We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it's even better when you can stretch it out into a leisurely brunch. Whether you like your first meal to be sweet or savory, topped with poached or scrambled eggs, or served on pancakes or waffles, we've got you covered with the best breakfast and brunch spots in every state.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the USA's best brunch and breakfast spots.

Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.

Fluffy beignets, a breakfast cheeseburger, and tasty tacos are just a few of the reasons why diners love brunch spot FIVE in Tuscaloosa – but the chicken 'n' waffles (pictured) is the restaurant's standout dish. Fresh chicken thighs and drumsticks are covered in the joint's famous batter, fried to perfection, and served with honey and walnut waffles, whipped butter, and maple syrup. There's a second FIVE location in Athens, Georgia, too.

Even though this Anchorage spot serves food all day, it's the breakfasts that you can't miss. From omelets you'll only find in Alaska (snow crab, anyone?) to a selection of delicious pancakes, Snow City Cafe has everything you need to start the day right. The stuffed French toast is a customer favorite, shown here served with toasted walnuts, berry cream cheese, whipped cream, and syrup.

A favorite for breakfast and brunch, Prep & Pastry has two outlets in Tucson and one in Scottsdale, serving everything from traditional breakfasts to French toast. The brunch crowd especially love the Smoked Salmon Beni (an English muffin loaded with poached eggs, spinach, capers, goats’ cheese Hollandaise, and potatoes), and the Monte Cristo (pictured): brioche French toast served with honey-roasted ham, Swiss cheese, and pineapple-jalapeño mascarpone.

With a focus on locally grown and sourced produce, and a mission to benefit the community through food, Little Rock's Root Cafe does a lot that's great – including breakfast. The favorites here are the Root Benny (poached eggs served with local greens, ham, and Hollandaise), the tofu scrambler, and the breakfast bánh mì, a tasty take on the classic Vietnamese sandwich.

East Hollywood's Sqirl is a classic LA brunch spot. There's pretty much always a line here, and for very good reason. Favorites include the sorrel pesto rice bowl (pictured) – a healthy morning bowl featuring a poached egg, watermelon radish, and optional bacon, kale, and avocado – and the ricotta brioche toast with seasonal jam.

Another Los Angeles favorite is Clark Street Diner. Located inside the former 101 Coffee Shop, this legendary space has been reimagined, serving up old-school classics in a modern way. Go traditional with the corned beef hash with eggs and toast, or opt for the breakfast burrito stuffed with bacon, egg, cheese, potato, and onion. Whatever you order, you won’t be disappointed.

Self-proclaimed 'AM eatery' Snooze has a dozen outlets across Colorado, plus a few in other states. There's something for everyone on the menu, from omelets and giant breakfast sandwiches to pancakes and eggs Benedict, and there's a selection of delicious drinks, too. You won't go wrong by ordering the pineapple upside-down pancakes (pictured) – the dish is a firm customer favorite.

A part of the Bridgeport community for decades, Harborview is a classic American diner with a family feel – and it focuses on excellent breakfast sandwiches, wraps, omelets, and pancake platters. Customers love the almond croissants and other baked goods, as well as the French toast. For a slice of nostalgia, though, go for the house-made waffles with berries and whipped cream – they'll taste just like the ones your mom used to make.

Angelo's Luncheonette was founded in the late 1960s by the Muzzi family, who proudly profess that they're in it to make friends, not money. Staff members make everyone feel welcome and serve consistently great food at even better prices. The menu features grilled cheese sandwiches, pancakes, eggs and bacon, and breakfast muffins – it's nothing fancy, but as we all know, food doesn't have to be complicated to be delicious.

Looking for a brunch spot with a difference? Tampa’s authentic Greek restaurant Psomi is sure to satisfy. This trendy spot offers a tasty brunch menu on the weekends, filled with classic dishes with a Greek twist. Menu highlights include loukoumades (Greek-style donuts with baklava and honey), Greek custard–stuffed French toast, and the Americani: a hefty sandwich filled with house-cured bacon, scrambled eggs, caramelized onion, and American cheese. Customers recommend substituting the seedy bun for a flaky croissant for an indulgent feast.

A lively restaurant known for its giant plates piled high with comforting eats, Blue Collar offers a great weekend brunch. Start with a snack plate like shrimp and grits or conch fritters with spicy tartar sauce, then tuck into buttermilk pancakes topped with fruit, maple syrup, and lemon zest. Want to go savory? Opt for one of the giant sandwiches (the Philly cheesesteak is hugely popular) or the pulled pork Benedict with breakfast potatoes.

