If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then the breakfast sandwich is arguably the most important sandwich of all.
Paired with a cup of coffee and packed with protein, fiber and carbs, it gives us a much-needed morning boost and is downright delicious: The combination of hot eggs, melted cheese, meat and fresh veggies is one of the greatest union of ingredients between sliced bread.
To get your hands on one of the best breakfast sandwiches in Sonoma County, make your way to one of these 20 restaurants and cafes. Click through the gallery above for a few top picks.
Baker and Cook
For a hearty breakfast sandwich in a casual cafe, head to Baker and Cook in Boyes Hot Springs and order the filling Breakfast Sando with smoked ham, two fried eggs and Swiss cheese on a housemade croissant. 18812 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-938-7329, bakerandcooksonoma.com
Homegrown Bagels
Nothing hits the spot quite like a hot, chewy bagel stuffed with fluffy eggs. And this is what Homegrown Bagels specializes in. Breakfast egg sandwiches come with a two-egg omelet on a buttered, housemade bagel with your choice of meat, cheese and veggies. 201 W. Napa St., Suite 21, Sonoma, 707-996-0166, homegrownbagels.com
Sunflower Caffé
This downtown Sonoma cafe serves up wholesome breakfast dishes with sustainable, farm-fresh ingredients. Its Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwich is a top pick. Served on a large, fluffy biscuit, it overflows with soft-scrambled, pasture-raised eggs with chives, cheddar, gochujang aioli, dressed greens and a shallot and leek conserva. 421 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-6645, sonomasunflower.com
Eggspresso
As the name implies, eggs are the stars on the menu of this Petaluma cafe. It serves up six egg-celent breakfast sandwiches. The Sausage, Egg & Cheese sandwich on an English muffin is a popular choice, with housemade honey mustard aioli to complement the spice of the sausage patty. The Petaluma sandwich on a warm brioche bun is another favorite, packed with pillowy scrambled eggs along with chives, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions and housemade sriracha mayo. 173 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-559-3313, eggspressoco.com
The Bagel Mill
Starting with your choice of one of The Bagel Mill’s fresh, organic bagels, you can’t go wrong with any of the breakfast sandwich options available all day. For a local twist on a classic, try the California Egg & Cheese with Petaluma Creamery cheddar, Hobbs bacon, organic egg, avocado and tomato on the fan-favorite marble rye bagel. 212 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-981-8010, thebagelmill.com
Marvin’s
Marvin’s of Cotati serves up traditional American breakfasts in a homey diner atmosphere — locals keep coming back for the quality food and friendly service. Their simple yet filling Breakfast Sandwich is layered with eggs, tomato, avocado, cheese and bacon or ham on grilled sourdough. 7991 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, 707-664-1720, marvinsofcotati.com
Brew
Popular for its colorful avocado toasts and freshly brewed coffee, Brew can also whip up a satisfying breakfast sandwich. A best bet is the Sausage Sando with pork sausage, cage-free eggs, jack cheese, pesto and fig jam on an English muffin. 555 Healdsburg Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-303-7372, brewcoffeeandbeer.com
Criminal Baking Co.
