The Alexandria Breakfast Club

We sampled some of the best breakfasts around town. Here's what we found!

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By Chapin Rockwell and Rachel Gordon

We have all heard the saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. For good reason, this rings true. Medically speaking, it boosts your energy levels and alertness, while also providing other nutrients required for good health. Waking up to a hearty breakfast breaks your body’s fasting period of sleep to help you start your day off. 

While breakfast might only seem to be about the type and taste of food — sweet or savory, healthy or greasy — it is also about the atmosphere. Enjoying a great meal in a comfortable environment is a surefire way to start your day off on the right foot. There are many wonderful restaurants to try throughout Alexandria. After asking our readers on social media, we’ve gathered the best breakfast spots in Alexandria that will surely satisfy any morning craving. Order’s up!

Café du Soleil, 215 S Union St. Serves breakfast 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., $$

At Cafe du Soleil, there are plenty of seating options for your desired atmosphere. Relax in comfortable and cozy indoor seating or bask in the morning sun at a streetside table.

The outdoor area of the cafe is pet-friendly, so you might even have a chance to meet a furry friend like a puppy we met named Artemis! If you decide to lounge, this spot offers free wifi for your working needs. Cafe du Soleil serves both savory and sweet, French-inspired pastries and dishes.

We were recommended to try the blueberry banana bread and Beaucoup Crepe, featuring a balanced ratio of sweet berries and French jam to the delicate crepe. Service proves quick and thoughtful as our pastry was warmed for us without request.    

Junction Bakery and Bistro, 1508 Mt Vernon Ave. Serves breakfast 7 a.m. - noon, $$

Located in the heart of Del Ray, Junction Bakery is one of Alexandria’s most Instagram-able breakfast spots. Upon entering, you are immediately met with a beautiful interior and the smell of freshly baked breads and pastries. With its marble round tables and aesthetically pleasing pastry counter, this space is nothing short of welcoming — and that’s just the decor!

In terms of food, we started off with three pastries– Monkey Bread, cinnamon bun and everyone’s favorite chocolate cream croissant — before diving into a main course of avocado toast and a breakfast sandwich featuring a freshly baked cheddar chive biscuit (I mean, wow). The cream cheese icing on the cinnamon bun was to die for! Junction provides both indoor and outdoor seating and a small parking lot for anyone lucky enough to snag a spot. Fortunately, there are many other street parking options in the vicinity. Another plus? Fun coffee flavors! When we visited, they were offering a Maple Pecan and Peanut Butter Cup latte on their drink menu. 

Bagel Uprising, 2307A Mt. Vernon Ave. Serves breakfast 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., $

In accordance with public opinion, we had to include an Alexandria favorite: Del Ray’s Bagel Uprising. “The Uprising” — a reference to their battle against the scarcity of doughy goodness — began in 2015 in response to a lack of authentic (i.e. boiled and baked) bagels in Alexandria. These bagels may be familiar to some from their debut at the Four Mile Run Farmers' Market. In a nod to tradition, they serve just the classics: everything, sesame, poppy, salt, cinnamon and plain. Their menu also features both sweet and savory sandwiches to satisfy any craving. Locals love the handmade bagels, sandwiches and the variety of spreads and fish sold in-store.

The bagels appear petite, but they’re actually the size of your standard New York bagel. There were no scraps left after digging into a fried egg and cheese on an everything bagel, and a cinnamon bagel with cream cheese. We also sampled their seasonal sweet cream cheese option: blueberry and peach. This is all about breakfast — but we can’t help but mention that they have a gourmet version of the delightful childhood staple: pizza bagels.

Del Ray Cafe, 205 E. Howell Ave., serves breakfast 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., $$

This cozy spot combines French and American cuisine to honor its founder, Laurent Janowsky’s home country of France. Laurent started Del Ray Cafe as a place for Alexandrians to step away from busy home life and relax in a calm and clean environment.

