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Key lime flapjacks from Joe Louis Southern Kitchen
Joe Louis Southern Kitchen

Rise and Shine: Where to Get a Fulfilling Breakfast in Detroit Right Now

Lemon ricotta pancakes, egg-topped poutine, chicken and waffles, Indian samosas, and much more to start the day

by Eater Staff Updated
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Key lime flapjacks from Joe Louis Southern Kitchen
| Joe Louis Southern Kitchen
by Eater Staff Updated

Some days call for a big sit-down breakfast and other days a quick bite to go. Detroit’s got it all, from fluffy egg sandwiches to egg-topped poutine. From the neighborhood hole-in-the-wall to the retro downtown diner, here’s where to fill up with a hearty breakfast right now. For brunch options, click here.

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Sweet Potato Sensations

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This family-owned staple in Old Redford is one of the best places to go for sweet potato pies and cookies, but it’s also a great spot for a hearty brunch. Dishes such as the J.T.’s Special (Belgian sweet potato waffle with chicken wings), the Daddy-O (sweet potato pancakes with turkey sausage), and the Chop Meal (turkey chop with grits and sweet potato pancakes) are so filling it might be hard to make room for sweet potato pie.

17377 Lahser, Detroit, MI
(313) 532-7996
(313) 532-7996

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Connie & Barbara's Soul Food

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Connie and Barbara have been serving classic soul food with a smile at this west-side always-packed hole-in-the-wall for almost three decades. For breakfast, there’s salmon croquettes, pancakes, grits and a long list of omelettes on the menu. The CD jukebox plays four classic R&B and soul hits for $1.

13101 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48235
(313) 862-5240
(313) 862-5240

AlTayeb Restaurant

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Al Tayeb, “the delicious” in Arabic, serves Detroit’s most notable Lebanese breakfast. The restaurant, which got its start as a sub shop in Garden City in 2017, has two locations in Dearborn. The restaurant serves staples like  hummus, foul (fava beans), mshawasheh (chickpeas in tahini-based lemon-garlic sauce, and fatteh (yogurt with chickpeas).

15010 W Warren Ave Suite 111, Dearborn, MI 48126
(313) 908-9527
(313) 908-9527

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Paradise Biryani Pointe

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Sure, Paradise Biryani is a chain restaurant known for its biryani. But its Dearborn location has what it says is the first South Indian breakfast in the metro area. A weekend-only offering, made-to-order menu items include chana chaat, cold chickpea “salad,” dahi puri, dahi vada, and samosas.

22001 Michigan Ave Suite 130, Dearborn, MI 48124
(313) 406-2806
(313) 406-2806

Joe Louis Southern Kitchen

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Named for the famous late Detroit boxer, this restaurant by his namesake serves all-day brunch seven days. The menu features southern favorites, including cinnamon roll flapjacks, bananas foster French toast, bread pudding, key lime pie flapjacks, shrimp and grits, and Joe Louis’s favorite, country fried steak cheese grits.

6549 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 788-8338
(313) 788-8338
Four half-slices of peach cobbler French toast with peach on top of the bread, with two dollops of whipped cream
Peach cobbler French toast
Joe Louis Southern Kitchen courtesy photo

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Babo

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An homage to owner Kris Lelcaj’s father, Babo (slang for Dad in Albanian) is an all-day diner in Midtown. The menu comprises creative, artisanal takes on comfort food classics. The lemon ricotta pancakes are a sweet way to start the day; kimchi fans may favor the kimchi patatas bravas, which delivers a nice, subtle heat.

15 E Kirby St #115, Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 974-6159
(313) 974-6159
a greek salad, two pieces of avocado toast, chilaquiles, an orangina, and a latte on white china with a babo menu next to it. Babo [Official image]

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Avalon International Breads

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Cass Corridor bakery Avalon International Breads is a favorite spot for pastries and breakfast sandwiches served on naturally leavened bread. Find all sorts of basic groceries, kits, and themed meal boxes here too. Drop in for a casual cup of coffee or espresso and grab a slice of quiche to-go. The restaurant also serves options like fluffy egg sandwiches and avocado toast.

