Best Breakfast In St. Louis According To Me

Bagel And Bliss Takeaway. Finally, Bagels in UCity. Being a big-time East Coast bagel snob, I would say that they are an 8.7 / 10, a number I don't throw around lightly. They had a nice crunch on the outside, while still being pillowy in the middle. $2 a bagel isn't cheap, but the bagels here would fit in at a decent New Jersey or New York deli for sure.

Let me put it this way: I have added Bagel and Bliss to my regular rotation. Update: Score up from 8.1 to 8.7. This place is legit.

Two nitpicks: they'll take a while to get your specialty sandwiches together, and they aren't open on Saturdays. The not open on Saturdays has cost me 3-4 times, basically once a month, when I'd like to go.

If you live in University City, or anywhere in a 10-minute drive radius, this will save you the extra 10 minutes of driving to Bageul Union for a comparable experience. Parking outside the shop can be dicey when it's crowded.

Bowood By Niche Takeaway. Fancy Pancakes Come With A Fancy Price. 9.9 / 10 pancakes may be the best pancakes I've ever had. With a slight Irish soda bread flare to them, they do their best to deliver on the $19 price tag. The Standard Breakfast combo goes for $15, but includes bacon. 7.8 / 10 breakfast score. The best eggs I've had in St. Louis.

One of the best breakfast places in St. Louis. Based purely on taste, it's a 4.9 / 5 restaurant. However, considering everything is at least 50% overpriced, it's more than 4.75 / 5. So, it goes from the top 1% to the top 5% for me.

Really, really different vibe. No working-class clientele, all fancy sundresses. The main eating area is in a plant center, which is very cool in person. They also have a beautiful patio garden for eating outside. The server and service were fantastic. Parking on the street.

Original Pancake House Takeaway. Chart Topping Pancakes And Bacon. One of the best pancakes you'll have, or possibly the worst. The 9.3 / 10 pancakes have a unique fermented potato flavor you'll either love or hate. I love it. Paired with some of the best bacon you'll find, it's worth the price of admission.

And the price of admission isn't cheap. The $13.50 Dutch Baby pancake I had will get you two meals at other breakfast establishments. Throw in the bacon and a cup of coffee, and your order is pushing $20.

Super fast and friendly service. They're old pros at serving a ton of people as quickly as possible. Expect a wait on the weekends. Parking is available in the dedicated strip mall lot.

Bagel Union Takeaway. The best bagels west of New Jersey I've ever had. Perfect texture and flavor. $2 per bagel or $10 for six makes them expensive for bagels. Very small bagels relative to NJ and NY. $1 "yesterday-gels" are great for freezing. No traditional deli meats, instead lox and turkey sandwiches - both start over $10, again expensive. I drive 15 minutes both ways every Sat or Sun with my son because these bagels are that good. A line out the door means a 20-30-minute wait.

Southwest Diner Takeaway. Breakfast burritos and potatoes for a blissful breakfast. An 8.1 / 10 Standard Breakfast of eggs, toast, and potatoes. The potatoes carry the day. $7 for the combo. Small but flavorful breakfast burrito. So-so coffee. Has a Tex-Mex flair to the vibes and flavors.

One of the best breakfasts in St. Louis. Order anything with potatoes.

Standard, friendly service. Affordable prices relative to other St. Louis breakfast spots. Street parking. Patio is available for warmer days.

Songbird Takeaway. Your taste buds will sing a song to Sonbird, but your wallet will fall out of the nest. An 8.2 / 10 taste bacon breakfast sandwich costs $13 base, nets out to over $15 with tax and tip. The secret ingredient that'll immediately hit your taste buds is the honey. Trying it at home, they only need to add a little to make a big impact on the taste. All the ingredients, from the bread to the cheese, are top-notch, but a price point of around $8 would make much more sense to me.

The atmosphere is bright and hip. Light colors cover the walls, and giant windows allow ample light. Everything about Songbird sings, from the paintings on the outside to the pep in the servers. I ordered online, and the food was ready when I got there on a Monday morning. I imagine you would expect to wait for a busy brunch day. Finding parking might also be a challenge. I couldn't really find a spot even with no crowd because street parking requires a permit. Note: you have to go around the east side of the building to

World's Fair Donuts Takeaway. Not the best donuts in the world, but they are close. Delicious cake and sugar donuts. My favorite donuts so far in St. Louis are 8.1/10 on the cake-based donuts. I have not had a glazed or apple crawler because they were out when we went. The pudding donut counts as three, and my sons split it. $2.25 for a donut is on the expensive side, as many around here go for $1.15.

