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Guide To The Shore: Top Breakfast Spots

Breakfast at the Jersey Shore isn't just another meal, it's an experience! It doesn't matter whether you're an early bird or a late riser, there are a variety of restaurants that have their doors wide open for you and your family. –Veronica Dudo

Uncle Bill's Mug
(Credit: www.unclebillspancakehouse.com)

Uncle Bill's Pancake House

Willard Road & Ocean Drive
Strathmere, NJ 08248
(609) 263-7154
www.unclebillspancakehouse.com

Uncle Bill's Pancake House is a staple for a delicious breakfast at the Jersey Shore. For over 45 years, all of the family owned and operated locations along the South Jersey shoreline have been serving their famous pancakes. In addition to their pride in good quality food, great service and a clean family-friendly atmosphere, Patrick O'Hara, the manager of three Uncle Bill's locations, says his team understands that patrons are typically on vacation and have full agendas, so their goal is to offer guests fast--but friendly--customer service.

Visiting Uncle Bill's has become an annual family tradition for many vacationing down the shore. In the summer, the restaurant serves thousands of pancakes each day and uses fresh produce from local farmers. Uncle Bill's is known for offering over 15 different types of pancakes, waffles, French toast and omelets. Some guest favorites include: Uncle Bill's Stuffed French Toast, strawberry waffles, blueberry buttermilk pancakes, peanut butter and chocolate chip pancakes, scrapple and eggs, sausage and eggs with pancakes, and creamed chipped beef.

Breakfast is served all day, with lunch options beginning at 11 a.m. With additional locations in Ocean City, Avalon, Cape May, North Cape May, Stone Harbor and Wildwood, Uncle Bill's Pancake House is a true breakfast destination at the Jersey Shore.

Hannah G's
(Credit: www.hannahgs.com)

Hannah-G's

7310 Ventnor Avenue
Ventnor, NJ 08406
(609) 823-1466
www.hannahgs.com

Just two blocks away from the beach, Hannah-G's is a great spot to stop in for breakfast. Whether it's after a stroll on the boardwalk, a workout in the gym or after a little shopping, this quaint restaurant offers specialty omelets, waffles, hotcakes, breakfast sandwiches, fresh fruit, cereal and more. Through the years, customers have come to appreciate owners Donna and Kevin McCarthy's cooking policy, "special orders don't upset us."

This popular eatery's façade features its signature blue awning. Guests have their choice of sitting at a table or at the breakfast bar. Inside on the wall is a "specials" board offering the top picks of the day. Another major draw at Hannah-G's is their special organic menu. For health conscious patrons, Power Pancakes are a very popular item. Packing 27 grams of protein, these healthy alternatives are made with flax seed, non-fat organic cottage cheese and organic flour. Their homemade organic power muffins are also a top seller and are not only healthy, but flavorful.

This cozy café is also mindful of breakfast lovers looking for traditional items or vacationers wanting to splurge. Hannah-G's offers classic favorites such as the Taylor pork roll, eggs and melted cheese on a kaiser roll; lox, tomato, lettuce onion and cream cheese on a bagel; a belgian waffle with fruit; a ham, peppers, onions; a cheese omelet; and a fresh fruit bowl. This little spot at the shore is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year and continues to serve a tasty selection of breakfast items which keeps customers coming back for more.

Open from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily, Hannah-G's also serves lunch on the premises. They do not accept credit cards.

Johnny's Cafe & Martini Bar
(Credit: www.johnnyscafeventnor.com)

Johnny's Café & Martini Bar

9407 Ventnor Avenue
Margate City, NJ 08402
(609) 822-1789
www.johnnyscafeventnor.com

Nestled in the heart of the Margate business district, this charming and trendy restaurant serves a hearty breakfast in a contemporary setting.

Johnny Liccio is the chef and manager at Johnny's Café, and his wife, Joanne, is the owner. The establishment has a family-friendly atmosphere and breakfast comes at a good price. Lunch and dinner are also served.

The restaurant's décor is rustic yet chic and accented with artwork for sale by local artists. On cold days, a cozy fireplace lights up the back room, which has a bar with spacious seating. In the main dining room, well wishes, restaurant awards, and reviews from Philadelphia and Atlantic City media organizations are proudly on display.

The café menu features specialty dishes including the Salmon Platter with sliced tomatoes, red onion, capers, cucumbers and cream cheese on a bagel; Steak and Eggs; Eggs Florentine with spinach and crab-meat; homemade banana bread; Parfait Cup with layered fruit, yogurt and granola; and breakfast sandwiches with your choice of bacon, ham, Italian sausage or pork roll, and roasted potatoes.

Chef Johnny grew up in South Philly watching his grandmother cook everyday for the family. Those experiences served as inspiration for the menu. Even today, Chef Johnny buys the restaurant's meats and poultry from Esposito's Meats on 9th Street in Philadelphia.

Johnny's Café is open year round from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. and offers a modern dining experience that serves up big flavors.

