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Where to Get Breakfast in Portland

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and some people would argue that breakfast food is the best type of cuisine.

eggs pancake bacon served at portland breakfast spots

There is no shortage of breakfast variations, from waffles to omelets to crispy bacon.

While Portland might be known for its excellent West Coast seafood, the culinary scene in the city has also produced some of the best breakfast restaurants in the area.

Portland is a unique and culturally diverse city, which leads to interesting culinary trends in local eateries.

Check out this comprehensive list of the best breakfast in Portland.

So, the next time you are in town, be sure to wake up early, grab a cup of coffee, and sit down for a warm and comforting breakfast!


Broder Café

2508 SE Clinton St, Portland, OR 97202
Phone: 503-736-3333
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Broder Cafe serves Scandinavian cuisine for breakfast and lunch.

The cafe offers outdoor seating and has amazing coffee.

It is located near Piccolo City Park, adjacent to the Clinton Street Theatre. 

I was only looking for a quick bite to eat, so opted for Danish pancakes and Swedish hash with soft baked eggs.

These were standouts, but the cafe has many popular dishes, including a lamb burger, smoked trout hash, and the Bruka salad with avocado and grilled mushrooms.

If you’re of the mind, try a mimosa or Bloody Mary for an exciting brunch cocktail


Tin Shed Garden Cafe

1438 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211
Phone: 503-288-6966
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The Tin Shed Garden Cafe is a woman-owned, veteran-owned business here in Portland.

You can find this spot near Alberta Park in the King neighborhood.

Notably, the cafe is dog-friendly and has a special menu for four-legged guests. 

I enjoyed the Eggs Benedict with hash browns, which I paired with an Irish coffee.

Sure, it might sound robust for the morning, but it helped me start my day right!

If that doesn’t sound up your alley, consider their gluten-free French toast or  Double Mountain Dry Cider.


Cameo Cafe East

8111 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213
Phone: 503-284-0401
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Cameo Cafe East is a vibrant eatery located near the Roseway neighborhood and Interstate 205.

The cafe is known for its supersized pancakes and is a popular brunch spot on weekends! 

A whiteboard lists daily specials, but I was drawn to their coconut waffle with a side of bacon when I visited.

It was delicious and one of the most memorable dishes I had during my time in Portland.

Some of their most popular menu items include kimchi omelet, New York steak and eggs, and the Fisherman’s omelet with scallops and oysters.


Cheryl’s on 12th

1135 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205
Phone: 503-595-2252
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Cheryl’s on 12th is near Downtown Portland, close to the McMenamins Crystal Ballroom.

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One thing I immediately noticed was its upbeat vibe, which lends itself to a fun time.

The cafe has outdoor seating and serves tasty comfort food

My brunch here was a delight, thanks to Cheryl’s delicious beignets and Huevos rancheros.

I ordered a latte along with it, which was one of the most satisfying I had in Portland.

There’s no question this is some of the best breakfast in Portland’s downtown area. 


Gravy

3957 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227
Phone: 503-287-8800
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Gravy has a retro vibe, making it a fun place to have breakfast or brunch. It is located near Denorval Unthank City Park and Interstate 5.

This charming spot offers vegetarian dining options and a robust kids’ menu. 

During my visit, I was craving something hearty and instantly fell in love with their Monte Cristo, an open-faced sandwich with delicious ham and mornay sauce.

If you prefer something a little lighter, I heard only good things about the cafe’s blueberry or sweet potato pancakes, the BLT, and oatmeal with fruit.

Be sure to ask your waiter about dessert specials.


Jam On Hawthorne

2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: 503-234-4790
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Jam On Hawthorne serves classic American breakfast food and various vegan dishes.

The space, located near the Ladd’s Addition neighborhood, is filled with local art and is exceedingly family friendly. 

My favorite dish was the Grand Marnier French toast, which I paired with a classic mimosa.

Other popular options include corned beef hash with eggs and homemade biscuits and gravy.

If you’re looking to experiment, try the Sassy Mary, a creative take on a Bloody Mary with rosemary-infused vodka and habanero hot sauce. 


Petite Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie

Multiple locations
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Petite Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie Is a French restaurant that serves breakfast and brunch.

There are multiple locations of the café throughout the Portland area, though I opted for their NE Sandy Boulevard branch.

This restaurant is quiet and has a full espresso bar for beverages like lattes and cappuccinos.

When I visited, I ordered the French onion soup and corned beef hash.

While it was a little early, I couldn’t resist the mimosa sampler with three different types of juices.

Though I loved my soup, I would recommend considering their sweet crepes or the Monte Cristo sandwich, both of which looked delicious.

You can even grab a freshly baked pastry, like a croissant, as you walk out the door for a snack later in the day. 


Mother’s Bistro & Bar

121 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204
Phone: 503-464-1122
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Mother’s Bistro and Bar is located near the Willamette river by the Burnside Bridge.

