12 BEST Breakfast Spots In Huntsville To Start Your Day!

12 Best Spots For Breakfast In Huntsville

Now, when I say “a big breakfast”, I mean a Canadian/American breakfast with eggs, crispy bacon, toast, ham, sausage, and home-fries (potatoes) or some combination thereof.

I am going to start the list with the best places to go for a big breakfast. But, for my European friends, if you just want a cappuccino and a pastry, skip to the cafés lower in the list.

1. Westside Fish & Chips – Yes, They Do Breakfasts

Fish and Chips for breakfast? No! This place just happens to also have the best breakfast menu in Huntsville!

I have enjoyed going here for breakfast since I was a child. This local, family restaurant is a staple of the community and it’s humble, quirky decor holds a special place in my heart. “Quirky” refers to the fact that most of the walls in the restaurant are lined with collectible teapots of all shapes, sizes and characters!

It is located in the west side of town. Get it? Westside Fish & Chips!

It has a good sized parking lot behind the building, off the road, but then you will need to climb some stairs. If stairs aren’t an option for you, drop-off or walk back up to the road and around to the side door.

The prices here are reasonable and the portions good. Breakfast is offered all day every day, however they are only open in the mornings on the weekend.

I love the Half-Hungry breakfast, as the Hungry or Starved are way too much food for me. My family and I have always loved their home fries as they cook the potatoes in their homemade spice blend that makes them iconic to this restaurant.

2. Feel at Home in Family Place Restaurant

Another legendary Huntsville breakfast place is the Family Place Restaurant, located on King William Street in the downtown. This family-owned business has been serving up the best breakfasts and pizzas for over 35 years.

They recently did a renovation and changed the decor from a pretty classic restaurant from the 90’s to a more pink, vintage, chic aesthetic – if that makes any sense. We locals are still getting used to it. But the people and the food are still the same!

Only closed on Mondays and open from 6 A.M. most days, except 7 A.M. on Sundays, Family Place serves breakfast all day long. The prices are in the same range as other breakfast places, but they do have a slightly wider variety of homemade classics than Westside Fish and Chips.

The food is always great, which brings back regulars like myself time and time again. I like their Family Place Benny (eggs Benedict) that comes with a side of home-fries.

3. Eat Locally Sourced Food at Main Street Local Kitchen

Located on the Main Street of downtown Huntsville, the Local offers breakfast every day from 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. except for Sundays when they are closed.

Finding parking in downtown Huntsville can be challenging, especially in the summer or on weekends, but you can try the parking lot by River Mill Park or look for street parking on the side streets.

This family-run restaurant prides itself on their quality of food, making it from scratch and using primarily local ingredients. Therefore, the menu does adapt and change based on the seasons and thus what produce is available.

If you want a slightly more elegant experience in the same price range as the other family restaurants, this place adds a touch of class with its modern decor.

I love their Fresh Fruit & Eggs option for a lighter, healthy breakfast option.

4. Get Any Possible Breakfast at Stacked

This chain restaurant seems to be popping up everywhere but they specialize in breakfasts, making them an easy choice if you’re already familiar with their options. From stacks of pancakes to hashes to lunch sandwiches, Stacked has the biggest breakfast menu around.

Stacked is ideal for those staying in the many hotels near the Supercentre/Walmart, as it’s in the plaza next to Kelseys. If you’re staying in one of those hotels, you could walk over, but if you’re driving, there’s lots of parking available.

I love their ham Benedict. You can probably tell by now, I like hollandaise sauce.

The building looks small on the outside but it does go deeper than you think. Still, be aware that it does get busy, especially for their breakfast special, which is potatoes, eggs, bacon and toast for $6.99 from 7am – 9am Monday to Friday.

There’s a “Join our Waitlist” system for when there is a line out the door so you can still be in line but wait where ever you like until they send you a notification on your phone that they have a table for you. This is particularly helpful in the winter so you can wait in the warmth of your car.

5. Throwback to the 50’s at Wimpy’s Diner

This 1950’s themed, chain diner is across the street from Family Place Restaurant, and has a garage-type atmosphere with tons of decor featuring the likes of Marylin Monroe and Elvis Presley.

I’d say prices are slightly higher than average but the selection is good. My family and I go here often and our top recommendation would be the breakfast poutine. It’s a unique dish you wont find elsewhere. It’s got home-fries as the base with lots of other classic breakfast goodies piled on top! So good!

It opens at 8 A.M. every day and there is on-site parking available.

6. No-frills Breakfast at the Algonquin Café & Deli

The Algonquin Café is located at the far west end of Huntsville. If you get off Highway 11 traveling north at Muskoka Road 3/Aspdin, you can see it to your right from the off ramp.

This local deli prides itself on the quality of their smoked meats and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a shorter, focussed menu.

In the summer, they have lots of picnic tables outside to expand their seating area, but many people take their food to-go. When you enter this cute café, you’ll order and pay for your food at the counter, and then take a seat. They will bring your food to you when it’s ready.

The prices are on par with the rest of town, and although the menu options are fewer, they still have the breakfast staples. My mom likes their breakfast plate best!

7. A Local Gem: Windmill Bakery & Bistro

This European style bakery was founded by a Dutch immigrant (hence, windmill) who brought fine, European baked specialties to our humble Huntsville. It has since passed into the hands of a local family who love empowering the young people in the community to learn the artisanal skills of baking.

Being a bakery, their specialty is in their breads, bagels, scones, and sweets! You can embrace the European breakfast and just have a macchiato with a pastry, or get something heartier. I love their home-made, whole-wheat bun for my breakfast sandwich! So good!

