Breakfast lovers, rejoice!

Start the day with stellar, creative dishes at these Holland eateries

If eating breakfast out makes your heart zing as it does mine, Holland is where you want to be.

We’ve been breakfasting in Tulip City for years and happily report there’s no shortage of great eateries offering luscious creations beyond the usual fare.

Sure, sometimes we crave “traditional” morning comfort food: eggs, bacon, etc. But mostly we want to be rolled over by unique, exciting new-to-us creations with nourishment for the soul as well as the body.

We prefer eateries offering unique signature dishes or unusual combinations. Bonus points for ethnic dishes, old family recipes and dishes with a twist on the usual (here’s looking at you Stuffed French Toast!).

So, if you’re looking to kickstart your day with a new breakfast experience, not just a meal, consider:

Biscuit Cafe, 450 Washington Ave.,
thebiscuitcafe.com

I fell in love with the Biscuit at first sight. The colors of the walls, intriguing artwork and friendly staff set the scene. But the real star is the menu—filled with fresh approaches and dishes that beckon shamelessly.

My Eggs Harper Rose, a delicious dish featuring a biscuit topped with bacon, eggs and white cheddar, hit a homer. I was skittish about the house-made onion jam—until I tried it.

Months later Char, my dining companion, still raves about the restaurant’s strawberry jam. Now that’s a memorable dining experience!

Char was crestfallen to learn the Biscuit doesn’t sell jars of its jam. Sadly, it doesn’t appear on the current menu. Hopefully, it’s a seasonal thing and will be back.

DeBoer’s Restaurant and Bakkerij North, 360 Douglas Ave., Holland

https://deboerbakery.com/deboers-north

Holland’s Dutch heritage shines brightly at DeBoer’s—not just in the bakery, but in the restaurant as well.

Who can resist klompen cakes? And Dutch potatoes are the star of many dishes there.

The Northside location (with Dutch full breakfast options) has for many decades been my favorite Holland breakfast place.

DeBoers is an authentic Dutch experience—the three deBoer brothers are carrying on a tradition started by their Opa (grandfather), originally a baker in the Netherlands. In 1956 he immigrated to Michigan, and soon gave us a tasty link to the Old World with his delicious baked goods. Now the fourth generation of the family uses many of Opa’s recipes in their fare today.

To be honest, deBoer’s bakery with its array of tasty breads and delectable Dutch treats was the initial draw for me. With so many options, you’ll have trouble deciding which ones to try. My absolute fave is banket, a Dutch pastry with almond filling. I describe it with one word—Mmmmmmmmm!

Windmill Restaurant, 28 W. 8th Street

windmillrestaurant.restaurants-us.com/menu

Weekend lines to get into Windmill Restaurant, a decades-old staple in downtown Holland, are out the door and down the block.

The place is small with a half dozen or so booths, a couple larger tables and a smattering of counter stools. But there’s a reason the wait is so long. A diner vibe and good American comfort food await as well as a staff that will make you feel at home from the start.

The Windmill is best known for its unusual hash brown omelets and good-sized deep-fried cinnamon rolls.

Anna’s Place, 12450 Felch Street
annashouseus.com

Although we lean into local, independently owned restaurants and Anna’s House is a chain (albeit limited to Michigan), its unique offerings and retro/neo retro decor earned a place on our faves list. The spacious dining room and colorful walls with fascinating items from the past are a feast for the eyes.

Then there’s the feast for the stomach—and the soul—Anna’s menu.

When we saw ginger is an ingredient in Anna’s Hippie Hash, we couldn’t resist. It proved to be a great choice. We didn’t even notice it’s vegan.

But, like a magnet, our eye kept hitting on the Twilight French toast. French toast soaked in creme brulee sauce and topped with fresh berries and house-made raspberry melba sauce sounded too good to miss. After our meal, we placed a to-go order for it. Turned out to be an excellent decision.