Best Breakfasts in Springfield and Beyond

If you’re anything like us, breakfast at home is usually yogurt (with or without exciting toppings, depending on your grocery situation), or some sad little egg—either one more a utilitarian belly-filler than a culinary delight. But this story isn’t about breakfast at home; it’s about the days when you want to indulge in something better. It’s about waking up and dining, rather than waking up and eating. It’s about relentless cravings for crispy waffles, crispier bacon, burritos packed with absolutely everything and even some brunchy cocktails to start the day off on an extra-indulgent foot. So put down that plastic tub of yogurt, please, and read on for your guide to 417-land’s most creative and delicious morning meals.

Aviary by Lavender Falls

Breakfast starts at 8 a.m. Monday to Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday
2144 E. Republic Road, Suite E120, Springfield
One of the few places to get crepes for breakfast, Aviary offers those darling French pancakes in both sweet and savory iterations—but that isn’t the only draw. A full breakfast menu has a little something for everybody, and we love their creative takes on things like shrimp and grits or breakfast hash (theirs is made with steak—yum!). 

What to Order at Aviary by Lavender Falls

For a sweet tooth: Banana Bread Fosters with whipped goat cheese.
For a savory bite: Poulet Perdu with French toast, fried chicken and hot honey.
For eating light: Salmon toast with fried capers and pickled onions.
For a gut bomb: Breakfast poutine with mornay sauce and three meats.
Must-try morning cocktail: Bottomless mimosas, because it’s been a long week. 
Mood: The “treat yourself” vibe that you want when you take your best friend out to brunch to celebrate her birthday.

Billy Gail’s

Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. daily
5291 State Highway 265, Branson and 1882 W. James River Road, Ozark
Ever since it opened last year, the second Billy Gail’s location (this one in Ozark) has been bustling. That comes as no surprise, though, since the original Branson location has been a hot spot for years. We think it’s due to the classic, nostalgic diner atmosphere that’s paired with reliably delicious morning fare. 

What to Order at Billy Gail’s

For a sweet tooth: Sweet cream vanilla pancakes bigger than the plate.
For a savory bite: Billion Dollar Bacon baked to sweet-and-spicy perfection.
For eating light: Mushroom omelet with cheddar jack cheese.
For a gut bomb: Smoked Tri Tip & Hash with fried potatoes and eggs.
Must-try morning drink: Go for the diner classic: warm coffee in a cozy mug. 
Mood: An old-school diner vibe with walls full of kitsch and a soundtrack of clinking silverware and satisfied “Mmmm”s.

Culture Counter

Breakfast served starting at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday
607 S. Pickwick Ave., Springfield
Have you driven past the sweet little green building just south of Pickwick and Cherry with the walk-up ice cream counter? Have you been inside? You really need to. This little eatery-slash-grocery focuses on hyper-local ingredients, and their breakfast game is strong with a toppings-packed waffle bar (not open Mondays) and some killer burritos that both feature fresh, local ingredients. 

What to Order at Culture Counter

For a sweet tooth: Cinnabliss waffle topped with fruit, nuts and homemade whipped cream.
For a savory bite: Garden Harvest waffle topped with roasted veggies and goat cheese.
For eating light: Beet the System smoothie packed with veggies and a bold bit of ginger.
For a gut bomb: Breakfast burrito in any flavor; they’re all packed and delicious.
Must-try morning drink: A glass of locally made Spring Batch Kombucha. 
Mood: Like dropping in on your favorite neighbor for a visit, and then being handed a plate of something nourishing and homemade.

[MORE: What should you order for brunch? Take the quiz now!]

Early Bird Breakfast Pub

Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. Monday to Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday
1717 E. Cherokee St., Springfield
The extensive menu at Early Bird Breakfast Pub has a few distinct personalities: the list of morning tacos and burritos for lovers of hand-held meals, the list of “bird’s nests” puff pastry meals for anyone who appreciates a pretty bite, and of course the classics like creative omelets and sammies for traditionalists.

What to Order at Early Bird Breakfast Pub

For a sweet tooth: Bluebird Bird’s Nest with fruit, granola and honey in puff pastry.
For a savory bite: Chicken In Waffles sandwich with crispy waffles in place of bread.
For eating light: Eggs Florentine with spinach, tomato and poached eggs.
For a gut bomb: The Original Breakfast Mac with eggs, bacon and corn flakes on top.
Must-try morning cocktail: Breakfast margarita made with orange marmalade. 
Mood: A place to gather with friends for a little hair of the dog and some good eats to absorb your sins from the night before.

The Finley

Brunch served 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
206 E. Elm St., Ozark
Our love for The Finley is deep, and it’s not just about the food. Don’t get us wrong; we love the food and the restaurant’s use of ingredients from local farms. But we love the former-church setting too, with its uncommon vibe. Plus, it has a stellar patio the makes brunch even better.

