Worcester, Massachusetts is a college city. And that means there is demand for breakfast food at all times of the day, whether it be morning, lunch, or late at night after the bars close.
You will find an abundance of diners in Worcester that offer breakfast at reasonable prices. The Miss Worcester Diner and Boulevard Diner have both been around for over 70 years and are still housed in the old rail car style structures, while the original Kenmore Diner had to be rebuilt after a notorious fire in 1999.
But as the city goes through constant revitalization, pricier restaurants serving weekend brunch and fancier cocktails have also opened.
This is where to find the best breakfast in Worcester, MA.
Lou Roc's Diner
Lou Roc’s Diner is one of the most loved breakfast and lunch spot in Worcester. While not housed in a classic diner car like some of its Worcester counterparts, Lou Roc’s offers a diner experience. But it always seems to me as a step above in terms of quality homecooked meals.
This family-owned establishment is renowned for its generous portions and affordable prices. The menu at Lou Roc’s features a wide array of breakfast and lunch options, from fluffy pancakes and omelets to burgers and sandwiches. The diner is especially famous for its breakfast specials, which often include creative pancake and French toast variations.
The interior of Lou Roc’s Diner is cozy and unpretentious, with a warm, welcoming vibe that captures the essence of a neighborhood gathering spot. It’s the kind of place where regulars are greeted by name and new visitors are welcomed with open arms and a hot cup of coffee.
Armsby Abbey
Armsby Abbey is a restaurant and craft beer bar located right on Main Street in downtown Worcester. Since winning Worcester Magazine’s award for best new restaurant in 2009, it has continued to win or be nominated for several other categories. But I think it’s the streak of being named Worcester’s Best Sunday Brunch, Cocktails, and Beer Selection that best describes the vibe here.
The wooden tables, long bar, and exposed brick walls give it a true gastropub atmosphere. The kitchen is committed to using organic and sustainable produce, with much of it sourced from local farms. But Armsby Abbey is perhaps best known for its collection of craft beers, which features over 20 taps and a comprehensive bottle list with some of the best local, national, and international craft brews.
While it’s a great place to stop by for lunch, dinner, or even just some drinks in the evening, weekend brunch is a great time to visit. While the brunch menu is small, it changes every couple of weeks and so it remains fresh no matter how often you eat there.
Weekend Brunch Only
Deadhorse Hill
I don’t hide my belief that Deadhorse Hill is one of the best restaurants in Worcester and certainly one of my favorites.
Chef Jared Foreman had worked at some of New York City’s best restaurants, including Gramercy Tavern, Momofuku, and the three Michelin-starred Per Se. So, when he and his wife decided to move north to her home state, New York’s loss became Worcester’s gain.
Deadhorse Hill serves seasonal American cuisine, with an emphasis on local sourcing and high-quality ingredients to create menus that change with the seasons. But you will often find house-made pastas, locally sourced meats, and creatively prepared seafood, all presented with a contemporary flair.
They are open for dinners Thursday thru Sunday and offer some of the best Sunday brunch in Worcester.
If you’re curious what my other favorite Worcester restaurant is… it’s Mari E Monte.
Sunday Brunch Only
Livia's Dish
If you want an atmosphere that’s somewhere in between a casual diner and the weekend brunch offered at Armsby Abbey and Deadhorse Hill, then Livia’s Dish might be for you.
Enton Mehillaj realized at a young age that he had an interest in cooking while making Italian/Mediterranean dishes with his family in Albania. He moved to the US at age 18 and attended Johnson and Wales University. And then he worked at several hotels before he and his wife decided to pursue their own dream. Together, they opened Livia’s Dish, a breakfast and lunch restaurant named after their daughter.
The menu at Livia’s Dish is diverse, offering a wide array of breakfast and lunch options. Breakfast is served all day, and features favorites like omelets, pancakes, crepes, and a few varieties of French toast. Lunch options include a variety of sandwiches, salads, and hearty entrees that cater to both traditional and more health-focused diners.