In Georgia, biscuits – whether served plain, smothered in gravy, or accompanied by fried chicken – are pretty much standard on breakfast menus. At Atlanta's Home grown GA, you can start your day with a build-your-own biscuit, adding ham, pork sausage, bacon, or eggs. Alternatively, go all out with an open-faced chicken biscuit blanketed in sausage gravy.

This family-owned spot has been putting a Caribbean spin on comforting Southern fare since 2008. Its lunch and dinner menus are definitely worth checking out – but locals say the weekend brunch menu is the best in the area. Go classic with omelets, pancakes, and French toast, or try the Jamaican Hot Mama: a kaiser roll stuffed with jerk chicken breast, goats’ cheese, spinach, and raspberry jam.

If you like to kick off your day with something sweet, the place to go in Honolulu is Leonard's Bakery. The longstanding spot is known for its excellent malasadas (pictured). Descendants of Portuguese fritters, these donut-like delights are coated in sugar or filled with the likes of custard, dobash (Hawaiian chocolate cake frosting), guava custard, or haupia (a Hawaiian coconut dessert). There's a monthly special flavor, too.

You can't really do much better for breakfast or brunch than Goldy's create-your-own. First, pick your eggs – think sunny-side up, scrambled, or an omelet – then add your choice of meat (options include everything from pork sausage and bacon to chorizo). Finish the plate with some potatoes and bread, biscuits, or pancakes. And if you think chicken-fried steak for breakfast is off-limits, Goldy's proves otherwise.

For a Nordic-inspired breakfast on the other side of the Atlantic, head to Chicago's beloved Tre Kronor. Here, delicious Swedish cinnamon rolls, Danish pastries, vanilla and orange French toast, and omelets filled with the likes of salmon, sausage, and Danish blue cheese await. Anything with lingonberries is highly recommended by customers, but really, it's all good.

Since 2014, Milktooth has been the go-to breakfast place in Indiana, and it's attracted many visitors from other states, too. When it first opened, chef Jonathan Brooks put the spot on the map with his Dutch baby pancakes and a rotating selection of toppings. Not much has changed since then, although the menu is a bit more refined; these days, you can also order options like beignets with whipped cream, and strawberry and rhubarb waffles.

For a slice of Australia in the middle of Iowa, head straight for St. Kilda; there's a Des Moines location, plus one just outside of the city, in Clive. Serving up photogenic grain bowls, as well as tongue-tingling treats like bang bang shrimp tacos, it's a breakfast spot you won't want to miss. The avocado toast is by far the favorite here, combining smashed avocado, charred corn, pickled red onion, feta, tomato salsa, and cucumber with poached or scrambled eggs.

Trendy artisan café and bakery WheatFields is loved by Lawrence's young and hip university crowd. Here, zingy breakfast burritos and egg-topped ciabattina (ciabatta made with semolina) sandwiches sit alongside more traditional menu options like breakfast hash, and biscuits and gravy. Everything is spectacular. Don't miss the chance to pick up a freshly baked loaf of artisan bread on the way out, either.

The three 'bed and beverage' guest rooms at hip Louisville establishment Gralehaus are almost always fully booked – which says a lot about the quality of the breakfast food here. But even if you're not staying the night, you can still come here to enjoy an incredible weekend brunch. The menu is filled with the likes of whipped burrata toast, biscuits and gravy, and strawberry French toast. The coffee and wellness shots are worth taking advantage of, too.

Commander's Palace is, without a doubt, one of the must-visit eateries in New Orleans. Brunch – usually served to a soundtrack of live jazz – is just as much of an event as dinner. An array of Louisiana classics like Creole gumbo and Gulf shrimp are offered alongside traditional brunch favorites with a modern twist; for example, the eggs Benedict is served on buttermilk biscuits with slow-cooked shoulder of pork.

Portland is home to countless breakfast spots, but Palace Diner in Biddeford has the edge – partly because it's set up inside a vintage dining car. The all-day breakfast menu features everything from buttermilk flapjacks to French toast, and several plates feature the joint's exceptional crispy potatoes. Really hungry? Stuff yourself silly with the lumberjack breakfast: flapjacks, two eggs, potatoes, and breakfast meats.

