The Sunny Side Cafe in Albany, Alameda County, has won Best Breakfast/Brunch Restaurant in the East Bay Express Readers Poll three times, and it’s one of those places where you can actually bring your dog and sit outside while eating without feeling rushed. The owner sources certified farm-fresh eggs and natural meats, so the scrambles and breakfast burritos taste noticeably different from typical diner fare.

When you arrive, the vibe is genuinely relaxed—the kind of place where someone working the counter will chat with you about your dog instead of treating it like an inconvenience. The outdoor seating area is where you’ll want to be. It’s open enough that your dog gets actual fresh air and can people-watch, but there’s still some shelter. On a decent morning, you’ll see clusters of dogs hanging out with their owners at different tables, which means your dog might get distracted by friendly neighbors, but that’s part of the experience.

The menu rotates seasonally based on what’s available locally, so you won’t see the exact same items every time you visit. The pancakes are substantial—not the thin, forgettable kind—and if you’re into breakfast burritos, theirs have actual substance to them. They also do lunch, though breakfast and brunch are what they’re known for.

One thing worth knowing: the outdoor seating can get crowded on weekend mornings, so if you want a calm experience with your dog, a weekday visit or arriving early on Saturday makes a difference. The space doesn’t have that frantic energy some popular brunch spots develop.

The cafe is located in a walkable part of Albany, so you could easily combine a visit here with a nearby walk before or after eating. Bring water for your dog since you’ll be sitting outside, and if you’re planning to come on a busy weekend morning, arriving right when they open tends to work better for dogs who prefer a quieter atmosphere.