There are a few places to sit inside and outside in the summer, but this is also a great option for a grab-and-go breakfast in Huntsville that’s more original than going to Tim Hortons.

8. Tim Horton’s With a View

To be fair, we do have a few Tim Horton’s in Huntsville. For those of you who are not Canadian, Tim Horton’s is Canada’s biggest and most iconic coffee and donut chain. If you have never been, you should!

It’s like getting a baguette in Paris or pasta in Italy; going to Tim’s is just a part of Canadian culture at this point.

This particular Tim Horton’s is located at the top of a big hill that gives you a great view over “modern Huntsville” from the parking lot. Wether you want to enjoy the view as you eat or get a quick bite before hopping on the nearby highway, this Tim Horton’s is a decent place for a quick breakfast in Huntsville.

9. Eat Ethically at Muskoka North Good Food Co-op

This isn’t an obvious choice, I know. But this community-owned grocery story also has a great little café called Uproot Café.

This is definitely the most ethical choice for breakfast in Huntsville. The Co-op is a not-for-profit business that solely promotes local, seasonal, nutritionally dense food with a mission to make healthy food accessible to the whole community.

Breakfast options include a healthy, veggie heavy breakfast wrap and a breakfast club sandwich, which are offered all day along with the rest of their menu of bagels, salads, and sandwiches.

If you are heading for the highway, Uproot Café does take-out so you can grab your healthy brekkie and hit the highway in just a few minutes. It’s not far from the Algonquin Café and is also very close to Hwy 11. Stopping at the Co-op is probably the healthiest pit-stop in the area!

10. Retail + a Latté? Find it at Threshold Café

What started out as a bank, turned into a higher-end clothing store, that has now morphed into a Café and retail space selling high-end cycling clothes next to the coffee and baked goods. It’s an interesting mix, for sure.

Threshold Café is located in a prime location on the main street of Huntsville, so you can look for street parking or a spot in River Mill Park if you’re driving.

This café/clothing store is locally owned and they have done a really beautiful job turning this old bank into an elegant, modern, minimalist-clean atmosphere. In fact, their changing rooms are in the old bank vault! You have to pass the massive metal vault door to get in!

Now to the important things: coffee. The coffee is good, however I disagree with how they serve their lattes. Having been around Europe and having lived in the UK, Threshold’s lattes do not have enough milk – even compared to other Canadian lattes. I believe this is because they are served in a cappuccino-sized cup.

My sister actually worked at this café and got to go to Toronto to be trained on how to use their fancy espresso machine. So, she and I still debate how to make a good latte.

I’ll let you decide for yourself.

I will tell you that their pastries and baked goods are very nice. So, if you’re looking for an elegant, simple breakfast in Huntsville, Threshold is a lovely place to start your day.

11. Downtown Espresso – Yes, an Italian Espresso Bar in Huntsville!

This authentic Italian espresso bar/café is a relatively new addition to the town of Huntsville and has quickly become a local favourite.

As anyone who’s been to Italy will know, Italians take their espresso very seriously and only expect the best. This place is no exception. I love their coffees, plus their croissants and other baked goodies are awesome!

There’s limited seating inside and a few seats outside, so this is a good spot for a take-out coffee and snack. You could then walk down the hill, cross Main Street and wander down to the river to sip on your coffee and watch the water flow by.

12. Get Cozy with Friends at Affogato Café

This is one of my personal favourite cafés in town. I love it’s cozy, almost “Friends” vibe and that they have a massive collection of coffees, teas, sweet treats, and, of course, gelato!

For those of you who don’t know what an affogato is, it’s when espresso is poured over gelato in a cup. It’s Italian, of course – who does gelato and espresso better than the Italians? I guess it was only time before someone put the two together.

Their candies, chocolates and pastries are all handcrafted and change based on the season. From scones to cheese cakes to macarons to various chocolate creations, this café and gelato spot will definitely satisfy any sweet-tooth.

What makes this place really cool is the location.

It feels really off the beaten path even though it’s still in the downtown. Go down the alley between Wooden Penny and Algonquin Outfitters then turn left and Affogato will be there overlooking the river and River Mill park. It has a good amount of seating in their cozy atmosphere – a great spot to meet up with friends for a coffee or breakfast in Huntsville.

FAQs

If you are new to Huntsville, I am always happy to answer your questions about my hometown. Here are some frequently asked questions that may help you out.

Is Huntsville bigger than Bracebridge?

In population, Huntsville is bigger than Bracebridge. In 2023, Huntsville had about 23,000 inhabitants, and Bracebridge had 19,000 people. When you visit these towns, the physical size of them are very similar.

Is Huntsville considered Muskoka?

Yes, Huntsville is one of the major towns in the District of Muskoka, which also includes Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, and Port Carling.

Why is Huntsville so popular?

Huntsville, Ontario is very popular due to its quaint charm and its surrounding expanse of beautiful natural areas. The surrounding wilderness makes it ideal for cottage retreats and an outdoor recreation heaven!

Check out my post for lots of ideas on what to do in Huntsville and get inspired!

Wrap Up: The Best Breakfast Spots in Huntsville

There you go! The best places in Huntsville for breakfast from a true local. Remember, you can get great “big breakfasts” at the sit-down restaurants like Family Place or Westside Fish & Chips, or a European-style coffee and pastry from one of our lovely cafés.

I hope you start your Huntsville adventure off right with a solid breakfast, then go on to explore the lovely area I grew up in!