Wake Up, Oakland: The Breakfast Guide

From buttery biscuits to morning tacos, here's where we're curing our hangovers.

The East Bay doesn't do boring breakfasts. We don't just want eggs; we want flavor, community, and maybe a little bit of a wait (if the food is worth it). Whether you're looking for a quick bite before work or a slow Sunday brunch, these spots are the current champions of the morning scene.

Oakland (Uptown)

Town Biscuits: The Flake King

This is the newcomer that everyone is talking about. Fresh, handmade buttermilk biscuits that are flaky enough to shatter but soft enough to hold a pile of fried chicken or pimento cheese.

Read our full review of Town Biscuits →

The Order: The Fried Chicken Biscuit. It's the perfect balance of savory, buttery, and crispy. Get there early!

Oakland (Temescal)

Bakesale Betty: The Legend

Technically lunch, but since the line starts forming before noon and the fried chicken sandwich is practically a breakfast food for some of us, it counts. The spicy slaw and the ironing-board tables are iconic.

Read more about Betty's →

Insider Tip: Don't forget a Strawberry Shortcake or a cookie on your way out. You've earned it.

Berkeley

Vik's Chaat: The Berkeley Staple

For a non-traditional breakfast, Vik's is the place. Their weekend specials, like the Cholé Bhature, are the stuff of legends. It's loud, busy, and absolutely delicious.

Dive into the Chaat at Vik's →

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