Breakfast in Houston

1017 Houston Ave. Heights

713-228-5138

American, Breakfast, Soul Food, Southern, Best Of, Menu

Cops, reporters, lawyers and other folks who frequent the police station and the municipal courthouse have made this steam-table diner a lunchtime institution. The people-watching is great: Downtown business types rubbing shoulders with folks in African-inspired tribal garb. Try one of the best chicken-fried steaks in town, presented with huge servings of true homestyle vegetables. And be sure to save room for a piece of near-perfect pie. Breakfast and lunch only.

1 article

Barnaby's

1701 Shepherd River Oaks

713-520-5131

American, Breakfast, Eclectic, Recommended, Best Of, Slideshow, Readers' Choice

Mountain-size salads and a wealth of sturdy, consistently fresh and vibrant foods keep Barnaby's in business. Smoked chicken tostadas with roasted corn salsa delights, and the chicken pesto salad sandwich with artichoke hearts is remarkable. The meat loaf with garlic mashers is comfort food at its most, um, comforting. And the many burger combos, accompanied with a hearty stack of perfectly crisp french fries (or subbed with steamed veggies), will satisfy even the most finicky of eaters. Get in early to avoid long waits.

7 articles

Barnaby's

414 W. Gray River Oaks

713-522-8898

American, Breakfast, Eclectic, Recommended, Best Of, Slideshow

Mountain-size salads and a wealth of sturdy, consistently fresh and vibrant foods keep Barnaby's in business. Smoked chicken tostadas with roasted corn salsa delights, and the chicken pesto salad sandwich with artichoke hearts is remarkable. The meat loaf with garlic mashers is comfort food at its most, um, comforting. And the many burger combos, accompanied with a hearty stack of perfectly crisp french fries (or subbed with steamed veggies), will satisfy even the most finicky of eaters. Get in early at the Montrose/River Oaks location to avoid long waits.

7 articles

Biskit Junkie

403 Westheimer Montrose

713-688-1754

Breakfast, Brunch, Burgers, Salads, Sandwiches

Biskit Junkie is an all-day (till 3 p.m.) breakfast and brunch concept in the heart of Montrose. No liquor license means you won’t be enjoying bottomless mimosas with your eggs Benny, but they’re not that great in the first place. For the most part, sticking to simple things served on biscuits is the way to go here. Odd standouts include the surprisingly alluring breakfast salad and the chilaquiles. The former eats like a handful of greens run deliciously through every breakfast trope you can imagine, and the latter is a simple yet satisfying brunch dish elevated by the cliché addition of a handful of fried eggs. Be forewarned that parking can be a real bear.

7 articles

Black Hole Coffee House

4504 Graustark St. Montrose

713-528-0653

American, Breakfast, Coffeehouse, Best Of

It's not every coffee shop that also sells wine, beer and food from local bakers and chefs. Montrose's Black Hole Coffee House does, though. It's a huge hit with area residents, too, the airy, low-slung space nearly always filled with St. Thomas students and people taking a break from doing laundry next door. The interior of the former convenience store is littered with visually striking artwork and furniture, and the fact that it’s tucked back in a residential area means it’s quieter than other neighborhood coffee houses.

3 articles

Breakfast Brunch Cafe

9955 Barker Cypress Road #110 Cypress

214-526-3848

Breakfast, Brunch

Breakfast Brunch Cafe was founded in 2015 with the aim of creating healthy and unique dishes that transform taste buds and our communities. This menu is inspired by the Texas seasons and incorporates locally sourced ingredients. Our loyal relationship with local farmers ensures that, together, we are able to deliver dishes made from scratch daily. We invite you to visit and see why you'll love us and our music selections. See you soon!

the breakfast klub

3711 Travis St. Downtown/ Midtown

713-528-8561

American, Breakfast, Soul Food, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu, Readers' Choice

There's a reason why there is a constant line outside the door here - the food. The hustle and bustle of Midtown's the breakfast klub is all part of the show, from hungry onlookers on the outside eagerly watching the food being delivered to tables, to the expression of satisfaction on the faces of customers leaving this shrine of soul food cuisine. Signature dishes include the incredible Katfish and Grits and the equally good Wings and Waffles. While catfish and chicken may strike some as not fitting for breakfast, they simply don't know what they're missing.

18 articles

Buffalo Grille

1301 S. Voss Galleria

713-784-3663

American, Southwestern, Breakfast, Recommended

This Western-themed counter service Galleria cafe is a breakfast bonanza on weekends, when the line snakes out the door with singles in need of morning-after migas, and soccer moms and dads feeding the clan giant apple-wheat pancakes and peppered bacon. Patio seating adds to the charm of this casual cafe, which has added a dinner menu. Breakfast has a strong Mexican accent - try the bulging burrito stuffed with egg, sausage and green chiles - but still speaks in more traditional Southern tones, too, with wake-up plates like hotcakes, creamy cheese grits and pecan-smoked sausage. For lunch and dinner, the grill serves decent burgers as well as chicken and dumplings, catfish, chicken-fried steak and King Ranch chicken.

