It's 3 am and you've got a case of the drunchies. Or, maybe you've been stuck in the library since 8 am and it's 7 pm and you just missed dinner in the dining hall. Either way, you could really go for some delicious eggs cooked to your liking, waffles with all the toppings, or a classic, dependable breakfast sandwich. It can be difficult to find a restaurant that serves breakfast 24/7 to satisfy your cravings, but today, I've got you covered. Here are 25 of the best places to have breakfast for dinner in the US, because chocolate chip pancakes aren't just reserved for Sunday morning brunches.
1. Walker Bros.
Location: Chicago, IL
In "Mean Girls," Cady not only won a plastic crown for being the Spring Fling Queen, but she won gift certificates to Walker Brothers Pancake House, aka a local Chicago chain that's been around for 50 years. Come for the "Mean Girls" reference, but return for their famous Apple Cinnamon Pancakes.
2. Fred 62
Location: Los Angeles, CA
A 24/7 joint not even 2 miles away from where I'm from, Fred 62 is a beloved Los Feliz joint that serves breakfast for dinner the way you want it done. With foods like brioche French Toast to more SoCal-oriented cuisine like vegan Chilaquiles and avocado toast, the options are endless.
3. Cheever's Cafe
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
With an elegant yet casual atmosphere, Cheever's Cafe is one of the hottest places to grab breakfast in Oklahoma. Though on the pricier side, the quality and portion size of popular items like its renowned chicken fried steak to sweet strawberry biscuits make every bite worth it.
4. Hamburg Inn No. 2
Location: Iowa City, IA
This little family-owned restaurant might appear nondescript, but Hamburg Inn No. 2 is a historic stop for presidents visiting Iowa to grab a bite to eat, and was even featured in "The West Wing." With classic American fare like hefty omelets and hearty stacks of pancakes, stop by for an affordable breakfast and take a peek at the walls to spot your favorite POTUS.
5. Gracie's on West Main
Location: Leola, PA
Voted the best breakfast in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for several years in a row, Gracie's on West Main offers an extensive selection of menu items composed of homemade baked goods, spreads and dressings. You'll be tempted to bring home a couple slices of the famous pies and cakes after finishing your decadent breakfasts.
6. Pig 'N Pancake
Locations: Across the Oregon Coast
Founded in 1961 by the Pooles with a $2,000 loan, Pig 'N Pancake has since expanded into five different storefronts across the Oregon Coast, all of which offer—as indicative of its name—all things bacon and pancakes, the most iconic duo since PB&J. Not craving either? Order the Crab Eggs Benedict. You'll thank me later.
7. Matt's Big Breakfast
Location: Phoenix, AZ
With a name like Matt's Big Breakfast, you better believe that this restaurant serves up a mean breakfast for dinner. I mean, Guy Fieri praised owner Matt Pool for dishing out "breakfast basics, done the right way." Make sure you order the locally-butchered peppered bacon—it'll change your life.
8. Seabrook Waffle Co.
Location: Seabrook, TX
If you haven't had an authentic Belgian Liege waffle, what are you still doing reading this article? Go out and grab one, preferably from Seabrook Waffle Company. You can't go wrong with strawberries and whipped cream, but Seabrook's got more savory and adventurous waffles, like mac and cheese waffles. We are unworthy of such innovation.
9. Egg Shop
Location: New York, NY
Need an egg sandwich to cure that gnarly hangover or just want a yolky, carby meal? Head over to the Egg Shop in Williamsburg or in Soho, where owners Sarah Schneider and Demetri Makoulis whip up 10 impressive unique, scrumptious egg sandwiches. With a side of some freshly-pressed juices, you've got yourself a balanced, tasty brunch.
10. Sabrina's Cafe
Locations: PA and NJ
The only way you could make all-day breakfast better is with liquid encouragement. Sabrina's Cafe is BYOB, so make a pitcher of your favorite cocktail to bring with you. An ideal brunch spot, Sabrina's has massive Challah French Toast perfect for sharing with the rest of the table so you can also try another dish, like Huevos Rancheros or a tofu scramble if you're looking for a vegan-friendly option.
11. Fido
Location: Nashville, TN
With a recently revamped menu, Fido is a coffeehouse/restaurant dedicated to providing locally-sourced ingredients to Nashville. Highlights include fully-loaded bagel sandwiches on a bagel of your choice, sweet potato French toast, and scrambled eggs with tomatillo salsa.
12. Crow's Nest
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Open 24 hours on the weekends, Crow's Nest is a cafe with great coffee, breakfast staples like hearty oatmeal and biscuits and gravy, and revamped favorites like amaretto peach French toast and pulled pork Eggs Benedict. With bright, modern decor, it's the perfect place to catch up with friends or to get away from campus.
13. Pannekoeken Huis
Location: St Louis Park, MN
I'm thinking about studying abroad in Europe, and one of the biggest factors is so that I can try a Dutch pancake. Light, fluffy, and typically filled with fruit like cinnamon apples, the closest you can get to the authentic stuff is at Pannekoeken Huis. It's been serving oven-baked pancakes for the past 25 years. You can even top your Dutch baby with bacon! Run, don't walk.
