Image credit: Bennett’s Bistro
***Update on 3/4/2020: Bennett’s Bistro and Island Broiler are now closed on Mercer Island. Convivial Cafe is now L’Experience Paris – also a great choice for breakfast or brunch.***
Mimosas, eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles, bacon, hot coffee . . . who doesn’t love breakfast food?
Mercer Island has some of the best breakfast and brunch spots around. All of the restaurants on this list have menus filled with delicious choices, so whether you’re meeting up with friends for a Saturday morning brunch, or taking the kids out for a breakfast treat, there’s a perfect spot on this list for you.
Breakfast & Brunch Spots
Bennett’s Bistro
Brunch Hours: Saturdays & Sundays, 10 am – 3 pm
With a variety of options available for brunch, Bennett’s is the perfect spot for weekend brunch with something for everyone. They have french toast or pancakes served with maple syrup and sweet cream butter if you have a sweet tooth, or try one of their savory egg scrambles for a protein-packed breakfast – the Bennett’s Scramble made with smoked salmon and creme fraiche is a popular choice!
Pair your breakfast dish with a cup of their Caffe Vitta coffee or a Champagne Mercer (their spin on the mimosa) made with fresh-squeezed orange and grapefruit juice and sparkling wine.
Tip from the Locals: Bennett’s is a nice, upscale option offering fresh, local Northwest fare. It’s a perfect place for a “business brunch” or to bring out-of-town guests. It can get busy, so we suggest making reservations in advance!
Make a reservation online or check out their menu on their website >>
Convivial Cafe
Breakfast Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm; Saturday & Sunday, 8 am – 6 pm
Convivial, a bakery-cafe, opened August 2018 on Mercer Island and has been a favorite spot for coffee, breakfast, and brunch ever since. It’s worth a stop just for the fabulous selection of croissants – from butter, chocolate, ham and cheese, twice-baked almond, and twice-baked chocolate hazelnut. Other yummy pastries include a variety of muffins, breads, and biscuits served with butter and jam.
Light breakfast options include biscuits and sausage with gravy, bread pudding French toast, and a rotating assortment of quiches, including an asparagus, leek, and goat cheese quiche as well as a bacon, mushroom, swiss cheese, and kale quiche. Along with your breakfast items, enjoy coffee from Elm Coffee Roasters, tea from Steven Smith Teamaker, and masala chai from Aditi Chai.
Tips from the Locals: Be sure to try the cruffin, a croissant-muffin hybrid of sweet deliciousness. If you’re looking for a healthy combo, add a crisp salad to your quiche order.
Homegrown Sustainable Sandwich Shop
Breakfast Hours: Every day, 7 am – 8 pm (all day!)
Homegrown is a great, casual spot for breakfast items that are healthy, delicious, and use ingredients that are from sustainable sources. Also, you don’t even have to wake up early to make it on time for breakfast – they serve their breakfast menu all day!
Hands down, the fan favorite is their Bacon, Egg, and Beecher’s, made with a fried egg, gooey Beecher’s cheese, and perfectly cooked nitrate-free bacon. Vegetarians will also love the breakfast menu at Homegrown – they have a tasty Avocado, Egg, and Cheese sandwich (with an option for gluten-free bread) and a savory Quinoa, Spinach, and Sweet Potato breakfast bowl.
All of their items pair perfectly with a cup of their Stumptown coffee, hot or iced. They also have an easy-to-navigate take-out service if you’d rather have breakfast in bed.
Tip from the Locals: Homegrown has a great location next to Island Books and it’s a few doors down from home-decor shop Terra Bella, so this is a perfect stop for a bite if you’d like to do a little shopping as well.
For more information or to order take-out, visit their website >>
The Islander
Brunch Hours (Breakfast & Lunch Menu): Saturdays & Sundays, 9 am – 2:00 pm
If you’re looking for a boozy brunch after a long week at work, The Islander is the place for you. On Saturdays and Sundays, you’ll find bottomless mimosas and customizable Bloody Marys – you can add pickled asparagus, celery, bacon, and more.
Pair your drink with their gigantic breakfast plates – rumor has it, their three-egg omelette is so big, it look like it’s made with six eggs rather than three! If you’re in the mood for smoked salmon, there’s no better dish than the Islander Benedict, topped with 4 oz of smoked salmon and served with hash browns.
Tip from the Locals: On Sundays, Happy Hour is all day, and kids eat free!
For more information and to check out their full menu, visit their Facebook page >>
Mioposto Pizzeria
Breakfast/Brunch Hours: Saturdays & Sundays, 9 am – 3 pm
This Neapolitan-style pizzeria offers unique breakfast items that you can’t find anywhere else – their incredible hand-crafted breakfast dishes and all cooked in an open-flame pizza oven.
