The Best Sausalito Breakfast Restaurants (2023)

It’s the most important meal of the day, you know. Of course, I’m talking about breakfast, in its many delicious forms.

While I’ve already covered the best brunch spots in Sausalito, I thought it might be handy to have a list of breakfast spots too – admittedly, there’s a lot of overlap in the lists because there actually aren’t that many restaurants in Sausalito to begin with! (That’s why my best restaurants list only has 10 – that’s 20% of all restaurants in town!)

Anyway, back to breakfast… Whether you love pancakes, crave croissants, or your mouth is watering over the idea of a perfectly fluffy, cheese, meat, and veggie-packed omelet, there’s somewhere in Sausalito for you. And for whoever you’re dining with who has entirely different preferences when it comes to their first meal of the day.

If you’re looking for the best Sausalito breakfast restaurants, you’ll find a list of them below, ranked based on a number of factors. As with most places in Sausalito, you really can’t go wrong.

Sausalito is the traditional lands of the Graton Rancheria, Miwok, and Me-Wuk (Coast Miwok) peoples. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation to the past and present stewards of these lands. To learn more, I invite you to explore Native Land.

Top Sausalito Breakfast Restaurants – Ranked

Rather than rank these breakfast restaurants in Sausalito based on my own opinion, I’ve designed my own formula that takes into account three factors:

• public ratings (including my own, as I leave reviews on sites like Yelp, Google, and Facebook too)
• the restaurant’s popularity (total reviews)
• proximity to the Sausalito Ferry

These last two factors are “bonus” factors – they give you a sense of which restaurants are universally beloved and easy to reach if you’re visiting Sausalito.

In the end, each restaurant receives a score out of 5 – but a restaurant can score higher than five based on the bonuses for being close to the ferry and how popular it is. I break ties using the total number of reviews. In general, the higher the score, the better! Here is my ranked list of which restaurant offers the best breakfast in Sausalito:

Rank (2023)	Restaurant	Score
1	Firehouse Coffee & Tea	5.14
2	Lighthouse Café	4.85
3	Poggio Trattoria	4.80
4	Bridgeway Bagel	4.73
5	FRED’S Place	4.72
6	Golden Gate Market	4.66
7	Bayside Café	4.57
8	Anchorage 5	4.56
9	Sausalito Equator	4.30

Ready to dig into the list of the best Sausalito breakfast spots? Here’s more detail about each one.

1. Firehouse Coffee & Tea

Firehouse Coffee & Tea is a local favorite located right next to the Sausalito fire station. Most people love it because they do simple things extremely well. 

The venue boasts a casual atmosphere, with comfy mismatched couches that give a cozy feeling. But back to our main concern here, the coffee, oh my, the coffee is delicious. They have a wide selection of drinks, anywhere from americanos to lavender lattes to cappuccinos. They also have a great assortment of books to read if you just want to go and hang out there for the afternoon.

2. Lighthouse Café

Small place with a big flavor. These are the words that best describe Lighthouse Café. The quaint coffee house serves the heftiest Sausalito breakfast. I’m serious, the portions are huge, so you better come with an empty stomach.

The pancakes are absolutely divine and wildly popular; they’re moist, fluffy, and full of fruit (or chocolate) that makes them mouth-wateringly delicious. Don’t try to make them home. They’re a secret recipe of the owner, a nice Norwegian Lady. They also have a small menu dedicated to Danish delicacies, like herring and meatballs.

3. Poggio Trattoria

Poggio Trattoria has a place in most of my lists. Best Italian, best pizza, best seafood, and it goes on. The truth is that there’s no dish this cute Italian trattoria can’t nail.

Despite being Italian, their breakfast menu offers a good mix to suit every palate. You can find French toasts, parfait, eggs Benedict, omelet, and croissant panini. There’s also a good selection of Italian coffee: espresso, macchiato, americano, and a couple more. If you’re in a brunch mood, they also have the classics, like mimosas, Bloody Marys, and Bellinis.

4. Bridgeway Bagel

They may not be New York bagels, but Bridgeway Bagel definitely has the best bagels in Marin county. Period. Their secret?  Everything is made here – the bagels, the cream cheese, cookies, and smoothies.

And it all tastes great! The cream cheese especially is delicious, flavorful, thick, and creamy – and they load on a bunch. There’s a great selection of bagels so you’re sure to find something to suit you. They’re cash-only, so come prepared.

5. Golden Gate Market

If you just finished biking across the Golden Gate Bridge and need to recover, Golden Gate Market has the best Sausalito breakfast to get your energy back up again before riding back. The property is right after you come down the hill to enter Sausalito.

If you’re starving, they have top-notch deli sandwiches. The Italian on an Acme sourdough roll with Molinari meats is to die for.  Though anything with local salami is delicious. There’s also a coffee shop, which rumor has it makes the best cappuccino in town.

6. FRED’S Place

Google best breakfast in Sausalito and FRED’S Place is consistently among the top-rated options. It’s been in town since 1966 and has collected a huge legion of fans who line outside for its delicious morning delicacies.

You can’t go wrong with any dish, but the Swedish pancakes are amazing and they’re known for their thick-cut maple bacon. The place gets packed on weekends, when cyclists, hikers, motorcyclists, and tourists alike all find their way here for their delicious breakfast; be prepared for a wait, but trust me that it’s worth it.

7. Bayside Café

There are plenty of good reasons why Bayside Café should be on your list of where to eat breakfast in Sausalito. First, it’s great for big groups; their menu is massive and has options for everyone. The omelet section alone has ten different options. You’ll find breakfast nachos and burritos, huevos rancheros, fresh toasts, tortillas, bagels, and pancakes.

They also have a fresh juice bar and ice cream smoothies. Should you come with little ones, ask for the kid’s menu.

Now, the atmosphere is everything you want in a diner. It has that old-school vibe from the first diners in the U.S., and the customer service is fantastic.

8. Anchorage 5

Looking for a hefty breakfast done in true Cali style? Anchorage 5 has you covered. First, you should know this restaurant is a real hidden gem – it’s literally hidden as it’s on the north side of Sausalito away from the tourist area.

This spot embodies the old-school American diner, with black booths and kitsch curtains. Of course, their menu has all the American diner classics, and also tasty Mexican food.

Feel free to order what you like, but let me tell you they have the best omelets around, hands down.

9. Sausalito Equator

Sausalito Equator is another great place to enjoy breakfast on a fine Sunday morning. The property is lovely and has amazing views.

Their menu is brimming with mouthwatering options, but I’ve got two you must try when you visit. One is the waffles, as they’re one of the best you’ll try in your life. I don’t know what is in them but it’s pure heaven. Two, the B.L.A.T. (Bacon Lettuce Avocado Tomato) Sandwich. It will rock your world. The bread is crunchy and flavorful; the bacon isn’t greasy; and the avocado is creamy and well-seasoned. They also have a vegan B.L.A.T. with “vegan” bacon that completely fools you.

I also love swinging in here for a light breakfast; their pop-tarts are delicious and locally baked – way better than anything you’ll find in a box.

There you have it: nine great options for breakfast in Sausalito. Have any questions about these spots or other places in Sausalito where you’re hungry to start your day? Let me know in the comments below!