With three locations in Baltimore (including one at the airport) and one in Annapolis, Miss Shirley’s is a Maryland institution for breakfast and brunch. Because it’s so popular, you’ll probably have to wait to be seated – but those who’ve tried dishes like the chicken and waffles (pictured) and plates of ham and eggs recommend hanging around. It’s also known for its fabulous pancakes, with a new flavor released each month.

Cape Cod has several exceptional French bakeries, but the 30-minute wait at Maison Villatte is worth enduring. There's an overwhelming choice of stunning French pastries, breads, and other bakes, as well as French-style sandwiches, mini quiches, cakes, and tarts. No order is complete without a croissant, and customers can't stop raving about them. There's another location in Woods Hole, too.

The reputation of this Detroit brunch bar precedes it, and one glance at the mouthwatering menu is enough to see why. Since it opened downtown in 2014, Dime Store has been dishing out tasty eggs Benedict, omelets, waffles, and French toast. Looking for something with a little extra? Check the chef's specials for creative and consistently delicious dishes. Another location is now open in Rochester Hills. 

Hell's Kitchen is kind of a big deal in Minneapolis. It's famous for its unusually named sausage bread (made with toasted walnuts, blackcurrants, black coffee, a ton of spices and, of course, sausage), but there's much more to love on its brunch menu. You'll want to save space for the hash and eggs, which is served with crispy walleye fish and comes blanketed in wild mushroom cream sauce. Alternatively, if you've got a sweet tooth, try the spot's much-loved lemon ricotta pancakes

Determined to 'give the proper respect to the most important meal of the day,' Big Bad Breakfast is the vision of James Beard Award–winning chef John Currence. Its sprawling menu offers everything from biscuits and various egg dishes to sandwiches and a range of chef's special breakfast picks. Whatever you get, make sure it's slathered in tomato gravy, an incredibly delicious regional alternative to regular gravy. There are locations in a few other states, too.

For a cozy, leisurely breakfast or brunch, look no further than Rooster in downtown St. Louis. Made with locally sourced ingredients, the dishes here range from crêpes and sandwiches to scrambled eggs and other breakfast classics. Customers especially love the restaurant's Rooster Slinger: andouille sausage, eggs, breakfast potatoes, and sausage gravy, served over thick-cut toast. There's a tasty vegan alternative, too.

There's no better place to fuel up for a day exploring Montana's natural wonders than the Echo Lake Cafe – and one of its most popular dishes, eggs Benedict, is sure to hit the spot. Two English muffins are topped with Canadian bacon and poached eggs, slathered in house-made Hollandaise, and served with a generous helping of pan-fried potatoes. Now that's a breakfast.

Offering trendy breakfast dishes like banana pancakes, omelets with pesto, and giant burritos, Saddle Creek Breakfast Club is the place to go for innovative bites. Customers love the friendly service, the creative menu, and the delicious coffee, which makes their breakfasts even better. The vegan take on huevos rancheros, which comes loaded with jackfruit and a tofu scramble, is particularly great.

In Nevada, you'll find everything from greasy spoons serving towering stacks of pancakes to classy establishments offering fine dining brunches. For something in the middle, try AmeriBrunch Cafe, a family-run restaurant in downtown Las Vegas that serves great coffee and perfectly prepared brunch favorites. Customers can't get enough of the avocado toast with cherry tomatoes, micro greens, crushed red pepper, and everything bagel seasoning – and the steak and eggs hash (pictured) is equally as delicious.

Largely unchanged since 1938, Polly's Pancake Parlor in the aptly named town of Sugar Hill is a must-visit for any pancake fan. Buckwheat, cornmeal, and wholewheat pancakes are made with flour ground on the premises – and they come topped with a generous drizzle of maple syrup and an array of toppings. One of the favorite choices is Kathie's Combo: a selection of three pancakes served with your choice of eggs, plus sausage, bacon, ham, or home fries.

In a state that loves its diners, Tops Diner tops them all. This classic spot, open since 1942, serves huge portions from the early hours of the morning until very late at night. Customers can't get enough of the breakfast menu, which includes favorites like brioche French toast, buttermilk pancakes, and chicken and waffles.

Open since 1971, Frontier is one of Albuquerque's most popular casual restaurants, and the breakfasts here are as delicious as the enchiladas and burritos. The huevos rancheros are loved by customers, and there are also several egg and hash brown dishes, served with the likes of bacon, tortilla, and carne adovada (New Mexican red chile pork stew). A real standout, though, is the breakfast burrito. Combining an egg, hash browns, Cheddar, green chile, and your choice of meat, it's a great way to start the day.

