Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Pittsburgh, PA in 2024
If you're looking for the best breakfast in Pittsburgh, you'll discover no shortage of excellent eateries for an early morning meal. From cozy casual diners to grab-and-go hot spots, there are a ton of amazing places for breakfast in Pittsburgh just waiting to be discovered.
Grabbing a sweet or savory morning meal is the perfect way to start your day off right, so If you're craving fluffy pancakes, hearty omelettes or a classic breakfast sandwich, this guide has you covered. Read on to explore the most delicious morning eats Pittsburgh has to offer.
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The 21 Best Pittsburgh Breakfast Spots
1. Café Raymond
A restaurant for breakfast in Pittsburgh owned and operated by locals, Café Raymond serves classic breakfast fare with a hometown twist.
The Vibe
Located in the Strip District, this is a great spot to visit with out-of-town relatives who want the classic Pittsburgh breakfast experience.
What to Order
Regulars love the blueberry ricotta pancakes served with local maple syrup and whipped cream.
Café Raymond | 2009 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 | $$
2. The Speckled Egg
Located inside the Union Trust Building, The Speckled Egg is a modern take on a neighborhood diner, making it the perfect spot to enjoy an original breakfast in Pittsburgh.
The Vibe
The Speckled Egg boasts a vibrant atmosphere that perfectly complements its eclectic menu. The modern yet cozy interior sets the stage for an enjoyable breakfast in Pittsburgh, ideal for sharing laughs and sampling a variety of culinary delights with friends.
What to Order
One diner claimed the fried chicken biscuit will “change your life.” Order one from this breakfast spot and see for yourself!
The Speckled Egg | Multiple Locations | $$
3. Oak Hill Post
Named one of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh for three years in a row, Oak Hill Post is the ideal spot for anyone who loves breakfast biscuits.
The Vibe
With a menu of specialty coffees and kombucha on tap, this casual sport for breakfast in Pittsburgh is great for a meal with friends with a modern twist.
What to Order
Their cult classics are cult classics for a reason. One option you can’t miss checking out is the breakfast smash sandwich, fully loaded with a burger patty, fried egg, cheese, pickle and special sauce on a buttermilk biscuit.
Oak Hill Post | 600 Brookline Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15226 | $$
4. Pamela’s Diner
Serving breakfast in Pittsburgh since 1980, Pamela’s Diner has multiple locations in the Pittsburgh area, all featuring variations of classic breakfast and brunch offerings.
The Vibe
With a soft pink and bright teal interior, Pamela’s has a nostalgic 1950s-style diner feel. Visit with friends or family for a fun trip back in time.
What to Order
Get the Pittsburgh hash for the table — a rich dish of Lyonnaise potatoes mixed with kielbasa and sauerkraut, topped with Swiss cheese.
Pamela’s Diner | Multiple Locations | $$
5. Ineffable Cà Phê
As its name suggests, Ineffable Cà Phê serves Vietnamese-fusion breakfast dishes so delicious they are hard to describe in words — they have to be tasted!
The Vibe
Located in a former motorcycle shop, Ineffable Cà Phê has a cool, industrial feel perfect for the backdrop of a first or second date.
What to Order
Try the Sunny Bánh Mì — a classic Vietnamese breakfast in Pittsburgh that features a warm baguette, sunny-side-up eggs, pickled vegetables, cucumber, cilantro, house mayo and soy sauce.
Ineffable Cà Phê | 3920 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224 | $$
6. Kelly O’s Diner
A women-owned and operated family business, Kelly O’s Diner has three locations serving diner-style lunch, brunch and breakfast in Pittsburgh.
The Vibe
Once featured on the television show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” Kelly O’s Diner is family-friendly and welcoming — perfect for a cozy casual breakfast in Pittsburgh.
What to Order
One of the best places for breakfast in Pittsburgh for biscuits and gravy, try Kelly O’s version smothered in their homemade sausage gravy with a side of home fries or shredded potatoes.
Kelly O’s Diner | Multiple Locations | $$
7. Totin's Diner
One spot for breakfast near Pittsburgh that evokes that classic diner feel, Totin's Diner serves heaping helpings of all your favorite breakfast dishes.
The Vibe
With shiny red booths and a black and white checkered floor, Totin’s Diner is a perfect place to enjoy with the whole family as you eat a hearty breakfast near Pittsburgh.
What to Order
Check out Deb’s Cinnamon Swirl French Toast, which includes two thick slices of cinnamon bread buttered, then grilled and topped with a cinnamon glaze.