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Notably, the restaurant specializes in a Mother’s Day brunch and has been recognized as having one of the best in the area. 

There is a wide variety of options at Mother’s, from a challah variation on French toast to breakfast nachos and migas.

I recommend ordering anything that includes salmon because it is incredibly fresh and delicious at this restaurant.

Appropriately, I chose the wild salmon hash, which paired well with a coffee.


Pine State Biscuits

Multiple locations
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Pine State Biscuits has multiple locations in the Portland area, and for good reason—it is one of the most popular breakfast restaurants in the Pacific Northwest.

I visited their SE Division branch, which gets a lot of foot traffic through the door.

Still, this is a great place to bring your kids for breakfast and is the perfect destination for a quick bite if you’re in a rush. 

I have a sweet tooth, so I found myself struggling to choose between the cinnamon roll or caramel apple pop tart.

In the end, I went for the former and matched it with a refreshing coffee.

If you’re not in the mood for sweet dishes, try the shrimp and grits or the barbecue biscuit breakfast sandwich with pulled pork. 

The menu has about ten different types of breakfast sandwiches, while others are often included on a specialty chalkboard.

So, be sure to check out all your options before ordering.


Screen Door

2337 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: 503-542-0880
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Screen Door takes traditional Southern comfort food and adds a Portland twist.

The result is an interesting and unique cuisine that is delicious for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 

I think the best item on the menu is the chicken and waffles, which is a perfect balance for a breakfast meal.

However, others might argue that the praline bacon takes the cake.

To complicate matters, Screen Dash has an array of exquisite options, from bananas Foster French toast to macaroni and cheese

As a passionate aficionado of deserts, I also suggest checking out their dessert menu.

It includes entire pies (something you can never go wrong with) you can take home for your next party or dinner. 


Slappy Cakes

4246 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97215
Phone: 503-477-4805
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If you love pancakes, this is the place to go. This is a great family-friendly breakfast restaurant and boasts a welcoming atmosphere.

At Slappy cakes, customers make their own pancakes and can order other side dishes from the kitchen. 

First, you will choose from chocolate, buttermilk, or gluten-free batter, and then you can add in any other ingredients that you want to your pancake.

I added chocolate chips and bananas (a favorite combination of mine) and topped my pancakes with a caramel sauce.

For anyone not interested in pancakes, you can order an eggs Benedict or breakfast burrito from the kitchen. 


Zell’s Cafe

1300 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: 503-239-0196
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Zell’s Cafe starts every meal with complementary scones delivered directly to your table.

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You can find this charming spot in East Portland.

I loved how cozy this cafe’s atmosphere is, with the decor and lighting offering a perfect mix to unwind.

When I visited, I ordered the German pancakes with strawberries and the Oyster frittata.

These were delicious, with the pancakes hitting the spot for me.

Be sure to have a look at the specials posted outside, which are usually hand-written on a sheet of white paper!


Pip’s Original Doughnuts & Chai

4759 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97213
Phone: 503-206-8692
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Pip’s Original donuts and Jay is one of the coolest places to grab a bite to eat for breakfast in Portland.

They specialize in mini donuts and espresso-based drinks.

The cafe’s original flavors and friendly customer service keep locals and visitors coming back for more. 

When I visited, I tried the green tea matcha and a maple bacon doughnut.

Other donut flavors include cinnamon sugar Nutella, Marion Barry lavender, and chai.

Pick up a dozen assorted donuts and have fun trying all the various flavors! 


Proud Mary Cafe

2012 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211
Phone: 503-208-3475
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Proud Mary café is an Australian coffee shop, located just two blocks from Alberta Park.

The eatery specializes in brunch and smoothies as well as a variety of coffee beverages. 

You can expect to find plenty of breakfast staples here, such as oatmeal and avocado toast.

However, there are plenty of surprises, too. 

Being an Australian cafe, there are several options drawing inspiration from Oz, including sausage rolls.

I had to try this delicacy out (and thoroughly enjoyed it) and paired it with a sumptuous cinnamon latte.

The cafe even offers vegemite as a toast option!

Also, try the carrot cake if you have a bit of a sweet tooth in the morning. 


Sweedeedee

5202 N Albina Ave, Portland, OR 97217
Phone: 503-201-7038
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Sweedeedee certainly serves some of the best breakfast food in the area!

The restaurant is located near Interstate 5 in the Overlook neighborhood.

I particularly loved the charming counter seating at Sweedeedee, which made this spot one of the most relaxing places to unwind for breakfast. 

Breakfast is served until 3 pm, and there are several options (including French toast and scrambled eggs)  that are sure to tempt you.

I opted for an egg sandwich, which had a perfect mix of fresh ingredients, but I didn’t stop there.

Sweedeedee’s sourdough toast with lox and their exquisite apple pie made my whole day. 


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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

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