Looking for the perfect start to your day before exploring the Columbia River Gorge? I’ve tried several of the top reviewed eateries, and in this post, I’m sharing where to go and what to order for the best breakfast in Hood River, Oregon.
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Kickstand Coffee & Kitchen – Best Overall
1235 State St #100, Hood River
Kickstand Coffee is a community gathering place with changing seasonal menus and great food made with Pacific Northwest ingredients. We had breakfast here before our spring train ride, and it was the perfect place to start our day.
The online reviews raved about the delectable donuts, so when we walked in and saw the colorful display, that’s where we started. We couldn’t decide which ones we liked best, so we got one of each to share around.
My teen daughters ordered breakfast plates – one chose the avocado toast, and the other ordered the specialty Liege waffles with Nutella and strawberries.
If you have a sweet tooth, the donuts or the Liege waffles are delightful! My personal favorite donut flavors were maple bacon, Nutella and strawberry, and the vibrant blueberry (both topped with fresh fruit).
The avocado toast was an ideal savory breakfast option. The Portland sourdough toast topped with guacamole, goat cheese, pickled red onion and greens was a work of art, and my daughter enjoyed every bite.
We also ordered hot cocoa, two mochas and a matcha latte, which were all excellent. I particularly enjoyed my mocha, which was the perfect balance of espresso and chocolate.
The cafe was quiet on the Thursday morning we visited so we were able to find parking in the small lot. However on busier days you might need to park elsewhere and walk in. The staff was welcoming to my kids, and I saw some amenities for dog owners too.
Kickstand was our favorite choice for breakfast overall, with excellent coffee, friendly service and standout food.
Egg River Café – Most Family-friendly
1313 Oak Street, Hood River
Egg River Café serves up classic breakfast dishes in a cozy setting. We were looking for place that serves hearty breakfasts and also has a kids menu, and Egg River fit the bill.
We loved the quirky decor at Egg River. It was easy to see why this is a popular place for locals – it’s the kind of place that encourages people to enjoy quality time and unhurried conversation.
We sat in a booth and ordered hot drinks while perusing the menu. We decided on chocolate chip pancakes, strawberry pancakes, eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, and cinnamon roll French toast for breakfast.
Our drinks were delivered promptly, and boy, was my son excited to see the mountain of whipped cream and sprinkles on his hot cocoa! The other drinks were good too.
If you like French toast, DO NOT PASS BY the cinnamon roll French toast! Piping hot, soft inside with crisp edges, topped with a cream cheese frosting and bursting with sweet flavor, Egg River has perfected this dish. My taste buds were in heaven!
My daughter loved her smoked salmon egg Benedict too. Her description: “It has four different kinds of savory, and it’s exactly what you want for a non-sweet breakfast.”
My other kids were quite happy with their pancakes, and we all were satisfied.
Egg River Cafe was pretty busy, especially for a Wednesday morning, so you may want to call ahead on weekends. They have some parking in front of the restaurant, and more across the street.
Egg River Cafe was a great place for a family breakfast, with good food and a casual atmosphere.
@dinkumtribe When you’re visiting Hood River, be sure to grab breakfast at Egg River Cafe! Best French Toast I’ve ever had, plus great pancakes and eggs Benedict.
♬ A Happy Farm – codemusic
River Daze Cafe – Best Breakfast Sandwich
202 D Cascade Avenue, 2nd St, Hood River
River Daze Cafe has a lowkey, inviting atmosphere, making it a nice little breakfast spot. The menu has a wide variety of standard breakfast fare, from eggs, to waffles, to bagels, to granola and yogurt.
It boasts the “best breakfast sandwiches in the Gorge” (as per dozens of online reviews), offering gourmet sandwiches for lunch as well. The English muffins, bagels and biscuits for the sandwiches are all made fresh in-house.
The River Daze waffles are also highly rated, and many people love the fact that it’s not as crowded for breakfast as other places.
Broder Øst – Best for a Special Occasion or Breakfast Cocktails
102 Oak St. Suite 100, Hood River
Broder Øst is a Scandinavian-inspired breakfast spot next to the historic Hood River Hotel. It offers a more upscale dining experience, and it’s right up the block from the Mt. Hood Railroad, making it a nice place to grab a bite before or after a scenic train ride.
We arrived around 9 am on Friday and there were no tables available, so we waited for a few minutes in the hotel lounge. Once we were seated, we ordered our drinks and studied the menu to decide on breakfast.
Broder Øst offers traditional Scandinavian breakfast fare that includes Lefse, Aebleskiver (Danish pancakes), porridge and more. My girls decided to try the Aebleskiver and I ordered the seasonal fritters, while my son had the baked eggs with walnut toast.
The Aebleskiver were so good! Soft, light, and sweet, with house made lemon curd, lingonberry jam (we added real maple syrup for a small extra charge – worth it!). The girls still talk about those fluffy Danish pancakes even several weeks later.
I loved the apple fritters – they reminded me of apple cider donuts with a hint of cardamom. Everything was plated so beautifully, and the cast irons for keeping the eggs hot was a nice touch.
