It’s often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Yet so many people rush through it with an uninspiring bowl of cereal or worse, skip it altogether.
Not me — I never miss breakfast and take every opportunity to enjoy it at a local restaurant. There’s just something special about kicking off the day with a big, bountiful plate of food, preferably served with a smile and lots of iced tea (or coffee, if that’s your jam).
And here’s an added bonus: If you get good and stuffed, and you won’t need to eat again until dinner — so, it’s really like two meals!
Whether you like it sweet or savory, healthy or decadent, here are some of the best places to get your breakfast on in the Santa Clarita Valley:
Casa Canela
Open daily 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
27647 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus
661-523-7282
This big, bustling restaurant has all the classics, plus a selection full of Mexican favorites like huevos rancheros and chilaquiles. There’s also something unique called “enfrijoladas”($10.95) – three enchiladas filled with scrambled eggs, peppers and onions, topped with green sauce and a drizzle of crema, served on a bed of wonderful, clearly homemade refried beans. It’s filling and fabulous when paired with the house potatoes (ask for those to be cooked crispy — you’re welcome). Oh, and you can also add a Belgian side waffle for $5.99, which is perfect to split with a pal.
Cathy’s Deli
Open daily 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
23120 Lyons Avenue, No. 24, Newhall
Owner Eric Tovar-Plummer is so obsessed with breakfast that he used to travel as far as Carmel to get a good one. Thankfully, you’ll only have to drive to Newhall to get inspired breakfast dishes at Cathy’s Deli, such as the decadent duck confit Benny ($13.95), savory duck layered over English muffins, topped with luscious poached eggs and a lemony bright hollandaise. The huge, unwieldy, yet obscenely delicious breakfast hamburger ($13.95) features crispy hash browns and eggs any way you choose with a sizzling beef patty and a generous smear of bacon onion cranberry jam on a soft brioche bun. Got a sweet tooth? Try the towering slabs of horchata French toast ($13.95), bearing crispy brown bits from the griddle and a custard-like, sweet cinnamon center that melts in your mouth.
Daily Harvest Café & Juicery
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Closed Monday)
22722 Lyons Avenue, Suite 6, Newhall
(661) 383-9387
If you’re looking for a place to please everyone in your party – foodies, vegans, and those on gluten-free, keto, or paleo diets – then head to the Daily Harvest Café & Juicery. Avocado toast ($6.50) is magical here – crispy, yet soft bread topped with a generous amount of vibrant avocado mash and juicy cherry tomatoes. Add an egg ($2) or a huge mound of luscious, wild-caught smoked salmon ($4.50) to make it a meal. The breakfast pizza ($10), is a thin, crispy flatbread nestling savory chunks of pancetta, succulent cubes of potatoes, melted pecorino cheese, and two beautifully baked eggs showered with basil and green onion. Fresh-baked goodies ($3.50 to $5) include an irresistibly moist, gluten-free zucchini bread with notes of cinnamon or a hearty yet tender vegan Chia seed muffin loaded with banana essence and toasted walnuts. Need a little extra boost? Order an organic, cold pressed juice ($9.50) for yourself or a gorgeous flight ($10) of eight jewel-toned shots for the table. You’ll leave energized and ready to take on the day.
Gyromania
Open daily 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
20655 Soledad Canyon Road, Saugus
(661) 252-4976
Gyromania has a fun, casual vibe, but the food is seriously tasty, not to mention generous. At breakfast, you’ll get diner-style quality pancakes, French toast, burritos, and sandwiches, served quickly and at a great price. The Greek Omelette ($6.99) is bursting with fresh veggies like spinach, tomatoes, and bell peppers inside a tender, fluffy three-egg envelope topped with lots of melted cheddar and creamy, tangy feta. Fresh, seasoned hash browns and your choice of bread round out the meal. Hot tip – get some garlic sauce from the self-serve condiment bar and spread on top of the omelet for next level flavor.
Smokehouse on Main
Brunch served only on Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon
24255 Main Street, Newhall
(661) 888-4585
Sundays are a great day to indulge in a big, yummy breakfast and Smokehouse on Main delivers the goods with a down-home, barbecue-influenced flair. Weather permitting, grab a seat on the patio, break out the paper and linger over options like Texas breakfast tacos, hash brown casserole, or the Southern Eggs Benedict. The latter has layers of smoky, fork tender pulled pork on English muffins, topped with picture-perfect poached eggs and a creamy, dreamy hollandaise sauce. There are vegetarian benedicts and omelets, too, all served with stellar hash browns and your choice of toast.
