They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and who are we to disagree? While many can operate on just a hot cup of joe, plenty of others head out the door on the hunt for a full-fledged breakfast that will serve as fuel for the start of the day. In Houston, there are plenty of restaurants that have breakfast dishes on offer all day, which means even late risers can partake. And for those who work late nights and odd hours, the city is packed with places where a fluffy omelet, pancakes stack, biscuits and gravy, and hot coffee await after a shift.
Here is a list of trusty Houston restaurants that provide a variety of dishes when hunger for breakfast hits.
The Breakfast Klub
Long lines that snake around the building don’t deter fans of Marcus Davis’ daytime eatery in the Fourth Ward. The Black-owned business has been part of the “kommunity” since September 2001 and has received countless accolades, including from Good Morning America, USA Today, and Esquire magazine. Regulars know to get there early for “katfish” & grits, biscuits & gravy, and wings and waffles. For a meaty morning pick-me-up, the pork chops & eggs feature two fried or grilled pork chops, alongside two eggs, potatoes or grits, and a choice of toast or “biskit”. There are three egg-omelettes as well, along with breakfast sandwiches. The warm welcome and sense of community is worth the wait. 3711 Travis St., Houston, thebreakfastklub.com
Pondicheri
Led by renowned chef Anita Jaisinghani, Pondicheri combines the complexities of Indian cuisine with the holistic philosophy of Ayurveda, keeping an eye on local ingredients, carefully curated spices, and healthy oils. As an alternative to a breakfast taco or burrito, try the breakfast frankie, a scrambled egg wrap spiced with vegetable masala and cilantro chutney. Add lamb keema for even more flavor. Visit the Bake Lab upstairs before departing and peruse the cases stocked with cookies, muffins, breads, and desserts such as chai pie and mango mousse cake. Each second Saturday, Pondicheri hosts a community breakfast, from 8 a.m. to noon, in which 50 percent of the sales go to a local non-profit or cause. 2800 Kirby Dr., Houston, pondicheri.com
Dandelion Cafe
This brunch and lunch cafe began as a coffee shop in 2016 and now has three locations around town. Co-owners Sarah Lieberman and chef J.C. Ricks have appeared on Good Morning America’s “United States of Breakfast”, even beating out the much-revered Breakfast Klub in a chicken and waffle competition. Its outpost inside Rice’s Dining Hall is a smaller location with a limited menu of breakfast and lunch sandwiches, while the original Bellaire location and recently-opened Heights hangout each have an extensive menu. There, breakfast is served all day with items such as Dandy’s chicken chilaquiles, blueberry lemon curd French toast stix, and chef JC’s chicken and waffles. Multiple locations, dandelionhouston.com
Avalon Diner
This eatery dates back to 1938 when it opened as a drug store and soda fountain. After a couple of changes in ownership and a relocation in 1993, Avalon Diner now has two locations in the Houston area, plus a franchise spot in Stafford. The diner serves breakfast all day with classics like egg scrambles, buttermilk pancakes, and a bagel melt sandwich, but there are also Texas-inspired plates like huevos rancheros, chicken fried steak and eggs, and migas. For a protein-packed alternative, try the Gobbler, a six egg white-scramble with turkey breast, served with sliced tomato, cantaloupe, and a toasted English muffin. Multiple locations, avalondiner.com
Empire Cafe
Its European-inspired ambiance and quality coffee has kept this Montrose haunt open and buzzing for more than three decades. The breakfast menu includes simple dishes like McCann’s True Irish oatmeal with strawberries and bananas, and supersized omelets made with four eggs; plus specialty items like shakshouka and El Paso migas. Guests can choose from a variety of coffee drinks and espresso, or go for the super food-packed Empire green juice, a nutritious blend of kale, green apple, pineapple, fresh ginger, and coconut water. Save room for a slice of one of the layer cakes, showcased prominently at the counter. 1732 Westheimer Rd., Houston, empirecafe.com
Harry’s
Harry’s popular breakfast menu, served all day beginning at 7 a.m., draws in crowds on most mornings. Orange juice is squeezed fresh in house, and diners will find all of the morning comforts like chicken and biscuits and pancake stacks, plus Greek-inspired fare like the spitiko, an omelet made with feta cheese and loads of veggies. The eggs Benedict Florentine is a gourmet delight with two poached eggs atop Canadian bacon, spinach, and grilled biscuits, and topped with sun dried tomato hollandaise. Despite the restaurant’s large size, counter seating, and covered patio, there is almost always a wait for breakfast on weekends. 318 Tuam St., Houston, harryshtx.com
Kenny & Ziggy’s Delicatessen