The Chelsea's Teplitzkys
(Credit: www.thechelsea-ac.com)

Teplitzky's

111 S. Chelsea Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 428-4550
www.thechelsea-ac.com/restaurants.php

Teplitzky's is located inside the Chelsea Hotel and offers diner-inspired food in a fun and classic setting. Its close proximity to the beach and boardwalk make this coffee shop/diner a convenient place to visit for some divine dishes.

Patrons who dine-in are met with original terrazzo floors, redwood walls, and cantilevered stools. When it opened during World War II, the Teplitzky family's restaurant was known on the East Coast as a kosher restaurant. Now, vintage photos of the original Teplitzky's are placed throughout the restaurant.

Guests can dine at tables, relax at the breakfast bar or chill out in spacious booths. The coffee shop serves cappuccino, café au lait, espresso and tea. On the menu under "Wake Up Calls," Teplitzky's offers Bloody Marys or mimosas for those seeking an extra pep in their step in the morning.

The breakfast menu features many options like protein shakes, monkey bread, parfaits, stuffed challah French toast, lox and bagels, plus a variety of omelets. If you're up to the challenge, there's also "The Big Teplitzky," which is yours free of charge—if you can finish it in less than 15 minutes! And with four pancakes, four pieces of French toast, six eggs, hash browns, bacon, turkey sausage and a pork roll, it's sure to be a challenge.

Teplitzky's modern take on an old classic makes this spot in Atlantic City a charming place for breakfast.

701 Mosaic
(Credit: 701 Mosaic)

701 Mosaic

701 Fourth Street
Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609) 398-2700

701 Mosaic is located in Ocean City, but this corner café serves up the eclectic tastes of the islands. Situated just two blocks from the beach, the breakfast spot has a welcoming atmosphere and delectable dishes.

In August 2008, Chef Allwood and his wife Pamela opened the restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chef Allwood is originally from Jamaica in the West Indies but was trained in French and Italian cuisine. He was a chef in New York City for more than 30 years.

The husband-wife team work together to ensure the food is savory, the ambience is friendly, and the dining room is always clean. Dark brown chairs and tables rest on the tiled floors, and colorful works of art dress the walls. The food is fresh and made-to-order with island-flare, and combines an array of old and new world flavors.

Breakfast dishes include a stack of buttermilk pancakes; a smoked salmon omelet; two farm fresh eggs any style with bacon, ham, sausage or turkey sausage, home fries and fried sweet plantains. Another unique feature patrons enjoy is the side of fresh fruit that is served with every breakfast dish.

701 Mosaic caters to all of their customers' needs while bringing traditional island cuisine to the Jersey Shore.

Ozzie's Luncheonette

2401 Atlantic Avenue
Longport, NJ 08403
(609) 487-0575

The nifty fifty's are back! At Ozzie's Luncheonette in Longport, guests are transported back in time to this very special era in history. Adorned with vintage photos and classic memorabilia from the 1950s, this nostalgic eatery holds a special place in the hearts of loyal customers, and its allure charms newcomers as well.

Since 1952, Ozzie's has had a presence on the island. Over a decade ago, the restaurant was refurbished to look and feel just like the original. After walking in, guests are met by sparkly red booths atop a black and white checkered floor, and there's a breakfast bar complete with matching stools. Additionally, the luncheonette offers outside seating for patrons on pleasant days.

Ozzie's serves breakfast from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. every day. Some of the restaurant's noted breakfast dishes include Granola French Toast; international omelets; breakfast egg wraps; Oatmeal Belgium Waffles with fresh fruit on top; and the "Kitchen Magic," a Mexican-infused breakfast with black beans, ham, cilantro and two eggs sunny side up over a crispy tortilla. Ozzie's also serves lunch.

Duffer's
(Credit: www.dufferswildwood.com)

Duffer's Restaurant "A Family Place"

5210 Pacific Avenue
Wildwood, NJ 08260
(609) 729-1817
www.dufferswildwood.com

Duffer's Restaurant has more than just appetizing food; they also have their very own train, mini-golf course, arcade, gift shop and of course, their famous homemade ice-cream!

Located in Wildwood, the restaurant's Victorian decor adds to its family-friendly atmosphere. Traditional breakfast items are offered alongside specialties such as crepes, stuffed French toast, gourmet pancakes and croissants. Those with a sweet tooth can always order ice-cream, too. With tons of options from huge sundaes and banana splits to waffles with homemade ice cream or the famous "Duffer's Challenge"—which includes a dozen scoops of ice-cream—the restaurant is a great place to stop in solely for dessert.

Duffer's Restaurant is a place where children can eat big breakfasts, play in the arcade, shoot a few holes of mini golf and enjoy an ice-cream sundae. One ageless family favorite is the Duffer's Express, a train that runs on a shelf below the ceiling throughout the restaurant. This colorful train delights patrons as it makes its way around the property. While checking out all the décor, see if you can spot "Herbie," the unicycle-riding bear.

The arcade is filled with games and prizes for children to win. Duffer's 18-hole miniature golf course has a throwback layout with ramps and trick shots that make the game entertaining. Some featured holes include castles, a pirate ship and a lighthouse that actually lights up, adding a soft glow to the course in the evening.

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