These Charleston early-risers have turned breakfast into the highlight of the day
Breakfast of Champions - Millers All Day, like several daytime-only spots in town, celebrates eggs, waffles, and biscuits galore. The fried chicken biscuit (above) is served with crispy home fries and house mustard barbecue sauce.
“Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.” As the old adage goes, breakfast is the most important—and perhaps decadent—meal of the day. But there’s nothing that dampens those imperial cravings like showing up to a restaurant after the morning menu cut-off. Cozy up to these breakfast-centric joints bright and early to kick-start the day.
Millers All Day: Mobile chandeliers and a glowing sign above the bar that reads “Prescriptions” add to the chic and cheeky atmoshphere at Millers All Day. But it’s the fare that might cure what ails you. Go savory (everything brioche egg sandwich with crunchy home fries) or sweet (bananas, sorghum, and meringue waffles). Fried chicken and gravy or ham and fig jam biscuits are stellar, although you can’t go wrong with the grits—Geechie Boy Mill’s Greg Johnsman is a co-owner, and his influence is highlighted by the antique mill on display at the entrance. Springbok Coffee, a photo booth, frozen cocktails, and pastry chef Davee Harned’s tasty confections make this modern diner a new classic. Open weekdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekends until 4 p.m.; 120 King St.; millersallday.com
Daps: This Westside family-friendly spot serves a dose of nostalgia with Fruity Pebbles or Applejack-laced pancakes, as well as Cinnamon Toast Crunch sticky buns. For a spicier direction, opt for the plump breakfast burrito filled with chorizo, egg, potato, and cheese, doused in Hatch green chile sauce. Grown-up perks like mimosas on tap and rosé magnums make brunch feel more like a party. Open Sun.-Tues. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Weds.-Sat. to 8 p.m.; 280 A Ashley Ave.; dapsbreakfast.com
Scram: For breakfast sandwich bliss, head to Folly Road, where former FIG pastry chef Melanie Durant has been parking her charming blue food truck since 2017. Pillowy milk buns are stuffed with Storey Farms scrambled eggs and fine fillings (from chili mayo to luscious béchamel). Or get the gougères—clouds of savory choux pastry—with fixings like pimento pepper jam. Be sure to save room for a sweet, like Durant’s yuzu custard-filled buns, coffee cake, or the cruller of the day. Open for only four hours, four days a week, do not sleep in—Scram is worth setting the alarm. Open Thurs.-Sun., 8 a.m. to noon; 1291 Folly Rd.; scramchs.com
Still Hungry?
Check out these additional all-day breakfast spots around town and their standout dishes
■ Early Bird Diner: Pecan-crusted fried chicken and cinnamon waffles with honey mustard sauce and maple syrup (1644 Savannah Hwy.; earlybirddiner.com)
■ Junction Kitchen & Provisions: Pigs in a Blanket—two breakfast sausages wrapped in a croissant with rosemary maple dip and diner-style hash browns (4438 Spruill Ave.; thejunctionkitchen.com)
■ Three Little Birds Cafe: The Griddle—strawberries, whipped cream, and goat cheese-stuffed challah French toast (65 Windermere Blvd.; threelittlebirdscafe.com)
■ Vicious Biscuit: Crab Benny—buttermilk biscuit, jumbo lump crab cake, fried green tomato, hollandaise, Story Farms sunny-side-up egg (409 W. Coleman Blvd.; viciousbisuit.com)
