Best Breakfast in Galveston

Galveston may be best known for its festive happy hours, seafood joints, and Mexican restaurants, but definitely don't overlook brunching on the island. The same fruity cocktails and local flavors celebrated later in the day make for some scrumptious breakfasts in Galveston.

Galveston's location on the Gulf Coast means a blend of culinary influences — Mexican, Southwestern, Cajun, and Creole to name a few. Tex-Mex favorites like breakfast tacos, huevos rancheros, and migas should be on the spicy foodie bucket list, while seafood lovers can indulge in dishes like crab cake eggs benedict and Cajun-style shrimp and grits.

Below we've rounded up a few of the best breakfast restaurants in Galveston scattered around the island, so you can find a weekend brunch buffet near your West End vacation rental or a charming cafe in the heart of the Galveston's Historic District.

We're sure these Galveston restaurants will impress!

Sunflower Bakery & Cafe

The Sunflower Bakery & Cafe is a Galveston staple. Located in the heart of the East End Historic District, this area is full of colorful homes with unique architecture.

The cafe serves breakfast and brunch until early afternoon, and also offers a lunch menu and bakery counter with mouthwatering cakes and pastries to go.

Breakfast specialties here include a southern-style chicken and biscuits plate with sausage gravy and barbacoa omelet that incorporates Texas flavors — slow-cooked brisket, pico de gallo, and guajillo chili sauce. On the sweet side, the Belgian waffle with whipped strawberry butter and powdered sugar is always a hit. They also offer gluten free breakfast options.

The little gift shop attached to the restaurant offers the perfect chance to shop for souvenirs while you wait for a table.

Shykatz Cafe & Bakery

The casual and eclectic style of ShyKatz Cafe & Bakery is a stark contrast to the elaborate historic mansions a couple of blocks away on Broadway Avenue — here instead you'll find a plain brick exterior jazzed up with colorful murals and sidewalk picnic tables.

If you want to try a Texas-style breakfast entree, this is the perfect place to do it. Hone in on the Smuggler, a deep-fried breakfast burrito stuffed with eggs, sausage, fries, jalapenos, and cheese, or Benni's Breakfast Tostados, crispy tortillas topped with beans, bacon, sausage, eggs, veggies, and house salsa.

Mosquito Cafe

A favorite amongst locals, Mosquito Cafe is located in an 1870s building in the HIstoric East End District of Galveston. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the eclectic morning menu is a can't-miss.

This is the perfect spot to indulge in an upscale brunch dish like the Mosquito Benedict, a savory scone benedict topped with shrimp, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and artichoke hearts, or the Crab Omelette stuffed with veggies and drizzled with hollandaise sauce. There's also simpler fare like from-scratch buttermilk pancakes or cinnamon-spiced French toast. Pair your selection with a mango or peach mimosa for a fresh, islandy flair.

The Gumbo Diner

Located across from the Seawall with a picture-window view of the Gulf, the Gumbo Diner serves up Creole and Cajun dishes from breakfast through dinner. The all-day-breakfast menu includes Southern staples like biscuits & gravy, chicken & waffles, and shrimp & grits, plus a special Texas Melt sandwich of bacon, egg, cheese, and avocado on thick Texas toast.

For something sweet, you can't go wrong with the New Orlean's style beignets covered in powdered sugar.

MOD Coffeehouse

When you just want a light breakfast to accompany your morning cup of joe, MOD Coffeehouse in the historic center of Galveston is just the place. The extensive latte blends menu (served hot or frozen) includes the Almond Joy with coconut and amaretto, the Hummingbird with lavender and raspberry, the El Diable with mocha and cayenne, and the Gonzo with toasted marshmallow, praline, caramel, and cinnamon sugar.

Pair your dose of caffeine with a bakery breakfast — vegan zucchini bread, warm scones, giant blueberry muffins, or bagels and lox.

Porch Cafe

Away from the Seawall and downtown Galveston crowds, the Porch Cafe is just steps from quiet East Beach on the far east end of the island. This light and airy bistro has an upscale beachy look and patio or indoor seating.

Pair a grapefruit martini or classic mimosa with a veggie frittata, crab cake benedict, or Gulf shrimp tacos topped with roasted salsa & avocado. If you're a brunch burger aficionado, don't pass on the gouda-topped patty served with garlic parmesan fries.

BLVD Seafood

If you're in Galveston for a weekend getaway, carve out some time for brunch at BLVD Seafood. Located across from the Seawall just a short stroll from the Pleasure Pier, the bright and contemporary cafe is open daily for lunch and dinner, with a special Sunday brunch.

The restaurant's specialty is shrimp & grits with smoked sausage and a Creole sauce, but you can't go wrong with the other seafood breakfast plates like crab cake waffles or salmon gravlax (smoked salmon, dill cream cheese, red onion, and a sour cream pancake). Add on a strawberry lemon basil or creamsicle mimosa for a boozy brunch.

