Breakfast is, arguably, one of the best meals of the day. Whether you eat it first thing in the morning or you’re a brunch-lover, you can’t go wrong with a stack of pancakes, a plate of (vegan) bacon and eggs, a bagel, or a simple bowl of cereal and oat milk. But when did we first start eating breakfast? And why? We’ve got the answers below. And, on those days when you roll out of bed and don’t feel like cooking, we’ve also listed the best chains to grab some delicious plant-based morning grub.
Why do we eat breakfast?
Although it is now considered by many to be the most important meal of the day, people don’t always eat breakfast.
For example, people who lived in medieval Europe would only eat early if they had to get up early for work, or if they were suffering from an illness. Some rejected the idea for religious reasons. Fasting was the height of morality, and eating too early in the morning was seen as a sign of gluttony. Fun fact: The word breakfast literally means breaking the fast – because we fast as soon as we go to bed.
But over the centuries, as new foods and drinks (such as tea and coffee) were introduced to Europe from their colonized countries, breakfast became more normal and even celebrated.
During the Victorian era, people on both sides of the Atlantic enjoyed breakfast. For poor, working-class people, it would be something simple and quick, but for, say, wealthy Americans, breakfast has become a feast of poached eggs, English muffins, toast and French cheese, the report said. CBS.
The 19th century also saw the invention of cereals such as Quaker oats and cornflakes. And at the turn of the 20th century, breakfast, as we know it today, began to take shape.
A popular vegan breakfast dish
According to In the United States today, Bacon, eggs, sausage and pancakes are among the top five breakfast foods for Americans. But plant-based alternatives to all of these foods exist, so if you want to indulge in a big vegetarian meal in the morning, you don’t have to miss out. To learn more about vegan bacon options, follow our guide to the best brands here. We’ve also got the ultimate guide to vegan sausages, and you can find out everything you need to know about one of the most popular vegan egg products, Just Egg, here.
Where to buy vegan breakfast
Life is all about the little things that give us joy. And waking up on the weekend and finding somewhere to eat a delicious breakfast is one of those little things. Fortunately, vegetarian breakfast options are on par all the time—and not just in the United States.
If you’re in Toronto, Revelstoke Cafe is the new brunch spot that’s turning its customers toward plant-based dishes, including vegan breakfast classics like tofu scramble and cashew hollandaise. And in London, the popular breakfast chain Breakfast Club serves an extensive vegan menu and even turns one location completely vegan for vegans.
But in the US, there are also vegetarian breakfast options. The next time your stomach growls in the morning, consider breaking your fast at one of these chains.
Crossroads Kitchen/Instagram
1 Crossroads Kitchen
On weekends, visit one of Crossroad Kitchen’s three locations for a satisfyingly meaty, yet completely vegan brunch. Depending on your mood, there are options like Chicken & Waffles, Impossible Breakfast Sausage Sandwiches and Impossible Breakfast Sausage Burritos. If you prefer something lighter, grab a grapefruit and avocado salad or a toasted bagel.
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Peet’s Coffee/Instagram
2 Peet’s Coffee
If you’re in the mood for a stage and morning coffee (with dairy-free milk, of course), head to Pete’s and try the Everything Plant-Based Sandwich, which includes Beyond Breakfast Sausage, Just Egg, and Vegan Cheddar Cheese.
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Alfred Coffey/Instagram
3 Alfred Coffey
Popular LA coffee chain Alfred’s has something for everyone, including vegans. Grab an iced, dairy-free latte, and if your stomach rumbles, there are choices like an avo bagel with chives and micro greens or a VLT bagel with avocado, lettuce and tomato.
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@nderaney_/Instagram
4 Caribou Coffee
Caribou Coffee started in Minnesota in the 1990s and has since expanded to nearly 485 locations across the United States. If you have a place near you, drop by in the morning for an Iced Oatmilk Crafted Press and Just Egg Roasted Tomato and Pesto Flatbread, complete with vegan cheese.
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Starbucks
5 Starbucks
If you pass a Starbucks (which, frankly, is a frequent occurrence for most of us), meat-free breakfast options include an Impossible Breakfast sandwich (which comes with eggs and cheese) or a bagel with avocado spread (which is completely vegan). !)
