It’s a well-known fact that a good day starts with a good breakfast. Fellow Orlandoans, no longer do you have to settle on soggy cereal or hardened breakfast bars. Here are 25 Orlando breakfast spots – some well-loved, some criminally underrated – where you can kick off your day with a hearty feast.

Daybreak Diner 3335 Curry Ford Road | 407-898-8338 For those of us who need to fill up really early in the morning, the Daybreak starts serving at 6 a.m. Try the Daybreak Stacker, a buttermilk biscuit with potatoes, cheese, country fried chicken or steak, eggs and gravy. Photo via diamonte-jackson/Instagram
The Briarpatch Restaurant 252 N. Park Ave., Winter Park | 407-628-8651 The Southern-influenced menu here offers up some creative twists on old favorites, like French toast stuffed with raspberry and brie or truffle fried eggs with seasonal vegetables and bacon. Photo via izelleba/Instagram
Conway Cafe 4542 Hoffner Ave. | 407-240-2524 Conway Cafe is your typical mom-and-pop breakfast joint that just so happens to make pretty much make any breakfast item with eggs mouthwatering — omelettes, sandwiches, scrambles (of course). They also put in a few twists on their menu like breakfast nachos because we all know nachos aren’t just for the afternoon. Photo via atiosis/Instagram
Red Mug Diner 63 E. Pine St. | 407-734-5065 The old-school ’50s diner vibe definitely enhances the Red Mug experience, which is open 24 hours. (Score!) This diner has quite the expansive menu, which can be somewhat overwhelming. We recommend the supercharged chicken and waffles, which comes with mashed potatoes and bacon. Photo via redmugdiner/Instagram
Canopy Cafe 240 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Winter Park | 407-628-0068 This breakfast spot is slyly tucked away in Winter Park, but it’s time we blew the whistle on its deliciousness. Their breakfast biscuits come absolutely drenched in gravy making them a perfect pre-entree dish. And as far as the main meal goes, you can’t go wrong with the French toast at Canopy. Photo via tiffanyvee/Instagram
Los Autenticos Cuban Cafe 7339 E. Colonial Drive | 407-282-2322 Los Autenticos is one of Orlando’s most cherished Cuban food destinations. Their Cuban sandwiches are, expectedly, sent from the heavens. But if you’re not in the mood for food, this destination should be on your list the next time you want a caffeine jolt. Their cafe con leche is LEGENDARY. Photo via losautenticoscubancafe/Instagram
Dixie Cream Cafe 434 Main St., Windermere | 407-217-5047 This Windermere gem is as cozy a breakfast spot as it gets. They’ve got tons of unique menu items like the peanut butter pie and smoked brisket hash. But if that hasn’t convinced you to try this place out, then we’ve got two words for you: lobster Benedict. Photo via natalie_joelle_/Instagram
Christo’s Cafe 1815 Edgewater Drive | 407-425-8136 A place to load up on biscuits and gravy and silver dollar pancakes for fairly cheap. The cafe also does a limited “breakfast for dinner” menu, for those craving eggs at 8 p.m. Photo via mainefocus/Instagram
Hash House a go go 5350 International Drive | 407-370-4646 Hash House is known for gargantuan portions, so make sure you bring your appetite here. While they have plenty of “twisted farm food,” be sure to try their Man vs Food-challenge-worthy Andy’s Sage Fried Chicken if you think you can handle it. Photo via foodactivity/Instagram
Dixie Belle’s Cafe 7125 S. Orange Ave. | 407-812-7012 Dixie Belle’s is probably most well-known for their gigantic pancakes, but that doesn’t mean they can’t dish out some delicious chicken and waffles either. They’ve got just about every breakfast item you could dream of (the banana nut pancakes being particularly mind-blowing) as well as gluten-free options. Photo via mstein49/Instagram
Another Broken Egg Cafe 430 N. Orlando Ave. | 407-790-7868 Many eggs are broken to make the large variety of omelettes, benedicts, and skillets they serve up. And if eggs aren’t your thing, that’s OK, they also serve up monster cinnamon rolls, sweet potato pancakes, Belgian waffles, and more. Photo via gypsy_la_vie/Instagram
Metro Diner 985 N. SR 434, Altamonte Springs | 407-917-8997 The chicken and waffle is king at Metro Diner. To make this royal dish even better, they add a maple syrup and hot sauce combination to the mix. Metro Diner has a 12-inch pancake challenge, which doesn’t sound hard, but just wait ’til you’re face-to-face with this beast. Photo via mynameischerise/Instagram
