Breakfast is different than brunch - it's earlier, sometimes much earlier. Here are the top breakfast restaurants in Seattle's eastside, where Bellevue breakfasts are as iconic as eggs and bacon. Start your day right and fuel up with artisanal pastries, bagel breakfast sandwiches, specialty coffees, Hong Kong-style buns and sandwiches with this guide to see what's open for breakfast.
Lil' Jon Restaurant & Lounge
Address: 3080 148th Ave SE Suite 201, Bellevue, WA 98007
Turn down for what? For breakfast, of course! Lil' Jon Restaurant is a beloved institution in Bellevue, serving up hearty American breakfast fare for generations of locals. This family friendly spot is a local favorite with well loved booth seating and cozy appeal. They're famous for their humongous cinnamon rolls, which do sell out, and they also whip up amazing milkshakes served in classic metal cups that will take you back in time.
Farine Bakery & Cafe
Address: 11194 NE 10th St, Bellevue, WA 98004
Farine Bakery & Cafe is a beautiful spot in downtown Bellevue, with a ton of natural lighting from the floor-to-ceiling windows and a heated outdoor terrace. Oliver Dispas and Stephanie Rodriguez's spacious bistro features Belgium and French inspired pastries and quality fresh-daily bread selection. The brasserie-style menu has some eyecatchers, including the housemade croissant egg sandwich, the crunchy and caramelized Liege style waffles, the French toast, and the sizeable basket of bread and pastries. Plus, there are mimosas.
Mercurys Coffee
Address: 13102 NE 20th St, Bellevue, WA 98005
Mercurys Coffee Co. is a homegrown, award-winning coffee roastery brand with an impressive HQ in Bellevue, making it a must-visit breakfast spot. It's always a lively space while guests get a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of the bakery and coffee production process. The coffee is top notch and the food is worth traveling for. The fresh-daily pastries and baked savory goods are wide and varied, including items such as the chicken bacon flatbread, sausage quiche, honeycrisp apple hand pie, and really big rice crispy treats made with Cap'N Crunch.
Café Aloe
Address: 10961 NE 2nd Pl #100, Bellevue, WA 98004
Café Aloe is an absolute gem of a spot, serving Hong Kong breakfast all-stars like the cute steamed piggy buns and pineapple bun egg sandwiches. The specialty drinks also have tasty flavors, such as the Tiramisu Latte, Coconut Vietnamese Iced Coffee, and Black Sesame Latte.
The Brief Encounter Cafe
Address: 2632 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
Get your morning started with a big plate of Huevos Rancheros or Corned Beef Hash at The Brief Encounter Cafe, a casual family-owned diner-style restaurant located in a charming Bellevue neighborhood. The banana pancakes with berries and warm maple syrup is a talking point around town, and the cozy cafe also serves vegetarian items, like a tofu scramble.
Eques
Address: 900 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
Located in the vibrant downtown, the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle's Eques is a top contender for the best breakfast spot in town. Eques is their award-winning restaurant with a breakfast buffet and a la carte menu, and switches to brunch on the weekends. Menus are Pacific Northwest-themed and you can even create your own bloody Mary cocktail.
Bellden Cafe
Address: 10527 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98004
Voted the Nicest Place in Washington by Reader's Digest, Bellden Cafe is a local gem that is open daily and full of love. The avocado toasts here are kind of a big deal, and the bowls made with grains and granola are gluten free and delicious. Be sure to get some drinks from the Charity Drinks menu, where 25% of sales from each latte goes to the charities listed. Breakfast here is always a good idea and the vibes are always on point.
Blazing Bagels
Address: 10812 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98004
Self-proclaimed as the "best bagels east of NY," Blazing Bagels is a family owned and operated bagel haven with a menu with over 25 bagel flavors and a dozen cream cheese schmears. Locals will probably agree. This is where you can go absolutely bananas customizing your own bagel or bagel sandwich. If you're not into that, the breakfast sandwiches are wonderful, they are served with egg, bacon, ham, sausage, and/or cheese. There's also a vegan version made with impossible sausage and vegan cheddar cheese.
L'Experience Paris - Bellevue
Address: 258 106th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
For a truly Parisian experience in the Pacific Northwest, head to L'Experience Paris in the Soma Towers for viennoiseries and patisseries made fresh daily. The breakfast and brunch culture here is a fanciful affair, beginning with some of the flakiest croissants, layered with poached egg, hollandaise, and Jambon or Salmon, culminating into a delectable egg benedict. There are English muffins, pain aux chocolates, quiches, tartines, and savory pastries galore. Pair with their house specialty mimosas and don't leave without selecting a beautiful dessert to go.