Sure, you could have a salmon and cream cheese bagel from the city's iconic Russ & Daughters, enjoy exceptional bakes from Buffalo's Five Points Bakery, or head to the Catskills for breakfast at the charming Phoenicia Diner – but stop by Buvette in NYC's West Village, and you'll be transported to Paris, instantly. There are no bad choices here, but the waffle sandwich (pictured) – with a sunny-side up egg, bacon, and Gruyère cheese – is a thing of beauty. Buvette also has branches in Paris, Tokyo, Seoul, and Mexico City.

With brunch available every day, it’s hardly surprising that this Williamsburg destination has such a reputation. With a beautiful interior and curb-side seating, this spot boasts an array of tasty dishes, from shakshuka with runny eggs to Cheddar biscuits and gravy, but it’s the Sunday Pancakes that people line up around the corner for. Giant and fluffy, they come smothered with hazelnut-maple praline and brown butter.

The Sunny Point Café is pretty small and very famous, so chances are you won't get to sit down and order straight away. Wait it out, though, and you'll be rewarded with the best huevos rancheros (pictured) you've ever had. This dish departs from tradition with feta, green salsa, and cilantro crema covering black bean cakes, and it's served with two eggs, avocado, tortilla chips, and optional chorizo. Those with a sweet tooth will also love the French toast.

Loved by locals for its laid-back atmosphere, Little Cottage Cafe is one of the best spots in Bismarck for a hearty morning meal. The joint opens early and offers everything from hamburger steak breakfasts (served with eggs, hash browns, and toast) to English muffins topped with eggs, American cheese, and bacon. The omelets, packed with your choice of meat and cheese, are said to be excellent, too.

If you can't imagine your morning without a proper cup of coffee, this is the place for you. With a selection of artisan coffees and rustic-style baked goods, and four locations in Columbus, Dublin, and New Albany, Fox in the Snow is a morning haven. Alongside the pastries and the coffee, you'll want to order the souffléd egg sandwich (pictured), which sees toasted ciabatta packed with fluffy souffléd egg, candied bacon, Swiss cheese, arugula, and Dijon cream.

With several locations across Oklahoma, Neighborhood Jam is a must-visit for breakfast classics and brunch favorites, served every day. The breakfast menu is huge, featuring everything from pancakes and eggs Benedict to breakfast tacos and sandwiches. Customers particularly love the avocado toast and the Heap: a generous portion of hash browns covered with cheese, two eggs, your choice of meat, and avocado.

Serving brunch seven days a week, Portland's Screen Door focuses on Southern soul food, and it's received countless accolades since it opened in 2006. It's famous for its incredibly tender fried chicken (pictured) and its praline bacon, but other menu highlights include breakfast shrimp and grits, buttermilk biscuits and gravy, French toast, pancakes, and waffles.

For a casual, no-frills breakfast that's easy on the wallet, look no further than Café La Maude. This spot's excellent all-day breakfast menu offers pain perdu (a type of French toast), shakshuka, and French omelets alongside more traditional options like eggs Benedict and plates of fried eggs with hash browns and sausage patties. The breakfast crowd also love healthier options like warm oatmeal topped with nuts, berries, seeds, and shaved coconut.

Founded in 1996, Shorty’s Sunflower Cafe has earned a reputation for homey breakfasts and a laid-back atmosphere. Locals say you can’t go wrong with the chocolate chip pancakes, the breakfast burger, or the Potato Bomb: home fries topped with peppers, onions, melted cheese, bacon, and your choice of eggs, served with toast or bread. The spot’s famous crab dip grilled cheese is also incredible (and available for breakfast and lunch).

A modern spot in the heart of Providence, Nicks on Broadway transforms fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients into delicious and inventive meals. Customers love the Mexican-style eggs with black beans and sweetcorn – and the scrumptious biscuits, piled with eggs, roasted potatoes, and your choice of chicken, ham, bacon, or fish, are worth seeking out, too.

Offering elegant plates of comfort food, Millers All Day is a Charleston favorite that serves an all-day brunch menu. Customers love the biscuits, which are served with a wide variety of toppings – including fried chicken and mustard, fried bologna sausage and American cheese, and sausage gravy. Other popular options include the grit bowl and the Millers plate: bacon, two eggs, a biscuit, and grits or home fries.

