Waking up to a delicious breakfast always makes any beach adventure better. Head to one of these best breakfast in St. Petersburg restaurants for a great start to your day.
We suggest heading to downtown St. Petersburg to discover a bustling foodie scene for the most important eats of the day.
St. Petersburg is located along the tropical Gulf Coast of Florida. It’s part of the Tampa Bay area and is mainly known for beautiful beaches, water sports, idyllic climate, and many museums. This Sunshine State city is also full of iconic eateries, from resort restaurants to cozy bistros to quaint cafes.
Let’s go over some of the most popular restaurants serving the best breakfast in St. Petersburg.
1. The Wooden Rooster
The Wooden Rooster is a casual cafe in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg. They serve homemade crepes, gourmet sandwiches, and seasonal soups and salads. The morning drinks range from coffee based beverages to curated craft beers and wines.
Fresh ingredients make every plate feel light and healthy, and all the produce used is organically grown. There are vegetarian and gluten-free options to order. The creative crepes are, of course, the highlight here, especially the classic Monsieur or the more foreign-inspired Cubano.
You can also build your own or turn any combination into a sandwich, so it’s a super customizable breakfast experience. The patio is pet-friendly as well. Menu
2. The Hangar Restaurant and Flight Lounge
The Hangar Restaurant and Flight Lounge certainly has a theme. This aviation-inspired spot focuses on classic American cuisine. They serve one of the best all-day breakfasts in St. Petersburg, available every day all day, both indoors and outdoors. The food here has won many awards, so you know it’s worth a try.
You can order anything from a simple plate of eggs and bacon to more exciting meals like their commonly sought-after chicken and waffles. It’s located at the Albert Whitted Airport, which makes for easy eats on your way in or out of the city. You even get to watch the planes land and take off from most of the tables at this restaurant.
They also offer a selection of hand-crafted cocktails (and mocktails) that pair well with any brunch feast. Be advised that it can get very busy here, but it’s quite spacious so the wait is never too long. Menu
3. 2nd and Second
2nd and Second is a legendary downtown diner in St. Petersburg. You’ll find all the familiar American classics here on a very extensive menu. There are plenty of fresh takes to enjoy as well, like the Cheesesteak Omelet. It’s a modern and cozy setting decked out with warm woods, plenty of windows, and minimalist decor.
They also have an amazing happy hour every day and it’s open from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm. The most commonly craved breakfast specialties here include the Old Fashioned Donut French Toast, the Hangover Benedict, a Croissandwich, and a Steak and Eggs Burrito.
I love to get the hash browns on the side as well because you can dress them up with all kinds of toppings. There are plenty of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options to try.
We like to go here on our first day in town and lay out our trip plans and all the things to do in St. Petersburg we want to check out. If you have a rental car and extra time, we highly suggest checking out some Clearwater Beach activities and Clearwater restaurants too. Menu
4. Kahwa Coffee Roasting
For some of the best coffee in St. Petersburg, Kahwa Coffee Roasting is probably the best place to go. They are a wholesale and retail-based coffee company. They’re also actually the largest independent roaster in the entire state.
They offer 100% premium Arabica beans selected from different origins all over the world. The beans are then skillfully blended and roasted to create a complex and powerful flavor you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a super hip environment with outdoor seating and walls covered in local artists’ pieces.
They serve specialty drinks like flavored lattes alongside organic French pastries. Regardless of what you order in store, be sure to buy a bag of beans to take home with you as the ultimate pick-me-up and St. Petersburg souvenir.
5. Paradise Grille
Paradise Grille is waterfront dining in St. Petersburg at its finest. This long-standing St. Petersburg restaurant has a renowned reputation for tasty food paired with the best beach view. It’s family-owned and operated, and it first opened way back in 1956.
There are two locations, and both are set right on the sandy shores of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s like dining in a little slice of paradise, and the food also happens to be good, to say the least. If you go for a morning meal, the limited breakfast menu is served until 11:30 am.
