Rise and Dine: Orlando’s Best Breakfast Spots to Start Your Day

They say it’s the most important meal of the day, and personally, I think it’s the tastiest! Whether you are looking for a sweet stack of pancakes or a savory egg sandwich, there are so many amazing places to get breakfast in Orlando.

I have decided to break up this post by location, so you can find options Downtown, in Winter Park, near the theme parks, and beyond. This post also includes establishments of all kinds from a simple diner meal to a mimosa brunch. As of 2024, these are my picks for breakfast in Orlando.

Downtown Orlando

I have narrowed down six places to choose from for those near Lake Eola, the Mills District, and the surrounding areas. This includes quick counters and full-service restaurants. Any of these breakfast or brunch eateries would be a great way to start the day!

1. Se7en Bites – Southern Bakery

Starting in the Milk District, Se7enBites, has some of the most delectable Southern comfort food you will find! Their biscuits and gravy and spicy chicken waffle sandwich get rave reviews. Expect a line, but it’s worth it! And make sure you grab a moon pie for dessert.

2. Eola General – Bagels and Sandwiches

If you are a carboholic like me, you have to check out Eola General. On a nice day, I love sitting outside and enjoying a Lox bagel and a cold brew! They have a variety of gluten-free and vegan sandwiches, so there is something for everyone here.

3. Dharma Southern Chick’n – Hearty Vegan Cuisine

Dharma Southern Chick’n is perfect for vegans and carnivores alike! I have been here many times and still can’t believe all the comfort food creations they have that are also vegan.

The rosemary biscuits and gravy, spicy chick’n biscuit, and creole grits are all amazing dairy and meat-free choices for the morning. They don’t open until 11 AM, but if you are fine with a late breakfast, definitely give it a try.

4. SOCO – Elegant Southern Dining

For an elaborate Saturday or Sunday brunch, I am obsessed with SOCO. This spot has indoor and outdoor seating in Thorton Park with all sorts of unique dishes.

I find it impossible to choose from the horseradish deviled eggs, the pork belly biscuits, and the macaroni three cheese cassoulet, so we often get a bunch of appetizers and sides and share! It’s great for a crowd or a morning date.

5. Maxine’s On Shine – Elevated Diner Food

One place that can’t be missed is Maxine’s on Shine. It’s been voted the number one brunch in Orlando, and you can get it here Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

They offer seasonal mimosas of many sizes, bloody mary’s, and classic diner dishes. I love trying the different eggs benedicts and always get some fried green tomatoes. Make a reservation if you can, because Maxine’s is popular!

6. Black Bean Deli – Classic Cuban

For some top-notch Cuban food, Black Bean Deli is a must-visit. They happen to be open for breakfast so you can treat yourself to some traditional Cuban fare.

For savory, I love the croqueta sandwich and for a sweet meal, I get the guava pastelitos. Between this and a café con leche, your day will be off to an excellent start!

7. The Boheme – Extravagant Brunch

For a luxurious weekend treat, The Boheme is worth the splurge, On Sunday you can enjoy a buffet-style jazz brunch with something for everyone.

With options like oysters, prime rib, burrata, crepes, and unlimited mimosas, this meal will set you back about $70 per person. However, it’s an experience that is perfect for special occasions.

8. The Osprey – Seafood Brunch

Another one of the best Sunday brunches is The Osprey. This upscale Baldwin Park restaurant has a refined atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating and great service.

The menu is what really caught our attention with entrees like shakshuka and shrimp and grits. You can also splurge for oysters, stone crab, and even caviar to make for a celebratory affair! Between the hand-crafted cocktails and the elaborate seafood, The Osprey provides a memorable morning.

Theme Park Area

Though theme park food is better than average here, I still find the breakfast eateries to be lacking. Besides, when you get to a theme park, you want to get in line for rides, not coffee!

This next section includes spots close to Disney World or Universal. None of these options require a park ticket to enter, and most are open before the parks typically do!

9. Maple Street Biscuit Company – Counter Service Biscuit Sandwiches & More

My favorite place to eat before going to Disney World is Maple Street Biscuit Company. This quick-service eatery is located in Celebration and is a less than fifteen-minute drive to the Disney World theme parks. It opens every day at 7 AM, so you can grab a tasty chicken biscuit before rope drop!

In addition to biscuits and fried chicken, there are also grits, eggs, and all sorts of Southern dishes. They are open until 2 PM, so you can get lunch as well. Keep in mind, it does get very crowded on weekend mornings! But for something quick, cheap, and delicious meal, this is my top pick.

10. Le Café De Paris – Parisian Omelets, Crepes and Baked Goods

For breakfast in the Doctor Phillips area, locals love Le Café De Paris. This is an adorable French-styled café that opens daily at 8 AM. It offers Parisian dining with food good enough to match.