14. All Day
Location: Miami, FL
Sunny, aesthetically pleasing and fresh—these are the first thoughts that come to mind when you step into ALL DAY, a Miami coffee shop you have to visit if you're in Florida. With killer coffee, the "best breakfast sandwich" according to Extra Crispy, and homemade glazed donuts, you just might end up accidentally spending your entire day here instead of hitting up the beach. Don't worry, I don't blame you.
15. Pete's Kitchen
Location: Denver, CO
Breakfast burritos, hash browns and gyros—alhough these foods don't seem to go together, they do at Pete's Kitchen. For 50 years, this family-owned restaurant has been cooking up late night American classics and authentic Grecian cuisine, all at a cheap price.
16. Bayou Bakery
Location: Arlington, VA
Beignets and buttermilk biscuits are the pride and joy of NOLA, but if you find yourself in the DC area, you can still get a taste of the Bayou at Bayou Bakery. Praline spiced pecans, gumbo, and grits topped with cheddar cheese and bacon, meet mouth.
17. Brownstone Diner & Pancake Factory
Location: Jersey City & Edgewater, New Jersey
I'll be the first to admit that whenever I think about pancakes, I think of sweet roundels topped with fruit and maple syrup. Well, it's time to be more open-minded, because pancakes can be savory, too. Brownstone Diner & Pancake Factory is renowned for its "pancake wraps," which are like savory wraps but made of pancake batter. Guy Fieri has one named after him, filled with fried chicken and cheese, so you better dive into this dine when you find yourself craving breakfast for dinner.
18. Sublime Doughnuts
Location: Atlanta, GA—and Taiwan!
If you know me, you know I'm a sucker for a good doughnut, so choosing more than doughnuts for breakfast in this list was difficult. However, after Instagram stalking all my favorite food porn accounts, I've come across Sublime Doughnuts too many times to ignore. Featured on the Food Network and Zagat, Sublime's got flavors like Red Velvet and Marshmallow, Nutella, and even Salt & Vinegar. You'll want to move to Georgia ASAP.
19. Flying Biscuit Café
Locations: Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas
Southern comfort food is basically just a ton of hearty carbs, butter, and love, and on gloomy Sundays, there's nothing better.
Flying Biscuit Café has mastered its grits and biscuits, creating for a regional following of loyal patrons who'll line up in the early morning to get a taste of its famous oatmeal peach pancakes.
20. west~bourne
Location: New York, NY
If you're in Soho and want a taste of LA, stop by west~bourne, an all-day cafe serving healthy, vegan-friendly eats. The chia seed pudding, topped with coconuts, fresh berries and mint is a great way to start the day, but nobody will blame you for grabbing a donut if you're feeling a bit naughty.
21. Nookies
Locations: Chicago, IL
Nookies is a well-hidden nook that's a popular brunch spot for Chicagoans due to its cozy ambiance and huge portions. Fluffy omelets, crispy hash browns and freshly squeezed OJ are all breakfast essentials, but did I mention that this place also has BYOB? Fair the windy conditions and stop by Nookies for a luxurious brunch that won't break the bank.
22. Stanley
Location: New Orleans, LA
Travel + Leisure hailed Stanley as one of the best places to get pancakes in America for its fluffy pancakes topped with ice cream and local Steen's Cane Syrup, but I think the real star is the Egg Stella: a soft-shell crab crusted in cornmeal, served with poached eggs, ham and an English muffin. You can't get something as cool to look at and unique to experience elsewhere.
23. Chris' Pancake & Dining
Location: St. Louis, MO
Breakfast for dinner wouldn't be the same without some thick pancakes, and Chris' Pancake & Dining's got you covered for those light-night cravings. Chef Chris has a permanent selection of classics like blueberry and pecan pancakes, but sometimes he'll bless you with creations like tiramisu pancakes.
#SpoonTip: Split a stack of pancakes and country fried steak & eggs with a friend to try out the entire spectrum available at Chris' Pancake & Dining.
24. Iron Rooster
Location: Baltimore, MD
I know I'm not the only adult that craves Pop-Tarts on the daily, but I didn't realize that you could make these pastries even more addicting and delicious until I found out about Iron Rooster. This all-day breakfast restaurant brings southern hospitality and home to Maryland with unique offerings like breakfast nachos, latkes, and of course, seasonal roostarts, aka revamped Pop-Tarts that'll have Kellogg shook.
25. Nighthawk
Locations: Los Angeles, CA, and Chicago, ILI had to give Nighthawk the final spot because #SoCalPride and it's definitely the most innovative, breakfast-obsessed spot that I've come across. This breakfast bar has been featured in publications like Bring Me and Tastemade for its zany breakfast creations, like Benedict fries, spiked cereal milk cocktails, and maple espresso sticky buns. This is definitely a bucket-list spot for any and all breakfast fanatics.
Craving some breakfast for dinner yet? I sure am. Plan a date or a road trip to hit up a couple of the spots and get your bacon, eggs, and pancake fixings in, because everybody needs and deserves a good breakfast for dinner.