9 Underrated Pennsylvania Breakfast Joints That Locals Swear By
Pennsylvania hides some amazing breakfast treasures beyond the typical chain restaurants. These local spots serve up morning meals that keep residents coming back week after week.
From Amish-run counters to fusion cafés, these underrated breakfast joints offer unique flavors and atmospheres you won’t find anywhere else.
1. Dutch Eating Place – Philadelphia
Tucked inside the bustling Reading Terminal Market, this Amish-run counter serves breakfast that’s worth the wait. Their blueberry pancakes practically melt in your mouth.
Locals line up early for their famous apple dumplings and crispy scrapple. The no-frills setting only adds to its charm, simple food made with care is what keeps Philadelphians returning.
2. Griddle & Grind Café – Ephrata
Morning magic happens at this charming creperie where paper-thin pancakes come filled with everything from Nutella to savory ham and cheese. The café’s warm brick walls and locally-roasted coffee create the perfect morning retreat.
Regulars swear by their seasonal fruit crepes, topped with just the right amount of powdered sugar and homemade whipped cream.
3. Camp Hill Café – Camp Hill
French countryside vibes meet Pennsylvania hospitality at this hidden gem. Sunlight streams through large windows onto tables where locals savor fluffy omelets stuffed with fresh ingredients.
Their avocado toast isn’t your basic version, it comes loaded with microgreens and perfectly poached eggs. The home fries, seasoned with a secret blend of spices, have developed their own following.
4. Moxham Deli – Johnstown
Family-owned since the 1980s, this unassuming deli serves breakfast portions that could fuel you through a steel mill shift. Their corned beef hash uses meat they cure in-house.
Regulars know to order the griddle cakes, thicker than pancakes but fluffier than waffles. The vintage counter stools have witnessed generations of Johnstown locals starting their day with eggs cooked exactly how they like them.
5. The Corner Room – State College
Since 1926, this Penn State institution has been feeding hungry college students and professors alike. The historic dining room with its vintage booths feels frozen in time in the best possible way.
Their signature grilled stickies, sticky buns grilled in butter, have achieved legendary status. Paired with a mug of their bottomless coffee, it’s the quintessential State College breakfast experience locals cherish.
6. Pamela’s Diner – Pittsburgh
Presidents and steelworkers alike have fallen for the crepe-style hotcakes at this retro diner. The thin, crispy edges and soft centers create a texture that’s impossible to replicate at home.
Their Lyonnaise potatoes – sliced thin and fried with onions until caramelized, have inspired countless imitations. The vintage decor varies between locations, but the quality of breakfast remains consistently outstanding across all their Pittsburgh spots.
7. Green Eggs Café – Philadelphia
Sustainability meets indulgence at this eco-conscious eatery where the red velvet pancakes have achieved cult status. Stacked high and drizzled with cream cheese frosting, they’re a sweet tooth’s dream come true.
Their chicken and waffle Benedict combines two breakfast favorites with a twist. The zero-waste kitchen philosophy means everything is fresh and nothing goes to waste; a rare find that environmentally-conscious locals appreciate.
8. Cafe La Maude – Philadelphia
Middle Eastern flavors meet French techniques at this Northern Liberties gem. Their shakshuka – eggs poached in spiced tomato sauce ; arrives sizzling in a cast iron pan with fresh-baked bread for dipping.
Za’atar-dusted croissants offer a unique twist on the French classic. The Parisian café chairs spill onto the sidewalk in warm weather, where locals linger over Lebanese-style coffee, strong and cardamom-scented.
9. Daddypops Diner – Hatboro
This 1950s time capsule serves breakfast classics that haven’t changed in decades – and locals wouldn’t have it any other way. The chrome-trimmed countertop and swivel stools host regulars who’ve been coming for generations.
Their creamed chipped beef on toast (lovingly called ‘S.O.S.’ by regulars) follows the same recipe since opening day. The friendly waitstaff knows most customers by name and often starts pouring their coffee before they even sit down.
