Last updated 8/14/24
Whether you work there, are visiting, or live there, here are the best breakfasts in downtown Columbus, Ohio!
P.S. You can also find The Best Coffee Shops in Downtown Columbus!
Freedom a la Cart
Overview: Freedom a la Cart provides employment and resources to women recovering from human trafficking. In addition to catering, Freedom runs a full cafe downtown. The morning menu includesc their breakfast burrito and breakfast sandwich with flaky bun, fresh pastries, a full coffee menu.
Address: 123 E. Spring St.
Read more: Great Breakfast for an Even Better Cause at Freedom a la Cart
Cafe Illyria
Overview: Cafe Illyria is a hidden gem downtown, a lower-level spot featuring inexpensive and hearty breakfasts. Find classic combos, pancakes, French toast, sandwiches. One of their most popular items are the giant omelets.
Address: 214 E. State St.
Read more: Cafe Illyria
Lexi’s on Third
Overview: Located on the ground floor of the Chase Tower, Lexi’s is a reliable spot for breakfast and lunch. They load you up on giant deli sandwiches, and breakfast draws on that specialty with corned beef hash, sandwiches stacked high, plus French toast and other delights.
Address: 100 E. Broad St.
Read more: Lexi’s on Third
Dempsey’s Food & Spirts
Overview: Dempsey’s is a long-running downtown favorite, a warm and welcoming pub that serves hearty meals all day long. Visit them in the early hours or for weekend brunch – they’ve got an Irish breakfast, eggs benedicts, hash, omelets, biscuits and gravy.
Address: 346 S. High St.
Read more: Dempsey’s Food & Spirits
Three Bites Bakery
Overview: Three Bites joined forces with Little Cat Boba and moved near the corner of Broad and High, bringing a delightful mix of pastries, sandwiches, cakes, and coffee.
Address: 12 E. Broad St.
Read more: Three Bites Bakery and Little Cat Boba Open Downtown
Cravings Cafe
Overview: While Cravings is pretty sandwich-centric these days, they still offer one of downtown’s top breakfasts. They offer lighter breakfasts like yogurt and granola, but you’ll find scrambles, French toast, and sandwiches. I’m partial to their classic breakfast roll on toasted brioche.
Address: 114 N. Front St.
Read more: A Ode to Cravings Cafe’s Sandwiches
Parable Coffee
Overview: Parable Coffee is one of the best coffee shops in the city, and in addition to superb coffee, they feature an incredible pastry selection. So while you sip a cappuccino or pour-over, try their stunning croissants, cookies, scones, and other delights.
Address: 149 S. High St.
Read more Pastries at Parable Coffee
The Woodbury
Overview: The Woodbury is a modern diner in downtown Columbus that offers unexpected twists on the classics. Think candied bacon crepes, chicken hotcake tacos (you read that right), biscuits and brisket gravy, tostadas with shrimp and cheesy grits.
Address: 215 E. Town St.
Read more: The Woodbury
Way Down Yonder Beignets & Coffee
Overview: An extension of Way Down Yonder Finest New Orleans Restaurant on the south side, this East Main Street shop features giant, scratch-made beignets covered in powdered sugar, hot coffee, and a light breakfast selection. They also serve different flavors of beignets, like fried stuffed Oreos or bananas foster.
Address: 386 E. Main St.
Read more: Way Down Yonder Beignets & Coffee
Bagel Street Deli
Overview: Athens-based Jackie O’s opened a downtown taproom with two levels of patios, and they invited the Bagel Street Deli cart to set up, selling its signature bagel sandwiches. Try a Morning After or an Abe Froman!
Address: 171 N. Fourth St.
Read more: Athens’ Bagel Street Deli Opens Cart at Jackie O’s on Fourth
4th & State
Overview: Located, yes, at Fourth and State streets, 4th & State offers a plant-based spin on classic diner fare. The family-owned spot serves vegan versions of favorites like blueberry pancakes, s’mores French toast, burritos, omelets, and sandwiches.
Address: 152 E. State St.
Read more: 4thandstate.com
Morning Ritual at The Goat
Overview: Morning Ritual is the in-house restaurant and coffee shop at The Goat apartment complex. They serve a full coffee shop menu (including a walk-up window on High Street) with fresh-baked pastries, breakfast sandwiches with biscuits, scrambles, huevos rancheros.
Address: 219 S. High St.
Read more: Morning Ritual at The Goat, LC RiverSouth
Cafe Overlook
Overview: Located on the 16th floor of the Franklin County Government Center building, Cafe Overlook provides training and other resources to restaurant industry employees. The cafe is fully open to the public, and serves an easy-to-love breakfast and lunch menu. Look for burritos, multigrain pancakes, biscuits and gravy, sandwiches, scrambles, grits bowls. It’s open Monday-Friday.
Address: 373 S. High St. (in the Franklin County Courthouse)
Read more: cafeoverlook.org
Danny’s Delicious Deli
Overview: Look for the red awning on Front Street to lead you downstairs to Danny’s Delicious Deli. The underground eatery dishes up deli favorites like corned beef hash, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches and wraps.
Address: 37 W. Broad St.
Read more: dannydelicious.com (See the old version of Danny’s Deli here.)
The Keep Kitchen & Liquor Bar
Overview: As the in-house restaurant for the Art Deco Hotel LeVeque, The Keep offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails. It’s open to the public, and the menu ranges from oatmeal and smoothies to pastries, breakfast burritos, short rib hash, omelets, biscuits and gravy.
Address: 50 W. Broad St.
Read more: thekeepcolumbus.com or read about dinner at The Keep
Silav Cafe & Grill
Overview: A quick update here: Bonjour Cafe was recently replaced by Silav Cafe & Grill, a Kurdish restaurant that offers traditional breakfast dishes. Check out their website to learn more!
Address: 330 S. High St.
Read more: Silav Cafe & Grill
Rio Fresh Cafe
Overview: Rio Fresh Cafe offers a freshly made menu of smoothies, acai bowls, pastries, and light breakfasts like avocado toast, French toast, breakfast sandwiches.
Address: 50 N. High St.
Read more: Rio Fresh Cafe
The Walrus
Overview: The Walrus dishes out a fun weekend brunch menu that ranges from chicken and waffles to fajita omelets, breakfast sandwiches with pastrami to candied bacon melts.
Address: 143 E. Main St.
Read more: thewalruscolumbus.com
Need some java? Find The Best Coffee Shops in Downtown Columbus, check out The Best Breakfasts in Columbus, or The Best Breakfast Sandwiches in Columbus.
4th & State image courtesy facebook.com/4thandState; The Walrus image courtesy thewalruscolumbus.com
