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Where to find an early breakfast in Center City

The demise of the 24/7 diner in Center City Philadelphia makes it a challenge to find breakfast before 8 a.m. Here are some options.

The dining room of Urban Farmer at the Logan Hotel, 1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
The dining room of Urban Farmer at the Logan Hotel, 1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.Read moreCourtesy of Urban Farmer

Way before the era of Dunkin, Wawa, and all-hours delivery, Center City had a roster of all-night diners. They’re all gone.

Where to find an early breakfast then? One recent option has been Hatch & Coop, slinging sandwiches 24/7 at 12th and Sansom Streets.

Here are other options before 8 a.m. weekdays, besides the ubiquitous Starbucks (some of which open as early as 4:30 a.m.). I’ve boldfaced the names of places whose menus are more extensive than grab-and-go coffees, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches.

6 a.m.

Table service

  1. Chez Colette (Sofitel, 120 S. 17th St.)

  2. IHOP (1320 Walnut St.)

Counter service

  1. Bill’s Breakfast & Lunch (1312 Sansom St.)

  2. Coco Grille (BNY Mellon Center, 1735 Market St.)

  3. Coventry Deli (2000 Market St.)

  4. Foods on First (1429 Arch St.)

  5. Good Day Deli (37 S. 20th St.)

  6. La Colombe (130 S. 19th St.)

  7. Rival Bros. (2400 Lombard St. and Jessup House, 1134 Sansom St.)

6:30 a.m.

Table service

  1. Lacroix at the Rittenhouse (210 W. Rittenhouse Sq.

  2. Le Pain Quotidien (1425 Walnut St.)

  3. Patchwork (Hyatt Centric Rittenhouse Square, 1620 Chancellor St.)

Counter service

  1. Passero’s (834 Chestnut St.)

7 a.m.

Table service

  1. Bluestone Lane (1701 Locust St., 2000 Walnut St., 1717 Arch St.)

  2. Egg’s Ale (Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia City Center, 1201 Race St.)

  3. Dolce Italian (W Hotel, 1437 Chestnut St.)

  4. Le Pain Quotidien (801 Walnut St.)

  5. Red Owl Tavern (Hotel Monaco, 433 Chestnut St.)

  6. Square 1682 (Hotel Palomar, 121 S. 17th St.)

  7. Urban Farmer (Logan Hotel, 1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway)

Counter/kiosk service

  1. Cafe Square One (311 Market St. and 1225 Walnut St.)

  2. Enswell (1528 Spruce St.)

  3. Good Karma Cafe (265 S. Broad St.)

  4. Gran Caffè L’Aquila (1716 Chestnut St.)

  5. Jean’s Cafe (1334 Walnut St.)

  6. Olivier Cafe (50 S. Third St.)

  7. Passero’s (Wanamaker Building, 100 E. Penn Square)

  8. P.S. & Co (1706 Locust St.), Wednesday-Friday

  9. Termini Bros. (Comcast Center concourse, 1701 JFK Blvd.)

  10. The Bread Room (834 Chestnut St.)

7:30 a.m.

Counter service

  1. Vernick Coffee Bar (Comcast Technology Center, 1800 Arch St. — the cafe room is open for seating)

  2. Loretta’s (410 S. Second St.)

  3. Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar (15 S. 20th St.)