One of the reasons Niagara Falls makes for such a fantastic family vacation spot is because it’s a city surrounded by town and villages that make interesting destinations in their own right. From the shores of Lake Erie to the Niagara Escarpment, the place is full of a culture, people, history, and life unique unto itself. While every minute of every day could be fawned over and given exact coordinates for the family seeking to squeeze as much out of their Niagara experience as possible, doing so would elicit as many possible itineraries as there are people who visit each year. That being said, breakfast in St. Catharines can be boiled down to something of a science.

Whether you’re headed here with three-year old triplets, the love of your life, or all four, here are the places you need to go to get that all-important first meal of the day in St. Catharines.

Beechwood Doughnuts

First things first: The name is Beechwood Doughnuts, not Beechwood Donuts, so you know they’re serious. How serious? 100 percent vegan serious, and because they’re only open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, you’d better assume they expect you to treat their donuts like you’re headed to brunch.

So, sleep in late, and make a leisurely time of it. Their donut offerings range from Glazed and Pistachio to Death by Chocolate and Banana Peanut Butter Fritter. Gourmet doughnuts with none of the animal business? Just one of the many reasons it’s always a great day to eat breakfast in St. Catharines.

Rozie’s Breakfast Café

If you and your crew want to be fed, coffee-ed, and watered in the wee hours of the morning so as to make the most of your day, Rozie’s is the place for you. Family-owned and operated — like so much in the Niagara region — Rozie’s is open every day from 6:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., and they serve a mouth-watering menu of traditional breakfast fare from a simple dish called the Rozie’s: two eggs and toast to the massive Rowers Hard Ten: three eggs, toast, pancakes, and four pieces of bacon, sausage, ham, peameal, or meat substitute. Rozie’s also has a children’s menu for the wee ones in your charge, and their coffee is some of the best in the area.

The Bleu Turtle Breakfast Bistro

If you’re looking for a breakfast option on the fancier side that can still satisfy your desire for tasty and delicious fare, you should head to the Bleu Turtle. Focused on providing food sourced from local farms, the Bleu Turtle creates everything from scratch, from their delicious bread to their pancake mix and condiments.

Highlights include the Lobster Benedict, the Smoked Salmon Potato Latke, and the Mushroom Frittata, but even if all you dine on is the side of Fried Cheese, you’ll be more than well-prepared for whatever your day of Niagara touring has to throw at you. They also have a fabulous lunch menu should you decide to breakfast elsewhere but still want to hit the Bleu Turtle before the sun goes down.

There’s a reason breakfast is the most important meal of the day: It’s delicious. Get the best there is at these three St. Catharines establishments.