Even if you’re not a morning person, a big pile of bacon and eggs will make you smile.
You’ve probably visited one of Pittsburgh’s pancake institutions, such as Bob’s Diner, Pamela’s, Ritter’s, DeLuca’s and the Dor-Stop, or a diner featured in our previous roundup of top-o’-the-morning eateries.
Now venture out to these recommended restaurants that are serving the most important meal (brunch is the bomb, too!) of the day. (We even let you in on the highlights of their expansive menus.)
Simone’s, 665 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon
Shortly after opening in February 2019, Simone’s established itself as Mt. Lebo’s go-to place for a hearty meal. In addition to serving all of the traditional breakfast staples, the owner puts a Greek spin on dishes such as Eggs Benedict: two poached eggs, gyro meat, tomato, onion, and feta cheese — all topped with tzatziki sauce on farm bread with fresh-cut home fries or grits.
Lola’s Eatery, 3337 Penn Ave., Lower Lawrenceville
Head to Lower Lawrenceville for takeout Mexican- and Filipino-inspired eats. While Lola’s is closed for on-site dining due to Covid, you can still grab a variety of breakfast delights, such as doughnuts, bagels and toast. Feeling a little woozy from last night’s beer? The Hangover Cure breakfast sandwich and hash browns will help.
The Speckled Egg, 501 Grant St., Downtown
When the rooster crows, go to The Speckled Egg to start your day with the Hen’s Hash: two eggs, potatoes, mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, broccolini, red onion and toast. Wash it down with one of the restaurant’s specialty brunch cocktails, from the Bloody Mary and Irish Coffee to the Polish Hill Breakfast: Pabst Blue Ribbon and fresh orange juice. And look for the new South Side location coming soon.
Café Raymond, 2009 Penn Ave., Strip District
They serve breakfast all day at Café Raymond, so if you want to dive into a stack of their to-die-for Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes drizzled with local maple syrup and whipped cream, so be it.
Gab & Eat, 1073 Washington Ave., Carnegie
It’s OK to talk with your mouth full at Gab & Eat, where the conversations are just as good as the food. Try a dizzying assortment of no-nonsense breakfast deals. Hungry but not in the mood for a gut-busting meal? Order one pancake at a time or even half of a waffle. Chances are you’ll want to eat (and gab) more.
Mel’s Petit Café, 431 Cochran Road, Mt. Lebanon
Mel’s Petit Café is big on French flavor! There’s a variety of quiches and pies and other baked goods. The menu is also full of crepes that are both sweet (fresh sliced banana and chocolate sauce) or savory (buckwheat galette, smoked salmon, cream cheese and dill). Can’t decide? Just say “oui!” to a little bit of everything.
Totin’s Diner, 10283 Perry Highway, Wexford
The griddle never gets a break at Totin’s, where breakfast is served all day. Folks pack the old-school diner for biscuits, gravy and eggs — and pancakes as big as your plate. There’s also French toast and a variety of breakfast sammies. Overwhelmed by the selection? Keep it simple by ordering the popular Totin’s Combo: two eggs, bacon or sausage with a choice of hash browns, pierogies or potato pancakes, and toast or an English muffin.
40 North, 40 W. North Ave., North Side
At this restaurant you can start your meal with a Griddle Carrot Bread and Amish butter or a Toad in the Hole (that’s whole wheat toast, a farm egg and pepper jam). Once you’ve set a nice base in your belly, add Huevos Rancheros with braised lamb, refried black beans, tortilla, ajika, cilantro, garlic yogurt and fried eggs, or the Smoked Trout on a toasted poppyseed bagel with labneh, sumac onion, tomato and arugula.
Waffles, INCaffeinated, multiple locations
Order the Breakfast Magic and watch it disappear in a flash. Who could resist a waffle stuffed with crisp bacon, shredded cheddar cheese and green onion that’s then topped with the same ingredients plus a fried egg and a dollop of sour cream? It’s on special every Monday.
The Lot at Edgewater, 145 Allegheny Ave., Oakmont
Chances are you’ll eat a lot if you dine at The Lot at Edgewater. The Oakmont restaurant has breakfast plates to suit every palate. Treating yourself? Enjoy pancakes or Belgian waffles and a side of house-cured bacon steak. Hungry but watching your waistline? Have an egg white omelet and an Impossible Sausage patty.
Mediterra Café, 292 Beverly Road, Mt. Lebanon and 430 Beaver Street, Sewickley
After 20 years in business, the folks behind Mediterra Bakehouse opened their European-inspired cafes to showcase their bread in breakfast and lunch items. Sip an espresso with your Breakfast Sammie, which features two fried eggs, aged cheddar, house-made zhoug and locally grown arugula on a fresh-baked English muffin. Make it a boozy brunch at the Mt. Lebanon location.
Square Café, 134 S. Highland Ave., East Liberty
Feel the love at Square Café’s new(ish) East Liberty spot from Feb. 10-16. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, the eatery is serving its famous Red Velvet Pancakes, vanilla and cocoa flapjacks crowned with sweet cream icing. If your main squeeze is partial to savory, there’s also Smoked Salmon Napoleon on potato pancakes with capers, tomato, onion and lemon crème fraiche.
Valliant’s, 3418 Babcock Blvd., Ross Township
Valliant’s has been keeping bellies full since 1968, so it knows a thing or two about breakfast. Bask in the retro diner décor while feasting on triple-stacked buttermilk pancakes, French toast or the house specialty Everything Omelette, a combination of three eggs, cheese, onion, mushrooms, green pepper and tomato.
Dominic’s Diner, 3337 Babcock Blvd., Ross Township
Friendly faces and full plates await at Dominic’s. The tiny joint is already getting rave reviews for its big portions and homemade sausage whipped up by the diner’s namesake and Navy veteran.
Eggs & Moore, 221 Shiloh St., Mt. Washington
Eggs & Moore specializes in breakfast favorites with a side of sass. The fun-loving bunch at this family-owned establishment serve everything from classics like two eggs and your choice of Mancini’s toast to scramblers, gluten-free pancakes and breakfast sandwiches.
Nancy’s Revival, 606 South Ave., Wilkinsburg
Order a bottomless cup of joe and The John Goodman (four eggs your way, two breakfast meats, home fries and grits, toast, and your choice between three crepe-style pancakes, three slices of French toast or a waffle!) and you’ll be ready to bowl over the world.
The Commoner, 620 William Penn Place, Downtown
There’s nothing common about the food here. The Breakfast Sandwich includes maple sausage patties, American cheese, a fried egg and honey Dijon, and the omelet is stuffed with prosciutto, fontina, soubise sauce and roasted fingerling potatoes. Add a side of house-made sausage and maple-glazed bacon and a Bloody Larry to your out-of-the-ordinary order.
Chev and Rachel’s Family Diner, 233 Center Ave., Emsworth
Pancakes dotted with blueberries and chocolate chips, croissant sandwiches, smoked salmon bagels with capers, breakfast burgers, bacon pierogi omelets, biscuits and gravy … there’s a lot on Chev and Rachel’s menu that belongs in your belly.