They often host live music performances as well, which contributes to the lively yet laid-back vibe here. They have omelets, egg platters, sandwiches, pancakes, and french toast. It’s ADA accessible and they do take reservations ahead of time as it can get packed. Menu
6. La Croisette
La Croisette is hard to miss, and it’s a good thing since you really won’t want to miss out on these eats! It’s a bright pink building with a huge “I love St. Pete Beach” mural on the outside. Though it’s a newer addition to the St. Petersburg restaurant scene, it’s a reinvention of a long-time legendary establishment beloved by Sunshine City natives called Beverly’s.
The menu is the ultimate homage, serving many of the same famous plates, the most popular of which is a very tall stack of pancakes. There’s the addition of some French pastries, along with crepes and croque madam. The croissant is, of course, the star of any plate here.
It’s an extensive menu known for being full of the best breakfast foods in St. Petersburg. They’re open 364 days a year and offer that small-town feel with their homestyle cooking. The seating is limited, so it’s best to arrive early to avoid waiting in line.
7. Red Mesa Mercado
Red Mesa Mercado offers an urban drive-by dining style that’s more typical of the Southwest. It’s located in the Edge District of St. Petersburg, one of our favorite parts of town.
The secret family recipes that are used are packed with flavors from south of the border. All the freshest ingredients are cooked up in a no-frills manner here.
The breakfast burritos are all in handmade tortillas, and they also offer breakfast tacos, breakfast nachos, and a breakfast quesadilla. While Mexican might not be the most obvious morning breakfast meal, adding egg and chorizo into any of these fares instantly creates the perfect mouthwatering way to start the day. There’s a full liquor bar for drinks as well in this fast-paced outdoor setting. Menu
8. St. Pete Bagel Co.
St. Pete Bagel Co. is a family-owned bagel and donut bakery. They serve over a dozen flavors of New York-style bagels, boiled and baked fresh each morning. They create all kinds of gourmet breakfast sandwiches. Who doesn’t love bagels?
The Pumpernickel Everything and Spicy Jalapeno are two of my personal favorite bagels, especially if used to make the Lox and Cream Cheese or the Corned Beef Melt sandwiches. Grab yourself a little something sweet in the form of delicious donuts while here as well. There are traditional, yeast-raised, and cake varieties. The Maple Bacon Glazed, the Creme Brulee, and the Key Lime are only offered on the weekends, so it’s well worth a stop in here after the work weekends.
For coffee lovers, you can also get an espresso beverage made with beans roasted in-house to wash it all down with and jump-start your day. If you are looking for a simple, cheap breakfast in St. Petersburg that is quick and easy, head to St. Pete Bagel Co. Menu
9. The Frog Pond
The Frog Pond is a popular local breakfast in St. Petersburg hangout specializing in, as you probably guessed, breakfast foods. The unusual decor here is all part of the fun, particularly if you’re into amphibians.
It’s an eatery that caters to early risers, so it’s the perfect pick for anyone out there catching worms. They serve massive plates of frittatas and towering stacks of fluffy pancakes. The portions are always generous here. The Steak and Eggs are a very popular order, though I also love the Biscuits and Gravy.
It’s an eclectic and long menu with something to suit everyone’s tastes. They pride themselves on being dog friendly, and you can even order your furry friend a treat off of the Lily Pad Pooches Portion menu.
10. Maple Street Biscuit Company
Maple Street Biscuit Company focuses on comfort food with a modern twist. They also work to make a positive impact on many communities that they’re a part of through sustainable practices and partnering with non-profits. They make their very own coffee at a roasting house nearby in Florida.
Everything here is made from scratch with quality ingredients, and it shows. There are few better combinations than flaky biscuits and savory gravy (or homemade jam if you prefer the sweeter side of things). There are a few creative biscuit sandwiches and their own culinary invention, the frittaffle. It’s a frittata cooked inside of a cast iron waffle maker and comes with either bacon or veggies. The Mason Jar Mimosa Bar makes a lovely and fun addition to any brunch.
Maple Street Biscuit Company is a chain restaurant you may have seen in other cities & states. Usually, we shy away from chains, but this one is really good and deserves a spot on our best breakfast in St. Petersburg list! Menu