1 article

Buffalo Grille

4080 Bissonnet Kirby-West U

713-661-3663

American, Breakfast, Southwestern, Recommended, Best Of

This Western-themed counter service cafe is a breakfast bonanza on weekends, when the line snakes out the door with singles in need of morning-after migas, and West University soccer moms and dads feeding the clan giant apple-wheat pancakes and peppered bacon. This casual cafe also has a dinner menu. Breakfast has a strong Mexican accent - try the bulging burrito stuffed with egg, sausage and green chiles - but still speaks in more traditional Southern tones, too, with wake-up plates like hotcakes, creamy cheese grits and pecan-smoked sausage. For lunch and dinner, the grill serves decent burgers as well as chicken and dumplings, catfish, chicken-fried steak and King Ranch chicken.

2 articles

The Burning Pear

16090 City Walk, Sugar Land Outside Houston

281-275-5925

American, Breakfast, Buffet, New American, Steakhouse, Menu

The Burning Pear serves up what could be classified as "cowboy cuisine," also known as Texas regional. Try the porterhouse pork chop, which has a fabulous-tasting combination of smoke and grill flavors, or the rib eye steak, with its fascinating gooey coating of mustard and brown sugar. Salmon, green beans, roasted finger potatoes and chicken fried steak are all found on the menu of this restaurant inside the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square.

Cedar Creek

1034 W. 20th Heights

713-808-9623

American, Bar Food, Breakfast, Burgers, Bars and Clubs, Recommended, Best Of, Slideshow

Cedar Creek Cafe is a beer-and-burger joint that calls itself a Hill Country Cafe and wishes it was in Austin. The yearning for the vibe of Texas' hipster capital is overwhelming. Take advantage of the free wi-fi — when it is free, that is — and soak in the frat element here. The excellent house java is supplied by Katz Coffee Company, and the breakfasts are excellent, even though the restaurant doesn't open until 11 a.m. on most days.

25 articles

Christy's Donuts

1103 W. Gray River Oaks

713-524-4005

Bakery, Breakfast, Sandwiches, Best Of

This family-run shop has been serving fresh donuts in Montrose folks for years. The service is quick and friendly, and the selection rivals that of any chain. Of course, kolaches are available. The heavy croissant and biscuit sandwiches (served hot out of the microwave) are still a popular breakfast item. The dining room is clean, though a little dingy - the building is older. But there's plenty of interesting stuff on the walls, like business awards for community involvement and customer photos.

5 articles

City Cafe

513 College Ave., South Houston Outside Houston

713-944-3710

American, Breakfast, Traditional, Recommended, Slideshow

The cute City Cafe diner has been serving huge, Texas-style breakfasts and bountiful steam-table lunches since 1952. The chicken-fried steak is great any time of day, whether with fried eggs and grits in the morning or with a side of macaroni and cheese at lunch. It's located in South Houston, so not subject to the City of Houston's no smoking ordinance. The smoking section is where you'll find all the good action from the colorful regulars.

5 articles

Crescent City Beignets

3260 Westheimer Lower Shepherd-Kirby

713-520-8291

Bakery, Breakfast, French, Recommended

Except for the updated accents, this coffeehouse looks like a New Orleans original, with exposed brick walls, black-and-white photography and zydeco music in the background. The specialty here is, of course, beignets, which are as hot and fluffy as you remember them at Cafe du Monde. The house beverage, café au lait, is a vacation in a cup, but we recommend another treat: granitas, akin to frozen coffee smoothies. Crescent City also serves Cajun/Creole entrées.

2 articles

Dandelion Cafe

5405 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire Inner Loop - SW

832-988-9210

Breakfast

Dandelion Cafe - The Heights

611 W 22nd ST, Suite 1B Heights

832-888-1568

Breakfast

Davis Meat Market

2204 Lockwood East End

713-672-1803

Barbecue, Breakfast, Soul Food, Southern, Retail, Services, Recommended

This old-fashioned meat market in the Fifth Ward serves some of the best soul food in the city. Choose from steam-table classics like oxtails, beef tips and chitterlings. There's also a sausage and egg breakfast, hamburgers and sandwiches, and a full line of barbecue items. Don't miss the homemade sweet potato pie.

Dot Coffee Shop

7006 Gulf Freeway Outer Loop - SE

713-644-7669

American, Breakfast, Diner, Coffee Shops, Best Of

Dot Coffee Shop may not share ownership with the infamous Kirby House of Pies, but if restaurants could be related, they'd still be cousins. Though the location near 45 and the South Loop brings a slight different crowd, the food is also mostly heavy, traditional American fare (emphasis on breakfast), and there's still a good chance you'll get some good people-watching done if you eat late at night. Unlike similar diner-style places, you get a complimentary bread basket to start things off.

