Where to Grab Breakfast in DTLB

For conference and convention attendees, it's important to be able to find something to eat close to the convention center, especially early in the morning before sessions and activities begin. Here are a few great breakfast options within walking distance from the convention center.

THE BREAKFAST BAR

A popular Downtown brunch spot among locals, The Breakfast Bar (70 Atlantic Ave) opens at 6 A.M. daily and serves a robust menu of sweet and savory breakfast dishes, many passed down as family recipes. Fuel up for the day with Uncle Marcee’s Omelet Casserole, made with bread, cheese, milk, and eggs and topped with a drizzle of spiced sour cream, or the Eggs Noni, a benedict-style dish of poached eggs served on rosemary sourdough bread with grilled tomato, sauteed spinach, and hollandaise.

THE POTHOLDER CAFE DOWNTOWN

The Potholder Cafe Downtown (301 W Broadway) is one of four locations for this popular Long Beach breakfast spot, serving American and Mexican comfort dishes. The downtown location opens daily at 8 A.M. If you’re up for a challenge, order the Mac Daddy Frankie, an 18-inch diameter pancake served on a pizza tray. If you finish it in one sitting, you earn a free t-shirt and legendary status. Otherwise, try the Flaky French toast, coated in cornflakes and stuffed with strawberry cream cheese or apple cinnamon filling.

ARIZE BISTRO

Open at 8 A.M. every day except Tuesdays, Arize Bistro (306 Elm Ave) offers breakfast sandwiches, waffles, omelets, and other classic breakfast dishes. Their menu also includes dishes with Thai ingredients, and a creamy Thai iced tea (lunch offerings include chicken satay and fried rice). Pick a cozy table inside or enjoy breakfast in the sunshine at the cafe tables along the sidewalk under an awning. Popular dishes include biscuits and gravy, the Monte Cristo sandwich as well as the crispy chicken waffle sammich.

CREME DE LA CREPE

Creme de la Crepe (400 E 1st St) opens daily at 8 A.M. Enjoy breakfast in the French style at this charming bistro at the edge of the East Village Arts District in Downtown Long Beach. Menu selections include French toast, waffles, and omelets, plus a variety of crepes dishes, both sweet and savory. The complete breakfast crepe is made with a sunnyside-up egg, ham, avocado slices, and jack cheese, while the crepe itself is made with a flavorful buckwheat batter, sure to give you energy throughout the morning.

5TH AVE BAGELRY

Some mornings, there’s nothing better than a simple bagel and coffee. However, 5th Ave Bagelry (247 Pine Ave) serves much more than just 29 flavors of bagel with various spreads. Stop in for muffins, pastries, or a ham and cheese croissant, or choose from the many bagel sandwiches on the menu; from egg, cheese and sausage to hot pastrami with cheese. This restaurant, open each day at 6 A.M., also serves a variety of Asian teas with boba, fresh smoothies, and coffee drinks.

About the Author

Claire Atkinson

Claire Atkinson is a Southern California native who has lived in Long Beach for nearly 20 years. She spends her free time visiting local parks, farmers markets, and museums, and loves learning about Long Beach history and culture.