Lakeview’s diner institution, Russell’s, has been legendary for breakfast and bloody Mary’s for most of its 25-year run. The breakfast options are absolutely top-notch, from fried chicken and waffles to a slew of egg specialties. Try the restaurant’s staple, the Egg Saints #33 with a grilled biscuit, alligator sausage, grilled tomatoes, poached eggs, and homemade country gravy, and save room for the housemade pies.

It was rough times without Pagoda Cafe breakfast tacos during the pandemic, but the beloved 7th ward stand is back and better than ever. Arguably the top breakfast taco destination in town, here they’re made with potatoes, egg, and cheese on a Mawi tortilla — with either house-refried beans, bacon, turkey bacon, or tofu — and served with green hot sauce. 

Cozy Mid City charmer Wakin’ Bakin’ cranks out incredible breakfast options everyday from biscuits and gravy to numerous morning sandwiches and a queso burrito (get it with gravy) starting at 7 a.m. It also serves fresh baked bread and offers neighborhood delivery — even for breakfast! Open Thursday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Chef Shermond Esteen Jr. won’t divulge the secret to his fluffy French toast, fragrant with cinnamon — ask and he’ll just give you a slow smile and nod his head. That’s turkey sausage on the plate; no pork is served at this friendly Claiborne Avenue spot, which also dishes steak and eggs, shrimp and grits, and an all day menu of sandwiches, salads, and platters. Nonno’s serves Esteen’s homemade pastries sometimes too.

Who Dat Cafe is a fine locals’ joint on a quiet Marigny corner that serves the wonderful meal of breakfast Friday through Tuesday 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Here find perfectly cooked eggs, friendly service, and excellent coffee alongside omelets named Da Mandeville and Da Cajun, soft shell crab eggs Benedict, and specials like blueberry croissant French Toast and crab pie.

Breakfast “geaux cups” are a thing at this homespun Bywater charmer, coffee cups filled with the likes of shrimp and grits or biscuits and hot sausage gravy. All the pastries at Bywater Bakery are outstanding, as are the savory hand pies in flavors like gumbo and crawfish étouffée. Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day but Wednesday. Sidewalk music on the weekends is lovely.

Home of praline bacon and some of the best bloody Marys in town, this Bywater breakfast icon does morning comfort food right — from fried chicken livers and eggs to breakfast po-boys. It also serves breakfast calas, a New Orleans specialty of deep fried rice balls. Elizabeth’s is open Thursday through Monday and there’s generally a wait on the weekends.

Breakfast is served from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Monday at this creative French Quarter gem off Jackson Square. Chef and owner Scott Boswell makes an eggs Benedict with fried oysters or house-made boudin, pancakes served with Louisiana cane syrup, and omelets sandwiched into a po’boy. Ask for a side of bacon and cheese grits no matter what the order.

This iconic Uptown greasy spoon, which opened in 1946, is known for waits out the door and a slew of diner-fare including omelets, grilled pecan pie, the orange Julius, and cheeseburgers. The inside of this legendary Carrollton Avenue diner has a counter with seating that winds through the restaurant. Camellia Grill is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 or 8 p.m. so breakfast can be for dinner too.

This well-worn breakfast joint lives up to its name, earning a loyal following for straightforward platters of rib-sticking fare. Expect reliably good breakfasts that don’t break the bank, served all day. Open most days at 7 a.m.; closed Sundays.

A favorite for breakfast and brunch with LGD & Uptown locations, this funky little gem was serving specialty juices before it became popular. Surrey’s Cafe makes a mean migas and Costa Rican breakfast, though lots of New Orleans flavor can be found on the menu. Both locations open Thursday through Monday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

While the LGD’s HiVolt Coffee is highly regarded for its coffee program, hip clientele, and ample seating, its actually one of the most affordable spots in town for vegan and healthier eats during the breakfast and lunch hours — about $5 for breakfast sandwiches and toasts, and a little over $10 for an array of hearty salads, sandwiches and quinoa bowls.

Megan Forman’s wonderful bake shops knock breakfast out of the park with egg sandwiches, house-made granola, and house-cured salmon bagels with lemon-caper cream cheese. Besides amazing baked goods, Gracious serves the likes of a warm cheddar and green onion biscuit breakfast sandwich with cured ham and a perfectly cooked egg. Another swell option is egg, pepper jack, pulled pork, cilantro chimichurri sauce on a flaky laminated biscuit. Three locations open for 7 a.m. Monday through Friday, and at 8 a.m. on the weekends. The Prytania Street location has ample space and seating, and an expanded menu.

Magazine Street’s quirky, always-slammed diner is known for their Slammer options, a hangover-helper made with hashbrowns and scrambles of various sort (eggs, chili, tofu, etc.). Slim Goodie’s also offers “slammers” for the starving, huge portions of breakfast goodness.