Altea's Eatery
If you like Livia’s Dish, then you will probably also like the breakfast at Altea’s Eatery. They are owned by the same husband and wife team, who decided to open a second breakfast restaurant, and this time name it after their second daughter.
Altea’s Eatery has some French influence with offerings like crepes, beignets, and the croque Madame. And they also serve French-Canadian poutine. But you can get all the standard American fare as well. And make sure to try a Bloody Mary with one of their house infused vodkas.
Sisters Restaurant
Sisters Restaurant is a family-run diner that has been serving Worcester breakfast and lunch for many years, earning a reputation for its friendly service and generous portions.
The menu at Sisters Restaurant is a variety of traditional American diner fare, with breakfast and lunch options that cater to all tastes. Breakfast favorites include a range of egg dishes, pancakes, and waffles, all made with a homestyle touch. For lunch, the menu expands to include sandwiches, burgers, and classic comfort foods like meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
The interior of Sisters Restaurant is quaint and unassuming, with a homey feel that makes guests feel like they’re dining in a family member’s kitchen. The staff, often including the owners themselves, go out of their way to make diners feel welcome and attended to, adding to the overall familial atmosphere.
Miss Worcester Diner
The Miss Worcester Diner is a Worcester landmark and slice of American history. It is housed in a classic Worcester Lunch Car Company diner car, and located right across the street for from the original factory that produced this style of diner from 1906 to 1957. The interior retains a vintage charm with its snug booths, formica countertops, and nostalgic decor, transporting patrons back to the golden age of diners.
Since 1948, the Miss Worcester Diner has been serving traditional American breakfasts and lunches, such as pancakes, omelets, and daily specials. It’s open early every day, and closes at 2pm.
Boulevard Diner
The Boulevard Diner is another Worcester institution constructed by the Worcester Lunch Car Company. It opened in 1936, and like the Miss Worcester Diner, retains much of its original charm.
It of course has an all-day breakfast along with other typical diner food. But the fact that it is open 24 hours on the weekends is what made it my go-to late night diner in school and post-college. And it’s a great late-night spot when the bars close.
Kenmore Diner
Another long time Worcester breakfast spot is the Kenmore Diner. It originally opened in 1965, but then closed for two years before James and Pauline Yantsides reopened it in 1974. It was a rail style diner with a distinctive stainless-steel exterior and the nostalgic charm of mid 20th century diners.
Unfortunately, Kenmore Diner became famous to people outside Worcester when a fire erupted in the adjacent cold storage warehouse in 1999. The fire was catastrophic and six firefighters lost their lives. One of the firefighters lost was Jay Lyons, a cousin of comedian Denis Leary. This inspired him to establish The Leary Firefighters Foundation to support fire departments with equipment, training, and technology.
The Kenmore Diner was demolished and later rebuilt with oversized booths, red vinyl seats, and a black-and-white checkered floor to maintain its nostalgic charm.
A memorial was unveiled in 2008 to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of the firefighters known as the Worcester Six: Paul Brotherton, Timothy Jackson, Jeremiah Lucey, James Lyons, Joseph McGuirk, and Thomas Spencer.
Other Breakfast Spots
Cafe Reyes: This is a mission-based restaurant that serves authentic Cuban food and dishes from around Latin America. It serves as a jobs training program for residents and graduates of the Hector Reyes House, a bilingual and bicultural residential treatment program for Latino men in recovery.
Root and Press: This independent bookstore and cafe serves coffee, breakfast, and lunch. The menu includes many vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options.
Birch Tree Bread Company: True to its name, the Birch Tree Bread Company makes some outstanding bread, as well as breakfast sandwiches, various toast options, and lunch sandwiches.
Acoustic Java: While the breakfast options are limited to croissants and bagels, they roast their own beans on-site and it could be the best coffee shop in Worcester. There is plenty of seating, and if you can’t drink any more coffee, there is a small brewery in an adjacent space.
