Rise and Shine with Breakfast

Thumbs Up Diner

573 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta 30312

826 Marietta St., Atlanta 30318

1140 Alpharetta St., Roswell 30075

174 Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur 30030 thumbsupdiner.com

◄ Kav’s Omelette: chopped veggie sausage, seasoned spuds and cheddar jack cheese topped with pico de gallo and fresh herbs, $8.29

By Isadora Pennington

They say it’s the most important meal of the day. Breakfast, which literally means to break the fast of the night before, has been posited to be immensely beneficial to your health beyond being tasty.

Researchers at Harvard University found evidence that links regularly eating breakfast with maintenance of a healthy weight and reducing risks of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Logically, it makes sense that eating a well-rounded meal in the morning will help to curb hunger throughout the day, but it also can regulate your energy which helps cognitive function.

There are probably hundreds of places in the Atlanta area to get a tasty breakfast, not to mention an indulgent brunch on the weekends. While there are plenty of popular restaurants to choose from, there are also some real gems that serve delectable breakfast foods that usually fly just under the radar.

Crooked Tree Café

915 Cobb Pkwy., Marietta 30062 770-333-9119, crookedtreecafe.com

Smokey Scramble: smoked pork or chicken with caramelized onions, parmesan, fresh herbs and scrambled eggs, served on roasted potato hash, $9.50; for brisket, add $1

Sweet Potato Café

5377 Manor Dr., Stone Mountain 30083 770-559-9030, thesweetpotatocafe.net

Saturday Breakfast Sandwich: turkey sausage or bacon on sweet potato biscuit; egg only, $3.29; egg and cheese, $3.59; egg, meat and cheese, $5.29

Homemade Sweet Potato Biscuit: $1.59

Java Jive

790 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta 30306 404-876-6161, facebook.com/Java-Jive

▲ Mediterranean Scramble: portabello mushrooms, red peppers, spinach, sun dried tomatoes and feta, with a side of cheese grits and a biscuit, $10.50

Santa Fe Scramble: spicy chorizo sausage, red peppers, onions, potatoes, cheddar and a touch of salsa, with a biscuit on the side, $10.99

Gato

1660 McLendon Ave., Atlanta 30307 404-371-0889, gatoatl.com

▲ Huevos Rancheros: eggs, cheese, black beans, salsas, corn tortillas, cilantro and sour cream; 1/2 order, $5; full order, $9.50

▼ The Slam: duck fat potatoes, garlic confit, bacon cooked cheese eggs, ginger onion and cilantro sauce, $11.50

Sun In My Belly

2161 College Ave., Atlanta 30317 404-370-1088, suninmybelly.com

▼ Scrambled Egg Pressed Panini: hook cheddar and honey-glazed bacon on brioche, $10.95

Rising Son

124 N. Avondale Rd., Avondale Estates 30002

404-600-5297, facebook.com/risingsonavondale

▼ Hashed Out: sausage, bacon, onion, pickled jalapeno, pico, cheddar and sour cream, $11