Ride TriMet to these tasty breakfast spots!

We’re fiercely opinionated about our breakfast places. We’re crazy for those pancakes, the heaping plates of fluffy biscuits smothered in gravy, omelets and, yes, even the reliable and definitely more healthy fruit plate. The Portland area is stacked with breakfast spots offering delectable and hearty traditional, vegan and gluten-free options. Here’s a list of nine great breakfast spots–some of which may be new to you–in Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Oregon City and Hillsboro, and they’re all accessible by TriMet buses and MAX!

Clackamas County

Babica Hen Cafe

Located in the Lake Grove area, in Lake Oswego, Babica Hen Cafe is creating made-from-scratch breakfasts from omelets to corned beef to avocado toast. Their waffles are the perfect combination of impressive, fun and tasty (check out the “Chocolate Berry Dream”). They have lots of gluten-free options, too. We like their warm and inviting space, plus they have ample outdoor seating. It’s a popular place for those in the know in LO and it’s easy to get there by bus. 

📍 15964 Boones Ferry Rd., Lake Oswego  – Plan a trip
🚌 37-Lake Grove

The Hive Social

Oregon City charms the heck out of us, and The Hive Social is no exception. Their brunch menu is exquisite and features savory delights like steak and eggs with charred tomato chimichurri and a shrimp and grit cake with duck fat sausage. Try the peaches and cream breakfast bowl or the watermelon poke if you need something lighter. They open at 7 a.m., and there are bus stops nearby, making for easy bus connections.

📍 602 7th St., Oregon City – Plan a trip
🚌 32-Oatfield
🚌 33-McLoughlin/King Rd

Vida 33 Bistro

We’ve had a serious love affair with Vida 33 Bistro’s breakfast for a while now. Their menu brings the best parts of Mexican and Peruvian cuisine together to create big flavors made with love. Their huevos divorciados served with green and red salsas are a standout, but their chilaquiles, breakfast chaufa and rotating specials are also very tasty. They’re located in the heart of downtown Milwaukie near multiple bus lines and the MAX Orange Line.

📍 10600 SE McLoughlin Blvd., suite 105, Milwaukie – Plan a trip
🚌 29-Lake/Webster Rd
🚌 32-Oatfield
🚌 33-McLoughlin/King Rd
🚌 34-Linwood/River Rd
🚌 75-Cesar Chavez/Lombard
🚈 MAX Orange Line

Multnomah County

Northport

The Kenton neighborhood’s Northport is doing great, big, delicious things in a delightful space. Their waffles (with fried chicken and pan seared duck breast as options) are just the right kind of fluffy, yet crispy where they need to be. They describe themselves as “Pacific Northwest American food with a Latin American twist,” and with their tres leches French toast and farmer’s hash featuring oyster mushrooms, crema, queso fresco and eggs, we totally agree. MAX Yellow Line is just a four minute walk or roll away, and there’s a bus stop for the 4-Fessenden even closer. 

📍 8103 N Denver Ave., Portland – Plan a trip
🚌4-Fessenden
🚌 75-Cesar Chavez/Lombard
🚈 MAX Yellow Line

Off The Griddle

Vegan? Soy-free? Gluten-free? Yes, yes and yes! Plus, there are dairy cheese and egg choices for those who prefer those options, so there’s something for everyone at Off The Griddle. Menu highlights include a brisket hash with jackfruit “brisket,” a big breakfast burrito and an extensive selection of waffles (all made with a blue cornmeal base). There are so many options that you’ll need multiple visits to sample everything. There are three nearby bus lines, making for an easy walk or roll to the spot. 

📍 6526 SE Foster Rd., Portland – Plan a trip
🚌 10-Harold St
🚌 14-Hawthorne/Foster
🚌 17-Holgate/Broadway

Sckavone’s Restaurant

We’ve been fans of Sckavone’s for a long time, since way before our FX2-Division line started service along Division Street. They’re making really solid breakfasts. Their corned beef hash keeps us coming back, as does the chicken fried steak and the smoked gouda scramble. The historic soda fountain counter inside the historic building is super cool, too. They also have outside seating if that’s your thing.

📍 4100 SE Division St., Portland – Plan a trip
🚌 FX2-Division
🚌 14-Hawthorne/Foster
🚌 75-Cesar Chavez/Lombard

Washington County

Family Cafe

Wow! Just, wow! Great, tasty things are happening at Family Cafe, located in the heart of Beaverton. Their breakfasts combine American and Iraqi flavors. Try their excellent eggs and lamb, dates and eggs or go big with their “special breakfast” platter that serves two people. They also have pancakes and waffles for those who prefer a more traditional breakfast. They have everything we like: Big flavors, a welcoming environment and attentive staff. Their coffees and teas are also must-trys. Get there by bus or MAX!

12580 SW Broadway St., Beaverton – Plan a trip
🚌 53-Arctic/Allen
🚌 52-Farmington/185th 
🚌 76-Hall/Greenburg
🚌 88-Hart/198th
🚌 Multiple bus lines at Beaverton Transit Center
🚈 MAX Blue Line
🚈 MAX Red Line
🚈 WES Commuter Rail

Cornell Farm Nursery and Cafe

It’s all in the name. Cornell Farm Nursery and Cafe is part nursery/garden center and part cafe. They’re located in SW Portland’s West Hills, served by the 20-Burnside/Stark bus line. They serve brunch items (bacon-lettuce-tomato sandwiches, salads, a cous cous bowl) alongside huevos rancheros, a bacon Benedict, yogurt and waffles, and more. The experience of eating in a historic 1926 farmhouse then exploring the thousands of plants outside on the farm is a great combo. There’s a bus just steps away, making for an easy outing without having to drive.

8212 SW Barnes Rd., Portland – Plan a Trip
🚌 20-Burnside/Stark

Reedville Cafe

Sometimes you just want the classics: Blueberry pancakes, French toast and egg scrambles. That’s a big reason why we like Reedville Cafe. They’re consistent because they’ve been at it for decades, and they have their specialties locked in. We’re trying to work our way through the “country gravy classics” section of their menu, but we get sidetracked by their other comfort food offerings. Ride there on our line 57-TV Hwy/Forest Grove bus. 

7575 SE Tualatin Valley Hwy., Hillsboro – Plan a Trip
🚌 57-TV Hwy/Forest Grove