It’s the perfect laid-back atmosphere; you don’t want anything extreme early in the day. This old-school Seattle place has an excellent breakfast menu, from omelets, brioche French toast, and corned beef hash to huevos rancheros. But what really puts it over the top are the pastries from their in-house baker: sticky cinnamon rolls, hazelnut scones, and savory biscuits. And you can gird yourself for the rest of the day with a superbly made espresso drink or hardy Bloody Mary. It’s a first-rate brunch experience. (Hi Spot Cafe, 1410 34th Ave, hispotcafe.com, 8 am–2:30 pm)