One of the best ways to unwind after a tough week is to get brunch with your friends, and it’s something we’ve sorely missed during the pandemic.

Now that people are getting vaccinated and things are starting to open up more, we thought it would be helpful to highlight the best breakfast and brunch spots around Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

COVID has been tough on local restaurants, and supporting them is extremely important to help them survive. If you don’t feel comfortable eating in, you can also support most of these places by ordering takeout to go.

Here are some of our favorite diners and restaurants to enjoy eggs, pancakes and other breakfast dishes.

North Buffalo

Bertha’s – Bertha’s is a 1950s-style diner serving traditional American breakfast dishes at prices that haven’t changed a ton since the old days. A couple eggs and coffee will run you only a few bucks, but for only a little more, those with larger appetites can feast on the “Big Breakfast Platter,” which includes two eggs, your choice of meat and pancakes, waffles or French toast. Other options include Bertha’s breakfast version of the Rochester garbage plate, described as a mound of crispy home fries mixed with ham, bacon, sausage, peppers, onions, cheddar cheese and eggs. The restaurant is small and gets very busy on the weekends, so your best bet is to arrive early.

Kenmore

Eggsperience Vasilis – With locations on Delaware Ave. in Kenmore and Main St. in Buffalo, Eggsperience Vasilis serves up some of the best Eggs Benedicts, waffles, omelettes and crêpes in the city. The menu is Greek and European-inspired, featuring offerings you can’t get elsewhere in Buffalo, such as apple caramel stuffed waffles and eggs florentine, as well as a variety of breakfast skillets. Both locations offer bright, airy dining rooms, friendly service and large portions. The best part? You can quickly drive to either location from our North Buffalo, Kenmore or Tonawanda apartment communities.

Downtown Buffalo & West Seneca

Swan Street Diner – Located in an old-fashioned diner car in Larkinville, Swan Street Diner offers a quaint atmosphere while serving up gourmet versions of your favorite breakfast meals daily until 3pm. The Swan Street diner car is an example of one of the early Sterling Company diner cars created in the first half of the 20th century, and this one in particular was manufactured in 1937 — nearly 85 years ago. The car has been restored to reflect its prior glory, and the interior enamel panels, bar stools and wood trim are all original. Take in a piece of history while drinking coffee and noshing on Swan Street’s decadent, always-fresh mini donuts, available in flavors like cinnamon, chocolate and powdered sugar. Or dive into one of their savory egg dishes, such as breakfast tacos, biscuits and gravy or the popular house hash.

Amherst

Break’n Eggs Crêperie – Looking for something outside of the greasy spoon norm? Break’n Eggs is the only full service crêperie in Buffalo. When you enter the restaurant, it’s like you’ve entered a European cafe — a far cry from its location in a shopping center on Main St. in Amherst. The French-themed bistro serves up a large assortment of gourmet coffees and sweet breakfast crêpes, from the traditional nutella strawberry to the indulgent s’mores, dulce de leche and cookies n’ cream crêpes. If you don’t like sweets, there’s also a long menu of savory “crêpes Benedicts” available, including smoked salmon, crab cakes and a California version with bacon and avocado. If you don’t have time to sit for a long meal, visit the “Break’n Eggs Express” location on Sweet Home Road with a pared down menu in a quick-service environment, but equally flavorful food and fantastic service. 

Marketside Restaurant – You’ll feel right at home at Marketside Restaurant, a cozy diner located on Market St. in the heart of Niagara Falls. The menu is full of simple breakfast favorites done the right way at extremely low prices. Indulge in their generous omelettes, breakfast skillets and fluffy pancake stacks, all for under $8. If you’ve got the appetite of a professional athlete, you won’t find a better bang for your buck than the “Sal Maglie,” an egg dish named after local legend Sal Maglie, a former Major League Baseball player and coach. The dish features a huge mix of potatoes, eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, cheese, peppers and onions for less than ten bucks.