Wakey Wakey - 10 Spots To Go For A Truckee Breakfast

The aroma of coffee. The smell of flapjacks and bacon. Breakfast for many of us isn’t just the most important meal but the best one. From quick to-go orders for a powder day to lazy summer brunches filled with mimosas, these Truckee breakfast spots will ensure you’re ready for what the day has in store for you.

Wagon Train Coffee Shop

Can you imagine what it was like in Truckee before Palisades Tahoe opened? We’re talking back in 1947. Two years after World War II ended, that’s when Wagon Train opened its doors. A true Mom-and-Pop establishment. Started by Reg and Arline Smart, they ran the business until 1976 when they handed off the reins to their youngest son Brian who’s been running it ever since. Walking through the door you're greeted to walls of old school license plates and other bric-a-brac. Colorful names like the Pig Pile and Lumberjack which was probably eaten by actual Lumberjacks dot the old school menu. Need proof that it’s good? It’s been there for 70+ years and is the oldest establishment not just in Truckee but the ENTIRE Lake Tahoe Basin.

10080 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee
(530) 587-7574

Wild Cherries Coffee House

Owned by two-time Olympic skier Kristin Krone, Wild Cherries is the to-go coffee shop for locals and visitors alike when they need their caffeine fix before heading to Northstar, Castle Peak, or Donner Summit. Along with the locally roasted coffee, they serve up homemade granola with yogurt. Bagel breakfast sandwiches with all the fixin’s. They even have gluten-free baked goods. With more than two decades under their belt, they’ve proven their tagline "Good feelings, great coffee and great fare” is true and then some.

Wild Cherries Coffee Shop is an excellent stop for freshly baked pastries and mouth watering breakfast sandos.

Donner Lake Kitchen

A list of the best Truckee breakfast spots wouldn’t be legit if you didn’t include the Donner Lake Kitchen. Situated mere footsteps from the shores of Donner Lake, the interior is like a pair of your favorite slippers - comfortable and cozy. Open since the mid-1970’s, huge portions are the norm to ensure you have enough energy for a full day of adventure in the mountains or on the waters of Donner Lake. It’s also one of the best family friendly restaurants in Truckee.

Smokey’s Kitchen

Quality BBQ takes time to make. It means having to get up early, as in 4 am. And if you’re up that early, why not serve breakfast? Similar to their mouthwatering ribs and massive salads for lunch, they make everything from scratch for their breakfast offerings too. For anyone that loves a good chicken fried steak, it’s home to arguably the best one in town. A perfect pairing of country white gravy and crispy, flavorful meat.

Cottonwood Restaurant And Bar

Locals know that a visit to Cottonwood Restaurant is in order for brunch when you have the time to savor the morning hours on a weekend. Located inside one of the oldest ski lodges not just in Truckee but in the nation. The historic building is perched on a hillside giving you an unobstructed view of downtown Truckee. Where you can sit out on their patio sipping on a coffee, mimosa, or even a Bloody Mary. Their brunch menu includes items such as sweet stuffed French toast, eggs benedict, and even mac and cheese gnocchi. The star of the show is their Tahoe Mountain Hash. It comes with red wine braised short ribs, sweet potatoes, sauteed dino kale, poached eggs, and truffle hollandaise.

Squeeze In

Featured on the Food Network’s “Throwdown with Bobby Flay”, this breakfast spot has all the normal fixin’s but the shining crown is their omelets. Serving up over 60 different variations, including the “Racy Tracy” which was on the TV show. Beware that if you do come during the morning rush, you’ll have to wait. Best bet is to come early or late.

Jax At The Tracks

All aboard the 1948 Kullman car for a foodie adventure at Jax at the Tracks. Inside this old school diner are classic dishes with an upscale, gourmet twist. Along with the standard breakfast fare, you’ll find beignets, a New Orleans staple that goes perfect with coffee. Sweet and savory chicken and waffles. And even a “grande” breakfast burrito that’s bulging with a variety of different stuffings. And the bonus? Your kids can watch as trains roll by on their way to places like Kansas City, Chicago, and Oakland.

Coffeebar

A dollop of Italian culture in Truckee. Founder Greg Buchheister was raised on the mountains as a champion ski racer. In 1998 while skiing and working in an Italian restaurant, Greg created his own opportunities by importing coffee from Italy. This then transitioned to the opening of the OG Coffeebar location in Truckee in 2010. Along with finely crafted coffee potions, you’ll find a menu filled with items made from locally sourced and farmed ingredients.

Coffeebar's latte art is sure to put a smile on your face.

Cornerstone Kitchen

No matter how good standard breakfast food is, sometimes you want something different. In steps Cornerstone Kitchen. Opened in the summer of 2022 as the restaurant addition to the Cornerstone Bakery. You’ll find the menu dotted with their fresh homemade pastries, and baked goods, but if you look closer, you’ll find unique options all by themselves. International flavors that you’d see in places like NYC or LA such as their Turkish eggs or the Croquette Breakfast. A Quinoa bowl filled with quinoa, greens, avocado, crispy potatoes, eggs and feta. If you’re a person that enjoys expanding their palate, you’ll love this place.

Full Belly Deli

It’s not just a name, but a promise that you won’t leave hungry. Their sandwiches are above and beyond your expectations. From the vast assortment of breads they make themselves as well as local favorites. Then there’s the condiments. Instead of humdrum mustard or mayo, they whip up their own special sauces. For example, if it’s a waist deep powder day then the Gnar Gnar Breakfast Burrito has you covered. A double serving of tri-tip steak, some pepper jack cheese, a bit of spicy green chile, hash browns, Southwest sauce, and a fried egg.

For those that have gone vegan in favor of plant-based foods or have dietary restrictions and still want awesome food, be sure to read our article Peace, Love, And Vegan Food In Truckee.