Staying in the Bloomington-Normal area and craving your favorite breakfast foods? Luckily, there are plenty of places around to get some pancakes, waffles, eggs or whatever else gets you started in the morning while you sip a coffee. All the classic chains - Denny’s, IHOP, Panera, Dunkin’ - are present, but there’s also a bunch of independent places that serve a great breakfast.

Let’s have a look at 6 of our favorite places for breakfast in Bloomington IL, based on personal experience!

Fort Jesse Cafe, Normal

We love the cheerful décor and range of different breakfast food and coffee options at Fort Jesse Cafe in the Normal area. Whether you just want to start your day with some yogurt and fruit or prefer going all out with eggs, hash browns, fried chicken, waffles or a classic stack of pancakes, you’ll find something on their extensive breakfast menu. 

Breakfast is available all day here, so there’s no need to get up early. Do keep in mind that this is one of the current local favorites for breakfast in Bloomington IL, so you may want to consider calling to make a reservation. It fills up quick!

Shannon's Five Star, Bloomington

Looking for a homey place serving classic American comfort foods for breakfast? You’ve found it! Shannon’s Five Star in the Bloomington part of town is a casual diner just off the Historic Route 66 that serves breakfast skillets, hash browns, biscuits & gravy and many more breakfast favorites, along with good coffee and juice. On the weekend, they also offer a breakfast buffet.

Shannon’s Five Star serves breakfast until 11 am (or 12 on Sundays), so don’t miss out! 

Uncle Tom's Pancake House

Located in Normal, Uncle Tom’s Pancake House is an old-fashioned diner that’s a go-to for generous portions of typical, no-nonsense breakfast food: pancakes, eggs, waffles and everything else you grew up loving. On top of this classic fare, plus plenty of coffee, Uncle Tom’s also serves wraps, salads and much more, so there’s something here for everyone!

Breakfast here is served all day, so there’s no rush. We love the friendly staff and fair pricing.

The Original Pancake House

Although The Original Pancake House is a chain with over 90 franchises around the USA, it has kept the quality high and its restaurant in the Normal area is absolutely worth a visit for breakfast. These guys take pancakes seriously: their signature dish is an apple-cinnamon pancake, but they also serve plenty of other breakfast favorites.

Enjoy a classic stack of pancakes or go for a Dutch baby, potato pancakes, waffles, crêpes, french toast, omelettes and many more comforting breakfast foods until 1 pm (2 pm on weekends). Remember, this place is popular locally, so you may have to wait a bit on busy days!

Garden of Paradise, Bloomington

Although Garden of Paradise in Bloomington is open all day and also serves lunch and dinner, we particularly love this establishment for its breakfast options and its friendly staff. It’s a total Bloomington classic!

A typical casual family restaurant, Garden of Paradise serves typical American breakfast fare with a Greek touch: eggs (including eggs Benedict!), biscuits & gravy, omelettes, pancakes, waffles and much more, accompanied by plenty of coffee, milk or juice. 

Coffeehouse & Deli, Normal

Looking for vegan breakfast options? Don’t worry, Normal’s got you covered! Near the Bloomington-Normal train station is Coffeehouse & Deli, a great little café that serves good coffee and great food. 

Although Coffeehouse & Deli is known for its vegan and vegetarian-friendly menu, it also offers all the classics: eggs, pancakes, French toast, breakfast burritos and more. And don’t forget to try their pastries either, as they’ve got a great variety and it’s all made in-house. Coffee enthusiasts can also buy their favorite single-origins and tasty flavored coffee blends here, and the place even carries loose-leaf teas.

Conclusion

Anyone staying in the area can rest assured that a good breakfast in Bloomington IL is easy to find! And if you’re visiting, why not stay at the House of Games? This fully equipped holiday rental sleeps up to 10 people and comes with arcade machines, a rec room, game room, garden and much more! You can book your stay now.