When we think of breakfast, we often envision traditional, farm fresh food. The fertile, bountiful lands of the Skagit Valley allow for restaurant owners to acquire ingredients from local farmers with ease. Furthermore, it creates an idyllic setting for hungry breakfast-goers at the break of day. There are a variety of local breakfast options from healthy to downright sinful. Hungry? Check out the following places to have breakfast in Skagit County.
5b’s Bakery
45597 Main Street, Concrete
Wednesday – Monday: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Photo credit: Aurora Potts
While locals in the foothills of the North Cascades Mountains think of 5b’s Bakery as their local breakfast spot, many individuals think of 5b’s as a destination spot. People from all over journey to Concrete for this gluten free bakery. Inspired by her family’s celiac disease – the owner and her twin sons all have a gluten allergy – she decided to make life easier on her family and other families with similar sensitivities. The thing is, you can’t tell her entire menu is gluten free! Each menu item ranging from the veggie hash to the cinnamon roll is visibly a work of art and a labor of love. She attributes her success in finding good recipes to her background in science.
Lafeens Donuts, Ice Cream, and Espresso
320 N Burlington Boulevard, Burlington
Sunday – Wednesday: 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday – Saturday: 6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Lafeens Donuts, Ice Cream, and Espresso is a deliciously caloric breakfast venture for those who are not dieting or on a cheat day. Originally established in Bellingham, the Burlington location opened up in a high traffic intersection in 2012. Lafeens uses a homemade recipe with quality flour making the texture of their donuts softer than their competitors. In addition to their donuts made fresh daily, they offer the 16 most popular ice cream flavors available according to the owner. If your sweet tooth gives you a hankering for donuts in the morning, espresso lovers fear not. You won’t have to settle for some cheap style coffee here. Lafeens offers a steamy, smooth espresso to give you your morning buzz.
Calico Cupboard Cafe and Bakery
121-B Freeway Drive, Mount Vernon
Sunday – Thursday: 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
You can’t walk around Mount Vernon, one of America’s most walkable towns, for very long without noticing the well placed Calico Cupboard Cafe advertisements. You can already tell by the combination of the large, rustic brick building and original painted signage on it, that this is the place to get a quality breakfast in town. Calico Cupboard Cafe does their best to select crops from Skagit Valley farmers when they can, keeping it local. Their menu has absolutely anything you could possibly desire for breakfast, omelettes, fancy pancakes, burritos, and hashes. You can even enjoy your meal or coffee in front of a fireplace. Calico Cupboard Cafe provides a high-quality experience for you to enjoy.
Ristretto Coffee Lounge and Wine Bar
416 1st Street, Mount Vernon
Monday – Tuesday: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday – Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Smaller and more concentrated than a shot of espresso, ristretto is the Italian word for “restricted” and has a sweeter, richer flavor. The menu here has only locally baked goods and a variety of quick food like bagel sandwiches and chicken Havarti sandwiches. Breakfast and lunch are served all day long. With killer food, coffee and did I mention wine? They generally serve wine after 12:00 p.m., but shhh… if you have a good excuse, they might serve you early. You can’t bypass this gem. Voted “Best of Skagit” in 2018, Ristretto Coffee Lounge and Wine Bar won’t disappoint.
Joy’s Sedro-Woolley Bakery and Cafe
823 Metcalf Street, Sedro-Woolley
Tuesday – Friday: 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
If you’re a local, you’ve probably already enjoyed the sizzling servings hot off the griddle at Joy’s Sedro-Woolley Bakery and Cafe. This place offers the authentic diner experience Denny’s and Bob Evans try to give you with homestyle breakfasts. Joy’s fills up with hungry early birds shortly after 6:00 a.m. even during the week. They offer the tried and true classics like eggs, bacon and toast or a plate of pancakes.
The Farmhouse
13724 La Conner-Whitney Road, Mount Vernon
Sunday – Thursday: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Quite possibly the most visible draw for breakfast in the county, The Farmhouse is scenically located amidst Skagit Valley farmland, an ideal setting. The Farmhouse has quite the menu selection of hot breakfast food along with everything from prime rib to fish and chips. They even have a rotisserie turkey they make themselves. All menu items are available all day except the prime rib is available after 4:00 p.m. every day and also from 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. during Sunday brunch. The Farmhouse is available to cater weddings and other events as well. They source as many of their ingredients as locally as possible with their crab coming from Black Rock, their oysters from Blau’s, and other ingredients like berries and potatoes from local farmers. They bake all their own muffins, pies and cakes inhouse. Currently they are experimenting with local flour and grain. The Farmhouse also offers special bloody marys and mimosas all day long for adults looking to imbibe.