1 article

Down House

1801 Yale Heights

713-864-3696

American, Breakfast, Coffeehouse, Recommended, Best Of, Slideshow

This beautifully refurbished bank in the Heights is a truly inviting place to linger over cocktails or coffee, which are available at nearly any hour of the day. If it's food you're after, Down House does that well, too: At lunch, indulge in a Longhorn burger, coated with cheddar and served with housemade pickles. And at breakfast or brunch — maybe taken on Down House's pretty patio — enjoy a wide range of dishes from giant breakfast tacos to fried green tomato-and-egg sandwiches.

70 articles

Drew's Pastry Place

10300 Louetta Rd. Jersey Village

832-717-3530

Breakfast, Dessert, Italian, Recommended

This is a typical Italian coffee and pastry shop of the kind you might find in New York. They know how to make a real espresso and cappuccino as well as a whole host of cakes and pastries, including New York cheesecake, biscotti, pignoli (pine nut cookies) and sfogliatelle (a cannoli look-alike). They also have real gelato, croissants and water bagels. Despite being in a strip center, the place exudes coziness, especially the section with comfortable leather chairs where you can linger with your treats.

1 article

Empire Cafe

1732 Westheimer Lower Shepherd-Kirby

713-528-5282

Breakfast, Cafe, New American, Recommended

This place is the overnight epicenter of Inner Loop chic. In a swell, saffron-hued room right out of L.A., Houston's hipsters congregate for cafe latte, killer handmade layer cakes, verdant focaccia sandwiches and baby pizzas (try the lush mushroom-and-pesto). Baked egg frittatas may sing the dry-texture blues, but hunter's-style eggs make a breakfast worth getting up for.

4 articles

Epicure Cafe

2005 W. Gray St. River Oaks

713-520-6174

Breakfast, Dessert, European, Recommended, Best Of

The cakes, pastries, cookies and croissants made here are all masterpieces. This is a classic Euro-style cafe and bistro. It haslong been a favorite of the River Oaks crowd, especially with the ladies who lunch, who enjoy the many creative salads, such as the Avocado and Tomato Caesar. There's also baguette sandwiches, fluffy breakfast omelets served all day, daily lunch specials and good coffee. The interior is decorated with the work of local artists.

2 articles

Fielding's Wood Grill

1699 Research Forest Dr., Shenandoah Outside Houston

Breakfast, Brunch, New American, Recommended, Best Of, Slideshow

Focused on utilizing local ingredients and natural products in its recipes, Fielding’s sets an impressively high standard for American-style cuisine. Almost everything here is from-scratch or handmade: patties are ground and prepared daily using Black Angus beef from 44 Farms, while they also boast free-range chickens from Springer Mountain Farms and source milk from Mill King Dairy. The menu is of all sorts, from burgers to seafood entrees, cocktail coffees and boozy shakes, desserts and pastries such as donuts and churros. Brunch here includes delights like the luscious French toast with milk bread crème brulee, crowned in maple syrup whipped cream. The Harissa lamb sandwich is a definite standout, as is the hearty Smoke burger, piled with house bacon, provolone, fried egg and truffle bacon mustard. You won’t leave hungry.

22 articles

Flying Biscuit Café

10310 W Grand Parkway S Richmond/Rosenberg

4044807217

Breakfast

Fountain View Cafe

1842 Fountainview Galleria

713-785-9060

American, Breakfast, Menu

This building this restaurant is housed in looks like it hasn't changed much since the 1960s. Inside the café, a big brick wall and a few kitschy decorations feel at home in a place that's popular for its homestyle breakfasts. You order at the counter and wait for the kitchen staff to bring your pancakes and eggs. As a plus, you don't have to depend on a harried server to refill your coffee - just get up and do it yourself. Diner-style lunches and dinners are served as well, but it's the filling breakfasts that really packs them in. And they serve it all day.

6 articles

Frank's Grill

4702 Telephone Rd. Outer Loop - SE

713-649-3296

American, Breakfast, Critics' Pick, Menu

The Frank's Grill waitress greets her regulars by name with their favorite breakfast beverage in hand. This funky old diner on Telephone Road specializes in breakfast of the serious eggs-and-meat variety. There's steak and eggs, chopped steak and eggs, pork chops and eggs, and chicken-fried steak and eggs, as well as egg-and-bacon sandwiches for dainty eaters.

