Just why does Seattle have so many good breakfast places? Is it the city's sense of community? The abundant local produce? Or just the desire for somewhere to hang out on a rainy weekend morning? Whatever the reason, there's no excuse for going hungry before lunchtime in Seattle. From French eggs to Mexican migas to fresh-baked beignets, the city has you covered.
This French bistro at the Pike Place Market brings a Continental touch to Seattle brunch. Many of the entrees seem more like sophisticated dinners: the eggs en meurette, for example, are served on garlic croutons with bacon and champignons, in a red wine and foie gras sauce. The croque monsieur and croque madame arrive open-faced, with the fillings and cheese baked into the bread. For the sweeter side of breakfast, there's the "French French Toast," made from sliced brioche fried in bourbon egg batter.
Cafe Campagne
1600 Post Alley
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 728-2233
campagnerestaurant.com
There's no meat on the menu at vegetarians' favorite Cafe Flora, but only the most dedicated carnivore would ever miss it. The egg-topped breakfast quesadilla is filled with roasted yam, poblano peppers and pepper jack cheese, and the scrambles can be made with either eggs or tofu. For weekend brunch, start off with a plate of the New Orleans-style beignets, which arrive paired with vanilla crème anglaise and raspberry coulis.
Cafe Flora
2901 E. Madison St.
Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 325-9100
cafeflora.com
Crowds form early on weekend mornings at the Dish, which sits on a no-man's-land stretch of road between the Fremont and Ballard neighborhoods. Come hungry: The portions are large, and there's plenty to choose from. The menu is full of comforting classics, like eggs and home-fried potatoes, gigantic scrambles, corned beef hash and biscuits and gravy. Plus, the servers never let a coffee cup run empty.
The Dish
4358 Leary Way N.W.
Seattle, WA 98107-4554
(206) 782-9985
Every city has a hangover restaurant, and in Seattle that restaurant is Hattie's Hat. Every weekend morning, bloodshot-eyed hipsters and local fishermen gratefully fork down platefuls of cheese-topped hash browns and sip spicy Bloody Marys. The diverse menu also features an Andouille sausage scramble, a plate of Mexican migas with ranchero sauce and, in a nod to the neighborhood's Scandinavian roots, Swedish pancakes with lingonberries.
Hattie's Hat
5231 Ballard Ave. N.W.
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 784-0175
hattieshat.com
Macrina has three locations now, but this one, in Belltown, is the original. Helmed by local baking doyenne Leslie Mackie, Macrina has received accolades from Seattle Weekly and "Seattle" magazine for its breads, pastries and desserts. The weekend brunch menu changes weekly, but expect herb-filled egg scrambles, open-faced sandwiches and thick-cut French toast, all made with local, organic ingredients. And be sure to grab a loaf of bread on your way out.
Macrina Bakery & Cafe
1943 First Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98134
(206) 623-0919
macrinabakery.com