Totin's Diner | 10283 Perry Highway, Wexford, PA 15090 | $$
8. Square Café
A modern, innovative twist on classic breakfast in Pittsburgh, Square Café serves everything you’d expect from a brunch hot spot, plus a hearty vegan menu.
The Vibe
Square Café is ironically full of colorful circles decorating the windows and adorning the bar and order signs. If you're looking for fun things to do in Pittsburgh, visit this cool spot with a group of friends and take advantage of their seasonal menu of specialty lattes.
What to Order
The bananas Foster waffles are a must-try. The dish has house waffles topped with caramelized bananas, whipped cream and powdered sugar, all drizzled with local Yeany's Maple Syrup.
Square Café | 134 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 | $$
9. Café Moulin
A French-inspired spot for breakfast, brunch, lunch and crêpes, Café Moulin serves elevated breakfast in Pittsburgh with a fresh French flair.
The Vibe
With bright rainbows and French-inspired murals, Café Moulin is a great place to take your partner for a cute and casual breakfast date.
What to Order
If you love savory crêpes, try the ham and Swiss version with Black Forest ham, Swiss cheese and hollandaise on a freshly-made crêpe served with a side salad.
Café Moulin | 732 Filbert St., Pittsburgh, PA 15232 | $$
10. Scratch & Co.
A neighborhood café and pub serving breakfast in Pittsburgh on the weekend, Scratch & Co. features a seasonal menu of light bites and brunch favorites.
The Vibe
With wood paneling and eclectic modern décor, Scratch & Co. is perfect for a fun breakfast date with friends or an intimate morning meal with your partner.
What to Order
A traditional North African dish, the shakshuka is a deceptively simple and delicious mix of spiced tomato sauce, poached eggs and sourdough that is a must-order.
Scratch & Co. | 1720 Lowrie St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 | $$
11. Mediterra Café
Serving freshly baked goods and breakfast items until 2 p.m., plus pizza starting at 10:30 a.m., Mediterra Café is the perfect spot for a quick bite on-the-go or casual breakfast in Pittsburgh.
The Vibe
Cute, cozy and always bustling, Mediterra Café is where you should go to grab a filling breakfast in Pittsburgh and maybe some lunch items to go before a long walk, hike or picnic with friends.
What to Order
Customers love their lemon coconut cruffin and the French toast made with fresh milk bread baked in-house topped with strawberry and black lime jam, whipped crème fraîche and powdered sugar.
Mediterra Café | 5202 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201 | $$
12. Geppetto Café
With a delicious selection of sweet and savory European-style crêpes alongside other breakfast classics, Geppetto Café is the place to go if you like your breakfast in Pittsburgh with a side of charming homestyle whimsy.
The Vibe
Decorated with classic books hanging from the ceiling, industrial-style lighting and, of course, puppets, Geppetto Café is great for a fun and quirky date or family meal.
What to Order
Check out Geppetto’s signature dish of sautéed caramelized apples, a cream cheese glaze and cinnamon and caramel sauce on your choice of a waffle or crêpe.
Geppetto Café | Multiple Locations | $$
13. Eggs & Moore
A neighborhood spot with a cozy, hometown ambiance, Eggs & Moore is where you should go if you’re looking for the best budget-friendly breakfast in Pittsburgh.
The Vibe
Family-owned and operated, Eggs & Moore is decorated with framed pictures of cute sayings and food-inspired images giving it the vibe you get when you enjoy a home-cooked meal with loved ones.
What to Order
If you prefer a sweet breakfast over savory, get the blueberry pancakes topped with fluffy powdered sugar.
Eggs & Moore | 221 Shiloh St., Pittsburgh, PA 15211 | $
14. Buon Giorno Café
One of the best spots for a European-style breakfast in Pittsburgh, the morning menu at Buon Giorno Café features a variety of fresh breakfast sandwiches and pastries.
The Vibe
A relatively hidden gem, Buon Giorno Café is a great place to enjoy breakfast in Pittsburgh with friends or coworkers. You can even stay for lunch and order one of their sandwich and pasta specials.
What to Order
Diners love their Italian frittata served with hot sausage, peppers, mozzarella and a side of Italian toast.
Buon Giorno Café | 20 Stanwix St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 | $$
15. The Commoner
Helmed by executive chef and three-time James Beard nominee Dave Racicot, The Commoner is one of the best spots for breakfast in Pittsburgh that serves classic American favorites with locally-focused ingredients and flavors.
The Vibe
With a cool, rich black and green interior and long banquet tables in the center, The Commoner is perfect for groups and early morning celebrations or birthday brunches.
