Ate by 8:00 — Where To Grab An Early Breakfast In Oakland

Ate by 8:00 — Where To Grab An Early Breakfast In OaklandPhoto: Pengrin/Flickr
Susan Xu
Published on January 30, 2017

There's some debate about whether breakfast is truly the most important meal of the day, but one thing is incontrovertible: it's delicious.

Oakland has many spots for early birds seeking pancakes, Benedicts, and omelettes; today, we've rounded up eight eateries where you can fill up for $15 or less — not including tip.

Eggs Florentine at Lynn & Lu's Escapade Cafe. | Photo: Yelp

Lynn & Lu's Escapade Cafe, 3353 Grand Ave.

Early Grand Lake risers can head to Lynn & Lu's Escapade Cafe for a full range of morning favorites like Eggs Benedict, traditional omelettes and combination plates, all for $10. The restaurant accommodates about 20 diners, but outdoor seating is available. Street parking only.

Open Monday-Friday from 7:30–2:30 and from 8am–3pm on weekends.

Sequoia Diner's biscuits with homemade preserves. | Photo: Nathan L./Yelp

Sequoia Diner, 3719 MacArthur Blvd.

Grab your morning brew at this "little neighborhood mom-and-pop shop," located in the Laurel District. Everything is made from scratch at Sequoia Diner, which serves pastries, crowd-favorite biscuits and breakfast platters like the Mushroom, Spinach & Swiss Scramble and the Corned Beef Hash.

Open Wednesday–Sunday, 8am–2 pm.

The Gastropig's #BaconSlut breakfast sandwich. | Photo: ADRIENNE DEANGELO

The Gastropig, 2123 Franklin St.

The Gastropig, Uptown's newest breakfast sandwich spot, offers a "pork-centric" menu with rotating daily specials. 

#Baconslut, their signature sandwich, is stacked with applewood smoked bacon, an over-easy egg, cheddar cheese and Aleppo chili aioli. Another standout is Not Your Momma's PB&J, made with a Firebrand pretzel croissant roll filled with chunky peanut butter and seasonal jam.

Open Monday–Friday 7–3, and from 9–2 on weekends.

Crab Omelette at Oakland Grill. | Photo: Andrew C./Yelp

Oakland Grill, 301 Franklin St.

There can be a bit of a wait at Oakland Grill, but expect to be rewarded by huge portions of diner-style, American breakfasts. This no-frills establishment in Jack London Square offers omelettes, "Hot Off The Griddle" options and breakfast specials, including a Bagel Plate and Crab Cakes Benedict.

Open 8–3, Monday–Friday.

Breakfast bagel with chicken sausage at Beauty's Bagel Shop. | Photo: Vi T./ Yelp

Beauty’s Bagel Shop, 3838 Telegraph Ave.

Temescal's Beauty's Bagel Shop specializes in Montreal-inspired wood-fired bagels, which are baked in small batches using organic ingredients. Bagels are chewy on the inside, crusty on the outside and filled with toppings like honey cream cheese and hand-sliced lox. 

Open Tuesday–Friday 7-3 and from 8–3 on weekends.

Challah French Toast at Rockridge Cafe. | Photo: Rockridge Cafe/Yelp

Rockridge Cafe, 5492 College Ave.

Enjoy your diner-style breakfast while taking in artwork created by local artists, which decorate the walls of Rockridge Cafe. Since 1973, it's served homemade dishes, including signature items like Pumpkin Waffles, Croissant French Toast and Ricotta Pancakes.

Open daily, 7:30–3.

Egg, bacon, cheese, and avocado breakfast sandwich. | PHOTO: Elise G./YELP

Hive, The Place to Bee, 2139 Macarthur Blvd.

Alongside Highwire coffee and pastries, Hive, the Place to Bee offers a variety of breakfast sandwiches and salads. The honeycomb-themed cafe also has a kid-play corner, free Wi-Fi and gluten-free options.

Open Monday–Friday 7–4 and from 8–4 on weekends.

Pulled Pork Hash at 10th & Wood. | Photo: Ed U./Yelp

10th & Wood, 945 Wood St.

This community-focused cafe serves "modern Americano-style foods that meet the demographic of the neighborhood," according to its web site. Breakfast offerings include French Toast, the Biscuit Sandwich (egg, choice of meat, cheese, homemade buttermilk biscuit with home style potatoes), and Pulled Pork Hash (slow roasted pork, potatoes, peppers and onions, eggs).

Open Monday–Friday 7–4 and 8:30–4 on weekends.

We didn't have room for all of them — what are your favorite early-morning breakfast spots in Oakland? Let us know in the comments.