Wake up on the right side of the bed by snagging breakfast or brunch from one of Birmingham's top-rated breakfast spots. From dive diners to upscale bistros, here's where you can score the heartiest and tastiest breakfast fare in the city.
1. Toast
Topping the list is Toast. Located at 203 Pierce St., it's the highest rated breakfast and brunch restaurant in Birmingham, boasting four stars out of 669 reviews on Yelp.
For breakfast and brunch, the menu includes dishes like bacon fried rice with a sunny side-up egg, avocado, pickled vegetables, onion strings and spinach; the Chicken-N-Waffle Benny with poached eggs, sausage gravy and pure Michigan maple syrup; and the breakfast burrito with chorizo, cheddar cheese and green chiles. (See the full menu here.) Dinner is also available.
Yelper Theresa W., who reviewed it on March 6, wrote, "Toast is maybe my favorite brunch spot! Everything is always fresh and delicious. Portions are generous. ... Service is usually friendly and prompt. Definitely a must go-to spot in town!"
2. Commonwealth
Next up is Commonwealth, situated at 300 Hamilton Row. With four stars out of 373 reviews on Yelp, the breakfast and brunch spot, which also offers coffee, tea and sandwiches, has proven to be a local favorite.
If you head there for breakfast or brunch, you'll find dishes like the Mediterranean quiche (eggs, feta, spinach, red onion and kalamata olives with a side salad); the chorizo hash with polenta, sunny side-up egg and red pepper coulis; and the egg scramble with ricotta cheese, shaved prosciutto and Parmesan. (Check out the full menu here.)
It's also open for lunch and serves up house-roasted coffee.
Shannon T. said, "This is my family's favorite breakfast spot. It's so hard to find a place that serves quality food and coffee. Commonwealth knocks both out of the park! They serve delicious pour-over coffees and espresso drinks and they have a full breakfast menu as well as quick bites/pastries."
3. Original Pancake House
National chain Original Pancake House, located at 33703 Woodward Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the breakfast and brunch spot four stars out of 297 reviews.
It specializes in pancakes, with flavors like Georgia Pecan filled with toasted pecans and served with hot tropical syrup; Hawaiian buttermilk pancakes filled with crushed pineapple; and a lacy Swedish pancake served with lingonberries and whipped butter. (See all of its pancake options here.)
Waffles, crepes, omelets and breakfast platters round out the morning menu.
Yelper Tanisha B. wrote, "Everything about this place is amazing! The pancakes are stellar. If you order them, be sure to get whipped cream, which is made in-house. So good! The coffee is amazing as well! This is the only place I eat breakfast and it is worth every dollar! Treat yourself to this heavenly place."
4. Rugby Grille
Rugby Grille is an upscale restaurant located in the Townsend Hotel at 100 Townsend St. It currently has four stars out of 88 Yelp reviews.
While it serves food all day, it has a devoted breakfast and brunch menu. When you head there for breakfast, you'll find dishes like the lobster omelet with asparagus, mushrooms and boursin herb cheese; wagyu N.Y. strip steak and eggs; Belgian waffles with mixed berry compote; and the smoked salmon sandwich with avocado, arugula and tomato on a toasted sourdough batard. (See the full menu here.)
Brunch features cocktails as well, including mimosas, Bellinis and daiquiris.
Theresa T. wrote, "I loved the coffee. It was hot and fresh. And I was thrilled to pieces when a basket of house-made fresh pastries arrived to my table. ... The entire meal was outstanding. My eggs were perfectly cooked."
5. Whistle Stop Diner
Check out Whistle Stop Diner, which has earned 3.5 stars out of 82 reviews on Yelp. You can find the diner at 501 S. Eton St.
Its breakfast and brunch dishes include eggs Benedict served on a baguette and topped with hollandaise sauce; the Irish omelet made with corned beef, green peppers and Swiss cheese; and the Greek skillet with gyro meat and feta. (See the full menu here.)
Yelper Jeff K., who reviewed it earlier this year, wrote, "Everything is great! The cinnamon roll French toast, pancakes, omelets and pretty much everything is fresh, made from scratch and delicious!"