A great place to stop if you're going to the Missouri Botanical Gardens. You should stop before the gardens in the morning and not after. They will be partially sold out if you go around 10-11 am like we did. They don't accept credit, but they have Venmo and CashAPP. Service was friendly when we went. We parked in the small dedicated lot in front. It's on a triangle of roads, so getting out can be a little dicey.

Olivette Diner Takeaway. My favorite blue-collar diner in St. Louis. 7 / 10 Standard Breakfast of eggs, potatoes, and toast. 7 / 10 pancakes. 5 / 10 coffee with free refills and free-to-go cups. Bacon is above average. My kids love the kids' combo. Breakfast sausage is among the best I've ever had. And even the pies rock.

Growing up in New Jersey, diners hold a special place in my heart. The Olivette Diner has a personal touch and booths that bring me back to being a kid. Friendly, fast service from everyone. It's the best, cheapest diner food you'll find in St. Louis.

The first restaurant I went to after I moved into my house. Told them at 7 am that day, I'd be a regular. Now, I'm on a first-name basis with Melinda, the owner.

My biggest complaint? They aren't open for dinner. Pro tip: It's cash only. Bring cash, or you'll need to hit up the ATM in the back.

Kingside Diner Takeaway. A high-stakes breakfast that's more straight than flush. The Standard Breakfast earns a respectable 7.8 / 10 on taste but is quite pricey. $13 for eggs, toast, and hashbrowns because it's in the Central West End. The hashbrown anchored the plate. I got a side of bacon, which was top-notch. The pancakes disappointed, earning a 4.5 / 10 pancake score.

One of the better breakfasts in St. Louis.

Service was speedy at 11 am on a Wednesday. It's much busier at peak times on weekends, so expect a bit of a wait for a table then. The entire diner has a playing card theme, from the logo at the front to the king and queen on the bathroom door labels. Metered street parking. I could have avoided paying for parking if I wanted to park five blocks away.

First Watch Takeaway. The Breakfast Comparison. 6.5 / 10 standard breakfast. 7 / 10 pancakes. Expensive. Fancy IHOP.

Crunchy corporate feeling, but always quick, clean, and friendly service. Can have massive wait times at busy points in the week. Check before you head over.

Now open in University City. Parking is normally straightforward at every location with dedicated lots. They are all over St. Louis, from the Central West End to St. Charles and everywhere in between.

Colleen's Cafe Takeaway. Colleen's Cafe crafts delicious pastries that hit the spot without trying too hard. I'm giving it a solid 7.8/10 based on my pastry haul, with standout scones that actually stayed moist and macarons with that perfect crunch-to-custard ratio.

It's the kind of neighborhood spot that makes you glad you live nearby, even if it's not going to change your life. If you're in Clayton and craving quality baked goods, it's absolutely worth the stop.

The location right off Forest Park Parkway makes it super convenient for a post-activity treat run. You can spend the morning at Shaw Park and head over for lunch. Counter service was smooth but a bit slow due to the crowd. Parking can get tight on Saturday mornings.

Donut Drive In Takeaway. Drive up for donuts at midnight when the feeling is just right. 7.0 / 10 donuts. Better than Dunkin Donuts by a mile. The deep-fried fritter oozes with oil. The dense cinnamon swirl goes light on the cinnamon. Fluffy vanilla with sprinkles hits the spot.

I liked the vanilla frosted style more than the deeper fried variants.

They are open super late, except Monday when they are closed. The service is fun and fast. It feels like an old-fashioned mini donut bakery. Parking is in a small lot. Pre-order online the day before to skip the wait.

Tony's Donuts Takeaway. Tony's Donuts delivers a truly traditional donut. My search for the best St. Louis donuts leads me everywhere, and this spot earns a solid 7.4/10 for delivering on the fundamentals. This reminds me of what Dunkin' Donuts used to be, which is a compliment. ~$1.33/donut for ~$2.69 for a fritter.

This isn't the kind of place you'd drive 30 minutes for to impress out-of-town guests. But if it's your neighborhood joint and you want a reliable, fresh donut on a Saturday morning, Tony's more than fits the bill.

With several locations now, there's probably one near you. This spot felt a bit corporate, but parking was super easy, and they even have a drive-thru. It's built for convenience, and it does the job.

Egg@Midtown Takeaway. Egg@Midtown wound up with some egg on its face. The Pork Belly Cornbread Egg Benedict was the top Reddit and Yelp rec, and it landed at 7.1/10 only because the breakfast potatoes were some of the best I've had in St. Louis.

