My Top Breakfast Picks from the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio Areas

Breakfast is truly one of my favorite meals of the day, and sometimes my husband and I have breakfast for dinner. In our quest to find a good breakfast, we have been to several places in Ohio. We rated places from the area in which I used to live; Glendale, Ohio. We also rated those in the Dayton, Ohio area and Mariemont, Ohio and here is what we found. We are so confident that these restaurants do it right, we think you should try them too.

The first one on my list is the Bluebird Bakery in Glendale, Ohio. This is one of my long lost loves now that I live in Dayton. It was so nice being able to walk downstairs and grab a danish and a Hazelnut coffee. I have been back since then and found a pleasant surprise. The owner Jenny remodeled the place and it looks phenomenal. Now you are welcomed by hardwood floors, a wide array of quiche, and antique wood shelving. I love the Spinach Quiche here, and it's great if you are on the go. You can eat in now that they have a large dining area, and I am hoping to see wi-fi soon. They have fresh muffins and more pies than you can think of, but the breakfast sandwiches with egg, cheese of your choice and shaved ham are to die for. You won't find an omelet here, but with the combination of the cafe menu and the ambiance, this is all I need. When you stop in, make sure you check to see what flavored coffee Jenny has out. My personal favorites here are the Snicker doodle and the Highlander Grogg.

The second place for breakfast we covet is The Golden Nugget in Kettering, Ohio. This is at the Corner of Dorothy Lane and North Dixie Drive. If you want to eat here, come early this place always draws a crowd like you wouldn't believe. This place is known for its potato pancakes, and while the place isn't small it isn't large either so be prepared for an eating space that isn't real roomy. This is the only thing I don't like, but the food is great. I also like the omelettes with spinach and cheese and broccoli and cheese. Saturday morning will leave you with a long wait, so make sure you try it out during the week you will get in a little quicker.

Last but not least on my list, is the National Exemplar at the Mariemont Inn. We love this place! It's great anytime of day, but we feel their breakfast is great. In fact, we stayed here the night we got married and got room service the next morning. They offer fresh fruit, omelettes, and breakfast sandwiches too. I like the choice of American, Cheddar on Swiss on anything you order, and you can also make a special request to the chef. I love the seasoned potatoes, and when in the mood for something different I get the Mexican Wrap. I like the different items you can' t find too like getting a good Fritatta, and they also have the Crepeggs similar to First Watch. For me, the menu isn't necessarily everything it's a combination of the menu and the atmosphere. At the National Exemplar you will find both. This restaurant is nestled in the business district of Mariemont, Ohio, and among this busy street you will find some interesting shops and boutiques. So, enjoy the morning with National Exemplar and do some shopping.