Breakfast, we’re told, is the most important meal of the day. “Why,” Leslie Knope of the show Parks & Rec asks incredulously, “would anybody ever eat anything other than breakfast food?” and it’s a valid question in my opinion. If you take your first meal seriously, or you want to start doing so, please check out the following suggestions of five places to visit to satisfy all of your sweet and savory cravings. Also, please remember, these are MY favorite breakfast restaurants in Westerly…there are lots more places to get breakfast but I only included my top spots here.
Mia’s
Mia’s is known for its fun and welcoming vibe, beautiful view of the Pawcatuck River, and of course its scrumptious menu items. Offering simple American cuisine made with local, seasonal ingredients sourced from neighboring small businesses, Mia’s has something for everyone!
If you’re trying to keep it light, you can order the Vegan Quinoa Bowl, or Keto on the River, which is two eggs over sautéed spinach, served with sliced tomatoes and your choice of bacon, ham, or sausage. Substitute some freshly sliced tomato in place of hash browns.
Personally, I rarely keep it light and I typically order the Quiche of the Day or a breakfast wrap with bacon, and then I double down by splitting (depending on how much I like the person I’m with) a treat of the day, like a scone or muffin. My absolute favorite treat is the bacon “sin-amon” roll, which is truly remarkable, and here are my remarks – the bacon is wound up inside the roll itself, allowing it to be fully embraced by the dough and cinnamon sugar. Divine. Contact Info
Bridge
Just across the bridge from Mia’s is the aptly named Bridge Restaurant, first opened a decade ago. Daily arrivals of locally sourced fish and shellfish keep the seafood items and raw bar fresh beyond belief, and the restaurant is also devoted to providing delicious options for anyone with dietary restrictions or preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. Open year-round, Bridge has two fireplaces to keep you cozy during the winter, while outside dining directly on the Pawcatuck River in the warmer months is an experience not to be missed.
Although I will mourn the loss of the Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar for the rest of my natural-born days, I will never stop loving all of the other amazing food and beverage options at Bridge during their Sunday Brunch, including my favorite Chicken and Waffles in the state. Contact Info
High Tide Juice Bar
High Tide’s owners were born and raised in Westerly, so their passion for sea and surf is deep-seated and has inspired the vibe and menu of their super chill, super delicious juice bar. After spending time on the West Coast and the Hawaiian Islands, Sam and Pete returned home and decided to take some of the best tasting (and best-for-you) things (x) and introduce them to their fellow Westerly residents. “We don’t consider ourselves experts, but we do know how to make some wicked good juice.”
If I need a quick, bright start to my day, I grab Buddha’s belly, which is a mix of cucumber, pineapple, and beet juice. For something a little more substantial, I recommend the Pitaya (dragonfruit) Smoothie Bowl, consisting of organic pitaya, mango, strawberries, and coconut milk, topped with granola, coconut, and fresh fruit. You can add on acai powder, hemp seed, cacao, chia, honey, coconut, plant protein powder, goji berry, spirulina, peanut butter, extra fruit, matcha, and maca root for a little extra, too, and why wouldn’t you? If you’re in the mood for something to sink your teeth on, the pineapple melt is delightful and different than anything else you’ll find in town – a tangy, savory mix of pineapple and cheddar cheese on pressed sourdough bread. Contact Info
Amigo’s
If you want to take an even deeper dive down past the West Coast-inspired menu of High Tide, Amigo’s offers some outstanding modern Mexican options. Amigos has been satisfying Westerly’s cravings for food from Mexico, Spain, Central, and South America for seven years, and while it may be easy to find many a classic American breakfast option in downtown, only Amigo’s offers such an array of exotic breakfast items.
If I’m craving something sweet, it’s hard to choose between the Churro Waffle (with Dulce de Leche) or La Feria Pancakes (topped with plantains and condensed milk), so I just alternate between the two each time I visit. If you’re seeking something on the savory side, I recommend the Toluca Eggs Benedict, which consists of poached eggs (of course) but also grilled cactus, sliced chorizo, and a chipotle hollandaise sauce, served with rice and beans. Contact Info
B&B Dockside
For another, more local spin on Eggs Benedict, you have to order the Eggs Benedicto from B&B Dockside, which is made with soupy direct from Westerly Packing, along with onions and peppers on toasted Italian and topped with a tomato basil hollandaise. Please note that B&B, originally located on Oak Street, is not a bed and breakfast – it’s Burgers and Breakfast, so here’s my most real recommendation for your weekend brunch options: get yourself a burger, but not just any burger – The TK, which is everything you’d want in a burger, plus bacon, plus a fried egg, plus their specialty Oak Sauce. It’s a little bit of everything and a whole lot of delicious. Contact Info
Of course, this is just a sample of the breakfast restaurants in Westerly. Go here to see a more comprehensive list.