What to Order
For a breakfast in Pittsburgh that you’ll love, try their oatmeal with seasonal berries or the breakfast sandwich, which includes a delicious pairing of maple sausages patties, American cheese, a fried egg and sweet mustard.
The Commoner | 620 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 | $$
16. Simone’s
Owned and operated by a local Pittsburgher raised in the food industry, Simone’s serves fresh, quality breakfast near Pittsburgh all day.
The Vibe
A cozy, diner-style restaurant, Simone’s is the perfect spot for a laid-back, unpretentious breakfast near Pittsburgh with friends.
What to Order
Check out their classic veggie omelette that has a filling portion of eggs mixed with mushrooms, spinach, onion, tomato, pepper and cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
Simone’s | 665 Washington Road, Mount Lebanon, PA 15228 | $$
17. Lola’s Eatery
With a name that stands for “Lower Lawrenceville,” Lola’s Eatery is a celebration of not only its location but also the Filipino and Mexican culture that raised and inspired Lola's owners Max and Zoë Blume.
The Vibe
With living greenery art and endlessly Instagrammable décor, Lola’s Eatery is the place to grab a delicious breakfast in Pittsburgh with friends.
What to Order
You can’t leave Lola’s without trying their street cornbread. Served in a skillet and topped with a smokey vegetarian rancheros sauce, cotija cheese and micro cilantro, this cornbread stuffed with a creamy street corn filling is endlessly cravable.
Lola’s Eatery | 3337 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15201 | $$
18. Mel’s Petit Café
A friendly neighborhood crêperie, Mel’s Petit Café serves crêpes and galettes made-to-order with fresh ingredients and local flavors.
The Vibe
Moody blue walls and rich brown furniture give Mel’s Petit Café a calming, serene atmosphere. Visit with friends or for a relaxed soothing breakfast in Pittsburgh after a wild night out.
What to Order
Try their classic La Complete — a housemade buckwheat galette with egg, ham and Swiss cheese.
Mel’s Petit Café | 431 Cochran Road., Pittsburgh, PA 15228 | $$
19. Gab & Eat
A local favorite for over 30 years, Gab & Eat serves traditional breakfast fare for their many regulars and those looking for a classic breakfast near Pittsburgh.
The Vibe
Relaxed and homey, Gab & Eat is the place to go to, of course, gab and eat with old friends and enjoy just some of the many Pittsburgh foods the city is famous for.
What to Order
Order the steak and eggs with toast and home fries for a Pittsburgh breakfast that stands up to the hype.
Gab & Eat | 1073 Washington Ave., Carnegie, PA 15106 | $
20. 40 North Restaurant & Bar
Only open for brunch on the weekends, 40 North Restaurant & Bar serves one of the most elevated breakfasts in Pittsburgh, created by their James Beard-nominated Executive Chef Bethany Zozula.
The Vibe
Set in a space that is both a bookstore and a place for live events, 40 North’s energy is lively and curious. Visit with friends for a celebratory morning meal.
What to Order
You can’t go wrong with their Alphabet City Breakfast which has three eggs, smashed fried potatoes, chimichurri and a side of your choice.
40 North Restaurant & Bar | 40 W. North Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 | $$
21. Waffles, INCaffeinated
If you’re looking for a sweet or savory waffle breakfast in Pittsburgh, check out Waffles, INCaffeinated. A brunch and lunch café sure to satisfy all waffle cravings.
The Vibe
With floor-to-ceiling windows and bright red walls, Waffles, INCaffeinated is a great place to grab a bite and people-watch on a busy day.
What to Order
Go big with the Funky Monkey — a fresh and golden chocolate chip waffle topped with bananas and smothered with housemade peanut butter chiffon and Waffles Inc. fudge sauce. Even better if you order this decadent delight on Fridays when there’s a Funky Monkey special!
Waffles, INCaffeinated | Multiple Locations | $$
Try Cooking Pittsburgh Foods
Along with eating the best breakfast in Pittsburgh, it can be fun to learn to cook your favorite breakfast and brunch dishes yourself. Those who are eager to elevate their culinary skills can check out the many cooking classes in Pittsburgh. Taught by world-class chefs, you’re sure to find something perfect for your cravings and skill level.
Join 200,000+ Culinary Enthusiasts
Pittsburgh is full of excellent restaurants, including those with amazing breakfast and brunch offerings. If you've been searching for the best places for breakfast in Pittsburgh, this article should have given you an array of ideas about where to grab your next casual breakfast or indulgent brunch.
For even more ways to explore Pittsburgh and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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