Holiday breakfasts can make mornings merry and bright

Given the long summertime waits at breakfast and brunch places here at the beach, it seems that the first meal of the day is an indulgence reserved only for our seasonal visitors. But exhaustive studies have proven that one can actually live here and still have a great selection of places to enjoy breakfast, lunch or that magical combination of both. Studies, you ask? Take a look at how many restaurants open early to dish up off-season morning victuals: 

One of the best Sunday brunch deals in town is the huge buffet at Bethany Blues in Lewes. Hankerin' for a breakfast rib? They've got it! Feeling more like a freshly baked waffle and a made-before-your-eyes omelet? They can do that too. They even have a close-to-the-ground kids' buffet for the little ones' convenience. Slightly south of there is the Saturday and Sunday brunch experience at Fork + Flask at Nage. They have extended their longtime Sunday event into Saturdays, and the recent addition of small plates makes it even better. 

Two other popular buffets here in Rehoboth can be enjoyed at Indigo Indian Restaurant and Fins Ale House on Coastal Highway. Indigo features an all-you-can-eat Indian lunch buffet that even includes a cocktail. The dishes rotate from week to week so you can try all of Raghu Kumar's Tandoori handiwork. Out on the highway, Fins Ale house and Raw Bar dishes up an extensive brunch buffet with a few Fins specialty items thrown in for good measure. Indigo opens at 11 a.m., and the Fins festivities start at 10 a.m. 

Just a few doors west of Indigo Indian Restaurant is the beautifully decorated Blackwall Hitch. GM Zach Diogo and Executive Chef Chip Miller make sure that the buffet has something for everyone, from crispy fried chicken to omelets to a wide array of fruit and salads. Of course, over on Baltimore Avenue, the Sunday brunch at the Blue Moon is a mainstay of downtown mornings, with delightful pastries and a whimsical menu that combines breakfast and lunch on one plate. 

Though they militantly close in the winter, the Back Porch Café has one of the most popular Sunday brunches on The Avenue. Start with the blueberry scones. The wait until March will be worth it. Trust me on this. 

Big Fish Grill on The Highway recently jumped onto the brunch buffet bandwagon, and this could very well be one of the biggest around. It starts at 11 a.m. Don't plan to eat for a week or so after you visit. Back out on Coastal Highway, join the hungry Chosen (and those who love them) at Rosenfeld's Jewish Deli every Sunday starting early. Another breakfast mainstay in the ocean block of Rehoboth Beach is the Steele family's Café Azafran. This breakfast go-to spot originated in Lewes, and recently reopened there as Olive & Oats. And yes, like the Rehoboth mothership, they have Richard Steele's famous baked oatmeal. The noshing starts at 8 a.m. 

Chesapeake & Maine opens at 11 a.m. on Sundays with an interesting amalgam of seafood and breakfast items. The combinations are always tasty, as are the cocktails from their James Beard-nominated bar. A few blocks east, the delightful Yolanda Pineda is on hand to make sure Mariachi guests are properly fed for breakfast. Chorizo eggs benedict. Hot and sweet platanos with sour cream. Sopapillas (if you behave yourself). 'Nuff said. 

Feeling Asian? Danielle and Shawn Xiong have been unlocking the doors at Confucius at 10 a.m. on Sundays for many years. (An exception this year is Christmas Eve and NYE Sundays.) By the way, if you think you're going to get a seat at Confucius around Christmas or New Year's Day - and you haven't made a reservation - you might want to make other plans. This is a very popular spot for holiday and holiday eve meals. 

One of the new kids on the block is Missi Moore's Egg restaurant up by the drawbridge where McQuay's used to be. Waits can be long at Egg, and savvy locals know that off-season weekdays are the time to go. Just across the drawbridge is the always reliable Crystal Restaurant - militantly open every year on Christmas morning. Many locals count a Crystal Christmas breakfast as a cherished tradition. 

Robin Hood in the ocean block of The Avenue has a particularly wallet-friendly breakfast starting at 7 a.m. every day, with several tasty Greek dishes that are quite good. Around the corner, George "Goolee" Stakias continues to make mornings delicious at Goolee's Grille. The french toast is sublime. Yet another contender in the wallet-friendly department is Jimmy's Grille next to Nage and Touch of Italy on The Highway. Owner Alex Pires promised to maintain Jimmy's Bridgeville prices when he opened in Rehoboth Beach, and has kept that promise with just a few exceptions. 

Another tiny place that may or may not be open (always call!) is the consistently good Sunrise restaurant in Dewey Beach. Stay long enough so you can follow the particularly moist omelets and vanilla-y pancakes with the classically presented club sandwich. Of course, no Dewey Beach vacation would be complete without The Starboard, and breakfast is served year-round (weekends in the off season) starting at 8:30 a.m. 

'Tiz the season to indulge, and nothing says cozy like a relaxed brunch just blocks from the sand. Give these places a try while the vacationers aren't looking - before ya' know it there will be endless lines once again. (By the way, that's a GOOD thing ... you want the restaurant to still be there when you visit next winter!)