In addition to a selection of freshly-baked pastries and desserts that changes daily, Criminal Baking in Santa Rosa offers loaded egg breakfast sandwiches on locally-made English muffins with a bright spread of pesto and lemon curd. Local favorites are The Bacon Bandit with bacon and white cheddar and The Fun Guy with mushrooms, bacon and chevre. Want more plants with your breakfast sando? Go for the Garden Thief, with pepper Jack, zucchini, mushrooms, eggplant and red peppers. 808 Donahue St., Santa Rosa, 707-888-3546, criminalbakingcompany.com
Dierk’s Parkside Café
A breakfast mainstay in Santa Rosa since 2006, Dierk’s Parkside serves up a long list of morning favorites, including a couple of tasty and filling breakfast sandwiches. Gompa’s Sandwich is stacked with bacon, turkey, cheddar, tomatoes, lettuce and fried egg with pesto mayonnaise on Full Circle Bakery bread. Varina’s Parkside Sandwich is a healthy mix of avocado, jack cheese, pesto, tomato and scrambled eggs on whole wheat. 404 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-573-5955, dierksparkside.com
Grossman’s Noshery & Bar
Located inside the Hotel La Rose in Santa Rosa’s historic Railroad Square, Grossman’s Noshery & Bar serves up classic Jewish cuisine with a Stark twist (the restaurant is owned by Mark and Terri Stark, who own and operate eight successful Sonoma County restaurants with a signature style). For a hearty breakfast, try Bubbie’s Breakfast Sandwich with a fried egg, griddled pastrami and avocado schmear on toasted ciabatta with everything spice. 308 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, 707-595-7707, grossmanssr.com
Ana’s Cafe and Espresso
Ana’s Cafe is a well-known local stop for a quick, satisfying breakfast with friendly service. Breakfast sandwiches consist of egg, cheese and your choice of meat (chorizo, ham, bacon or sausage) on a bagel or croissant, with homemade roasted salsa. 10333 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, 707-837-0680
Costeaux French Bakery
This longtime French bakery staple incorporates its flakey, fluffy butter croissants in its breakfast sandwich. The Croissant Breakfast comes with egg, bacon, avocado, cheddar cheese and house aioli. 417 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-1913, costeaux.com
The Parish Cafe
This Louisiana-inspired cafe serves up authentic po’boys for breakfast. The Original Breakfast Po-Boy includes eggs over medium, black forest ham, melted provolone cheese, fresh spinach and tomato. It is served on Costeaux bread with a side of potatoes. Do yourself a favor and order a beignet while you’re there. 60 Mill St., Healdsburg, 707-431-8474, theparishcafe.com
Plank Coffee
With a variety of vegan and vegetarian options, there’s a breakfast sandwich for everyone at Plank Coffee. The popular Bagel Breakfast Sandwich comes with an organic frittata, garlic oil, melted sharp cheddar and organic mixed greens on a toasted sesame bagel. For a vegetarian twist on a classic, try the Biscuit, Egg, Cheese & Tempeh Bacon Sandwich on a housemade buttermilk biscuit with two organic eggs, melted sharp cheddar (vegan cheese available) and smoky tempeh bacon. 175 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-395-0572; 227 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-6187, plankcoffee.com
Tiny Town Cafe
Charming and unpretentious, Tiny Town Cafe is the place to get a quick, affordable breakfast that doesn’t skimp on all the good stuff. There are a variety of breakfast sandwich combinations to choose from, such as a sausage, egg and cheese on a toasted everything bagel, or avocado, salsa, egg and cheese on a croissant. 6544 Front St., Forestville, 707-887-1400
Baked on the River
Surrounded by a lush garden and redwoods, Baked on the River is an idyllic place to order an egg sandwich. For a simple, tasty breakfast, try the Early Bird ham, egg and cheese sandwich on a fresh buttered roll. Or go for the hearty Brunch Bird with egg, bacon, chicken sausage, cheddar and lettuce on a buttered roll. 16390 Fourth St., Guerneville, 707-865-6060, bakedontheriver.com
Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen
Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen is equal parts quaint and cool. The restaurant is located amid the redwoods, next to a skatepark, and the bohemian interior is cozy and charming. The menu is short but features just the right amount of wholesome dishes, including a handful of artisanal breakfast sandwiches. Don’t miss the French O, with ham, brie, soft egg and onion jam on a hot, flaky croissant. 9725 Main St., Monte Rio, 707-865-5169, lightwavecafe.square.site
Estero Cafe
This cafe is a favorite spot for fueling up before a day on the coast. The Breakfast Sandwich has two eggs over hard, Estero Gold cheese, spinach, sweet red onion and mayo between slices of toasted Red Bird Bakery pullman. Sister restaurant Americana in Santa Rosa (205 5th St., suite A) also serves a Breakfast Sandwich with the same ingredients but on Village Bakery sourdough.
14450 Highway 1, Valley Ford, 707-876-3333, esterocafe.com.
