This cart in the food truck park across from Ninkasi specializes in messy breakfast sandwiches on Texas toast that absolutely slap. The bread comes toasted till golden brown in garlic butter with the egg baked in (egg-in-the-hole-style) with toppings like sliced ham, pesto cream, and uber-melty Harvati cheese, or bacon, tomato, and avocado. Grab a coffee next door at the Kōhi Time truck and enjoy the chill Whiteaker patio space.

The latest project from Mikey Lawrence (formerly Black Wolf Supper Club and Buck Buck cart) puts a twist on his greatest hits including fried chicken and biscuits. During brunch on the Oakshire Brewing covered patio, food cart customers can feast on selections like fried chicken and a Belgian waffle with hollandaise and a poached egg.

There always seems to be a bit of a line at this sprawling Market District coffee shop. Farmers Union is a full-fledge roaster that pairs its espresso drinks with a brief but robust cafe menu that includes options like avocado toast, a VLT (tempeh bacon, lettuce, and tomato jam) sandwich, paninis, and pastries. But the real star of the show is the biscuit breakfast sandwich; worthy of champions everywhere, it comes on a crisp yet buttery biscuit stacked with eggs, melty cheese, and pork sausage.

A visit to Spice N Steam is worth the trip alone for the luxurious dim sum brunch (a rare find in Eugene) filled with hand-crimped dumplings. Expect everything from egg tarts to chicken feet to pork and shrimp-stuffed shumai, plus an expansive menu consisting of stunningly lacquered Beijing duck, comforting chicken congee, and spicy cumin lamb. 

Named a semifinalist for the 2023 James Beard Awards, Lion and Owl is definitely one of the more high-end options for brunch in Eugene with a small plates approach that encourages your crew to share. The superb seasonal offerings rotate regularly but include options like hazelnut toast with marionberry jelly and foie gras, miso banana bread, and smoked potato with chorizo-spiced tofu. Make sure to order a round of mimosas for the table and don’t sleep on any of the breads and baked goods.

This Eugene classic is an easy, affordable choice for a big group that delivers diner vibes with a Korean twist. Each location serves everything from loco moco to bulgogi to quintessential breakfast foods like a fluffy stack of pancakes. Diner coffee refills are always on hand and the restaurants each feature a full bar with bloody marys. During prime hours, there’s often a wait but the tables turn quickly.

Studio One is a brunch mainstay near campus with an unmatched eggs Benedict game. A wait is often to be expected at the door but it’s worth it for plates like the Zorro’s Pride, a Benedict served over polenta cakes with ranchero sauce. This spot also offers plenty of mimosas to fuel the meal.

A longtime campus go-to for a family brunch-turned-South Eugene strip mall spot, Glenwood still delivers classic hippy sensibilities with a menu that runs the gamut from breakfast skillets to gluten-free pancakes. Tofu and tempeh are abundant. For something on the gut-busting end of the spectrum check out the Monster burrito that’s stuffed with the works — homefries, bacon, ham, mushrooms, and veggies all included. Those looking for something that feels more “wholesome” should check out the Santa Fe breakfast bowl with rice, beans, and plenty of kale, spinach, and other assorted veg, plus mandatory avocado and salsa. Coffee, beer, wine, mimosas, and even kombucha are available.

Boiled and baked, Lox, Stocks & Bagels in a South Eugene Safeway parking lot not far from Spencer’s Butte scratches an itch for a quality bagel sandwich. Baskets behind the counter overflow with classics such as onion, pumpernickel, sesame, salt, asiago, and jalapeño cheese speckled bagels alongside bialys and sugar puffs. Top your bagel sandwich with traditional accouterments like house-smoked whitefish salad or locally cured lox and capers, or go East Coast-style with a pork roll egg breakfast sandwich.

Just a short drive south on I-5, follow the (many) billboards to this bustling bakery in Creswell. The pastry case here is brimming with beautiful tarts, cookies, and muffins in seasonal flavors like pumpkin or pear, while the bread display is stacked with crispy loaves of multigrain sourdough and ciabatta. For something quick and handheld, the bakery has breakfast pockets stuffed with eggs and cheese and a choice of ham, bacon, or local veggies; the rolls in flavors like hazelnut and orange coconut are irresistible. There’s also a full lineup of ciabatta breakfast sandwiches, plus savory take-and-bake pies and an impressive selection of wine. Dine outside on the covered patio or grab something to-go.