422 W Willis St, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 832-0008
(313) 832-0008

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Honest John's Bar & No Grill

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This low-key, divey Midtown pub is popular at night, but it's also a great first-thing-in-the-morning option for breakfast starting at 9 a.m. daily. The menu features classic breakfast dishes such as omelets and corned beef hash alongside smothered hash browns and Fruity Pebbles french toast. Everything is available for carryout, but customers may also choose to dine-in or sit on the patio.

488 Selden St, Detroit, MI
(313) 832-5646
(313) 832-5646
A man pours syrup over a pile of chicken strips and a Belgian waffle. Gerard + Belevender

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Dime Store

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This hip, airy all-day brunch spot gets high marks in Detroit for its tasty and creative spins on classics. Made-from-scratch breakfasts include omelets (bacon avocado, housemade sausage), sweet stuff (brioche French toast, malted Belgian waffles), and hashes.

719 Griswold St #180, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-9106
(313) 962-9106

Also featured in:

Cannelle Detroit

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This French-style pastry shop serves a resplendent selection of breads and pastries reminiscent of a Parisian cafe. Choose from options like rustic loaves of sourdough, golden croissants, chocolate eclairs, well-seasoned ham and cheese quiche, or a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich complete with lettuce, tomato, and a special sauce. Finish things off with a coffee or espresso.

45 W Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 694-9767
(313) 694-9767
The eclair and croissant are sitting side by side on a plate next to a window. The eclair has glossy chocolate on top and is sitting in a pink and white paper boat.
The pastry shop’s extensive selection of breads and pastries includes rustic loaves of sourdough, golden croissants, and chocolate eclairs.
Michelle Gerard

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Iggy's Eggies

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Grab a hot egg sandwich to-go at this walk-up window in Capitol Park. Iggy’s serves build-your-own breakfast sandwiches, grass-fed burgers, and crispy hash browns daily from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

34 West Grand River Avenue #2, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 986-1174
(313) 986-1174
An egg, ham, and cheese breakfast sandwich held in a black-gloved hand. Gerard + Belevender

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The Hudson Cafe

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Named for the former department store, this downtown breakfast hotspot has a reputation for its mountain of luxuriant savory and sweet breakfast meals. The red velvet pancakes with cream cheese drizzle and the voodoo eggs benedict corn cakes, Spanish chorizo, cheddar cheese, and ranchero sauce are legendary. Diners can make a reservation or place brunch orders for carryout or delivery with Seamless, Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Doordash with the option of cocktails like mimosas and bloody marys.

1241 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI
(313) 237-1000
(313) 237-1000

Also featured in:

Karl's

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This dimly lit, stylish retro-style all-day diner at the Siren Hotel serves French omelets, a quiche of the day, German breakfast rolls, and the classic American breakfast. Finish things off with an Irish coffee.

1509 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 855-2757
(313) 855-2757

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Rose's Fine Food

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Charming East Jefferson restaurant Rose’s Fine Food puts a fresh, seasonal twist on the diner genre with options like buckwheat pancakes, beans and greens, and potato doughnuts. As a bonus, many of the dishes are vegan and gluten-free but don’t skimp on flavor. Currently, Rose’s has curbside carryout only with online ordering. There is a patio in the parking lot. Customers can purchase items like egg sandwiches and maple doughnuts online as well as cakes, cold brew coffee, and canned rosé.

10551 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI
(313) 309-7947
(313) 309-7947
A cake stand with a glass top and pastries displayed inside next to a blue jar with pink flowers. Michelle and Chris Gerard

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Yellow Light Coffee and Donuts

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This Jefferson Chalmers has a drive-thru window for easier takeout service. Customers can choose from a dozen flavors of cake doughnuts ranging from plantain to hibiscus. The shop also sells coffee and beans. Don’t sleep on the frozen coffee slushies or the biscuit sandwiches featuring fried chicken, eggs, and other toppings.

