Hungry visitors to Washington’s Bellevue will find laid-back cafes, swanky hotels, restaurants, and classic diners cooking all sorts of breakfast feasts, from steaming coffees and flaky pastries to meaty fry-ups and stacks of pancakes that will help you kick-start your day in style.
The rustic Italian eatery Palomino will make you feel at ease with its low-beamed ceiling, exposed stone walls, and homey breakfast menu. Try the market fresh vegetable ricotta frittata, served with breakfast potatoes and roasted peppers, and the Eggs Benedict, which comes with brioche, prosciutto, and mushroom-artichoke relish. Leave room for the delicious pancetta and gorgonzola scones that you can spread generously with orange and fig jam.
For brunch with an exotic Asian twist, head to Monsoon, where you’ll find traditional Vietnamese cuisine served in a smart and contemporary setting. At its Dim Sum brunch every Saturday and Sunday, you can tuck into some seriously scrumptious Vietnamese classics and plenty of Dim Sum to share. Try the cháo mushroom congee – consisting of cooked-to-perfection roasted shiitakes, hon shimejis, fresh ginger, and poached egg. It goes perfectly with the weekend cocktails specials – there are Bloody Marys with phở broth and $5 Mimosas that are totally irresistible.
Spice up your weekend by starting the day at the fun and friendly Mexican-themed eatery, Cactus. Try the revueltos burrito – a powerful medley of tortilla, scrambled egg, roasted potato, queso blanco, and green chili sauce. Those with a sweet tooth might prefer the Tres Leche French toast – which has Mexican bolillo bread soaked in a potent dark rum and caramelized bananas and dripping in maple syrup.
It’s the quirky and cool creative types who frequent Lot No. 3 – a funky eatery located in an industrial-inspired space in the Bellevue towers. The decor is dark leather seating meets exposed bulb mood lighting, and the weekend brunch menu offers some comforting, hearty dishes, including pork belly eggs Benedict, malted waffles with pecan syrup, and bacon, egg, and avocado baguettes.
Sandwich served | Goldbergs’ Famous Deli Katie Hopkins / Flickr
If you’re hankering for classic American fare and an old-hat setting, then your best bet is Lil’ Jon Restaurant, which has been run by the Sjolander family for three generations. You can come here for breakfast any time of day, but make sure you work up an appetite before attempting to tackle the assortment of steaks, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and stacked pancakes. A special kids’ breakfast and vegetarian options add to Lil’ Jon’s appeal.
Goldberg’s is an old-school, New York-style deli that provides the perfect setting for breakfast any time of the day, for eating in and take-out. Three-egg omelettes dominate the brunch menu – choose to have them with a variety of fillers that include pastrami, honey-baked ham, cheese and avocado, or vegetables. Don’t miss the delicious marble rye bread or classic cream-cheese bagels.
Find a special occasion for an excuse to indulge in the sumptuous breakfast menu at Eques – the restaurant at Bellevue’s Hyatt Regency hotel. Amid the serene and chic setting of the expansive dining room, you’ll be spoiled for choice with the mouth-watering, locally sourced, seasonal offerings from the a la carte menu. Try the signature dish of Alaskan Dungeness crab Eggs Benedict. Those feeling particularly peckish can dig into the breakfast buffet: Happy Hour $3 Mimosas and a feast of buttermilk pancakes and smoked salmon omelette is an unbeatable way to start the day.
This no-nonsense American diner has been serving its much-loved breakfast menu for more than half a century. Its vinyl booths, wagon-wheel lights, coffee refills, and legendary pancakes have stood the test of time. The regular clientele arrive as early as 5:45AM for plates of classic staples, such as potato pancakes with sour cream and banana pancakes with coconut syrup.
Tavern Hall is an ambitiously large venue boasting unique interiors with lovely long communal tables, vintage lantern lighting, and church windows that fill the space with light. Its weekend brunch spread features many perennial favorites – brick-oven baked eggs, biscuits and sausage gravy, braised brisket sandwiches, and pretzel bread fresh toast. It’s a great place to share food, drinks, and conversation thanks to a laid-back atmosphere in which the hours just seem to slip away.
The charming little deli Gilbert’s on Main is the perfect weekend brunch spot thanks to its infinite number of egg combinations that range from red pepper, mushroom and feta omelettes, to salami scrambled eggs which all come served with a bagel, cream cheese, and delicious jam. Portion sizes are generous.