This New York-style delicatessen and restaurant is fronted by the smiling face of David “Ziggy” Gruber, better known as the Deli Man. His passion for the Jewish deli earned him the moniker and he was featured in a film of the same name. Mention K&Z’s to any Houstonian and they’ll comment on the enormous portions and rave about the sandwiches and desserts. The comically oversized menu could warrant its own book club, but the breakfast section is simple enough to navigate. Go for the Roumanian steak & eggs, and add on blintzes or a stack of pancakes. The popular Bennys are only served until 11 a.m. on weekdays and 2 p.m. on weekends, but are well worth getting an early start for. If you’re feeling adventurous, go for the deli Benny, piled high with pastrami or corned beef. With a full bar, you can make breakfast a party with a screwdriver or bloody mary. 1743 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, kennyandziggys.com
Laredo Taqueria
This family-run taqueria with four Houston-area locations is beloved for its breakfast tacos, and known for having lines out the door in the mornings. Varieties include potato and egg, chicharron, barbacoa, nopales, and spicy chicken. Visit on the weekend when menudo is offered, and stay for a more involved meal. Multiple locations
Puebla’s Mexican Kitchen
What started as a small panaderia has evolved into a successful family-owned restaurant that has been serving Houstonians for two decades. Eggs get dished up and sauced a number of ways including huevos rancheros, con machacado, con chorizo, or a la Mexicana. Breakfast options like tacos and burritos are simple and cost-appealing, as is the hearty breakfast torta, a bolillo roll filled with scrambled eggs, refried beans, queso fresco, and a choice of meat or potatoes. The dining room is charming and colorful, with oilcloth-covered tables and attractive plates and dishware. It’s a gem in the Heights and residents shouldn’t be the only ones who know about it. 6320 N. Main St., Houston, peublasmexicankitchen.com
La Guadalupana
What it lacks in curbside appeal, La Guadalupana makes up for in breakfast. The relaxed Montrose bakery and cafe that was featured on Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, has a small but mighty breakfast menu. The breakfast torta packs eggs, potatoes, chorizo, onions, cheese, beans, and bell peppers inside fluffy sourdough, and other favorites include migas, breakfast tacos, and machaca nortena, a northern Mexican dish with dried beef, scrambled eggs, jalapenos, onions, and tomatoes. Wash it down with cafe olla, or horchata, and take a fresh baked pastry to go. 2109 Dunlavy, Houston, laguadalupanacafeandbakery.com
Dish Society
This Houston mini chain is known for its use of locally-sourced produce and products, and is wildly popular for breakfast and weekend brunch. The traditional breakfast boasts eggs from Vital Farms eggs, while the Nutella French toast is made with pain de mie from Slough Dough Bread Co. If you’re in the mood for pancakes, try the gluten-free power version, loaded with quinoa, chia seeds, coconut flakes, and berries. Multiple locations dishsociety.com
Buffalo Grille
Founded in 1984 by the McAleer family, Buffalo Grille was acquired by Adair Concepts, another local family-owned restaurant group, in 2024. It’s a relaxed environment where breakfast is an option all day. There is a big menu to choose from, but eggs are the star of the show, appearing in plates like huevos rancheros, huevos rellenos, and a variety of tacos, omelets, and scrambles. Griddle delights include pancakes, waffles and French toast. Visit the Bissonnet location, which has a pleasant patio. Multiple locations, thebuffalogrille.com
Adair Kitchen
This locally and family-owned restaurant from Adair Concepts is the quintessential neighborhood gem, and has two Houston locations with a third set to open in San Antonio. Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekdays, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. There are ample interesting egg dishes like the daily scramble, avocado eggs, and a farmers market skillet, which combines two eggs, andouille sausage, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, purple onion, and goat cheese in a cast iron pan. Try one of the blended juices or celebrate the most important meal of the day with mimosas and house bloody Marys. Multiple locations, adair kitchen.com
Cucharita
Cucharita is the breakfast counterpart of its sister restaurant Cuchara, located on the same street in Montrose. The cafe has a colorful mural painted by owner Ana Beaven’s sister Cecilia Beaven, and the vibrancy of Mexico City is reflected in the decor and the menu. Dishes like huevos cucharita and tostados Chelo come with a side of grandma’s beans, like a frijole hug. The huevos Bernie is spiced beef picadillo and two sunny side-up eggs served in a clay cazuela. And, each week the menu features chilaquiles de la semana, so regulars can try 50 different versions in one year if they are truly committed. Gorgeous pastries line the counter, so be prepared to be enticed. 315 Fairview, Houston, cuchararestaurant.com