14447 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48215
(313) 469-7780
(313) 469-7780
A vibrantly colored box of cake doughnuts from Yellow Light. Brenna Houck

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Sweet Potato Sensations

17377 Lahser, Detroit, MI

This family-owned staple in Old Redford is one of the best places to go for sweet potato pies and cookies, but it’s also a great spot for a hearty brunch. Dishes such as the J.T.’s Special (Belgian sweet potato waffle with chicken wings), the Daddy-O (sweet potato pancakes with turkey sausage), and the Chop Meal (turkey chop with grits and sweet potato pancakes) are so filling it might be hard to make room for sweet potato pie.

17377 Lahser, Detroit, MI
(313) 532-7996
(313) 532-7996

Connie & Barbara's Soul Food

13101 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48235

Connie and Barbara have been serving classic soul food with a smile at this west-side always-packed hole-in-the-wall for almost three decades. For breakfast, there’s salmon croquettes, pancakes, grits and a long list of omelettes on the menu. The CD jukebox plays four classic R&B and soul hits for $1.

13101 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48235
(313) 862-5240
(313) 862-5240

AlTayeb Restaurant

15010 W Warren Ave Suite 111, Dearborn, MI 48126

Al Tayeb, “the delicious” in Arabic, serves Detroit’s most notable Lebanese breakfast. The restaurant, which got its start as a sub shop in Garden City in 2017, has two locations in Dearborn. The restaurant serves staples like  hummus, foul (fava beans), mshawasheh (chickpeas in tahini-based lemon-garlic sauce, and fatteh (yogurt with chickpeas).

15010 W Warren Ave Suite 111, Dearborn, MI 48126
(313) 908-9527
(313) 908-9527

Paradise Biryani Pointe

22001 Michigan Ave Suite 130, Dearborn, MI 48124

Sure, Paradise Biryani is a chain restaurant known for its biryani. But its Dearborn location has what it says is the first South Indian breakfast in the metro area. A weekend-only offering, made-to-order menu items include chana chaat, cold chickpea “salad,” dahi puri, dahi vada, and samosas.

22001 Michigan Ave Suite 130, Dearborn, MI 48124
(313) 406-2806
(313) 406-2806

Joe Louis Southern Kitchen

6549 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202

Named for the famous late Detroit boxer, this restaurant by his namesake serves all-day brunch seven days. The menu features southern favorites, including cinnamon roll flapjacks, bananas foster French toast, bread pudding, key lime pie flapjacks, shrimp and grits, and Joe Louis’s favorite, country fried steak cheese grits.

6549 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 788-8338
(313) 788-8338
Four half-slices of peach cobbler French toast with peach on top of the bread, with two dollops of whipped cream
Peach cobbler French toast
Joe Louis Southern Kitchen courtesy photo

Babo

15 E Kirby St #115, Detroit, MI 48202

An homage to owner Kris Lelcaj’s father, Babo (slang for Dad in Albanian) is an all-day diner in Midtown. The menu comprises creative, artisanal takes on comfort food classics. The lemon ricotta pancakes are a sweet way to start the day; kimchi fans may favor the kimchi patatas bravas, which delivers a nice, subtle heat.

15 E Kirby St #115, Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 974-6159
(313) 974-6159
a greek salad, two pieces of avocado toast, chilaquiles, an orangina, and a latte on white china with a babo menu next to it. Babo [Official image]

Avalon International Breads

422 W Willis St, Detroit, MI 48201

Cass Corridor bakery Avalon International Breads is a favorite spot for pastries and breakfast sandwiches served on naturally leavened bread. Find all sorts of basic groceries, kits, and themed meal boxes here too. Drop in for a casual cup of coffee or espresso and grab a slice of quiche to-go. The restaurant also serves options like fluffy egg sandwiches and avocado toast.