Dawn Donut

Dawn Donut is a local favorite, located in the West End, near your vacation rental home. Start your day by bringing back a dozen of their donuts or muffins to eat on your outdoor patio.

Don't have a sweet tooth? They also serve breakfast burritos, biscuit sandwiches, and pigs in a blanket, along with other daily specials.

Yaga's Cafe

Situated in the heart of the Downtown Galveston Historic District, Yaga's is a fun day and night hangout with live music, casual bites, and fruity island drinks. The patio seating is actually right on Saengerfest Park, the city's public square with a stage and fun "greetings from Galveston" mural.

Brunch is only served on the weekend, so it's the perfect stop before a day of shopping along The Strand. Seafood breakfast specialties here include the Huevos Diablos (deviled eggs) with blackened shrimp, shrimp & grits with a creamy bayou sauce, and a seafood frittata of crab, crawfish, and hash browns. For a light and refreshing morning sip, try the Ladybird, a tequila and prosecco cocktail with watermelon, agave, and lime.

Hearsay on The Strand

"Chic antique" is the vibe at Hearsay on The Strand, a stylish restaurant in an 1898 building in Historic Downtown Galveston. Exposed brick, chandeliers, and a glossy wood bar set the scene for sipping cocktails at a classy brunch.

Happy hour, dinner, and late-night sips are an everyday thing here, but brunch is exclusive to the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). You can't really go wrong with anything on the menu, but the Brunch Steak and Eggs with fried potato hash or the Bread Pudding French Toast with a candied pecan topping both take things up a notch.

Pair it with a custom cocktail like the Hemingway Daiquiri or the Way Down Southside tequila blend.

Star Drug Store

Old-timey Star Drug Store is a staple on the Strand Historic District in Galveston, with a vintage soda fountain counter that serves breakfast, lunch, and milkshakes.

The simple menu includes morning favorites like pancakes, waffles, omelets, and a made-to-order plate of eggs, breakfast meats, country grits, and toast. If you don't make it for breakfast, this is also a great spot to grab a quick deli sandwich and ice cream to go while sightseeing downtown.

La Mixteca

Just a couple of blocks off The Strand, La Mixteca is a locally owned restaurant serving authentic Mexican dishes for breakfast and lunch. Hefty burritos and egg dishes served with refried beans, bacon, and potatoes make up the breakfast menu.

Try the Migas al la Mexicana for scrambled eggs blended with sliced corn tortillas, serrano peppers, onions, and tomatoes, or the Huevos Revueltos con Chorizo for an egg and spicy sausage blend.

Grand Galvez Sunday Brunch

The Grand Galvez Bar & Grill offers a Sunday brunch that's famous both on and off the island - and rightfully so! The prix fixe menu at this lavish buffet features made-to-order omelets, a seafood buffet, a carving station, fresh bread and pastries, and a signature seafood gumbo. Plus, dessert, champagne, and mimosas to top it off.

If you can't secure a reservation for this popular feast, the everyday breakfast menu serves traditional or crab cake eggs benedict, a loaded omelet, a Texas skillet, and more.

Galveston Bagel Company

Hand-rolled and fresh-baked bagels are the specialty at Galveston Bagel Company. Order one or a dozen in blueberry, chocolate chip, jalapeno cheddar, snickerdoodle, cinnamon raisin, and more.

To jazz it up, you can smear on a flavored cream cheese like vanilla or roasted green chili, or order a bagel sammie with egg, cheese, and your choice of breakfast meat. There's also an option to build your own breakfast bagel, pita, or taco.

Leeland House Galveston

Situated on Market Street, Leeland House is in the best location for a great meal and a before or after meal stroll. This bistro & bar offers up a large menu on food and drinks, specializing in a mouth watering brunch.

Keep in mind that Leeland House is open daily from 8am - 3pm daily, except on Mondays and Tuesdays when they are closed. Enjoy the brunch menu until 3pm or dive into the salad, sandwiches, or pizza options for lunch.

Seawall Coffee Company

Seawall Coffee Company is the perfect place for a quick and easy breakfast. Either dine in at one of the small tables or couches or grab and go to bring your coffee and food back to your rental or straight to the beach.

Specializing in high end coffee drinks made from Fika Java beans, a locally female-owned roaster, this is the place to go if you're a coffee aficionado. They also serve a variety of sweet and savory breakfast options, along with gluten-free and vegan choices.

Enjoy Breakfast in Galveston

With these Galveston restaurants, you'll be sure to start your day with a full and happy belly. Whether you're an early bird looking for breakfast fuel-up before a busy day exploring the island or a slow riser who's more interested in a lazy brunch, the breakfast spots on this list are sure to please!