Updated October 2026
We asked a simple question in a Holland community group: Where's the best place to get breakfast in Holland?
The thread took off. Between the original comments and replies, locals shared longtime favorites, newer spots, specific dishes worth ordering, and even a couple of places outside Holland that are worth the drive.
This isn't a paid ranking, and it's not one person's opinion. It's a community-sourced guide built from the places Holland-area residents recommended most often.
The Holland breakfast spots locals kept recommending
Windmill Restaurant
Why it made the guide: Windmill was one of the most repeated recommendations in the entire conversation. Locals consistently brought it up as a classic downtown Holland breakfast stop.
Good to know: Windmill serves breakfast and lunch all day at 28 W. 8th Street downtown.
deBoer Bakkerij + Shore by deBoer
Why it made the guide: The deBoer name came up again and again, including both the longtime north-side bakery and the newer Shore by deBoer on 17th Street.
One of the dishes that started the whole conversation was Shore's Breakfast Board. Locals also called out deBoer's different locations as dependable breakfast favorites.
The Biscuit
Why it made the guide: The Biscuit was one of the clearest community favorites. Multiple people recommended it, and they didn't stop at the restaurant name.
What locals told us to try: the breakfast potatoes, the Irish, apple chicken hash, and pancakes. One reader said the portions regularly leave enough for another breakfast the next day.
Russ' Restaurant
Why it made the guide: Russ' triggered exactly the kind of reaction you'd expect from a Holland institution. One commenter worked there for 30 years and still calls it a favorite. Another called the River Avenue location a Holland tradition and specifically recommended the #4.
Russ' first opened in Holland in 1934 and still has multiple Holland-area locations.
James Street Inn
Why it made the guide: James Street Inn got multiple independent recommendations, with one thing called out specifically: the breakfast skillets.
It's at 255 James Street and serves breakfast Monday through Saturday.
Reservoir
Why it made the guide: Reservoir came up more than once, and one local gave us a very specific order: the crab cake Benedict.
Reservoir is at 2155 Ottawa Beach Road and serves breakfast as part of its daily menu.
Southside Inn
Why it made the guide: Southside Inn received multiple recommendations with very little explanation needed. It's one of those neighborhood spots locals simply know.
The family-owned restaurant at 192 W. 35th Street focuses on home-style cooking and cooked-to-order breakfasts.
More breakfast spots Holland locals recommended
Bowerman's on 8th
A downtown staple that got a very specific endorsement: breakfast burrito, French toast, and pancakes.
Wooden Shoe Restaurant
Another classic local recommendation that came up alongside Windmill and deBoer.
Caribbean Sunrise
A reader threw Caribbean Sunrise into the mix, giving us another less-obvious option to put on the breakfast research list.
Worth the drive
La Crème — Zeeland
One reader recommended La Crème in Zeeland and specifically called out the blueberry crepe.
Blue Goose — Fennville
When we asked where Blue Goose was, the answer was simple: "Fennville — worth the drive." That's enough to earn a spot on the research list.
So...where should you start?
If you want the spots that generated the most repeat enthusiasm, start with Windmill, deBoer/Shore, The Biscuit, Russ', James Street Inn, Reservoir, or Southside Inn.
If you're more interested in what to order than where to go, the community gave us a pretty strong starter list: crab cake Benedict, breakfast skillets, The Biscuit's potatoes, Bowerman's breakfast burrito, and Shore's breakfast board.
And this guide isn't finished. We'll keep updating it as we try more places and hear from more Holland locals.
Want more Holland recommendations like this?
Holland Happenings is a free weekly newsletter with local events, restaurants, new places, family activities, live music, and things worth knowing around Holland.
Have a breakfast spot we missed? Send it our way. This guide is built from local recommendations, and we'll keep improving it.