422 W Willis St, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 832-0008
(313) 832-0008

Honest John's Bar & No Grill

488 Selden St, Detroit, MI

This low-key, divey Midtown pub is popular at night, but it's also a great first-thing-in-the-morning option for breakfast starting at 9 a.m. daily. The menu features classic breakfast dishes such as omelets and corned beef hash alongside smothered hash browns and Fruity Pebbles french toast. Everything is available for carryout, but customers may also choose to dine-in or sit on the patio.

488 Selden St, Detroit, MI
(313) 832-5646
(313) 832-5646
A man pours syrup over a pile of chicken strips and a Belgian waffle. Gerard + Belevender

Dime Store

719 Griswold St #180, Detroit, MI 48226

This hip, airy all-day brunch spot gets high marks in Detroit for its tasty and creative spins on classics. Made-from-scratch breakfasts include omelets (bacon avocado, housemade sausage), sweet stuff (brioche French toast, malted Belgian waffles), and hashes.

719 Griswold St #180, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-9106
(313) 962-9106

Cannelle Detroit

45 W Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

This French-style pastry shop serves a resplendent selection of breads and pastries reminiscent of a Parisian cafe. Choose from options like rustic loaves of sourdough, golden croissants, chocolate eclairs, well-seasoned ham and cheese quiche, or a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich complete with lettuce, tomato, and a special sauce. Finish things off with a coffee or espresso.

45 W Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 694-9767
(313) 694-9767
The eclair and croissant are sitting side by side on a plate next to a window. The eclair has glossy chocolate on top and is sitting in a pink and white paper boat.
The pastry shop’s extensive selection of breads and pastries includes rustic loaves of sourdough, golden croissants, and chocolate eclairs.
Michelle Gerard

Iggy's Eggies

34 West Grand River Avenue #2, Detroit, MI 48226

Grab a hot egg sandwich to-go at this walk-up window in Capitol Park. Iggy’s serves build-your-own breakfast sandwiches, grass-fed burgers, and crispy hash browns daily from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

34 West Grand River Avenue #2, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 986-1174
(313) 986-1174
An egg, ham, and cheese breakfast sandwich held in a black-gloved hand. Gerard + Belevender

The Hudson Cafe

1241 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI

Named for the former department store, this downtown breakfast hotspot has a reputation for its mountain of luxuriant savory and sweet breakfast meals. The red velvet pancakes with cream cheese drizzle and the voodoo eggs benedict corn cakes, Spanish chorizo, cheddar cheese, and ranchero sauce are legendary. Diners can make a reservation or place brunch orders for carryout or delivery with Seamless, Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Doordash with the option of cocktails like mimosas and bloody marys.

1241 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI
(313) 237-1000
(313) 237-1000

Karl's

1509 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226

This dimly lit, stylish retro-style all-day diner at the Siren Hotel serves French omelets, a quiche of the day, German breakfast rolls, and the classic American breakfast. Finish things off with an Irish coffee.

1509 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 855-2757
(313) 855-2757

Rose's Fine Food

10551 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI

Charming East Jefferson restaurant Rose’s Fine Food puts a fresh, seasonal twist on the diner genre with options like buckwheat pancakes, beans and greens, and potato doughnuts. As a bonus, many of the dishes are vegan and gluten-free but don’t skimp on flavor. Currently, Rose’s has curbside carryout only with online ordering. There is a patio in the parking lot. Customers can purchase items like egg sandwiches and maple doughnuts online as well as cakes, cold brew coffee, and canned rosé.

10551 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI
(313) 309-7947
(313) 309-7947
A cake stand with a glass top and pastries displayed inside next to a blue jar with pink flowers. Michelle and Chris Gerard

Yellow Light Coffee and Donuts

14447 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48215

This Jefferson Chalmers has a drive-thru window for easier takeout service. Customers can choose from a dozen flavors of cake doughnuts ranging from plantain to hibiscus. The shop also sells coffee and beans. Don’t sleep on the frozen coffee slushies or the biscuit sandwiches featuring fried chicken, eggs, and other toppings.

14447 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48215
(313) 469-7780
(313) 469-7780
A vibrantly colored box of cake doughnuts from Yellow Light. Brenna Houck

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