Breakfast by the beach in Palm Beach County

Breakfast by the beach in Palm Beach County
By Janis Fontaine

There’s no more relaxing way to enjoy the most important meal of the day.

There’s a bumper sticker that says, “Some of us are NOT on vacation.”

True enough, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pretend you’re on vacation with a surf-side breakfast and a nice ocean view.

Here’s a very abbreviated list of places where you can kick off your flip-flops and enjoy your eggs Benedict to the sound of the surf and the smell of the sea:

Benny’s on the Beach, 10 Ocean Blvd., Lake Worth. Breakfast: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info: (561) 582-9001. Benny’s is like John G’s red-headed stepchild. John G’s closing got so much attention, they forgot to tell you that Benny’s is still open at Lake Worth Beach. It’s been a local landmark since it opened in 1986.Directions, reviews, more >>

Dune Deck Cafe, 100 N. Ocean Blvd., Lantana. Breakfast served: 8 to 11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. Brunch from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Info: (561) 582-0472. With a slogan like “The only thing we overlook is the ocean,” it’s got to deliver! Directions, reviews, more >>

Tides Bar and Grille at the Palm Beach Oceanfront Inn, 3550 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach. Info: (561) 582-5631. Afraid of Palm Beach? Don’t be. Tides proudly boasts it’s the closest restaurant to the ocean in South Florida. Every table overlooks the pool and the ocean, and the outside terrace offers al fresco dining. Directions, reviews, more >>

Johnny Longboats, 2401 Ocean Ave., Singer Island. Breakfast served: 7 a.m. to noon daily. This place wins for the best legend. Ask someone to tell you about it. This place has a local, old Florida feel that will make you feel oceans away from the old 9-to-5 grind. Small dogs are allowed outside on patio.Directions, reviews, more >>

Coconuts on the Beach at the Hilton Singer Island Oceanfront/Palm Beaches, 3700 N. Ocean Drive, Singer Island. Info: (561) 848-3888. Breakfast served: 7 to 11 a.m. You may not be able to put your toes in the sand while you’re eating, but pretty close! Directions, reviews, more >>

The Sandbar at Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa, 5 North A1A, Jupiter. Info: (866) 943-0950. Breakfast served: 7-11 a.m. Monday-Friday and a breakfast buffet 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. to noon Sunday. It’s tough to find surf-side dining in Jupiter, but pool-side and an ocean view works.