Pancakes are an absolute must at Tally’s Silver Spoon in Rapid City – and so is pretty much everything else on the menu. You can get a stack of blueberry, chocolate chip, or plain pancakes, or bury a pancake, French toast, or waffles in a heap of bananas, blueberries, or strawberries. In the mood for something savory? Opt for a topping of eggs with bacon, ham, or sausage instead.

It's not hard to guess what Biscuit Love, one of Nashville's hottest places for breakfast, is known for. Forget about sharing; instead, go all in with the East Nasty, a buttermilk biscuit topped with a fried boneless chicken thigh, aged Cheddar, sausage gravy, and an optional egg. Classic biscuits with sausage gravy are also on the menu, and there are a few options for those who don't want biscuits, too.

A Canadian diner in the heart of Texas, Maple Leaf serves oversized plates of incredibly delicious food. Thankfully, breakfast is served all day, every day – so you're never too far away from the diner's famous country sausage waffle, steak waffle, or chicken and bacon waffle (pictured). Don't go home without trying one of the joint's legendary stuffed cookies.

For a weekend brunch with a difference, make your way to Austin’s Dai Due. This trendy spot has become renowned for its weekend menu, which features innovative, flavorful, and delicious dishes. All the usual classics are given the special treatment here – expect a pastrami sandwich with pepper Jack and sauerkraut, and sourdough pancakes with cherry syrup and pistachio butter.

The main thing to order at Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade is the Hoss (pictured). This epic breakfast sees a biscuit stacked with a fried chicken breast, an egg, bacon, and Cheddar, and the whole thing is slathered in sausage gravy and topped with green onions. Other equally outrageous options include the biscuit bread pudding bake, which is made with blueberry biscuits, yogurt, and honey.

Vermont is the top producer of maple syrup in the US, so it wouldn't be right to have breakfast in the state without it. Sugar and Spice is a working sugarhouse that produces maple syrup, and it also happens to run a café serving all-day breakfasts and lunch classics. Diners especially love the pancakes and the French toast – it's sliced thick and fried in egg batter, and it comes drowned in the spot's signature maple syrup.

Located in historic downtown Abingdon, this restaurant and juice bar has an all-day breakfast menu that makes the most of locally sourced ingredients. The spot specializes in an array of cold-pressed juices that burst with freshness and flavor – and customers also love the smoothie bowls (pictured). The menu includes gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, too.

A firm favorite since 1940, The Little Grill is known for its great coffee, big breakfasts, and charming interior. The space is decked out with endless homey touches and eye-catching trinkets, including old photographs, a bicycle perched above the kitchen counter, and cheerful green walls. Enjoy dishes such as biscuits and gravy, Greek-style omelets, and the Focaccia Yeah!: a giant focaccia sandwich stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheese, tomato, arugula, and pesto.

Known for having the best coffee in the state (no mean feat in Washington), Camber's Flagship Cafe serves excellent brunch food alongside its perfect brews. The breakfast sandwiches are huge, and they come packed with everything from chicken sausage and egg to tofu patties and black bean spread. Meanwhile, the breakfast salad is a lighter, but no less tasty, option.

The type of diner that’ll bring memories from your childhood flooding back the moment you step inside, Olde Country Diner exudes an old-school charm that’s hard to beat. The menu is stacked with all the usual diner favorites, including omelets, hotcakes, breakfast sandwiches, and chicken and waffles. That said, it’s the breakfast skillet – complete with a biscuit, eggs, your choice of gravy, and shredded cheese – that keeps guests coming back for more.

Mad Rooster Cafe, which has locations in Kenosha and Milwaukee, has a menu filled with classic brunch favorites; highlights include spicy asada tacos, stuffed French toast, and huevos rancheros. Breakfast sandwich lovers should turn their attention to the Monte Cristo, packed with ham, Cheddar, bacon, and egg (you can even swap the bread for an indulgent French toast version).

Cute French-style bakery Persephone is highly rated for its coffee, breakfasts, and flaky pastries. Its perfectly sized breakfast menu features French toast and a sweetcorn omelet, as well as customer favorites like croque madame and an incredible egg sandwich. The latter comes on a croissant with Gruyère, a delicious Dijon aioli, and your choice of ham, bacon, or tomato.

Now discover the best diner in every US state

Last updated by Lottie Woodrow.