By Oliver Peterson
Some say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and that most certainly rings true for devoted fans of bacon, eggs, sausage, pancakes, waffles, French toast and all the other delights we enjoy in the morning hours. The Hamptons is famous for its fancy restaurants and their delectable dinners, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it also has some incredible breakfast spots. Here, we offer a handful of can’t-miss spots for a.m. eating and breakfast all day, or at least well into the afternoon, from east to west.
John’s Pancake House
721 Montauk Highway, Montauk
This inveterate eatery is a longtime staple on The End. Bring your appetite for pancakes, pancakes and more pancakes! Or don’t get pancakes and order any number of delicious breakfast foods, such as eggs Benedict, cereal, omelets, French toast or waffles heaped with fresh fruit. But really, John’s is about the pancakes. They have silver dollar pancakes, Hawaiian pancakes topped with pineapple, Sabre pancakes filled with coconut and covered in coconut syrup, and, a longtime favorite, ET Pancakes with chocolate and peanut butter chips, just how Spielberg’s beloved extra-terrestrial likes them! The best bet, however, has to be the crepes, specifically the specialty crepe Suzettes rolled with luscious strawberry jam and topped with Cointreau Suzette sauce. And always ask for REAL maple syrup—there’s no comparison.
Find them on Facebook or call 631-668-2383.
John Papas Café
18 Park Place, East Hampton
A perennial favorite in East Hampton Village, John Papas Café is an excellent, easy stop for morning eats before shopping, visiting local art galleries or just tooling around town. They serve breakfast all day, with the exception of waffles and poached eggs (available till 3 p.m.), and the menu is loaded with choices. Diners can go light with a variety of cereals, granola, grapefruit and other fresh fruit, or forget counting calories and bite into a long list of pancake options, authentic Belgian waffles or eggs served in any style—including eggs Benedict, smoked salmon Benedict and spinach Benedict, as well as lots of omelets, steak and eggs or even good ol’ pastrami with eggs over easy.
Call 631-324-5400 of visit johnpapascafe.net.
Estia’s Little Kitchen
1615 Sag Harbor Turnpike, Sag Harbor
Serving breakfast and lunch Wednesday–Monday from 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Colin Ambrose’s charming restaurant offers locally-sourced, unpretentious food at fair prices, and you don’t have to get up early to get it. Estia’s Little Kitchen has several creative omelets available until 2:30 p.m., including the Nacho Mama’s with Tomato, Jack cheese, jalapeño and onion, and the Garden with spinach, corn and tomato, among others. Eat pancakes till noon (make them chocolate chip if you dare) and don’t miss all the great breakfast tacos and breakfast burritos. Of course they also make classic egg sandwiches, along with various bowls and platters. Check out the Gringo Hash bowl with red beans, brown rice, andouille sausage, queso fresco, avocado, two eggs and corn tortillas!
Call 631-725-1045 or visit estias.com.
Cromer’s Market
3500 Noyack Road, Sag Harbor
There are lots of places to grab a good, gooey bacon and/or sausage, egg and cheese on a roll to-go on hungover Saturday and Sunday mornings, but Cromer’s Market is one of the best. Not only are the breakfast sandwiches oh-so satisfying and available all day, this deli, butcher and market is also conveniently located close to the water and Long Beach, or a short drive to the village where you can cop a squat on a waterside bench or stroll through town while you eat. Sometimes egg sandwiches just aren’t meant to be eaten indoors. It’s a summer tradition!
Call 631-725-9087 or visit cromersmarket.com.
Fairway Restaurant (Café on the Green)
3556 Montauk Highway, Sagaponack
We recently featured this beloved spot among hidden Hamptons dining gems, but it would be almost irresponsible not to include Fairway among the South Fork’s all-day breakfast elite. From the iconic “Stolen from Fairway Restaurant” mugs to the 18-hole, golf-themed menu, Poxabogue’s restaurant has everything one could want for a morning meal—eggs of every kind, pancakes, waffles, French toast, breads, fresh fruit, hash browns and so much more. And that’s not taking into account the specials, such as strawberry or banana-cinnamon pancakes, cinnamon French toast and various omelet combinations.
Call 631-521-7100 or visit poxgolf.com.
McDonald’s
307 North Sea Road, Southampton
Yes, it’s not fancy and it’s owned by a massive corporation, and it’s definitely not the healthiest choice, but sometimes a McDonald’s breakfast sandwich hits the spot with absolute precision, and their coffee is actually quite nice. Their switch to serving breakfast all day has taken away some of its specialness, yet it’s hard to deny the taste of a Sausage McMuffin with Egg and a bit of ketchup, classic Egg McMuffin, crispy hash browns or a Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit. Heck, you might even enjoy the Hot Cakes or maple-flavored McGriddle sandwiches, which basically use pancakes for the bread. Wash it all down with one of the numerous McCafe coffee drinks, such as frappes, lattes, Americanos, iced mochas and more. Eat in moderation.
Call 631-283-677 or visit mcdonalds.com.
Goldberg’s Bagels
801 County Road 39, Southampton
With locations all over the East End, including East Quogue, Southampton, East Hampton, Wainscott, Napeague and Montauk, as well as their North Fork shops, Goldberg’s absolutely fresh, NYC-style (and quality) bagels are never out of reach on the Twin Forks. This is the place to be for bagels, flats and schmears of all kinds, no question about it, but they also serve non-bagel breakfasts that never disappoint. Dig in to great three-egg omelets, acai bowls, French toast or pancakes, or try the amazing breakfast sandwiches. Options like the Spicy Hobo with two eggs, pepperjack cheese and hash brown; Hungryman with two eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, hash brown and cheese on a hero; or the Israeli breakfast burrito with falafel, egg whites, hummus and hot sauce in a wrap will have you returning for more. There’s a reason they’ve been in business since 1949.
Call 631-204-1046 or visit theoriginalgoldbergsbagels.com.
The Hampton Maid
259 East Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays
Famous for breakfast and brunch for decades, this hotel makes traditional goodies as well as trendier bites, along with beautiful craft cocktails to add a bit of celebration to your morning meal. Try the cinnamon swirl French toast with fresh sliced strawberries, omelets, chocolate chip or blueberry pancakes, Canadian bacon with eggs or even kielbasa with two eggs any style (try poached!). If you come with a partner, order the 62nd Anniversary Special for two with their Hampton Maid breakfast platter ‘n a half, home fried potatoes, breakfast basket, pot of coffee or tea and choice of chilled juice, melon or berries. Or create your own combos with your favorite sides. This place does it right in a beautiful setting. Stay the night if there’s room and wake up with this beloved breakfast. The rooms are lovely.
Call 631-728-4166 or visit hamptonmaid.com.
Café Volo
335 Sheldon Way, Westhampton Beach
A bit off the trail, Gabreski Airport’s new Café Volo has some enticing breakfast options and runway views (it’s apparently a thing). Come in a for a delicious landing with the S.O.S, two eggs over easy served on a toasted English muffin drenched in Creole-style sausage gravy and served with home fries; or try 3 Little Pigs, applewood-smoked bacon, ham, breakfast sausage with three eggs over easy, home fries and toast. They also have some yummy omelets, including the truly unique Gabreski with pulled short rib, caramelized onions and aged white cheddar, served with home fries. Café Volo also has pancakes, a quiche of the day, eggs Benedict, Southern-style grits and—the best thing ever—Southern-style biscuits & gravy made from scratch!
Call 631-998-3573 or visit cafevolowhb.com.
This story first appeared on DansPapers.com.
For more food and drink coverage, visit longislandpress.com/category/food-drink.
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