14 Alabama breakfast spots worth waking up early for

Everyone knows the first meal of the day is the most important, but it can also be the most delicious too — especially if you enjoy it at one of the state’s many breakfast spots.

Of course, when there are so many great breakfast spots, making a decision can be hard. Luckily, This is Alabama’s Facebook followers had plenty of suggestions. Whether you’re craving pancakes, biscuits and gravy, an omelet or some classic Southern fare, these restaurants from all over the state will have you covered.

You can read about 14 Alabama breakfast spots worth getting up early for below, and you can see more suggestions on the This is Alabama Facebook page.

Bacon, eggs and grits at The Waysider in Tuscaloosa. Located on Greensboro Avenue just off of 15th Street, the little red house with some of the Southeast’s best biscuits remains one of the town’s cornerstone restaurant destinations thanks to its rich history, southern hospitality, delicious breakfast and lunch and Alabama football-inspired decor. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)

The Waysider

1512 Greensboro Avenue in Tuscaloosa

There’s a lot to love about The Historic Waysider Restaurant, especially if you’re a fan of the Crimson Tide. Known for serving up a breakfast fit for a champion Tuesdays through Sundays, The Waysider has been an institution in Tuscaloosa for more than 70 years and offers a full menu of morning classics like country ham with red-eye gravy, steak and eggs, homemade biscuits that are worth the trip all on their own. There are even elephant-shaped pancakes on gamedays.

Oak & Alley Smokehouse

129 East Broad Street in Eufaula

Oak and Alley Smokehouse in Eufaula knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and they do their best to make it the most delicious too. From 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday, you can have your fill of grits bowls, breakfast sandwiches, biscuits with gravy, omelets and more piled high with sausage, bacon, ham and, in some cases, all of the above. Feeling extra hungry? Try a platter and throw some pancakes in the mix too.

Hound and Harvest

2358 Whitesburg Drive South in Huntsville

If you’re looking for something a little different than the standard fare you’ll find at most brunch spots, head to the Hound and Harvest in Huntsville. Served 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturdays and all day on Sundays, its brunch menu consists of unique offerings like a French toast casserole strudel and hot tamale supreme, alongside dishes like avocado toasts, house-made cereal and its Southern bowl, which combines cheesy grits, crispy bacon, tomato, chive, pickled red onion and sour cream.

The Original Pancake House

1931 11th Avenue South in Birmingham

Open until 2 p.m. seven days a week, The Original Pancake House in Birmingham seems like the obvious choice when those hot cake cravings kick in, and for many, it is. In business for more than 35 years, the beloved pancake house offers up almost every kind of pancakes you can imagine — from classic buttermilk to their popular apple as well as Georgia pecan, banana, coconut, buckwheat and so on — as well as specialties, like oven-baked Dutch baby, corn beef hash, crepes, eggs and more.

City Cafe

408 Main Avenue in Northport

Looking for an early breakfast spot? The iconic City Cafe in Northport starts serving at 4.am. Monday through Friday, and it doesn’t get much earlier than that. City Cafe, which has a serious following as one of the oldest restaurants in the state, sports a breakfast menu that includes all the classics — omelets, pancakes, French toast, sandwiches and so much more paired with grits, sausage, biscuits and more — to make sure you you kickstart your day (no matter how early you start it) with a full belly.

Read more: 5 things to know about City Cafe

Rama Jama’s

1000 Paul West Bryant Drive in Tuscaloosa

Rama Jama’s is a popular Tuscaloosa eatery that offers a full breakfast menu for hungry diners all day, every day of the week in an environment any fan of the Crimson Tide would love. Whether you’re craving a little bit of everything, like their breakfast combinations that include bacon, eggs, hashbrowns and pancakes, or something more along the lines of French toast or a chicken biscuit smothered in sausage gravy, they’ve got it.

Homecoming and Company

524 Gunter Avenue in Guntersville

Chocolate gravy fans, this is the breakfast spot for you. Open Tuesday through Sunday, Homecoming and Company in Guntersville is known for having the sweet Southern staple, served with warm, homemade biscuits, and so much more on their morning menu. Other offerings include their candied bacon-topped French toast, the Dirty Bird dish, which features chicken fingers, maple slaw and bacon jam served between two massive waffles, and so much more.

Rons Goode BBQ

8314 Alabama Highway 144 in Alexandria

Rons Goode BBQ started offering breakfast, which is served 7 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, only a year ago, but that hasn’t stopped many readers for talking about just how good it is. The morning menu lets diners pick from classic fares like biscuits and gravy or French toast as well as some signature items, like a breakfast burger, buffalo chicken biscuits and “the farmer,” which consists of crispy chicken, a fried egg, bacon and cheese on a biscuit topped with homemade peppered gravy.

Sunliner Diner

100 East 2nd Avenue in Gulf Shores

Travel back in time next time you’re in Gulf Shores by grabbing breakfast, served all day, every day, at the retro-themed Sunliner Diner. With a menu that’s as diverse as it is delicious and a look that’s right out of the ‘50s, we’re not surprised so many people have made the Sunliner their go-to breakfast spot while at the beach.

Salem’s Diner

2913 18th Street South in Homewood

Salem’s Diner opened in Homewood in 2006, and in the nearly 20 years since, it has become a favorite among locals and visitors alike, and its full breakfast menu is part of the reason why. Serving everything from omelets to French toast to breakfast sandwiches, pancakes and more, the diner has it all. Not sure what to get? One popular selection is the trashcan, which consists of hashbrowns, onions, peppers, tomatoes, cheese and spicy sausage plus two eggs if you order it “with a lid”.

Demetri’s BBQ

1901 28th Avenue South in Homewood

Who doesn’t love a little barbecue with their breakfast? At Demetri’s BBQ in Homewood, you can score the popular BBQ pork omelet, which features their smoked slow smoked pork and gouda cheese, as well as many other unique offerings, including breakfast tacos, bananas foster French toast, Huevos Rancheros and more. Open for breakfast every day of the week, be sure to try one of their “love” biscuits and the queso grits as well.

Joe’s Italian

21 Weatherly Club Drive in Alabaster

Joe’s Italian offers a brunch from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday where you can get the classic breakfast food you’d expect, like biscuits and gravy or an egg sandwich, as well as some more unexpected dishes, like its breakfast pizza or sausage, egg and cheese ravioli. There’s also breakfast tacos, skillet scrambles, jumbo buttermilk biscuits, frittatas and Nutella strawberry French toast, if you’re craving something sweet.

Tacky Jack’s

Locations in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan

For breakfast with a view, no matter which location you visit, be sure to head to Tacky Jack’s during your next beach trip to the Alabama coast. Served until 11 a.m. daily, the popular eatery’s breakfast menu offers a wide variety of dishes, including their giant wheelhouse pancakes, shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, eggs benedict, omelets, burritos, bowls and more, to everyone can find something they like. Oh, and be sure to wash whatever you order down with one of their signature Bloody Mary’s.

Classic on Noble

1024 Noble Street in Anniston

You never know what you’ll find during brunch at Classic on Noble in Anniston, which is served from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday only, but you know it’ll be good. For $35 a person, you can indulge in a variety of unique breakfast and lunch dishes, ranging from salads and fruit trays to custom omelets, pastries, hams and so much more at the fine dining spot’s buffet-style brunch. Just be sure to make a reservation in advance, or you might miss out.