You won’t find your typical eggs and toast plate on this menu – instead, try their popular Bacon & Egg Breakfast Pizza and their sweet, cinnamon-dusted Panenata. They’re also known for their Shakshuka, a dish inspired by the Israeli classic, featuring chickpeas, tomato, oregano, Calabria pepper, and two eggs, with a side of their fresh, homemade bread.
All Mioposto’s breakfast and brunch dishes pair great with a cup of their Caffe Vitta coffee. For a boozy option, order their House Smoked Bloody Maria, made with Mioposto’s own house-smoked tomato juice and pepperoncinis.
Tip from the Locals: Mioposto can be very busy. You can make reservations for parties of 6 or more, but for smaller parties, we suggest preparing for a short wait or arriving earlier in the morning to beat the rush.
For more information and to check out their full menu, visit their website >>
Phat 12 Island Broiler
Breakfast Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 11 am – 3 pm, Saturdays & Sundays, 9 am – 3 pm
Phat 12 is known for their contemporary American-Islander fusion cuisine, and they’ve also got stellar breakfast dishes that cover the spectrum of flavor.
One of their most popular dishes is the Classic Benny, an eggs Benedict plate with poached eggs, Canadian bacon, and topped with their freshly made hollandaise sauce. If you love omelettes, Phat 12 offers a Build Your Own Omelette menu option, and you can choose your own favorite ingredients. For something on the sweeter side, try the Brioche French Toast or blueberry crepes.
With $4 mimosas and delicious Bloody Marys made with Hawaiian Red Salt, you’ll have some tough choices to make in the drink department (… or just order one of each).
Tip from the Locals: Chef T is back! He not only serves up amazing food, but also adds a personal touch to the dining experience, and loves to connect with his customers. Phat 12 is a hidden gem worth seeking out on Mercer Island.
The Roanoke Inn
Breakfast Hours: Saturdays & Sundays, 8 am – Noon
A historical tavern that’s been on Mercer Island for over 100 years, the Roanoke Inn has been a mainstay in the local Mercer Island social scene for a long, long time. Its casual atmosphere has made it a place where friends meet friends for a beer after work or on game day, but it’s also a great spot for breakfast on the weekends – that is, only if you’re over 21.
With Bloody Marys and Mimosas (and freshly brewed coffee) flowing all morning, Roanoke serves up generous portions of traditional American breakfast fare, like their 1914 plate with two eggs, two sausage links or slices of bacon, plenty of hash browns, and a side of toast. You’ll find a different breakfast special every weekend, and they’ll often feature a type of skillet scramble with eggs, potatoes, peppers, onions, and tomatoes. They also have an outdoor patio and porch seating (with shaded spots available), making the Roanoke Inn a lovely breakfast spot for a sunny summer morning.
Tip from the Locals: The Roanoke has a fun (and colorful) history that you can learn all about from a description on the menu. Parking is a little trickier during busy times due to the Roanoke’s residential setting, so give yourself a little extra time to park (or carpool).
For more information on Roanoke Inn, visit their Facebook page >>
Sano Cafe
Breakfast Hours: Monday – Friday, 7 am – 4 pm; Saturday, 8 am – 3 pm; Sunday, 9 am – 2 pm
Sano Cafe is one of the newest dining options on Mercer Island! Owned by fourth-generation Mercer Island resident Lisa Nordstrom, who is also founder of the Sano Bar (a nutrition bar company), Sano Cafe is now serving up fresh squeezed juice, smoothies, smoothie bowls (or “Sano Bowls”), and breakfast bowls. With indoor and outdoor seating, Sano Cafe is a great spot to meet a friend for breakfast or take the kids for a nutritious snack.
If you’re looking for a healthy breakfast, or a breakfast on-the-go, Sano Cafe is definitely worth a stop. Their 16 oz smoothies, like the Green Goddess, can provide you with a delicious meal by itself. For something a bit more filling, try their Island Acai Bowl topped with strawberries, bananas, and blueberries, or their Avocado Mash on toast with salmon added on top. For those in a rush, check out their Grab ‘n Go options. Located in the display case next to the cash register, it’s filled each morning with fresh, pre-made options of their various menu items.
Tip from the Locals: You’ll probably end up becoming a regular once you try one of their smoothies or bowls, so be sure to become a Loyalty Rewards member. That way you’ll get points for every dollar spent, and these can add up to a free juice, smoothie, salad, or bowl.
For more information on Sano Cafe, visit their website >>
Which Mercer Island restaurant is your go-to breakfast spot, and what’s your favorite thing to order? Let us know in the comments below!