Here you can order everything from omelets and Belgian waffles to a cobb salad and croque monsieur, as well as a selection of beer and wine. For a sophisticated morning, grab a petit-déjeuner here!

11. Whispering Canyon Café – Disney World Sit Down

If you are looking for a Disney World breakfast, Whispering Canyon Café is a big hit for all. This sit-down restaurant is located in the Wilderness Lodge and serves Western barbecue fare daily. With opening time usually at 7:30 AM, it can be tough to fit in a meal before the theme parks open, but if you are not in a rush for rope drop, I love it for a relaxing morning.

Though the menu is barbecue-focused, it also has classics like Mickey waffles, omelets and vegan sausage. And for those with a big appetite, there are all-you-can-eat skillets with everything from pulled pork to muesli! Between the scrumptious menu and the fun décor, this is the type of meal that makes Disney prices worth it. Make sure to make a dining reservation ahead of time though!

12. Earl of Sandwich – Disney Springs Sandwiches

There are not many opportunities for a quick Disney World morning meal outside the theme parks, but if you are near Disney Springs, I recommend going to Earl of Sandwich. They open at 9 AM daily and have a variety of breakfast sandwiches!

You can try anything from a BLT to a sausage, egg, and cheddar. There are also bowls, burritos, and oatmeal and everything is under $7. If you happen to start the day early at Disney Springs, this is a hidden gem.

13. Islands Dining Room – Universal Breakfast

The Universal Orlando breakfast options are even less appealing than Disney World, with only a couple quick service spots in each park and practically none at CityWalk. If you want a nice sit-down meal, you will have to go to one of the resorts. The Islands Dining Room at the Royal Pacific Resort is the best Universal breakfast and you can get there by taking the boat from CityWalk.

The restaurant opens daily at 7 AM, so you have plenty of time to eat before Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios open. You can either do the all-inclusive buffet for $29 per person or order an individual dish a la cart. With most of the entrees starting at $15, I think the buffet is a great deal and you can find all the classic items, plus some with a tropical twist.

14. Voodoo Doughnut – Elaborate Donuts

One of my favorite places in CityWalk is Voodoo Doughnut and it is conveniently open almost all day! If you don’t mind a sweet breakfast, this is great for a pre-theme park meal.

It opens at 8 AM daily and has both cake and yeast doughnuts to try. This includes some crazy ones like, doughnuts covered in captain crunch cereal or bacon. If you are on vacation and want to live a little, go to Voo Doo!

15. Hash House A Go Go – Homestyle with a Twist

For a midwestern diner-style joint, Hash House A Go Go is a local gem open until 2 PM daily. The portions are huge and you can load up on potatoes, griddled french toast, bacon, and even chicken pot pie!

It’s located right off I-Drive, so it is less than a 10-minute drive to Universal and a fifteen-to-twenty-minute drive to Disney World. The vibe is more relaxed so take your time and indulge in a bloody mary or mimosa. There is often a wait, so make a reservation if you can!

16. Pao Gostoso Bakery – Brazilian Bakery

For a quick and unique meal, Pao Gostoso offers Brazilian baked goods right on I-Drive. This bakery is one of the most authentic places around and features sweet and savory pastries, sandwiches, crepes, and cakes.

Most love the cheese and chicken Coxinha, but the sweets are where this cafe especially shines. Locals rave about the Brazilian Flan and the chocolately brigadeiro. Whether you want a taste of home or are eager to try different cuisines, I highly recommend Pao Gostoso Bakery.

Winter Park

A beloved locale for dining any time of day, Winter Park is chock full of places to start your day. This area has many excellent establishments that I return to time and time again. Whether you want a quick bite or a full meal, consider one of these eateries.

17. Briarpatch Restaurant – Contemporary Breakfast and Brunch

Hands down, Briarpatch Restaurant often comes out on top as a local favorite. This iconic Park Avenue café has been serving locals timeless brunch dishes since 1980.

Elevated entrees, such as a crab cake benedict with old bay hollandaise and brown butter Belgian waffles are standouts, but you can also get burgers, salads and even a few vegan Latin-inspired plates. They are open from 7 AM until 4 PM daily, so don’t be afraid to order a few mimosas or specialty cocktails and have a Sunday Funday in Winter Park!

18. Winter Park Biscuit Company – Vegan Southern Breakfast

The East End Market vendor I love to visit for a later breakfast or brunch is Winter Park Biscuit Company. Here you can find their famous vegan fried chicken and biscuits! They don’t open until 11 AM daily, but it is one of the top options for vegan cuisine.