We ordered the Eggs Benedict over a buttery warm croissant, which arrived with a small fruit salad and fresh greens, as well as an order of French toast drizzled in a sweet berry sauce. The service was friendly and quick as our coffee cups were never left empty. Laurent was kind enough to send us off with a couple of gratis dog treats, which are freshly made in-house. Back home, Chip, a blind dachshund, may not have been able to see the treat, but was drooling from the moment he smelled it.

Stomping Ground, 2309 Mount Vernon Ave, serves breakfast Tuesday - Saturday 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., $$

Stomping Ground is known for their delicious buttermilk biscuits, the staple of their menu. They’re available whichever way you’d like to enjoy them, whether that be with jelly, topped with eggs, cheese, sausage, bacon, fried chicken or smothered in gravy. The “Not a Biscuit'' portion of the menu features yogurt and granola, veggie hash and chilaquiles breakfast nachos.

We were urged to try the classic egg and cheese on a biscuit and the frittata loaded with seasonal farm-fresh veggies. Both were excellent and plenty to fill anyone's stomach! It’s a casual dining experience as you order up front and seat yourself wherever you’d like, inside or out. They have also mastered to-go orders through easy online ordering and a fast pick-up window. Don’t miss out on Stomping Ground’s "hump day happy hour," when drip coffee is only $1 each Wednesday from 7-10 a.m.

Bob & Edith’s, 1743 King St. Open 24 hours. $$

Craving breakfast for dinner? Bob & Edith’s serves breakfast all day and all night. This traditional diner began as a family business over 50 years ago and now has six locations across Northern Virginia– two of which are located in Alexandria. The menu features all the classic breakfast favorites, including eggs, hot cakes, waffles and French toast. And it has the added bonus of being the only place on our list where you can enjoy your 2 a.m. pancakes with a milkshake.

Bob and Edith’s is a reliable spot for a casual bite to eat with no need to dress up. I invited a couple of friends and we ordered plain, blueberry and chocolate chip hotcakes and a fluffy belgian waffle. Everyone enjoyed their meal – you can’t go wrong when it’s smothered in butter and syrup. The service was friendly and efficient and we found it to be a comfortable spot to sit awhile and catch up with each other. 

Mae’s Market and Cafe, 277 S. Washington St., serves breakfast 7-11 a.m., $$

Akin to Stomping Ground, we had a great visit to Mae’s Market & Cafe located in the Atrium Building of Old Town. They have everything available from goodies in the grocery section, prepared meals, fresh baked pastries, wine, beer and hot drinks such as coffee and tea. There are plenty of options for our vegetarian and gluten free early-birds. The frittata is a must try! The interior was visually attractive and well decorated. The menu features made-from-scratch breakfast sandwiches, salads and quiches. The friendly staff helpfully recommended their favorite smoked salmon and avocado toast and fried egg and cheese on a fresh baguette. Both were delicious and flavorful. The lattes were rich and well-blended. For us, a great coffee is key for an outstanding breakfast experience! 

Matt and Tony’s, 1501 Mt. Vernon Ave, serves breakfast all day! (8 a.m.-9 p.m.), $$

Craving a more upscale brunch experience? We recommend that you head to Del Ray’s newest edition: Matt and Tony’s. For those of age, the cocktails are both beautifully done and tasteful — what’s not to love? The menu also features an array of non-alcoholic spirits. The atmosphere is a lovely cross between rustic and modern elements that complement each other. On a weekday you are likely to get a spot; however, on a weekend the restaurant tends to be packed (reservations encouraged). Excellent food is bolstered by excellent service. Everything was delicious and presented masterfully, but our group especially enjoyed the chicken and waffles and the cornflake-crusted French toast. Both dishes contained tree nuts but they courteously dealt with an allergy and served them without.  Another plus with being in a residential neighborhood — there is plenty of street parking available. You truly can’t go wrong with good, hearty food that’s presented well and delicious, and at reasonable prices.

