5 Places to Get Breakfast in Flagstaff
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Filling up on a hearty breakfast in Flagstaff is a must before engaging in any intense calorie burning high altitude activities. It’s also a great idea before making the hour and a half drive to the Grand Canyon and other natural wonders in the area. These isolated areas are often limited in terms of available dining options. In a high altitude area where the base elevation sits at 7000 feet, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day! I have been pretty impressed by the food scene here. The options are pretty decent considering the small size.
As mountain altitude sickness is pretty common with new visitors, making sure that you are eating adequate carbs and drinking more water than usual can help in preventing this debilitating illness from ruining your vacation! When I first moved to the area, I suffered pretty bad with the high altitude. After living in the area for several years, I have found ways to deal with the high elevation including eating more carbs before/after working out.
That being said, here are my top picks for local dining. If you are seeking something new in favor of a standard Ihop or Denny’s, these local gems should please!
1. Horsemen’s Lodge
Update: Closed
Horsemen’s Lodge offers an attractive rustic, laid-back cowboy ambiance not really found at many other restaurants in the area. If you prefer a country vibe vs. modern, this rustic diner will likely appeal to you.
On the menu, you will find a nice hearty selection of breakfast entrees. All the standard breakfast fare such as omelets, benedicts and burritos, as well as a few house specialties will give you more than enough options. Two great choices include the Cinnamon Roll French toast and the Southwestern Benedict.
This is located enroute to the Grand Canyon & other natural attractions, so it is usually my breakfast of choice when heading out this way.
The western ambiance, affordable pricing, and laid-back attitude make it one of my top picks for vacationers seeking a relaxed, affordable western dining experience.
What to try: Cinnamon Roll French Toast, Horsemen Burrito, Huevos Rancheros, The Garden Mixer
2. Downtown Diner
Update: Closed
Unfortunately, Downtown Diner is one of the lower rated restaurants in town. Ignore the negative reviews and check this little gem out for yourself! Featuring all the regular breakfast fare, huge portions, affordable pricing, and a casual setting, it’s the perfect choice prior to any area activity.
The big portions make it a nice filling choice for those planning on hiking a long high altitude trail. I recommend checking out the breakfast special which includes 2 eggs with hash browns and toast for just 5 bucks. What a deal!
Downtown Diner is the perfect laid-back choice before hitting the trails or embarking on a day trip. While most downtown restaurants are pricey and trendy, this caef comes in as a nice old-school pick with a totally casual vibe. Come in with your workout clothes ready to hit the trail. You will find no frills here – just decent breakfast food at affordable, non-touristy prices!
What to try: 2 egg breakfast, Hungry Man’s Plate
3. Indian Gardens
Indian Gardens is a bit out of the way as it is located along scenic Oak Creek Canyon drive. It’s a great stop on the way to Sedona to hike the gorgeous red rock trails. Even if you aren’t hitting the red rock trails, the delicious food, wonderful patio, & amazing espresso drinks make the drive well worth it.
At Indian Gardens, you can relax on the shady garden patio while enjoying tasty local food (everything is made on-site including fresh pastries and sourdough bread!) and sipping on the best espresso drinks in town. I love sitting on the patio and enjoying the leafy surroundings, birds chirping, and even a hint of red rock scenery. The setting is just so relaxed although it does get pretty crowded on weekends and occasionally I’ve even waited for a seat. Get here early to beat the crowds – the temps will be more attractive at this time too so it’s a win-win situation.
Delicious fluffy organic pancakes, freshly made muffins and coffeecakes, and the best breakfast burrito in the area are just a few of the enticing menu choices. I really love the Grains and Greens bowl which includes eggs, kale, avocado, and veggies. On a side note, those dining gluten-free or vegetarian will also be pleased to know that a number of choices are available.
What to try: Grains & Greens Bowl, Breakfast Burrito, Pumpkin Muffin, Americano
4. The Toasted Owl
The Toasted Owl has the most personality of any breakfast joint in town. An old-fashioned diner appeal with unique owl decorations everywhere really sets this eclectic gem apart from the bland sea of options in town. I love looking at all the cute owl decor and they serve the drinks in funky mugs.
Great food, a creative menu, friendly service, and lots of allergy friendly choices make it the perfect choice for just about anyone looking to fuel up before a day of adventure. A few highlights include: avocado toast, make-your-own breakfast tacos, gluten free almond cakes, and a delicious burrito. I usually go with the breakfast tacos which I make vegetarian with beans and avocado. This is one of my favorite places to indulge in some carbs before hiking.
What to try: Breakfast Tacos, GF Almond or Buckwheat cakes, Breakfast burrito, House roast coffee
5. Brandy’s
Brandy’s, a small diner along Rt 66, is both a local and tourist’s favorite, due to its’ appearance on Food Network’s popular series Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. The homestyle offerings draw traditional diners. Breakfast is so popular that there is often a lengthy wait to get a seat, even on weekdays!
Fortunately, the home-cooked food is pretty good, thereby making the wait tolerable. You’ll find a bit of everything on the menu, from the savory to the sweet. Whether you are craving a protein rich omelet or a stack of homemade pancakes, you’ll find it all and more on the large American style menu. Unlike most diners, they also offers a pretty decent menu of espresso drinks (brewing coffee from local roaster Firecreek).
Everything I’ve tried here has been fresh and homemade and it shows in the superior quality. The pancakes, soups, quiche, pastries, and bagels are all made on site. Brandy’s also works with many local companies, ensuring more local produce and higher quality ingredients. Despite an increase in tourism, it is still one of your best bets for an affordable & filling breakfast. I recommend the Spud’s Medley which is basically hash browns topped with all sorts of savory vegetables, eggs, and cheese.
What to try: Spud’s Medley, Swedish Oat Pancakes, Quiche
Quick eats for those limited on time…
For those looking for a real quick breakfast, I recommend checking out Late for the Train, a wonderful local coffee shop with 2 convenient locations. One cafe is located along Hwy 180 on the way to the Grand Canyon/Snowbowl and one in the historic downtown. Asides from offering the best espresso drinks in town (Try the Dark Skies Mocha!), Late for the Train offers a daily selection of fresh made burritos. These amazing burritos tend to get snatched up fast so get here early!
Update: The Hwy 180 location is now closed. However, you can still enjoy great drinks, pastries, and burritos at the downtown location.
More solid choices
As Horseman’s Lodge and Downtown Diner are now closed, I have listed a few more decent options.
Tourist Home – Local coffeehouse known for their pastries. The homemade poptarts are delicious!
Macy’s – Popular long running coffeehouse which serves healthy eats. Not a big fan of the dark roast coffee personally, however, there food is pretty good. Lots of GF and vegetarian entrees.
Wildflour Bread – Popular chain with a menu and vibe similar to Panera Bread.
Charly’s at the Weatherford – The historic Weatherford hotel downtown is a great place to enjoy a meal. They offer a beautiful little patio to enjoy breakfast on a mild summer morning.
