Tower Café’s name doesn’t quite speak to its vivacious multiglobal personality and matching menu. The favorite breakfast/brunch spot on Broadway explodes with cultural décor, Buddha statues, paintings of a serious-faced Frida Khalo and porcelain statues of Chinese fisherman. Locals love the established restaurant—adjacent to Tower Theatre—for its plates from breakfast to dinner that celebrate diversity. Some breakfast choices: New Mexico cornmeal blueberry pancakes that arrive warm with dollops of melted butter, Greek omelet, huevos rancheros. For lunch, try the Persian pita (chicken, green apples, toasted almonds in a curry yogurt sauce, a Brazilian salad (chicken, mango, black beans and avocado and papaya) or a bowl of Nicaraguan black bean soup. For dinner, honor the local Irish with a pot of Guinness stew (Niman Ranch chuck roast, carrots over mashed potatoes) or order from the tapas menu. Tower’s is well worn, comfortable and can be chaotically busy during its weekend breakfast hours. But if you don’t mind the wait, coffee is strong and tasty, and the food fresh and flavorful. Cindy Arora

Insider tip: Make an afternoon of it and head over to catch a flick at the theatre.

Recommended dishes: Mexicana omelet $8, Blueberry Blintz $8.95

Reservations: Recommended on weekends

Payment methods: Amex, Cash, Discover, Mastercard, Visa

Alcohol: Beer and wine

Corkage fee: $10

Hours: Sunday–Thursday: 8 a.m.–11 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.–12 a.m.