Best breakfast places near Universal Studios in Orlando

While Universal Studios is home to a number of great themed restaurants, decent breakfast options are a bit limited. After a few days partaking in the breakfast buffet at your hotel, or picking up a quick pastry from a park stand, you may be seeking something a bit more filling. Fortunately, Orlando is home to many great local breakfast destinations, most of which tourists pass over as they pursue the more convenient hotel/park options.

A filling breakfast is actually a great way to start your day as you will be putting in lots of miles walking around the parks all day long. For those who wish to enjoy a full meal before an exhausting day at the theme park, here are 5 great options within a 5 mile drive of the Universal entrance.

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe

Veggie scrambler breakfast at Keke's in Orlando, Florida

Keke’s is a great Florida based chain which prides itself on its’ offerings of homemade breakfast fare made using the best ingredients. The ambiance resembles a diner with a nice friendly vibe that fits in perfectly with any Orlando vacation. The décor is minimal, although the café is clean with an old time welcoming vibe. Keke’s fitting slogan is “It’s like your hometown diner grew up and moved to the city.”

The menu is fairly large and includes both savory and sweet options, ranging from waffles and pancakes, to Stuffed French toast and omelets. Try a delicious scrambler or veggie packed omelet served alongside potatoes and toast. This should provide you with plenty of energy to last you through the morning hours. Their coffee is also excellent so no need to hit a Starbucks afterwards! The closest Keke’s to the park lies on Doctor Phillips Blvd, just 3 miles from the entrance.

  • Distance from entrance: 3 miles
  • Address: 7512 Doctor Phillips Blvd Ste 100 Orlando, FL 32819. Hours: 7:30-2:30
  • Menu highlights: Banana Split Waffle, Granola Crunch Pancakes, Portobello Omelet, Veggie Scrambler, Stuffed French Toast

First Watch

Biscuits and turkey gravy at First Watch

This wonderful American restaurant chain is based in University Park, Florida. Although they also serve lunch, you really cannot beat the fresh breakfast offerings here. First off, their coffee is totally delicious and unlimited. There is no need to go anywhere else for your morning cup of joe. Take a seat, relax, and enjoy a full pot. Second, the food is all made fresh on-site. No frozen or processed junk food here!

The menu offerings should please everyone in your party. There are so many goodies on the menu, plus an ample number of healthy choices which is quite rare for a chain. And thus, you do not need to sacrifice quality for convenience. Healthier fare includes an egg white power wrap, coconut milk chia seed pudding, a market veggie skillet with whole grain toast, and steel cut oatmeal. For anyone seeking something a bit heftier to take you through the morning, the Floridian French Toast or Multi grain pancakes should please.

  • Distance from entrance: 2.8 miles
  • Address: 7500 W Sand Lake Rd #A101, Orlando, FL 32819. Hours: 7am-2:30
  • Menu highlights: Triple Berry Acai bowl, Huevos Rancheros Tostadas, Farmstand Breakfast Tacos, Market Skillet, Biscuits with Turkey Gravy, Lemon Ricotta pancakes

Hash House A Go-Go

Chicken Hash at Hash House a Go Go in Orlando, Florida

Hash House first opened in San Diego in 2000. Since then, new locations have popped up in various states including Nevada, Connecticut, New Jersey, Utah, and Florida. The unique menu offerings consist of “twisted farm food and crafted cocktails.” As servings are quite large, this is a great place to fill up before a full park day. The ambiance here is trendy, yet casual, and thus, the perfect pre-park “vacation casual” vibe.

The most popular offerings here are their trademark hashes, which are served alongside a giant biscuit and 2 eggs on an iron skillet. For anyone trying to eat a bit healthier, the veggie option is fantastic. This dish is loaded with fresh artichoke hearts, mushrooms, spinach, and sundried tomatoes. Super filling and you really can’t beat their tasty homemade biscuit – a great alterative to the usual toast. Love the fancy presentation with the signature rosemary garnish.

  • Distance from entrance: 1.9 miles
  • Address: 5350 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819. Hours: 8am-2pm (7 on Fri & Sat)
  • Menu highlights: Roasted Chicken Hash, Veggie Hash, Griddled French Toast, Vanilla Waffle

@the Diner

Fruity pebble pancakes at @the Diner in Orlando, Florida

This modern eatery is super popular with foodies for their creative sweet menu offerings. If you love pancakes, this is definitely the place to go. The hardest part is choosing between all the goodies which includes everything from Reese’s Pieces, to Fruity Pebbles, to Oreo Crunch specialty pancakes. If that’s not enough, they offer several varieties of French Toast including Blueberry Bliss, Strawberry and Nutella, and French Cannoli.

For anyone craving something a bit more ordinary, there are a number of Benedicts, Omelets, Belgian Waffles, and Bagels to choose amongst. The diner is a fairly new addition to Orlando’s restaurant scene having just opened in 2017. This newcomer is sure to please any Orlando tourist craving specialty pancakes.

  • Distance from entrance: 4.6 miles
  • Address: 5072 Dr Phillips Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819. Hours: 7am-3pm
  • Menu highlights: Greek omelet, Build-a-Benny, Florida Fruity French Toast, Blueberry Bliss French Toast, Fruity Pebble pancakes, Nutella and Strawberry Pancakes

CFS Coffee

Sweet Toast at CFS Coffee in Orlando, Florida

CFS is a wonderful local coffee shop specializing in Colombian coffee. In addition to serving up the best coffee and espresso drinks in Orlando, CFS offers a tasty menu filled with healthy breakfast selections. The drinks are presented in beautiful mugs. The ambiance is gorgeous as well with eclectic artwork adorning the walls and lots of cozy places to relax.

For a filling breakfast before a long park day, try the Sweet Toast. This simple, healthy, and satisfying breakfast consists of 2 pieces of multi grain toast topped with Nutella, peanut or almond butter, along with mixed berries, almonds, bananas, coconut flakes, and hemp seeds. Acai bowls, smoothie bowls, and avocado toast are also great options. Additionally, they serve omelets and fresh pastries. While their regular coffee is quite delicious, a number of specialty drinks are available including a Lavender Rainbow Latte, Golden Milk Latte, and Mocha Frappe.

As one drawback, they open a bit late (8am weekdays, 9am weekends), and thus, this is a good choice on a 1/2 day at the parks or a non-theme park day.

  • Distance from entrance: 2.9 miles
  • Address: 7535 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819 Hours: 8am-6pm (9am on Sat & Sun)
  • Menu highlights: Sweet Toast, Protein Pancakes, Banana Berry Oatmeal, Vegan Breakfast Sandwich, Smoothie Bowl Dragon Fruit, Yucca waffle

Also check out my full guide to exploring Universal theme parks