What to Order at The Finley

For a sweet tooth: Lemon-blueberry cheesecake pancakes topped with oatmeal streusel.
For a savory bite: Fried Green Tomato BLT for a creative take on that T.
For eating light: Organic Oatmeal topped with blueberries, pecans, pumpkin seeds and honey.
For a gut bomb: Steak & Egg Grits made with sharp cheddar and topped with eggs.
Must-try morning cocktail: Breakfast Bourbon with maple syrup, apple cider and ginger beer.
Mood: Like a secret, hidden gem that you and your friends have just discovered, with a fresh air bonus on that big patio.

First Watch

Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. daily
2946 S. National Ave., Springfield and 3103 E. Sunshine St., Springfield
First Watch is a chameleon. Its wide tables, open dining room and huge menu make it ideal for a weekend breakfast with the whole fam. But its energizing vibe makes it a great weekday spot too—for those meal-slash-work meetings with a colleague. Who wouldn’t want to talk shop over a plate of that sticky-sweet Million Dollar Bacon?

What to Order at First Watch

For a sweet tooth: Lemon-ricotta pancakes topped with marinated berries.
For a savory bite: Smoked Salmon Benedict served on super-crisp ciabatta.
For eating light: Frittata Rustica packed with kale and roasted mushrooms.
For a gut bomb: Farmhouse Hash potatoes, bacon and avocado.
Must-try morning cocktail: Morning Glory with turmeric, citrus, ginger and vodka. 
Mood: Bustling and airy, flooded with light and the hum of conversation. It’s the kickstarter for a productive day.

Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe

Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. daily
220 E. Walnut St., Springfield
What was once a drugstore and soda fountain in downtown Springfield is now one of the city’s longest-standing breakfast joints. There you can find one of our favorite griddle goodies: sweet browns (a.k.a. hash browns made from sweet potatoes) among the huge omelets, stacks of pancakes, sizzling griddles and other classic diner breakfast fare that Gailey’s is known for. All served on colorful Fiestaware of course. 

What to Order at Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe

For a sweet tooth: Blueberry Hill pancakes with berries both inside and on top.
For a savory bite: Julia’s Tacos filled with chorizo and all the fixings.
For eating light: Mystery Jeff Greek yogurt bowl with fruit and granola.
For a gut bomb: Ball Park breakfast skillet with eggs, bacon, chili and jalapenos.
Must-try morning cocktail: A spiked coffee to add a little warmth from the inside out. 
Mood: Diner vibes in a historic building, for an overall feeling of classic Springfield nostalgia.

Lindberg’s Tavern

Brunch starts at noon on Sundays
318 W. Commercial St., Springfield
If you haven’t been eating at Lindberg’s Tavern, you’ve been missing out. This historic Commercial Street bar serves some truly delicious food, and the brunch service is no different. It’s a menu full of surprises and reliably impressive dishes that you can eat in a relaxed bar setting. This isn’t bar food though; it’s elevated and so creative. 

What to Order at Lindberg’s Tavern

For a sweet tooth: Berries and Basil Quesadilla that’s jazzed up with goat cheese and spicy honey.
For a savory bite: Lobster Benedict served on top of fried green tomatoes.
For eating light: Prime Rib Salad for something veggie-forward yet indulgent.
For a gut bomb: Soft Shell Crab Benedict served on a dill-garlic potato waffle.
Must-try morning cocktail: Bloody mary served with house-made jerky. 
Mood: A casual and low-key spot to visit on a double date with your bestie couple while your babysitter feeds the kids.

Morning Day Cafe

Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. daily
105 S. Main St., Nixa
Take your favorite breakfast dish, do it well, then add a little je ne sais quoi to punch things up a few notches. That’s how it’s done at Morning Day Cafe. The bloody marys are extra in the best way. The biscuits and gravy are made with rosemary biscuits and mushroom gravy. And in general, everything’s just a little unexpected. What a way to start the day, right? 

What to Order at Morning Day Cafe

For a sweet tooth: Yogurt pancakes with fresh fruit and syrup.
For a savory bite: Breakfast in bed croissant sandwich with herbed cream cheese.
For eating light: Bohemian wrap with quinoa and tons of veggies.
For a gut bomb: Brekky Nachos with scrambled eggs and both bacon and sausage, with poblano cheese sauce and avocado cream.
Must-try morning cocktail: Bloody mary flight with all the best toppings. 
Mood: Quirky and irreverent for when you want to start the day with personality.

[MORE: Overwhelmed with options? Let our quiz make your decision easy!]

Progress

Brunch served 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
2144 E. Republic, Suite B101
Progress never ceases to impress with its menu of sophisticated, innovative dishes. Now, in addition to the brunch menu, you can order from their new restaurant concept that’s currently being beta tested inside Progress. It’s called Sundays, and it has a small-but-mighty menu of mostly fried chicken sammies. The Sundays menu is available alongside the brunch menu.

What to Order at Progress

For a sweet tooth: Chocolate Croissant Toast with chocolate–pine nut spread.
For a savory bite: Brunch bowl with bacon crumbles, chickpeas and avocado.
For eating light: House-made yogurt bowl with chocolate granola.
For a gut bomb: The Spicy Sunday chicken sandwich with tots from the Sundays menu.
Must-try morning cocktail: Revised Brunch Daiquiri with house-made banana syrup. 
Mood: Refined and exceptional—for big moments like anniversaries or tiny, everyday moments that deserve some special treatment too.