The fried chicken tastes and looks so similar to real chicken, but is completely plant-based, as are the biscuits and gravy and the bleu cheese on the buffalo chicken sandwich. They also have impossible burgers and sausage here, but try the Chik’n so you can taste the future of plant-based food!

19. Boca – Upscale Weekend Brunch

Boca Winter Park is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, but it is worth planning your weekend around. It is a local crowd-pleaser with so many farm-to-table meals to choose from.

Personally, I love the hangover panini or the house-cured salmon lox, along with the modern, plant-filled atmosphere. Considering how pricey dinner here can get, it is honestly pretty reasonable for brunch with almost everything under $20 per entrée. Foodies need to visit, no matter the time of day!

20. The Salty – Gourmet Donuts

Sweet breakfast lovers can also get their donut kick at the popular The Salty. This Miami staple now has a Winter Park location. It has an adorable courtyard, but often a long line to get some of their fabulous donuts.

They are HUGE, so make sure to save room for these artisan donuts. The brown butter and salt doughnut is incredible, but they often have very fun seasonal flavors too.

21. Park Avenue Smoothie Café– Smoothies and Acai Bowls

For those wanting a fruity start to the day, Park Avenue Smoothie Café is here for all your smoothie, acai bowl, and juice cravings. The menu is full of fresh food including blue majik bowls filled with fruit, a homemade protein salad, and raw veggie juice. It’s a small shop with only a few outdoor tables, so plan to grab and go with your food or take it for a picnic in the park!

Lake Nona, Winter Garden, and Beyond

Lastly, I want to touch on some of my top picks for breakfast outside the main areas. This section includes restaurants and cafes in Lake Nona, Winter Garden, Edgewood, and the UCF area. If you want a change of scenery and are looking to escape downtown or the theme park areas, take a drive to one of these five options to try.

22. Veg’n Out – Healthy Bowls and Toast

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Veg’n Out has some healthy and delectable meals. This fast-casual Lake Nona spot makes acai bowls, soups, salads, and grain bowls to order with so many fresh ingredients to choose from.

It is also one of the best vegetarian finds in Lake Nona! You can get plant-based breakfast like avocado toast with coconut “bacon”, and veganaise. There are both fruity and savory to enjoy here!

23. Mecato’s Bakery – Colombian Breakfast

One of the few places you can find traditional Columbian food is Mecato’s Bakery. They are well known throughout the area and have three locations. You will find them in Lake Nona, Downtown, Waterford Lakes, and Lake Underhill, all serving Columbian specialties daily.

Favorites include the empanadas, the arepas and the pan de bono. The cafe con leche is also a hit, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the treats here!

24. Vanessa’s Coffee Shop – Pancakes and Coffee

I frequently find that a lot of coffee shops have mediocre breakfasts and vice versa, but one that excels in both food and coffee is Vanessa’s Coffee Shop. This Lake Nona café has both classic and creative coffee drinks, with beverages like a frozen banana nut latte or an Oreo Nutella mocha.

There is also a wide array of breakfast meals, including omelets, pancakes, and sandwiches. And with almost everything under $10, it’s the best of both worlds in the morning!

25. Canvas Restaurant – Latin-Inspired Brunch

If you are looking for brunch in Lake Nona, the Canvas Restaurant is my pick hands down. The menu contains everything from meyer lemon pancakes to an elevated pork belly Cubano. Canvas is perfect for if some people want breakfast and others want lunch, but everyone wins here!

26. Rosallie Le French Café – Fresh French Food

I have saved one of the finest breakfast spots for last, as Rosallie Le French Café is an icon of Winter Garden. This cozy café is open all day, but locals are obsessed with the brunch.

The quiches are unbelievably good and come in a variety of flavors. Other delicacies include croissants, flatbreads, and pastries. If you want to dine like a Parisian, have a mimosa or two with your meal!

Know Before You Go

I hope this guide was able to help you choose where to start your day on the right foot. Regardless if you are in the mood for a savory brunch or a quick breakfast, you can find what you need in any part of Orlando! Here are some quick tips to keep in mind before setting your alarm.

• It is customary to tip 20% at sit-down restaurants and most do not include this in the final bill unless you have a large party.
• Many brunch places take reservations, often on Open Table. Check out the webpage before going to avoid a wait, especially with a large party!
• The best way to save money when going out to eat is to go to areas further from the theme parks and tourist destinations to avoid markup.
• The dress code is casual for most restaurants on this list. However, if you are dining at a classy brunch spot, I recommend refraining from beach attire at a minimum.
• Most restaurants in the area have free or paid parking, but if you plan to enjoy mimosas with your meal, taking an Uber/Lyft is safe and convenient.

Let me know what your favorite breakfast spot is! If you prefer to sleep in, check out my guide to Orlando’s top lunch restaurants!