Gailey's Breakfast Cafe

Springfield, Missouri

MissouriDining

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links from which we make a commission from your purchases. Please review our full Terms and Conditions for more information. Note that any pricing, operating hours, or other such information provided may have changed since initial publication. Route 66 Road Map visited this restaurant as part of a hosted trip with Visit Springfield, Missouri.

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Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe in Springfield, Missouri, is a dining spot where the building is just as interesting as the food, and the food is very interesting.

The restaurant opened in 2004 but occupies two historic Springfield addresses with stories that go back much further. The corner of S. Robberson and E. Walnut Street was once home to Gailey’s Pharmacy, owned by Joe and Beulah Gailey, who moved their drug store to this location in 1942. Joe ran the pharmacy while Beulah worked the hamburger grill and soda fountain, drawing in both locals and Route 66 travelers. The original counter, stools, and pharmacy signage are all still in place, preserved inside the modern restaurant that lives there today.

The center section of Gailey’s takes up part of the adjacent Seville Hotel, which started as the Springfield Life office building in 1906 before being converted to a hotel in 1928. The Seville was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. Part of the building is now apartments, and part is Gailey’s. If you sit in the center section of the restaurant, you’re dining in what used to be the hotel lobby.

The restaurant’s interior is filled with eclectic decor that pays homage to both past lives while incorporating work from local artists. And the menu matches the atmosphere. Breakfast standouts include eggs benedict, breakfast mac and cheese, signature omelets, avocado toast, stuffed French toast, and the Freedom Waffle topped with blueberries, strawberries, and whipped cream, made to resemble an American flag. The home fry skillets are worth a look too; check out the El Jefe, which comes loaded with eggs, chorizo, jalapeños, tomato, avocado, and queso. Later in the day, the lunch menu brings out a drugstore burger, a classic BLT, and a bowl of house chili that are all worth waiting in line for.

Gailey’s is popular enough with both locals and Route 66 road trippers that a wait is common during peak hours, so plan accordingly and plan to get there early if you have a full day of exploring on your itinerary. With one foot in the past, one foot in the present, and meals that will properly fill your belly, Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe is the perfect place to stop in to fill up before exploring all of the best sites in the Birthplace of Route 66.

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Exterior brick building with old signage at Gailey's Breakfast Cafe in Springfield, Missouri

Gailey's Breakfast Cafe

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Address:

220 E Walnut St, Springfield, MO 65806

Hours:

7:00 am – 3:00 pm (Sunday – Tuesday)
7:00 am – 9:00 pm (Wednesday – Saturday)

Cost:

$$

Phone Number:

(417) 866-5500

Official Website Get Directions
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Photos of Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe in Springfield, Missouri

El Jefe breakfast skillet covered in queso, chorizo, and avocado at Gailey's Breakfast Cafe in Springfield, Missouri
Exterior brick building with old signage at Gailey's Breakfast Cafe in Springfield, Missouri
Exterior brick building with old signage at Gailey's Breakfast Cafe in Springfield, Missouri
Outside sign for Gailey's Breakfast Cafe in Springfield, Missouri
Springfield Life Building sign at Gailey's Breakfast Cafe in Springfield, Missouri
Entrance to Gailey's Breakfast Cafe in Springfield, Missouri
Interior with seating and bar at Gailey's Breakfast Cafe in Springfield, Missouri
Original counter and bar stools at Gailey's Breakfast Cafe in Springfield, Missouri
Vintage signage and decor at Gailey's Breakfast Cafe in Springfield, Missouri

Know Before You Go

To make the most of your visit to Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe in Springfield, Missouri, here are some things to know before you go.

Where is Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe located?

Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe is located at 220 E. Walnut St. in Springfield, Missouri.

What are the hours?

Gailey’s is open Sunday through Tuesday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, it’s open 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Hours are subject to change, so check their website or social media before visiting.

Where can you park?

Plenty of free street parking, free parking lots, and paid lots are available surrounding the restaurant. Read street signs when parking, as spots may be closed for special events, restricted, or time-restricted during business hours. Many spots have a two-hour limit weekday mornings and afternoons.

Is the restaurant likely to get busy?

Yes. Gailey’s is one of the most popular breakfast spots in Springfield. On busy weekend mornings, it is not a place for a quiet breakfast. Arriving early or on a weekday is your best bet for a shorter wait.

What is on the Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe menu?

Gailey’s is known for its breakfasts. The menu includes eggs benedict, breakfast mac and cheese, signature omelets, home fry skillets, avocado toast, stuffed French toast, waffles, burgers, and house chili, among other options.

The menu is split into several sections: Breakfast Specials; Home Fry Skillets; Signature Omelets; Create Your Own Omelet or Burrito; Sides, From the Griddle; Healthy Options; Burgers, Sandwiches & More; Salads, Soups & Chili; Munchies; and Sweet Treats.

Where to Stay Near Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe

Complete your travel itinerary and get a good night’s rest on your road trip with a stay at one of these Springfield, Missouri hotels near Route 66.

Hotel Vandivort

Hotel Vandivort is a high-end boutique hotel located in a former Masonic temple just off Park Central Square, making it convenient to dining, shopping, entertainment, and Route 66 attractions. The hotel decor mixes vintage and industrial elements to offer a unique backdrop to your stay. Upgrade your experience to suite with a kitchenette, balcony, or fireplace.

Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven

After a day behind the wheel, stopping at all of the Mother Road’s iconic roadside attractions, museums, restaurants, and more, a good shower and a comfy bed is always a welcome sight. Take that and add modern amenities, vintage charm, and a touch of Elvis, and you have the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven motel in Springfield, Missouri. Book a stay in the iconic Elvis Suite for a unique night!

Rockwood Motor Court

Rockwood Motor Court opened as a Tourist Camp in 1929, just three years after Route 66 was commissioned. Renovated in 2019, you’ll enjoy clean and comfortable rooms themed to eras of Route 66 with vintage décor, furniture, and memorabilia.

Attractions Near Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe on Route 66

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Planning your Route 66 road trip? Our Route 66 Road Trip Planning Toolkit is your go-to resource for crafting the perfect itinerary! With over 1,300 stops, including quirky roadside attractions, historic sites, and classic diners, our toolkit helps you prioritize what matters most to you. It’s the ultimate guide to making your road trip truly unique and memorable. Ready to hit the road? Start planning your adventure now! #Route66 #Route66RoadTrip #Route66TravelPlanning

Is road trip planning driving you crazy?

Let the Route 66 Road Trip Planning Toolkit be your guide.

Are you ready to hit the Mother Road but feeling overwhelmed with planning? The Route 66 Road Trip Planning Toolkit is your one-stop solution! Spanning 2,448 miles of pure Americana, Route 66 is packed with quirky attractions, historic sites, and unforgettable experiences—so why settle for a generic, outdated itinerary? Our toolkit offers a customizable travel spreadsheet with over 1,300 stops, a detailed eBook, and a step-by-step video guide to help you craft your dream Route 66 road trip. Don’t miss out—start planning your perfect Route 66 adventure today!

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