To start your day off on the right foot, you must fill your belly with a good breakfast—and no one does breakfast like Missouri. From back-road diners, to white-napkin, European-style cafes, Missouri takes the best of its many cultural expressions and serves them up with a side of toast. Here are the 10 best breakfast places in Missouri!
The Bruncheonette was introduced to us with the declaration, “Their chorizo biscuit and gravy is life.” Sounds right to us. Another thing to love is the full bar, with its selection of classic breakfast drinks such as Bloody Marys and mimosas, and their specialty—coffee drinks. Make sure to get a Rumchata and Java with your meal to balance out the kick of the chorizo. Open most days from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
For a tiny little diner in a tiny little town, Cooky’s Cafe shows up on a lot of “10 Best” lists! They make some of the best pies in the state, and people actually travel to Golden City to get their hamburgers. Their breakfasts are just as legendary, and feature down-home cooking in an old-fashioned diner atmosphere. The breakfasts are generally traditional eggs-n-bacon type platters, but check out the Polish sausage and eggs!
Before you even sit down, Neighborhood Cafe feeds you—cinnamon rolls are served to those who are waiting for a table! That would be a good enough reason to go there, but an even better one is the menu. It looks pretty traditional at first, but on closer look, everything has a twist. Yes, there are skillets...but they are salmon and corned beef! And there are six different kinds of eggs benedict! The service and atmosphere are both great, but in the end, it’s all about the food.
Lady Di’s is a breakfast-brunch-lunch restaurant in beautiful St. Charles. They offer a whole line of breakfast sandwiches, which are especially appealing to those who need something to grab and go. Their most intriguing menu items, however, are the offerings in the Tornado line. A Tornado involves lots and lots of meat, and Lady Di’s offers the Tornado, Tornado Supreme, and the Tsunami. They do have vegetarian options, but the Tornado line is all carnivores really need!
Cafe Berlin prides itself on locally-sourced organic and environmentally responsible food, and it definitely shows in the way their food tastes! It’s famous for its pancakes, but customers give shout-outs to the coffee and hot chocolate, the atmosphere, the bar, and the music—making this probably the only breakfast place on this list known for its music! And it’s worth sipping a mimosa for a little while you wait for a table and the great local food that will be served on it.
Uncle Bill’s Pancake House has been a Ballwin fixture since the early 60s—it even has a space on the St. Louis Monopoly Board! Their breakfast is especially great eaten late at night, as they’re a 24-hour spot!
We heard from a recent world-traveler that La Bonne Bouchee’s claim to be an authentic French patisserie and cafe is pretty spot-on. In addition to their fresh-baked pastries and French coffee, they offer classic European-style quiches, frittatas, and an impressive selection of both sweet and savory croissants.
Pancake City is one of those places that college students look back on with nostalgic fondness. Every graduate of Truman State University has a Pancake City story, and few places mix students and locals like Pancake City. In addition, its famous pancakes are enormous, which is why it’s the perfect place for students, locals, or visitors to go on a budget.
Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe is located in the center of Springfield’s historic Walnut Street, and the shabby-chic decor fits right in. The menu is diverse, with both classic and creative options, and those who need a vegan, dairy-free, or gluten-free option have plenty of choices. Be aware that if you go during prime breakfast or brunch hours, there may be a little bit of a wait, but the place is big enough that the tables turn pretty fast.
One of the best things about the Hungry Hunter Restaurant in Branson is that the portions are huge! Considering that you can drop a pretty large chunk of change during a Branson visit, it’s great to have good, hearty food that’s also a great value. Their breads and pies are homemade, and their hash browns are nothing short of legendary. There might be a wait if you come during the rush, but it’s worth it.