Broder Øst offers a full bar, making it the perfect place for a morning cocktail. It’s also known for its wide selection of Aquavit, a traditional Scandinavian spirit. I was the only driver, so this time I was only able to enjoy a mocha.
I’d recommend Broder Øst for families with older children, or for adults and couples looking for a nicer breakfast or brunch spot.
Riverside Restaurant and Lounge – Great Location
1108 East Marina Way, Hood River
Riverside Restaurant is the in-house restaurant and lounge for the Best Western Plus Hood River Inn. With picture windows inside and an outdoor patio for riverfront dining, this is the best breakfast place for gorgeous views of the Columbia River.
We stayed at the Best Western, and while we didn’t have time to eat breakfast here, we walked past it on the Hood River Waterfront Trail one evening.
Riverside Restaurant commands a private view of the Columbia River with cliffs in one direction and the Hood River – White Salmon Bridge on the other. Take the time to enjoy a morning stroll after breakfast, you won’t regret it!
Riverside offers a broad selection of breakfast options, from bagels to eggs Benedict to chilaquiles as well as traditional American options like pancakes and steak and eggs. The kids breakfast menu has great options too.
The online reviews praise the excellent food quality and great service from the staff. Many of the ingredients are locally sourced from nearby farms and small businesses in Hood River, White Salmon, or the Willamette Valley.
Ground Espresso Bar & Cafe
12 Oak St, Hood River
If you’re searching for that perfect cup of coffee, Ground Espresso is the place for you. This cafe and bakery features mostly organic coffee roasted in-house and pastries baked fresh daily. They are also well-loved for their homemade soups and gluten-free menu items.
Doppio Coffee
310 Oak St, Hood River
Doppio Coffee is the sister shop to Ground Espresso (which supplies Doppio’s coffee as well). It’s a local favorite for breakfast sandwiches made with fresh ciabatta bread, croissants or bagels.
Doppio also features a kids menu, and has a chill atmosphere that encourages you to sit down and enjoy the moment.
Stoked Roaster and Coffee Shop – Best for Coffee and a Walk
603 Portway Ave Unit 103, Hood River
Stoked is one of the most popular coffeeshops in Hood River, and for good reason. Located across from Waterfront Park and the Columbia River, with giant picture windows to enjoy the views, it’s a friendly spot to start your day of adventures.
Brian and I enjoyed coffee and pastries from Stoked one morning on an anniversary trip. Then we enjoyed a stroll along the Waterfront Trail, stopping to see the various art installations and waterfowl along the way. It would be a perfect place to bring your kids or dog, with the park just steps across the street.
Stoked offers single origin specialty coffee, as well as all the standard coffeehouse drinks. They roast various blends on site and also have an online store to purchase from when you leave town.
Bette’s Place – Excellent Baked Goods
416 Oak St, Hood River
Bette’s Place is a long-time favorite of Gorge residents, and has been serving excellent homestyle food since the 1970s. Bette’s is popular for their delicious homemade pastries which are also available to order in advance.
The huge homemade cinnamon rolls are one of the best-loved and most popular items, with many customers describing it as the “best cinnamon roll of my life”. It’s definitely big enough to share between two people, or just add one to your pastry order to go.
Some of the other highly rated dishes are the eggs Benedict (especially the fresh Dungeness crab Benedict), the biscuits and gravy, and the omelets.
Note that Bette’s Place is closed on Tuesdays and the hours are from 5:30 am to 2 pm.
Farm Stand in the Gorge – Best for Specialty Diets
1009 12th St, Hood River
Farm Stand in the Gorge offers clean, healthy, locally sourced ingredients that cater to a variety of specialty diets and food sensitivities. Their menu items are made fresh daily, and include breakfast and lunch options for keto, paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets.
Sandwiches are made to order in the deli, and you can enjoy a glass of wine, beer or kombucha outside at the picnic tables with views of Mt. Adams. Pick up some seasonal fruits or fresh salads to enjoy later at home.
Pine Street Bakery
1103 12th Street Hood River
Pine Street Bakery is a charming place to enjoy baked goods of all sorts for breakfast. The wide variety of rolls, cakes, muffins, breads, scones and other fresh-baked delights will have you coming back to try each delicious item.
Pine Street Bakery also serves coffee, espresso drinks and teas, as well as sandwiches and salads. They emphasize locally sourced foods and seasonal menus to make the best use of what’s available from farmers in the area.
Google reviewers praise the tasty muffins and excellent lunch offerings, as well as the friendly service.
Golden Goods Sandwich and Bake Shop – Best Vegan
111 Oak St, Hood River
Golden Goods is your go-to for a plant-based breakfast that will leave both vegans and non-vegans satisfied. From mushroom po’ boys to jackfruit burritos, you’ll be surprised and delighted at the creative and delicious options.
Golden Goods does such an excellent job that it has entirely 5 star ratings – over 100 of them! They must be onto something amazing, and the staff and service are top notch.
What’s your favorite?
That wraps up our reviews of Hood River breakfast options. Do you have a favorite breakfast place that we’ve missed? We’d love to hear about it.
©️ Copyright Jennifer D. Warren 2025.
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