Rapidly gaining a reputation as one of America's up-and-coming culinary destinations, Columbus' breakfast scene is creating a buzz with its diversity, one-of-a-kind experiences and vast number of five-star-worthy offerings. From classic diner fare, to offbeat, ethnic and funky, Ohio's capital city has an unusual number of top-notch breakfast joints. In fact, the city's wealth of wonderful morning dining spots inspired the well-read food blog, breakfastwithnick.com, led by local writer and Professor Nick Dekker. Dekker also has authored an equally popular book by the same name, "Breakfast with Nick, Columbus."

Known to his students as Professor Breakfast, the Ohio State University Theater Department lecturer attributes the city's popularity as a breakfast destination to its people." The strength of any restaurant scene rests on the personalities and entrepreneurs that make it happen," Dekker said.  "The tremendous quality of the food and the diversity of offerings in the city are surely part of it, but what really makes Columbus breakfast so wonderful are the people who put in a ridiculous amount of hours running their restaurants. They always come up smiling, ready to welcome customers to their restaurant and make them feel loved."

With more than a dozen local coffee roasters and farmers' fields just minutes away, Columbus breakfast purveyors have easy access to the best local ingredients from which to craft their menus.  Just a few local favorites include:

Latin-infused Katalina's legendary pancake balls stuffed with Nutella, fresh strawberries and dulce de leche are served with sweet and spicy bacon. Truffled egg and Mazatlan slow-roasted pork and egg sandwiches are just a sample of what draws huge crowds that pack this little corner eatery for breakfast served all day.

In charming German Village, celebrated pastry chef Spencer Budros bakes with grace at Pistacia Vera. Classic French laminated doughs give way to stunning croissants, feuilletine and renowned French macarons. Breakfast seekers can also find daily quiche choices, a Greek yogurt parfait with toasted grains, almonds and house-made preserves or smoked salmon tartare with crème fraîche and cucumber served with a rye croissant. Also in German Village, Skillet Chef Kevin Caskey takes local to a higher level during Saturday and Sunday brunch with his changing-daily menu of Southern inspired dishes like andouille sausage gravy and biscuits or eggs and grits. 

Hand-held and just a couple of dollars each, Czech pastries and breakfast sandwiches rule the menu at Kolache Republic. This tiny cafe cranks out sweet and savory kolache, a fluffy, slightly sweet dough stuffed with fruit, nut, sweet cheese or meat fillings, then baked to tender perfection.

An early adopter of Columbus' passion for great farm-to-table breakfasts, Northstar Cafe is known for its Cloud Nine Ricotta Pancakes, turkey and sweet potato hash and ham and cheese scones so light they practically levitate.  With three locations that serve breakfast (and other dishes) all day, Northstar packs them in for nearly every meal.

Owner Didi Alapani gregariously presides over his petite French/African restaurant, L'Appat Patisserie and Cafe.  His menu de jour includes a selection of vegetarian or meat chausson (stuffed puff pastry), sweets, tasty teas and other specialties of Didi's native Benin.

At Creole Kitchen, where nothing on the breakfast menu tops $6, Chef Henry Butcher's Eggs Basin Street and beignets are the stuff of dreams: nutmeg-infused sticky rice patties are topped with red beans, kicky andouille sausage and a creamy, soft-poached egg.

The Angry Baker appears to be anything but, with owner Vicki Hink warmly greeting guests in Olde Town East with gorgeous baked goods, sweet potato pancakes, 3 bear porridge, a brioche French toast sandwich stuffed with ham and Swiss and much more. 

Hungry a.m. eaters line up for a massive meal at DK Diner, where the "Teny Little Breakfast" includes two eggs, meat, toast, potatoes and pancakes. Serving a "Mess" of corned beef hash smothered in onions, potatoes, peppers and over easy eggs -- along with other breakfast concoctions -- all day, DK is best known for incredible from-scratch donuts made fresh every morning that sell out quickly.

Tucked in a little alley in the vibrant Short North Arts District, Tasi Cafe's varied menu includes beautiful breads and croissants, house-smoked salmon with latkes or a bagel, Cafe Frittata, cinnamon French toast with bananas and other well-made dishes.

Cookie Cravings Bakery may claim to specialize in cookies, but customers give equal weight to the crepes and buttery breakfast sandwiches stacked on fresh, housemade brioche that owners Lindsay and Matt Tewanger churn out of their little corner of Italian Village.

The Cuban-inspired breakfast at Starliner Diner is worth any wait or drive. Located in the suburb of Hilliard, Starliner's funky spaced-out decor is jammed with garage sale finds, vintage starburst clocks and colorful murals.  The equally colorful menu features Cuban French toast, chilaquiles with chorizo and huevos rancheros that have been citywide favorites for more than two decades.

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