About Food Dance

Food Dance is a farm to table restaurant in Kalamazoo, offering some favorites like Hippie Hash and biscuits and gravy only on weekends.

Kids' Top Picks
Kids' cakes and monster crunch granola

Full City Cafe

Portage Best Breakfast Restaurants

What We Love About Full City Cafe

Experience their “eclectic American cuisine” in this family casual restaurant. Full City sources from multiple local farms and offers catering as well.

Kids' Top Picks
From scratch buttermilk pancakes with cinnamon butter (add chocolate chips!)

Garden Griddle

Paw Paw Best Breakfast Restaurants

What We Love About Garden Griddle

This mother/daughter team's restaurant concept was simple: a casual, cozy cafe with food made from scratch with fresh, local ingredients. After grabbing breakfast, be sure to take some extra bakery items home to enjoy later.

Kids' Top Picks
French toast sticks & the bakery case

Dietary Options: Gluten Free, Vegan

Larue's Family Restaurant

Kalamazoo Best Breakfast Restaurants

What We Love About 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.

Kids' Top Picks
Silver dollar pancakes

Liz's Parkview Cafe

Richland Best Breakfast Restaurants

What We Love About 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.

Kids' Top Picks
Dutch waffles