RISE

Breakfast served 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
105 Park Central Square, Springfield
Last month, European Cafe’s owners opened RISE just a few doors down on Park Central Square. The new spot has the same attention to detail, the same artistic touches, the same creativity—but now with a local-ingredient-packed breakfast menu that serves classics like egg sammies alongside some uncommon flavors too. For example, there’s a sweet potato and feta bowl topped with horseradish yogurt and a poached egg. Oh heck yes. 

What to Order at RISE

For a sweet tooth: Pavlova French toast with baked meringue and mango-passion fruit coulis.
For a savory bite: Savory rice pudding with caramelized mushrooms and roasted tomatoes.
For eating light: Creamed eggs with microgreens and cured salmon that’s cured in-house.
For a gut bomb: Croque Madame with mornay sauce.
Must-try morning drink: Ginger and black pepper house-made soda. 
Mood: A sunny, colorful and quite Instagrammable interior with food that is truly inventive and beautiful. Your camera will eat first.

SPLIT Social Kitchen

Brunch starts at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
3027 E. Sunshine St., Springfield
SPLIT’s irreverently fun take on all of their dishes—from the creative names to the clever flavor combinations—extends right into their brunch fare. Take for example their eggs benedict. Instead of sad ham, there’s crisp fried chicken and a creamy-spicy sauce that’s given even more punch thanks to jalapenos on top. That’s a benny to remember. 

What to Order at SPLIT Social Kitchen

For extra indulgence: Breaky Mac with mushrooms, sausage and jalapenos.
For a savory bite: JJ biscuit sandwich with bacon, egg, cheese and gravy.
For eating light: AVO-CA-TOAST with marinated tomatoes and microgreens.
For a gut bomb: Gable of Six fried chicken benedict with chipotle hollandaise garlic-avocado spread and sliced jalapeno.
Must-try morning cocktail: Clawmosa with White Claw and mango puree
Mood: When you’re there, you feel like you’re in a club with all the cool kids.

Springfield Brewing Co.

Brunch served 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
305 S. Market Ave., Springfield
Brew Co. has been slinging tasty food in a casual pub setting since 1997, but brunch is a relatively new addition that sprung up within the last decade. We love their elevated take on breakfast classics—even the breakfast burrito is taken up a notch with chorizo from Circle B Ranch. It’s where we go for a low-key vibe and reliably good eats. 

What to Order at Springfield Brewing Co.

For a sweet tooth: Beignets served with raspberry jam.
For a savory bite: Breakfast pizza that swaps marinara for rich breakfast gravy.
For eating light: SBC Oatmeal that adds bourbon-maple caramel for a little treat.
For a gut bomb: Honeycomb Chicken and Biscuit made with orange-rum glazed fried chicken.
Must-try morning cocktail: Brewco Bloody with a spicy Tabasco salt rim. 
Mood: Casual and welcoming, like it’s “your place” and has been forever.

Tea Bar & Bites

Brunch served 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Sunday, breakfast starts at 9 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday
621 S. Pickwick Ave., Springfield
If you’ve ever grabbed a couple of friends and flocked to a restaurant on the first warm day of spring, declaring that moment the start of “patio weather,” then you already know you will enjoy  a Tea Bar breakfast. This is patio heaven, and the food is reliably delightful—from muffins with the perfect crumble to quiches sized for one.

What to Order at Tea Bar & Bites

For a sweet tooth: Cinnamon rolls topped with sweet caramel icing.
For a savory bite: The Mediterranean quiche (or any of the quiche of the day options).
For eating light: Yogurt that’s served with sweet-and-crunchy house-made granola.
For a gut bomb: Special Omelet Bagel Sandwich served with herbed cream cheese made in-house.
Must-try morning drink: The house iced tea with its subtle clove flavor. 
Mood: The patio has the feel of European streetside dining—ideal for a group of girlfriends, or a treat for Mom.

Van Gogh’s Eeterie

Breakfast starts at 8 a.m. on weekends and 10 a.m. on weekdays
334 E. Commercial St., Springfield
Drawing inspiration from the cuisine of the Netherlands (and named for that ubiquitous Dutch painter), Van Gogh’s Eeterie has a sun-filled C-street dining room that feels like a breath of fresh air. The menu is known for Dutch pancakes with fun toppings (try the blueberry-topped Starry Night) all day, and a large and varied breakfast menu with European vibes.

What to Order at Van Gogh’s Eeterie

For a sweet tooth: Liege wafels baked with pearl sugar, served with fruit.
For a savory bite: The Brexit Breakfast for a full English breakfast.
For eating light: Morning in Den Haag with a veggie scramble over salad.
For a gut bomb: Red Light Madame meaty breakfast sandwich with honey cake French toast for the bread.
Must-try morning drink: Hot coffee with a stroopwaffle. Trust us on this. 
Mood: Sunshiney, airy and artful for a bright start to the day.