On the Sunny Side
Heading down the shore this summer? Rise and shine by heading to these breakfast destinations.
There’s nothing quite like waking up down the Shore: watching the sun dawn over the eastern horizon, feeling the gentle breeze against your skin during a tranquil walk on the beach, and, of course, sitting down to a lovingly curated breakfast. From LBI to Cape May, the South Jersey coast boasts some truly inspired purveyors of breakfast and brunch. Our list of can’t-miss hotspots is long, but following are a baker’s dozen of our favorites.
* For your morning beachside walk in Stone Harbor, treat yourself to one (or more) of the delicious baked goods at the Bread and Cheese Cupboard. Do you crave frosted pastries, loaded quiches, or something from the espresso bar? Check, check, check. You can choose from almost 20 different types of fresh bread, ranging from savory to sweet. breadandcheesecupboard.com
* Ocean City’s Dead End Bakehouse specializes in all kinds of small-batch baked goods, but its bagel sandwiches steal the show. Whether you prefer savory or sweet (or both), meaty or plant-based, the menu has some killer options. We imagine the “The Jersey Hangover” (cream cheese, Jersey tomato, pork roll, and a fried egg) is a big seller regardless of the prior evening’s festivities.
deadendbakehouse.com
deadendbakehouse.com
* An Ocean City staple since the 1940s, family-owned Dot’s Pastry Shop rises and shines daily to turn out a parade of outstanding baked goods: bagels, breads, cakes, cookies, croissants, Danish pastries, muffins, and more. We’re partial to their sticky buns, lovingly loaded with raisins and walnuts. dotspastryshop.com
* Early risers in Avalon don’t mind lining up at Fishin’ Pier Grille for the chance to chow down on three-egg omelets stuffed with sausage and broccoli rabe, light and fluffy pancakes, French toast and all your other breakfast must-haves.
* Everyone from year-round Cape May residents to luminaries like Guy Fieri has fallen in love with George’s Place. You could spend the whole summer on the breakfast page alone, because how can you possibly be expected to try just the tiramisu waffle or the limoncello French toast? kararestaurantgroup.com
* Although it’s a reliable destination for any meal of the day, LBI Table shines brightest in the a.m. The breakfast menu includes all the staples and standbys—omelets, waffles, pancakes, avocado toast, and more—as well as some truly inspired daily specials. If you’ve ever had a craving for the likes of Boston cream pie pancakes or Cinnamon Toast Crunch waffle sliders, make a beeline for LBI Table, which, as you might suspect, is in Long Beach Island. lbitable.com
* For homemade baked goods, Maryann Pastry Shoppe has it all—everything from gooey butter cake, to old-fashioned doughnuts, to strudel and more. It’s not just a breakfast spot, of course. Whether we’re starting our morning with a strawberry crumb Danish or winding down the day with a “Red, White and Blue” pie, this Stone Harbor spot always delivers. maryannepastryshoppenj.com
* Ocean City has no shortage of purveyors of remarkable doughnut purveyors. Whether you like your doughnuts simple, like dusted with cinnamon sugar, or loaded with fancy-pants toppings like M&M’s, Fruity Pebbles and pork roll (yes, you read that right), Nauti Donuts has a doughnut to suit every taste. If, by some stretch of the imagination, you don’t see a variety that floats your boat, Nauti welcomes you to create your own. nautidonuts.com
* Cape May’s RSK Doughnuts is in a class by itself. Whether you get the classic minis served plain, powdered or cinnamon-sugar’d or you go for a boatful (yes) of the decadent “Fancies,” you’ll be happy these made-fresh-in-front-of-you goodies come in multiples because you can’t have just one.
* In Sea Isle City, walk just a block from the beach to Shorebreak Café for made-from-scratch bakery goods. Coffee and ice cream are served alongside delicacies like lemon currant scones, sour cream cake, and stuffed fluffernutter cookies with peanut butter and marshmallow fluff. shorebreakcafe.com
* Sun’z Up Café in Wildwood Crest serves classic breakfast favorites like avocado toast and huevos rancheros, as well as specialties such as gingerbread pancakes, and grilled ham and brie, sandwiched between two slices of French toast. There are several vegetarian options and customizable choices, ensuring everyone at your table is satisfied before hitting the Boardwalk.
* If your vacation includes a night of cocktails, a great way to bounce back the next day is by splurging on brunch. Few spots along the Jersey coast can rival Velo Café in Ventnor. Its menu items range from traditional—homemade waffles or omelets—to unique, like pancake breakfast tacos. velo-cafe.com
* From pancakes and waffles, to omelets and Benedicts, to fruit smoothies and other healthful options, Yianni’s Café does it all with style and a smile. It also offers a number of creative breakfast dishes found only at Yianni’s locations in Brigantine and Ocean City. yianniscafeoc.com
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life magazine, May 2023.
