This week's brunch pick is EJ's Bayfront Cafe, a waterfront breakfast and brunch cafe at 469 Bayfront Pl, Naples, FL 34102 in Old Naples that holds about 4.6 stars on Google from more than 1,100 reviews. It is open daily from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM, serves breakfast all day, and has earned the local title of Best Brunch Restaurant in Naples. If you want a slow morning with marina views and food that justifies the trip, this is the spot.
Why EJ's Bayfront Cafe Stands Out
EJ's has been an Old Naples morning staple since March 2012, when chef Eric Becker opened it on the Bayfront with a simple idea: breakfast and brunch worth slowing down for, right on the water. The room is casual and welcoming, with indoor seating and a covered outdoor patio that faces the marina, so you can eat eggs Benedict while boats drift past. The dockside bar pours mimosas, and the service is the friendly, attentive kind that makes first-timers feel like regulars.
It is the kind of place where the owner is often on site, and regulars notice. The kitchen turns out made-to-order breakfast classics with fresh ingredients, and the menu covers enough ground that a group can order breakfast burritos, omelets, skillets, and French toast at the same table and everyone gets what they came for.
What to Order
The Banana Stuffed French Toast is the most-ordered dish and the best place to start: thick French toast filled with bananas, golden on the outside, served with syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar. The eggs Benedict are the other house favorite, and they come in several versions: the Classic with Canadian bacon, a Crab Cake Benedict, Smoked Salmon, a Bacon Benedict, and a Garden version that is vegetarian.
For something savory, the EJ's Scramble brings together bacon, kielbasa, onions, mushrooms, and cheddar and jack cheese, and the Bayfront Scramble layers bacon, avocado, onions, and tomatoes with salsa and sour cream on the side. Whatever you order, the fresh-squeezed orange juice is the drink people keep coming back for, and the dockside bar is there if your brunch calls for a mimosa.
The Vibe
The vibe is relaxed and lively at the same time. On a sunny morning the patio is the spot: bay breezes, marina views, and coffee that keeps coming. Inside is bright and energetic, and it can get loud and busy when the weekend brunch rush hits, which is part of its charm. Locals come in casual clothes, visitors wander in from nearby hotels, and everyone is welcome at the same tables.
Hours, Reservations, and How to Plan Your Visit
EJ's is open every day from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM, with breakfast served all day, so it works for a late brunch too. It does not take reservations; seating is walk-in on a first-come, first-served basis. During season the patio fills up quickly, so the reliable move is to arrive early or aim for a weekday morning. You can browse the full menu on the restaurant's official website or call (239) 353-4444. It is one of those Naples favorites that anchors the Old Naples morning, and a dependable answer to where to go for brunch in Southwest Florida.
About This Series
Each week, Catalina features a well-reviewed brunch spot in Southwest Florida: a cafe or restaurant worth planning a morning around. Catch every feature on the Brunch page, and if you have a favorite you think should be featured next, let her know.
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