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Plant Power Fast Food/Instagram
6 Plant power fast food
Vegan breakfast options may be lacking at McDonald’s, but you can still pick up a meaty, cheesy plant-based muffin, croissant or bagel at the California-based chain’s plant-based fast food. Don’t forget the hash browns!
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Weird Burgers/Instagram
7 Weird burger
Odd Burger (formerly known as Globally Local) is currently a Canada-based vegan chain, but it’s on its way to the U.S. soon, as it signed a letter of intent last year to open 50 new spots in the U.S. and Europe. And when that moment comes, make sure your stomach is ready, because its vegetarian breakfast menu — including bacon maple crunch, faconator and ham breakfast sandwiches — is extensive.
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@eats_n_deets/Instagram
8 haha mexican
For a taste of Mexico in the morning, head to one of the Zaza Mexicana New York locations and grab a brekkie burrito with vegan eggs and mushrooms, or treat yourself to a big stack of kale pancakes with coconut mango jam.
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Butcher’s Daughter/Instagram
9 butcher’s daughter
Despite the name, The Butcher’s Daughter is an entirely vegetarian chain, with locations in Venice, West Hollywood, Nolita, Williamsburg and the West Village. On weekends, it serves a brunch menu, which is completely vegan loaded with banana bread and butcher’s pancakes with coconut flakes and berry sauce.
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black coffee
10 black coffee
Based in London and inspired by Italy, the coffee chain Cafe Nero also has several locations in the United States. And just like its UK spots, there are a handful of vegan options on the menu, including a vegan breakfast roll with Beyond Sausage, Just Egg and Daiya Vegan Cheese.
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IHOP
11 IHOP
OK, so unfortunately the pancakes at IHOP are not vegetarian. But don’t despair, the popular pancake chain has plenty of plant-based choices on its menu, including plant-based sausage, avocado toast and crispy hashbrowns.
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What do you think?
12 What do you think?
Qdoba is a great place to grab a quick burrito for lunch or dinner, but also has some vegan breakfast options. Ask for the Potato Breakfast Burrito, or the Potato Breakfast Bowl without eggs or cheese, and ask for extra guac.
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Breakfast Republic/Instagram
13 Breakfast Republic
Breakfast Republic caters to all tastes and lifestyle preferences and its vegetarian menu does not disappoint. There’s even a Harvest Omelet, complete with plant-based eggs, veggies, vegan sausage, pancakes and a vegan breakfast burrito with meatless beef strips.
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@nourishingmeg/Instagram
14 Planta
With 10 locations across the US and Canada, Planta is the place to go if you’re celebrating something special. Its indulgent plant-based brunch menu includes French toast, frittatas and oats. If you prefer a little less breakfast, there’s also a poke bowl with spicy ahi watermelon and hearts of date.
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Only eggs/Facebook
15 Saxbys
It’s all-day breakfast every day at Philadelphia-based Saxbys, so don’t worry if you want a very long lay-in. After you wake up, though, you should definitely try the plant-based breakfast grilled cheese with dairy-free cheddar and just eggs.
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Silver dinner
16 Silver dinner
Eastern US chain Silver Diner offers truly vegan breakfast options. If you want to keep it simple, there’s the standard (yet always delicious) pancake stack, or you can have the Just Egg Breakfast Tacos, which are served with BBQ outside of the meat. You can also add some tempeh bacon if you’re extra hungry.
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Turning Point/Instagram
17 deadline
With 20 locations across New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, Turning Point is a vegan breakfast paradise. There are plant-based omelets, sausages, patties and just eggs, but the star of the menu is the I Can’t Believe They Are Vegan Pancakes, served with fresh fruit.
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Gregory’s Coffee
18 Gregory’s Coffee
New York-based Gregory’s Coffee goes above and beyond with its breakfast menu, prepared under the guidance of its own in-house registered dietitians. The Croissant Deluxe is one of its most popular menu items, but vegans don’t have to miss out, as the chain has created a plant-based version with vegan eggs, sausage and cheese.
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To know more about vegetarian breakfast, read:
Charlotte is a writer and editor based in sunny Southsea on the south coast of England.