I had a morning dentist appointment last Friday and was searching for a place to have breakfast on my way downtown. Having read that Cafe Stellina had started offering weekday breakfast, I looked forward to trying out the menu. Although Stellina had announced in their CHS-ad that they would be offering breakfast beginning at 8 am (and their answering machine confirmed this as the opening time), they were still closed at 8:30 a.m. last Friday. I then moved onto Oddfellows – who informed me at 8:45 that their kitchen now did not open till 9 (and food would probably be not ready till 9:15). This is a retreat from Oddfellow’s initial concept as an “all day, all night neighborhood meeting place” that would begin serving at 7 am. At this point, I no longer had time for breakfast – so I just walked to my appointment. But I started thinking about sitdown weekday breakfast possibilities – here is what I can think of (please suggest additional venues in the comments):
- Glo’s (opens at 7 am)
- Charlie’s (opens at 9 am)
- B&O Espresso (opens at 7 am)
- Coastal Kitchen (opens at 8 am) – proud CHS sponsor
- Cafe Presse (opens at 7 am)
- Cafe Septieme (opens at 9 am)
- Broadway Grill (opens at 9 am)
- Julia’s on Broadway (opens at 8 am)
- Volunteer Park Cafe (opens at 7am – closed Monday)
Of all of these, the best options for vegetarians and vegans would probably be B&O (I love the Foul – and you can have it without the egg on top). VPC occasionally has a mushroom tart with a side salad that I enjoy.
The Odd Fellows place has good coffee and pastery as they open – better food just a little later … check it out …. very old hippy type place … no need to dress up.
The Pancake House on Madison thrives to this day – fast – cheap – very standard OK breakfast stuff
Kids love it … why spend more?
What a yummy list.
I had lunch at Cafe Stellina the other day, and was pretty much tickled pink. I would like to check ’em out for breakfast someday, too.
I’ve been a B&O stalwart for years, their Americanos go great with all their breakfast options. Glad to see you calling out the foul, sure wish it had a different spelling!
Croque Madame at Cafe Presse is divine.
Stuck at work — and hungry — on the eastside. Ah well.
Not sure if this is technically First Hill yet or still Cap Hill, but if you are working your way down Madison into Downtown then Zeena’s is worth a stop for a no-frills diner style breakfast. Nothing special, but a pretty decent meal with friendly service. Think hospital coffee shop- that’s pretty much what it is, just detached from the hospital…
Yes, good addition! A national chain but a national chain that seems like it can’t possibly last and, therefore, worthy of a visit for no other reason than future nostalgia.
Cafe PettiRosso, 1101 E Pike St, has inexpensive breakfast bagels. Septieme has a $5 breakfast special before 11:30 which includes coffee.
I tried to go there(cafe stellina) for lunch today after seeing the blggg high noon cloesd….for the last year i have tried to eat there closed, closed, closed. when are they open???
I know Stellina is mom & pop but yeah it’s ridiculous how they do not have consistent hours – it really frustrates people who are trying them out for the first time
I do like the breakfast sandwiches at Petitrosso
not a full breakfast menu but their crepes are divine and the perfect breakfast size
i would agree.
once i was able to find them open for lunch and the food was okay; but it wasn’t so stellar as to make up for inconsistent hours. didn’t they have the business up for sale at one point? i wonder if they got in over their heads with the time involved in running a restaurant.
nothing special, and yes, finding them open is difficult
not worth it … and … the last time there, the silver was returned looking not well washed and the second set was just the same
Only a short bus ride or walk removed, there’s the Hi Spot at 34th and Union. Very different neighborhood, but close enough. They open at 8am. Very affordable. Nice food, personable service. The espresso and coffee drinks are all excellent. They’ve come a long way from the early-90s days when the place was more of a hippified hangout holding over from much earlier. See http://www.hispotcafe.com/.