Breakfast is supposed to be the most important meal of the day, and sometimes cooking for yourself in the morning can be a hassle. So, for the days when you need a quick cheap breakfast, or when you want to go out with a loved one for an early meal, here are some of the best affordable breakfast spots in and around Detroit.

O.W.L. 27302 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-808-6244; owlwoodward.com Open all day and all night, this unique diner serves Mexican-American comfort food. Egg breakfast sandwiches are just $6 and nothing on the menu is over $13. Credit: Tom Perkins
Detroit Institute of Bagels 4884 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-512-8292; detroitinstituteofbagels.com DIB is a local comeback story. The beloved bagel and coffee spot closed in 2020, but soon announced its return, moving into the Core City space formerly occupied by Ochre Bakery and Astro Coffee. Opened in February, its menu includes bagels, breakfast sandwiches, Challah loaves, and coffee. Read more here. Credit: Instagram, @dibbagels
Iggy’s Eggies 34 W. Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-986-1174; iggyseggies.com Walk up to this window in Detroit’s Capitol Park for a quick jammy egg sandwich. Open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. daily, Iggy’s serves breakfast and lunch with its highest-priced item set at $10.50. The Original Eggie, which is just egg and Iggy sauce on a bun, is only $3.75. Adding meat costs an extra $3 and adding cheese costs an extra $1.50, with other available toppings at varying prices. The breakfast special, including an original sandwich, coffee, and a hashbrown, comes out at just $8. That’s pretty cheap for a quick bite to eat and a hit of caffeine to fulfill your early morning needs. Credit: Facebook, Iggy's Eggies
The Clique 11326 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-259-0922; thecliquediner.com From unique breakfast options to the diner classics, this small restaurant has got something for everyone. The cheapest morning option is an egg sandwich for just $4. Credit: Austin Evans Eighmey
Evie’s Tamales 3454 Bagley St, Detroit; 313-843-5056; Facebook.com/EviesTamales While this spot specializes in tamales, the family restaurant is also known for its $1.50 breakfast burritos, which not long ago used to be only 99 cents. Plus, its breakfast specials that include meat, eggs, beans, rice or potatoes, and 3 tortillas, range from just $4-$6. Credit: Facebook, Evie's Tamales
AlTayeb Restaurant 15010 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-908-9527 | 873 Inkster Rd., Garden City; 734-237-4606 | altayebrestaurant.com For a Lebanese-style breakfast, AlTaybeb is the spot, even appearing on a 2022 New York Times list of most exciting restaurants. Some traditional breakfast dishes on the menu include a fava bean stew, makanek sausages, pan-fried eggs, and fatteh, a dish that features fried bread topped with cooked chickpeas, yogurt, and nuts. All plates range from $6-$15. Credit: Cybelle Codish
Awake Cafe 4224 3rd Ave., Detroit; 313-315-3038; awakedetroit.com Alongside drinks, this Cass Corridor coffee shop has a great selection of food too, and at unbeatable prices. Its breakfast menu includes a bagel for $2, avocado toast for $3.50, a fruit parfait for $4.50, and a packed wrap or a bagel sandwich for $5.50. Credit: Facebook, AWAKE Cafe Detroit
Country Boy Restaurant 821 E. Nine Mile Rd., Hazel Park; 248-543-7080 This no-frills joint has Southern-style meals and breakfast classics at affordable prices. Credit: Yelp
See You Tomorrow 7760 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-262-6151; sytdet.com Opened in 2022, this fast-casual brunch cafe is located in Detroit’s New Center area. Its egg scrambles and brunch options are all priced around $15. Credit: Randiah Camille Green
Joe Louis Southern Kitchen 6459 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-788-8338; joelouissouthernkitchen.com This place has a great sit-down atmosphere, perfect for special occasions with loved ones. Many of its meals are priced around $15, but if you’re on a budget or want something smaller, just get the $7 breakfast biscuit. Credit: Tom Perkins
Antojitos El Catracho 4627 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-209-4815; antojitoselcatracho.us Get a Honduran-style breakfast at this Southwest Detroit family diner. For $10, you’ll be nourished with eggs, meat, beans, cheese, and tortillas. Credit: Google Maps
Honest John’s 488 Selden St., Detroit; 313-832-5646; honestjohnsdetroit.com While this long-standing bar was sold to the Detroit Optimist Society Restaurant Group, known for its higher-end holdings, the new ownership thankfully kept things mostly the same — including its great burgers. Credit: Instagram, @honestjohnsdetroit
Babo 15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; 313-974-6159; babodetroit.com Located in Midtown, this gourmet diner is a little more high-end. But, its main breakfast options still range from just $9-$16, so still not bad for a nice brunch. Credit: Facebook, Babo Detroit
Brooklyn Street Local 1266 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-262-6547; brooklynstreetlocal.com The breakfast sandwich at this spot, which can be ordered vegan or with meat, is just $8. Omelets and other breakfast specials are all under $13. Credit: Serena Maria Daniels
Mudgie’s Deli 1413 Brooklyn St., Detroit; 313-961-2000; mudgiesdeli.com There’s not much to say about Mudgie’s that hasn’t already been said. If you want a great sandwich, you want Mudgie’s. Credit: Google Maps
Duly’s 5458 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-3076; facebook.com/dulysconeyisland Founded in 1921, this old-fashioned diner continues to serve up a wide range of breakfast 24 hours a day. Credit: Facebook, Duly's Place
Cadillac Square Diner 111 Cadillac Square, Detroit; 313-974-6923; cadillacsquarediner.com This classic diner in the heart of downtown Detroit has every American breakfast offering you could imagine, from omelets to french toast to biscuits and gravy, all at low prices. Credit: Facebook, Fred Lichter
La Jalisciense Supermercado Y Taqueria 3923 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-551-0522; lajalisciensedetroit.com Located inside a grocery store, this family-owned restaurant has tacos starting at $1.59, with chips for just 99¢ — among many other Mexican favorites. Credit: chaunceyfrancois/Instagram
Main Street Restaurant 11650 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; facebook.com/encuentrolatinorestaurante Serving up Greek, Italian, and American cuisine, this spot has a handful of breakfast specials, all under $10. If you’re an early riser, the restaurant is open at 6 a.m. and serves breakfast until 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It also offers a great patio and a bar. Credit: Facebook, Mainestreet Restaurant
Motown Cafe Grill 19638 Van Dyke Ave., Detroit; 313-368-2600; motowncafegrill.com Breakfast sandwiches at this spot are just $9. Plus, there are tons of other breakfast options to choose from if you want something more. Credit: Facebook, Motown Cafe & Grill-Van Dyke

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Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about art, music, food, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between...