Goode Co. Taqueria

4902 Kirby Dr. Lower Shepherd-Kirby

713-520-9153

Breakfast, Mexican, Tex-Mex, Recommended, Best Of

Breakfast is the most popular meal of the day at Goode Co. Taqueria and is served seven days a week. On weekends, you'll find most diners enjoying it on the open-air patio or next to the taqueria's softly trickling fountain. In true South Texas tradition, quail, venison and catfish mingle with traditional Tex-Mex favorites like migas and huevos motuleños, and the outstanding pecan waffles are not to be missed. At lunch and dinner, the big, messy burgers are equally popular — you can top them with anything from chili and cheese to bacon and guacamole. The cheese enchiladas and the mesquite-grilled fish and fowl are also popular at this stalwart Village joint.

2 articles

Gratifi Kitchen + Bar

302 Fairview Montrose

832-203-5950

American, Breakfast, Comfort Foods, Best Of, Slideshow

Located in a charming old house on a rapidly developing corner of Fairview in the heart of Montrose, Gratifi Kitchen + Bar boasts a sunny and bright dining room with an understated modern aesthetic, recently updated when the restaurant appeared on the Food Network show Restaurant: Impossible. The wrap-around patio is a nice place to take in the bustle of the neighborhood, weather permitting, with the added bonus of a pet-friendly policy. The food can be hit or miss, and the service slow and occasionally forgetful. Stick with standard-issue dishes here for the best bet. A full service bar offers a handful of well-intentioned cocktails, but you're better off choosing a craft beer from the all-Texas list.

2 articles

Harry's Restaurant & Cafe

318 Tuam Montrose

713-528-0198

American, Breakfast, Greek, Recommended, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow

Since 1948, Harry's has served reliable and tasty steam-table lunches to the Midtown and Montrose neighborhoods, but is more well known now for breakfast. Take a seat in the sunny, bustling dining room in the morning - get there early to avoid the wait - and enjoy American classics like biscuits and gravy alongside Greek and South American dishes. Fresh-squeezed orange juice, blueberry waffles and enormous Greek omelets are can't-miss breakfast items. At lunch, grab a tray and make your way through the line to enjoy Southern staples like chicken fried steak or Greek treats like pastitsio.

19 articles

House of Pies

3112 Kirby Lower Shepherd-Kirby

713-528-3816

Breakfast, Dessert, Diner, Recommended, Best Of, Slideshow, Readers' Choice

This old-fashioned diner, open 24/7, serves big breakfasts and simple comfort food all day long. After hours, it fills with the sorts of interesting people who come out only after dark. Soups, sandwiches (try the tuna-and-cheese melt), salads and burgers are the mainstays here, along with the namesake pies they have for offer. The friendly and talkative service staff are eager to recommend their favorite pies, and among the most popular are fruit, cream meringue and cheesecake.

21 articles

Humble City Cafe

200 E. Main St. Humble/Kingwood

281-319-0200

American, Breakfast, Cafe, Diner, Sandwiches, Recommended, Menu

The chicken-fried steak is among the best in the state and the humongous ten-ounce hamburger is a real contender in any round-up of Greater Houston's best burgers. Don't miss the giant cannonball schooner filled with homemade banana pudding. Combine the solid country cooking with a location in a 94 year-old building in the historic district of an old boom town and you get a truly charming small town Texas cafe.

IHOP

5729 Westheimer Rd. Galleria

713-952-1378

American, Breakfast, Brunch, Diner, Traditional, Best Of

IHOP, you hop, we all hop for pancakes? A 24-hour mecca for Houston flapjack lovers from tots to blue-hairs, the now-acronymed International House of Pancakes isn't just a one-trick pony. Besides pancakes in a dizzying array of flavors from chocolate chip to carrot cake (plus seasonal flavors like pumpkin and eggnog), the never-closed breakfast emporium serves everything from omelettes and waffles to chicken-fried steak and pot roast, plus giant carafes of coffee at any hour of the day. Founded in 1958, the pancake house is almost old enough to order off its very own senior menu, a privilege reserved for those 55 and up. IHOP's just a skip and a jump away on Voice Places.

1 article

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

375 W 19th St. Heights

346-335-1394

Breakfast, Dessert, Ice Cream

Round up the kiddos, your best pals, grandparents, and cousins and join us on Saturday, Feb. 1 for our fourth annual Ice Cream for Breakfast Day event. We’ll be celebrating from 8 a.m. to noon, scooping our new Skillet Cinnamon Roll ice cream for the first time ever—sweet cream cheese ice cream with dark caramel sauce, pastry, so much cinnamon you’ll go weak in the knees. Plus, we’ll have a local roaster on hand serving Coffee Floats—hot coffee with a scoop of ice cream in a souvenir Jeni’s mug (while they last!). What’s more, 100% of profits from our shop sales during the event will benefit DoSomething.org, a digital platform that powers offline action for young people interested in creating social change. A good reason to get out of bed and enjoy some ice cream if we ever heard one!