5 Best Breakfast Cafes for a Delicious Morning in Marion, Illinois

There’s something so satisfying and comforting about going out for a freshly made breakfast in the morning. Whether you prefer a big, home-style meal or a lighter start to the day, the Marion, Illinois, area has plenty of options for you to consider. If you’re in the area to buy a new Volkswagen or you’re a resident looking for some good eating, check out this list of five of the best breakfast cafes in and around Marion.

Jasones B&B and Restaurant

20130714-136-of-365 licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by Wilson Hui

Jasones B&B and Restaurant is a Marion favorite for residents and visitors alike. Built in 1906, this Victorian mansion features four beautiful rooms for visitors who want to book a night here, including a full honeymoon suite. Each stay comes with a homemade breakfast, but you can visit in the morning just to eat, too. Unlike many bed and breakfasts, it’s also a restaurant serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch.

If you’re looking for a hot, old-fashioned breakfast right here in Marion, Jasones B&B and Restaurant has you covered. Enjoy one of its delicious egg dishes with fresh toast and jam, or create your own omelet. Add potatoes and bacon or sausage for a hearty delight. If you prefer something from the skillet, you can’t go wrong with a stack of pancakes or French toast, complete with a fruit topping or syrup and fresh whipped cream.

Address: 1414 W. Main St.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday

Country Cupboard Restaurant

Located just down the road from Marion in Carterville, the Country Cupboard is a local favorite for breakfast. Known for its classic, down-home menu and friendly staff, the restaurant has been a staple in the area since 1985. Country Cupboard offers delicious comfort foods at a reasonable price and in a casual setting, and it accommodates large parties and takeout orders. While it’s known for breakfast, visitors rave about its lunch and dinner plates, too.

Come in early for a traditional egg platter with up to four eggs served however you like them, meat, toast, and American fries or potatoes. If you’re really hungry, add one of the restaurant’s famous biscuits with gravy to top it off. The omelets are also a big hit here, with seven choices plus the option to create your own. Grab a few pancakes, and you’ll be full until lunch. Then you can come back to Country Cupboard Restaurant for a sandwich, salad or hot dinner.

Address: 3333 S. Division St.

Hours: 11 a.m.to 2 p.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday

The Vault Cafe on the Square

Marion breakfast spot The Vault Cafe on the Square has been a family favorite since it opened in 2013. Located in a century-old building in Marion’s historic downtown, it draws plenty of Southern Illinois natives and visitors passing through town. Guests can enjoy indoor dining, seasonal outdoor dining, and takeout for breakfast and lunch. The cafe was once a bank, and the vault that remains in the building features a table for four.

The menu features fun twists on breakfast classics, and the presentation is as beautiful as the food is delicious. With money-themed menu items like a biscuit, gravy, and eggs plate called “The Money” and a breakfast burrito called “The Bank Roll,” The Vault Cafe on the Square lives up to its name and history. Be sure to stop back in for lunch to enjoy one of the cafe’s piled-high sandwiches.

Address: 504 Tower Square, Plaza Floor 2

Hours: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday

Andresen’s Cafe

A few minutes from Marion in Johnston City, Andresen’s Cafe has served up home-cooked meals for generations. Since its founding in 1927, the restaurant has been at the same location, and its owners try to maintain as much of its history as possible. The nostalgic cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and visitors love its wide selection of comforting favorites and homemade desserts.

If you’re stopping in for breakfast, you can’t go wrong with one of the cafe’s nine breakfast specials, each served with toast or biscuits and gravy. Whether you prefer them over easy, medium, or hard or prefer them scrambled, poached, or basted instead, you can have your eggs any way you like. Other breakfast features include three-egg omelets, fluffy pancakes, tasty breakfast sandwiches, and lots of options for the kids. Don’t forget to grab a slice of pie on your way out!

Address: 215 E. Broadway Blvd.

Hours: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday through Tuesday and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday

Harbaugh’s Cafe

If you’re up for a little morning drive, heading into Carbondale to visit Harbaugh’s Cafe is well worth the few extra minutes in the car. A hot breakfast spot since its opening in 2000, the cafe has a creative vibe that features lots of works from local artists. If you’re a Southern Illinois University student or a Carbondale native, chances are you already know and understand the hype about Harbaugh’s. Whether you’ve never been or it’s just been a while, it’s always a good idea to stop in for something delicious.

You won’t leave hungry after breakfast at this locally owned cafe. The menu has a little something for everyone—or a big something, depending on your appetite. Enjoy an egg platter, omelet, or benedict if it’s eggs you’re after, or go for a breakfast burrito or frittata if you want something different. If you’d rather something sweet, you won’t be disappointed with the cafe’s giant pancakes, English muffin French toast, or stuffed French toast. For the late risers and the breakfast skippers, there’s also a delicious lunch menu with plenty of sandwiches, soups, and salads to go around.

Address: 901 S. Illinois Ave. #B

Hours: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Saturday

The team at VW of Marion is proud to live, work, play, and eat alongside so many other great local businesses. Did we miss your favorite breakfast cafe? Let us know so we can add it to our list and check it out for ourselves.