Artisan’s Table 22 E. Pine St. | 407-730-7499 Artisan’s might just take the cake as Orlando’s most interesting breakfast menu. The Japanese breakfast bowl with sticky rice and poached eggs is unlike anything else you can get in this city. And it would be criminal not to order at least one of their unique flavored lattes while you dine. Photo via abroadbites/Instagram
Buttermilk Bakery 1198 Orange Ave., Winter Park | 321-422-4015 This new Winter Park bakery has been getting some serious buzz lately, and for good reason. They have a well-balanced menu filled with regulars such as light, fluffy croissants and morning buns that they give a bit of uniqueness with lemon and jalapeno flavors. Photo via ilovebuttermilk/Instagram
Le Gourmet Break 150 S. Magnolia Ave. | 407-371-9476 If you have a thing for macarons, you might faint at the sight of Le Gourmet Break. Not only is it treat heaven, but they’ve got some of the tastiest baguettes in Orlando, guaranteed. It’s that flair of France you were looking for without having to go to Winter Park. Photo via _celz/Instagram
Pearson’s Cafe 807 N. Orange Ave. | 407-420-7888 Pearson’s boasts some of the freshest and most creative cafe food around. These guys take breakfast sandwiches to the next level by wrapping all those delicious eggs, bacon, chorizos and ham around a croissant. Savage! Photo via vincentregidor/Instagram
Candlelight Cafe 406 Sanford Ave., Sanford | 407-732-7304 Like most other establishments in Sanford, the Candlelight Cafe feels like home. Their omelette game is above and beyond the competition with oddballs like the pizza omelette. Super fluffy waffles are a also a guarantee here. Photo via krayon32738/Instagram
Sweet Mama’s 10743 Narcoossee Road | 407-282-7737 This hometown favorite dishes out some of Orlando’s best pancakes. Take one bite of the banana Nutella pancakes and you’ll fall right in line. And they’ve mastered classics like corned beef hash, scrambled eggs and a good ol’ cup of joe. Photo via mig_zilla/Instagram
Hamilton’s Kitchen 300 E New England Ave., Winter Park | 407-988-8090 Located in the Alfond Inn, this breakfast spot is the place to get a hearty farmer’s breakfast with a sunny-side-up egg, Lake Meadows sausage, skillet fried potatoes, caramelized onions and fruit. Photo via legallybinging/Instagram
Peach Valley Cafe 2849 S. Orange Ave. | 407-896-4400 This is a place you’ll want to hit every so often, as they have a rotating seasonal menu in addition to more standard fare. Right now, seasonal picks include blue “lemonberry” pancakes and red velvet Belgium waffles. Photo via peachvalleycafe/Instagram
Shakers American Cafe 1308 Edgewater Drive | 407-422-3534 Located in the heart of College Park, this well-loved spot is named for the collection of salt-and-pepper shakers lining the walls. They have a wide variety of options, including daily fresh made quiches. Photo via pictureorlando/Instagram
The Town House Restaurant 139 N. Central Ave., Oviedo | 407-365-5151 The Town House is an absolute staple in Oviedo. It’s moved and expanded from its original location, but the food is still just as delicious. Get a bellyful of their Texas French toast or maybe some pumpkin pancakes. Either way, you’ll walk away happy. Photo via chelsandscottfoodco/Instagram
Nick’s Family Diner 5439 N. Orange Blossom Trail | 407-704-8861 A classic Greek diner, Nick’s offers a ton of sides with your eggs: ham steak, liver and onions, tilapia, prime rib, and more. They have also have plenty of breakfast special plates and omelettes. Photo via diamonte-jackson/Instagram
Jack and Mary’s Diner 2323 S. Goldenrod Road | 407-281-1113 Jack and Mary’s is a true old-fashioned diner that really makes its food from scratch. The food is inexpensive, too, which is a major bonus by our standards. The eggs Benedict is a fan favorite here, but it’d be a shame to come to this diner and not order some type of meat. Photo via mr_100proof_/Instagram
Appleton’s Cafe 3575 W. Lake Mary Blvd., Lake Mary | 407-323-7663 Appleton’s offers options no matter how hungry you are. If you’re looking for the lighter side of things, you can get some oatmeal or an egg sandwich. For those feeling like a hearty meal, there are options like Appleton’s Country Bowl, which is an open-faced omelette with home fries and sausage or bacon smothered with gravy and topped with cheese. Photo via 1layocean/Instagram