The main course was the issue. The pork belly that's supposed to be the star was dry, tough, and rubbery. Everything around it rocked, but the centerpiece flopped.

Maybe I caught a bad batch, but it missed the mark. At $20 all-in for breakfast, plus a 20-minute drive and paid street parking, the whole trip just doesn't add up for me.

Panorama Takeaway Take a look around Panorama for breakfast or lunch. It scores a 6.5/10 for delivering solid, restaurant-quality food that's definitely more "fancy" than it is "fantastic." You're paying for fresh, nice-sounding ingredients like gouda and arugula in a setting that is, quite literally, a work of art. Just don't expect any culinary revelations.

The real draw here is the unbeatable atmospheric combo. You're dining inside the St. Louis Art Museum with gorgeous views over Forest Park. In my opinion, it makes for a worthy afternoon out, especially if you're already planning to explore the museum. It's not a destination for the food alone, but it makes the whole museum day feel complete.

Logistically, it's a breeze. The service is solid, parking is easy (and free) in the lot across the street, and the convenience is top-notch if you're already on Art Hill.

Baker's Dozen Donuts Takeaway. We got a literal and figurative mixed bag of donuts on our visits to Baker's Dozen Donuts. In total, I've tried seven donuts, from glazed to apple fritters. Unfortunately, most of them weren't very good. My favorite, at 7.1 / 10 on the donut score, would be the cinnamon sugar. The light cake dough lets the sugary coating do the talking. The rest of the donuts were all sub-6.

My four-year-old refused to eat the plain donut with chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles, which was a first. My older son's plain glazed tasted like lemon. The cinnamon bun came out a bit dry and lacked enough cinnamon for me.

I feel bad writing that because I love the vibe. A family-run establishment for over 30 years, it's the kind of small donut place that should knock your socks off. The working class vibes and clientele can get a donut for $1.15, priced very fairly. Cinnamon rolls and fritters cost an extra $1 to $2. Parking in a dedicated lot at the front. Tip: They run out of donuts at various times of the day. The earlier you get there, the better selection you'll have. They ran out by 9:30 am on a Thursday but were totally full at 7:30 am on a Saturday.

Bello's Bakery Takeaway. Bello's Bakery came highly recommended, but I found myself baffled by the hype. This is a 6.7/10 for me, based on donuts that were dry and, in my opinion, just didn't live up to the reputation.

I've heard from so many friends, and Yelp, that this place is a must. But after several visits, I just can't get on board. In my search for the best donuts in St. Louis, I have to say this one isn't worth a special trip.

Parking is a breeze with a dedicated lot right out front. The service, on the other hand, was never super pleasant, and I was even overcharged by mistake on one visit.

Not sure why I keep coming back…

IHOP Takeaway. A Breakfast Convenience. Does Everything Fine. The best part of IHOP is the 7.5 / 10 coffee. The rest of the breakfast is convenient but expensive, coming in at least $11 for enough food. Too much butter masks whatever flavor lies underneath. The comparison breakfast so you can triangulate my tastes to yours. 5 / 10 Standard Breakfast. Pancakes are solid, but I can make them better at home, and they've gotten more expensive.

Service is quick. Super kid and family-friendly as every kid gets a placement to color on and crayons. Parking is always available in big, dedicated lots. You might have to wait a bit for a table at peak times.

BerryBox Takeaway. BerryBox brought bland bowls to breakfast. I'd give it a 5/10. The acai was fine, the toppings were basic, but honestly, Costco's old acai smoothie is better. My wife likes this place for the bowls, but I don't get the appeal.

For $36, you get three small bowls with sliced fruit and granola that wouldn't even fill up my eight-year-old after a soccer game.

The service was pleasant enough, and the outdoor seating was a nice touch, but the flavor just didn't justify the price tag. If you're craving an acai bowl in St. Louis, keep searching, imo.

Donut Drive Up Takeaway. Donut Drive Up offers solidly above-average donuts. I'd say the star of their small show is the apple fritter and light, fluffy glazed donut. I give them a 7.2 / 10, as I have still not been blown away by donuts better than Schnucks in a while.

The operation can be a bit "janky" as they got my four-donut order wrong, didn't have one in stock at 10:30 am (fine), and are basically a donut stand in a parking lot (which is also fine). That said, your kids will like them if you make a stop after a visit to Brentwood Park, like we did. As you might expect, Donut Drive Up is the brother of Donut Drive In.