An orange-lemon waffle with seasonal fruit at City Limits Diner in White Plains
More often than not, the weekday morning crunch has you checking your smartphone and slurping coffee as you head out the door. Statistic after statistic tells us that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so, no matter your schedule or budget, we’ve got a little (food) motivation that’ll help jump-start your day.
For the Over-Easy Eater
Have some extra time in the morning for a breakfast break? Sometimes the best places to go are defined by one dish.
The Goat Cheese, Bacon, and Arugula Omelet
$8.75, Stanz Catering and Café
Sure, Stanz offers some pretty stellar gourmet sandwiches, but skip the breakfast carbs and order up this omelet, which mixes the creamy flavor of goat cheese with peppery arugula to give your taste buds a morning-wake up call.
Breakfast is served: Weekdays, 7 am to 3 pm; Saturday, 7:30 am to 3 pm; Sunday, 9 am to 3 pm.
26 Chatsworth Ave, Larchmont (914) 833-9760 (no site)
Crème Brûlée French Toast
$6.95, The Yellow Brick Café
The Yellow Brick Café has been open less than a year, and it’s already becoming a Peekskill favorite. You can blame it on the crème brûlée French toast, served dusted with powdered sugar and topped with whipped cream and fresh berries.
Breakfast is served: Every day, 7 am to 3 pm
51 Hudson Ave, Peekskill (914) 737-3236 (no site)
The Big Enough for Two Veggie Burrito
$8.80, Black Cat Cafe
This hearty breakfast option is for serious appetites only. Eggs are scrambled with mushrooms, tomato, spinach, Vermont cheddar cheese, and homefries, and then wrapped tightly in a tortilla. Pair it with a mug of flavored hot chocolate and catch up on your email before you head to the office (free WiFi alert).
Breakfast is served: Weekdays, 7 am to 1 pm; Saturday, 8:30 am to 1 pm; Sunday, 8:30 am to 2:30 pm
45 Main St, Irvington (914) 231-9060; blackcatchef.com
Croque Madame Croissant
$10.50, Antoinette’s Patisserie
This cute little French-inspired eatery may have you sitting elbow to elbow with its hipster crowd, but the ham, egg, and cheese croissant is certainly worth wearing a little flannel. Spread a little grainy mustard on the buttery croissant for a tangy kick.
Breakfast is served: Every day, 8 am to 11 am
417 Warburton Ave, Hastings-on-Hudson (914) 478-7200 (no site)
Orange Lemon Waffle
$10.95, City Limits Diner
Chef Peter Assue is known for twisting the traditional, and it certainly shows on the diner’s breakfast menu. The orange lemon waffle—nearly the size of the plate—is the perfect example. The citrus flavor gives the batter fresh appeal; the maple syrup-fruit combo will surprise you.
Breakfast is served: Sunday-Thursday, 7:30 am to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday, 7:30 am to 11 pm
200 Central Ave, White Plains (914) 686-9000; citylimitsdiner.com
Irish Breakfast Platter
$9.95, Eileen’s Country Kitchen
Order the Irish breakfast platter and you’ll get two eggs, Irish bacon, pork sausage, black-and-white pudding (blood sausage), and a grilled tomato served up with a side of Irish soda bread and home fries from the wait staff.
Breakfast is served: Every day, 6 am to midnight
964 McLean Ave, Yonkers (914) 776-2001 (no site)
Spinach and Mushroom Quiche
$8.95, Café Mozart
Eggs whipped into a frenzy with spinach and mushrooms, all housed in a flaky, golden crust? Yes, please! Enjoy the quiche, plated with a side salad (opt for the fruit variety), with one of Mozart’s international brews of coffee.
Breakfast is served: Every day, 9 am to 4 pm
308 Mamaroneck Ave, Mamaroneck (914) 698-4166 (no site)
Norwegian Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese, and Onion Sandwich
$9.95, Jean-Jacques Culinary Creations
Enjoy your sandwich, served on your choice of a French baguette or bagel (both baked on-site), while you read the morning news. Sure, you can get your breakfast to go, but why rush out of this cozy little spot? There’s plenty of parking just behind the shop and it’s just a quick walk up the block to the Metro-North and stores.
Breakfast is served Sunday-Thursday, 6 am to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday, 6 am to 11 pm
468 Bedford Rd, Pleasantville (914) 747-8191; jean-jacques.com
Sweet Potato Pancakes
$7.95, Parkway Café
When you first spot the stack of three fluffy cakes, you may reconsider your order. But don’t worry—that golden brown color is courtesy of the main ingredient. These cinnamon sweet-potato flapjacks are a nostalgic bite of fall flavors. Throw a little butter between those cakes and do ’em up in maple syrup.
Breakfast is served: Monday-Saturday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm; Sunday, 8 am to 3:30 pm
52 E Parkway, Scarsdale (914) 723-9008 (no site)
The Sweet Splurge
Wobble Café
The pain perdu ($7.75) at this kid-friendly neighborhood eatery is worth the calorie overload. Slices of baguette are stuffed with homemade whipped cheese and fruit (check the flavor of the day), then dipped in egg and fried golden brown. Don’t stop there—top the stuffed French toast with butter and real maple syrup.
Breakfast is served: Tuesday-Friday, 7 am to 11 am
21 Campwoods Rd, Ossining (914) 762-3459; wobblecafe.com
THE Beehive
If you’re a weekend early riser, treat yourself to a sweet reward—the eatery’s cinnamon buns ($4.50) are made fresh Saturdays and Sundays. Big enough for two, the bun is dusted with powdered sugar before donned with a heap of cream cheese frosting. It’s first come, first served with this limited quantity baked goodie, so get them while they’re hot and arrive before noon.
Breakfast is served: Every day, 8 am to 2 pm
30 Old Rte 22, Armonk (914) 765-0688; beehive-restaurant.com
The Savory Splurge
The Barn at Bedford Post
While the $21 cost of this crustless quiche may make you question where this splurge is headed—to just your wallet or your waistline, too—you can’t help but gravitate to the Bedford Post Inn’s combination of fontina, bacon, and spinach in its signature frittata. Yum!
Breakfast is served: Weekdays, 8:30 am to 10:30 am
954 Old Post Rd, Bedford (914) 234-7800; bedfordpostinn.com
Le Jardin du Roi
Known as a dinner spot in northern Westchester, this little French eatery also serves the breakfast crowd. Skip the croissant and try the omelette au saumon chevre ($12)—a smoked salmon, goat cheese, and sautéed onion omelet served with home fries and a side salad. Although it’s tempting to inhale the flavorful treat, keep your manners in check because you might find yourself sitting elbow-to-elbow with a star—actress Vanessa Williams is a frequent diner.
Breakfast is served: Every day, 8 am to 4 pm
95 King St, Chappaqua (914) 238-1368; lejardinchappaqua.com
