- Play Hard
- 24th Mar 2026
- 0
- 0 minute
5 breakfast places Middlesbrough locals love
Nestled within Middlesbrough town centre is a growing collection of hidden gem independent cafes and cosy corners to escape to.
Serving everything from perfectly poached eggs to stacked pancakes and expertly brewed coffee, the trick is knowing where to look.
Easy to miss at first glance, these breakfast places Middlesbrough locals love are well worth getting out of bed for — and even travelling for.
If you’re willing to slow down and look a little closer, Middlesbrough’s brunch scene has plenty of delicious surprises waiting to be discovered.
Take a look at this list to discover your next must-visit for a solo brunch, catch up with the girls or a brunch date.
Off The Ground
63 Grange Road, Middlesbrough TS1 5AS
Off The Ground is a favourite among locals that invites you in with its cool, industrial look, and brunch that feels welcoming and unhurried. The team here take great pride in their coffee and food, with fairly and ethically sourced ingredients that result in a menu of incredible options.
The bagels are a must because they’re made fresh every morning, but keep your eyes on their socials for French toast specials announcements. With plenty of options, including veggie and vegan, served until early afternoon, it’s an ideal spot to ease into the day.
Baker Street Kitchen
159 Albert Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 2PX
If there’s one thing that Baker Street Kitchen isn’t short of, it’s choice. This spacious, yet cosy cafe is hugely popular, thanks to it’s menu that demands a few re-reads to pick just one of the many options.
From classics, like eggs Benedict and smoked salmon bagels, to more unique picks, like breakfast loaded fries, there’s something here for every kind of bruncher. What we love is that their menu is served all day, every day, so you could even treat yourself to a 4pm pancake stack.
Steam & Bean Coffee House
Unit 2, Rede House, Middlesbrough, TS1 1LY
Steam & Bean are one of the newest additions to Middlesbrough town centre, and they’ve already made waves with their fantastic brunch menu. This is a family business, run by mum, Angie, and her children, Ellie and Dylan (plus their adopted second mum, Lisa), and they’re a total dream team.
Think incredible sourdough toasts that beg to be added to the grid, the most perfectly presented French toast and don’t miss out on their matcha either (no matter if you’re a fan of it hot or cold)
Cafe Etch
5 Gilkes Street, Middlesbrough, TS1 5ET
As soon as you step through the door of Cafe Etch, you can feel its personality. Bare bricks, hanging plants and work benches from an old steel plant turned into tables give the space a distinctive feel, while original artwork on the walls adds to the charm.
Alongside the quirky vibe, you’’ll find plenty of food, cake and coffee. For brunch, the full English is a standout and perfect for a relaxed catch-up, with great vegetarian and vegan options too, so everyone can start the day off with something delicious.
Alkaline Kitchen
15 Albert Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 1PQ
The Alkaline Kitchen team believe that plant-based dining doesn’t have to be bland, and they’ve spent years perfecting their meals. The result is a menu filled with colourful and exciting options that are healthy, fresh and vibrant.
We love their smoothie bowls topped off with homemade granola, alongside their wraps, salads and omelettes for a lighter bite. If you fancy something a little different, try their BBQ tacos if you fancy something a little different. You absolutely don’t need to be eating a plant-based diet to enjoy this spot, and all are welcome, including dogs.
Subscribe
Subscribe now to receive our twice-weekly emails and exclusive offers for High Life North readers.