Best Breakfast in CT [Updated 2024] - Connecticut Entertainer

There are so many great breakfast spots in Connecticut, that it’s almost impossible to choose just one. So over the past year, I’ve eaten at nearly every major breakfast restaurant in the state to see which ones are the best.

Whether you’re looking for an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, a quick morning meal, or a classic diner, this guide to help you find your ideal breakfast spot. These are the top places to eat breakfast in CT.

Top Breakfast in Connecticut

1. Bella’s Cafe – New Haven, CT

Bella’s Cafe is one of the top breakfast spots in Connecticut. Located in New Haven, this restaurant serves all-day breakfast during the week and brunch on the weekends (although they’re closed on Mondays).

A few of the top dishes on the menu include Italian-style French toast, eggs benedict, corn beef hash, Philly steak omelet, buttermilk pancakes, and shrimp & grits. Both the food and service here are always top-notch, which is why it ranks among the best breakfast spots in New Haven.

Address: 896 Whalley Ave, New Haven, CT

2. The angry egg – Manchester, CT

The angry egg is one of the many restaurants that serve breakfast in Manchester, Connecticut. What sets this breakfast spot apart from the rest is its exceptional service and high-quality food. You’re able to order a wide variety of unique omelets and breakfast sandwiches that are prepared fresh daily.

But you’re not limited to egg-based dishes, the menu also features breakfast items like pancakes, parfaits, avocado toast, chicken & waffles, and breakfast corndogs. The angry egg is open from 7 am to 1:30 pm every day except Tuesday.

Address: 1095 Main St, Manchester, CT

3. The Stamford Diner – Stamford, CT

The Stamford Diner is a popular old-school diner that serves breakfast 7 days a week on the Stamford-Greenwich border. The restaurant offers an expansive breakfast menu that features dishes like eggs benedict, breakfast burritos, pancakes, waffles, steak & eggs, omelets, and wraps.

In addition to being a traditional sit-down diner, you can also order your food for both takeout and delivery if you’re short on time. For this reason, many locals consider this the best place to grab breakfast in Stamford, Connecticut.

Address: 135 Harvard Ave, Stamford, CT

4. Chip’s Family Restaurant – Fairfield, CT

Chip’s Family Restaurant is another great place to eat breakfast in Connecticut. This is one of the restaurants that serve the classic American breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes.

Some of the other comfort foods served here include corned beef hash, French toast, Belgian waffles, build-you-own omelet, breakfast sandwiches, and pigs in a blanket (with pancakes).

Address: 525 Tunxis Hill Cut Off, Fairfield, CT

5. Laurel Diner – Southbury, CT

Laurel Diner is one of the breakfast restaurants located between Danbury and Waterbury. Although small, this place offers an extensive menu of all-day breakfast and lunch items that will make your mouth water.

A few of the more notable dishes on the menu include eggs benedict, homemade corned-beef hash, pancake stacks (including cannoli pancakes), breakfast sandwiches, and basic breakfast combos with sausage, bacon, eggs, and home fries.

I highly recommend that you try their Rueben omelet as well. Just know ahead of time that this diner only accepts cash, so you can’t use a credit card.

Address: 544 Main St S, Southbury, CT

6. The Yolk Cafe – New London, CT

The Yolk Cafe is one of CT’s best breakfast places in New London. They serve a simple menu of eggs, bacon, French toast, potatoes, hash browns, huevos rancheros, pancakes, breakfast wraps, sausage links, and smoked salmon.

They also offer pastries like English muffins, stuffed croissants, and bagels with cream cheese. There’s a separate menu for kids too. I always enjoy their outdoor dining on the patio, especially during the summer. Just note that they limited hours in the winter.

Address: 825 Montauk Ave, New London, CT

7. The Shack Restaurants – Multiple Locations

The Shack Restaurants are a chain of popular Connecticut diners with locations in East Lyme, Waterford, and Groton. This local, family-owned restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but is known for its delicious breakfast specials.

Some of the items on the menu include banana nut waffles, home fries topped with cheese, sausage patties, omelets, scrambled eggs, corned beef hash, and buttermilk pancakes in a variety of flavors.

Address: 324 Flanders Rd, East Lyme, CT

8. Mo’s Midtown Restaurant – Hartford, CT

Mo’s Midtown Restaurant is an excellent place to eat breakfast in Hartford, CT. They don’t currently have a website, but you can dine in or order delivery on the Grubhub app or Yelp.

Some of the featured dishes on the menu include pancake stacks, french toast, omelets, huevos rancheros, corned beef hash, and egg combination plates with bacon, sausage, and toast. The portion sizes here are very generous, and the food is affordable.

Address: 25 Whitney St, Hartford, CT

9. Somewhere In Time – Mystic, CT

Somewhere In Time is a highly-rated breakfast spot in Mystic, Connecticut. This local cafe serves all-day breakfast and lunch, often offering daily specials.

A few of the menu options here include breakfast burritos, steak & eggs, French toast, pancakes, omelets, corned beef hash, breakfast quesadillas, huevos rancheros, and egg sandwiches. For beverages, the coffee here is very good as well. Plus, this is one of the restaurants that offers both indoor and outdoor seating.

Address: 3175 Gold Star Hwy, Mystic, CT

10. That Breakfast Place – Willimantic, CT

That Breakfast Place is another breakfast restaurant in Connecticut that doesn’t currently have a website. But don’t let that fool you. This is still one of the best places to grab breakfast in the state.

Located in Willimantic, this diner serves breakfast classics like omelets, egg plates, French toast, pancakes, waffles, and egg sandwiches. Any of the 20 eggs benedict variants come highly recommended as well. The service here is fast, and the staff is super friendly.

Address: 37 Boston Post Rd, Willimantic, CT

11. When Pigs Fly – Waterford, CT

When Pigs Fly is one of the top breakfasts in CT. Located in Waterford, this spot is owned by the same group that runs the aforementioned Somewhere In Time restaurant in Mystic. They have the same quality standards as well.

Nothing served here is processed or pre-cooked, everything is made fresh. Some of the breakfast dishes offered here include omelets, French toast, pancakes, fruit cups, corned beef hash, steak & eggs, and breakfast burritos. They even offer bottomless coffee. This is another one of the restaurants that have both indoor and outdoor dining available.

Address: 97 Rope Ferry Rd, Waterford, CT

12. The Vanilla Bean Cafe – Pomfret, CT

The Vanilla Bean Cafe is one of Connecticut’s breakfast restaurants in the northeast corner of the state. If you live in Windham County, I highly recommend you check out this restaurant.

The menu features options like omelets, egg sandwiches, cinnamon French toast, breakfast burritos, pancakes, and bagels. Of course, the coffee here is amazing as well.

Address: 450 Deerfield Rd, Pomfret, CT

Best Breakfast CT – Final Thoughts

Those are the best breakfasts in Connecticut. If you’re looking for a hearty meal to start off your day, any of these Connecticut breakfast options is more than capable of satisfying your hunger.

If you’re looking for a more immersive dining experience, I recommend you check out the article I recently published about the best places to eat brunch in CT.