Table Talk, 1623 Duke St, serves breakfast 7 a.m. - 4 p.m., $

Table Talk has been the go-to breakfast joint for locals since it opened in 1976. The outside might not look so becoming to those not in-the-know, but this little restaurant couldn’t be more darling. Inside, the place is flooded with natural light, full of live plants and fitted with retro decor. Popular menu items include the homemade classics like Eggs Benedict or creamed beef on toast, as well as the three-egg omelettes that are made to order.

We ordered the chocolate chip pancakes, a Greek omelet with feta and tomatoes and the Eggs Benedict. The service was incredibly quick, even on a Sunday morning. We each enjoyed a rich hot cup of coffee with the meal. Both the omelet and the Benedict were served with a generous side of hashbrowns. I’d have to give Table Talk the award for best pancakes: Fluffy, rich and mouth-watering, served with plenty of butter and ample syrup. General Manager Nick Kapetenakis shared that they also serve a Crab Cake Benedict for any crab lovers out there, though he prefers the classic. A huge plus is their fairly large parking lot, making it easily accessible. 

Bread & Water, 1512 Belle View Blvd., serves breakfast 7 a.m.-3 p.m., $$

When you’re ready to venture south of the City, Belle Haven’s Bread & Water Company is a must. Located in the Belle View Shopping Center, the spot is reminiscent of a hip European boulangerie and patisserie as their menu features coffees, teas and fresh soups and sandwiches on daily-baked artisan breads and pastries. Additionally, it is hard to resist the house-made cakes and pies. The Key lime pie is “to die for'' and the Blueberry Buckle coffeecake are described as “dangerous!” We had a taste for something savory, so the "BreakfastWich" (smoked bacon, over easy eggs and melted cheddar cheese on a freshly baked sourdough bread with a smear of garlic aioli) was a perfect choice. Additionally, there is one thing that lacks across the board for Alexandria’s breakfast spots: A breakfast burrito. However, Bread & Water finally answered our prayers. Their robust burrito is served with potatoes, scrambled eggs, grilled onions and peppers with your choice of chorizo, smoked bacon, kielbasa or grilled Portobello. We substituted the veggies for avocado which proved to be a tasty hack. For our waffle fans, Bread & Water serves both savory and sweet options! Dig into the cinnamon apple or roasted pepper, spinach, and feta waffle. Wash it all down with an excellent vanilla latte or get creative and customize your own coffee!

Honorable Mentions

Alexandria certainly has no shortage of mouth-watering breakfast options. We’ve included a few more excellent spots on our honorable mentions list that should not be overlooked. 

The Chewish Deli, 807 Pendleton St., serves breakfast Wednesday - Friday 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., $

We’d argue the competition for best bagel is between Bagel Uprising and The Chewish Deli. The only way to decide for yourself is to try both! This breakfast favorite is perfect for on-the-go bites and hand-rolled bagels as the small shop does not have seating available. 

Jack’s Place,  222 N. Lee St., serves breakfast Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Saturday - Sunday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

In a small nook located near Old Town’s waterfront, you'll find Jack’s Place, a local Mom 'n Pop eatery serving all-day breakfast and lunch options. With two high-top tables and limited counter seating, it is definitely what would be considered a treasured "hole in the wall." However, it remains a gem for locals as people rave about the “eggcellent” sandwich selections. 

King Street Cafe, 1018 King St, serves breakfast 8-11:30 a.m.

King Street Cafe is an amazing little spot. With an extensive menu — from Korean bulgogi to your standard bacon, egg, and cheese — the breakfast options are wildly underrated. Complimenting the quick, quality food, the atmosphere is characterized by a warm ambience as the staff is always friendly and welcoming.

(Chapin Rockwell and Rachel Gordon interned for the magazine this past summer. This article was originally published in the September issue of Alexandria Living Magazine.)

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