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 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.
SEE ALSO: Favorite Coffee Shops & Cafes »
Bronson Primary Care Partners
Here For Your Little Ones At Every Stage & Every Age
With several convenient locations across Kalamazoo County, weekend and evening hours, and same-day appointments, find peace of mind knowing that compassionate, child-centered care is never far away.
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.
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
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.
Order Sophia's French Toast stack for the kids. Toppings rotate weekly.
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.
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
"Snowy" French toast, topped with powdered sugar and strawberries
Dietary Options: Gluten Free, Nut Free, Dairy Free, Vegan
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.
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
"Kiddy" size waffle & chocolate chip pancakes
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. Heads up: seating is limited, and they don't accept reservations for indoor dining.
Brunch Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 10AM to 3PM
This brunch spot in Mattawan is known for their firecracker cauliflower and early dog double burger, among other yummy options. Heads up: seating is limited, and they don't accept reservations for indoor dining.
Brunch Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 10AM to 3PM
Kids' Top Picks
Dutch baby pancake, French toast
Dutch baby pancake, French toast
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.
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
French toast sticks & pancakes
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.
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
Chocolate chip griddle cakes
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.
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
Kid-sized breakfast burrito
Dietary Options: Vegan
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.
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.
Kids can add blueberries or chocolate chips to their pancakes or French toast.
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
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
Dutch baby pancake
Kalamazoo Best Breakfast Restaurants
What We Love About East Egg
East Egg locations offer locally grown eggs and house-made bread.
Be sure to try the cinnamon roll pancakes and from-scratch corned beef.
2 Locations: East Egg Campus on W Michigan Ave + East Egg Portage, near Crossroads Mall
East Egg locations offer locally grown eggs and house-made bread.
Be sure to try the cinnamon roll pancakes and from-scratch corned beef.
2 Locations: East Egg Campus on W Michigan Ave + East Egg Portage, near Crossroads Mall
Kids' Top Picks
Chocolate chip pancakes & yogurt with granola
Chocolate chip pancakes & yogurt with granola
Dietary Options: Gluten Free
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.
We recommend their signature omelets and breakfast bowls.
Prefer to dine at home? Fully City has convenient, online ordering for carryout.
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.
Kids' Top Picks
From scratch buttermilk pancakes with cinnamon butter (add chocolate chips!)
From scratch buttermilk pancakes with cinnamon butter (add chocolate chips!)
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.
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
French toast sticks & the bakery case
Dietary Options: Gluten Free, Vegan
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.
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
Silver dollar pancakes
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.
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
Dutch waffles
Kalamazoo Best Brunch Restaurants
What We Love About Louie's Corner Bar
Opened in Texas Corners in 2020, Louie's Corner Bar serves brunch until 2PM on weekends, including breakfast pizzas and BYO omelets.
Brunch Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 11AM to 2PM
Opened in Texas Corners in 2020, Louie's Corner Bar serves brunch until 2PM on weekends, including breakfast pizzas and BYO omelets.
Brunch Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 11AM to 2PM
Kids' Top Picks
Chicken and waffles
Chicken and waffles
Kalamazoo Best Brunch Restaurants
What We Love About Louie's Trophy House
Louie's Trophy House, proudly known as Kalamazoo's oldest bar, serves brunch on weekends until 2PM. They opened a second location in Texas Corners (Louie's Corner Bar) in 2020.
Both locations offer mimosa flights and BYO bloody Mary bar for adult diners.
Brunch Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 11AM to 2PM
Louie's Trophy House, proudly known as Kalamazoo's oldest bar, serves brunch on weekends until 2PM. They opened a second location in Texas Corners (Louie's Corner Bar) in 2020.
Both locations offer mimosa flights and BYO bloody Mary bar for adult diners.
Brunch Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 11AM to 2PM
Kids' Top Picks
Chicken and waffles
Chicken and waffles
Kalamazoo Best Breakfast Restaurants
What We Love About 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.
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.
Kids' Top Picks
Tom’s Chocolate Chippers: 3 small pancakes with chocolate chips, whipped cream and powdered sugar
Tom’s Chocolate Chippers: 3 small pancakes with chocolate chips, whipped cream and powdered sugar
Portage Best Breakfast Restaurants
What We Love About 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
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
Kids' Top Picks
Blueberry, pecan, or chocolate chip pancakes
Blueberry, pecan, or chocolate chip pancakes
Kalamazoo Best Breakfast Restaurants
What We Love About Nina's Cafe
Over 18 waffle entrees with fun names including the Elvis Waffle, the Turtle Waffle, and the Hammy-Pammy
Over 18 waffle entrees with fun names including the Elvis Waffle, the Turtle Waffle, and the Hammy-Pammy
Kids' Top Picks
Mint chocolate chip pancakes & strawberry shortcake
Mint chocolate chip pancakes & strawberry shortcake
Kalamazoo Best Breakfast Restaurants
What We Love About 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.
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.
Kids' Top Picks
Cinnamon swirl French toast
Cinnamon swirl French toast
Vicksburg Best Breakfast Restaurants
What We Love About 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.
Family-owned diner on Main Street in Vicksburg, open for breakfast and lunch. Check their white board for daily specials.
Kids' Top Picks
Homemade cinnamon rolls
Homemade cinnamon rolls
Kalamazoo Best Breakfast Restaurants
What We Love About 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.
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.
Kids' Top Picks
Mickey Mouse pancakes
Mickey Mouse pancakes
Dietary Options: Gluten Free
Kalamazoo Best Breakfast Restaurants
What We Love About 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!
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!
Kids' Top Picks
Kids' mini ham & cheese omelet, anything in the bakery case & dining on the upper level
Kids' mini ham & cheese omelet, anything in the bakery case & dining on the upper level
Kalamazoo Best Breakfast Restaurants
What We Love About Studio Grill
Studio Grill is great for omelet fans. This restaurant is family run since 2010 and sources ingredients locally.
Studio Grill is great for omelet fans. This restaurant is family run since 2010 and sources ingredients locally.
Kids' Top Picks
Chocolate chip pancakes
Chocolate chip pancakes
Dietary Options: Gluten Free, Vegan
Kalamazoo Best Breakfast Restaurants
What We Love About 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.
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.
Kids' Top Picks
Mickey Mouse pancakes & hot chocolate
Mickey Mouse pancakes & hot chocolate
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