When out-of-town guests arrive on the Eastern Shore and want a relaxed breakfast with good food and good conversation, Two Sisters is an easy answer. The family-run cafe, with locations on Scenic 98 in Fairhope and U.S. Highway 98 in Daphne, has built a loyal following with fresh beignets, hearty breakfast sandwiches, lunch classics and a bakery case full of sweets, all served in a setting that feels unhurried in the best Southern way.
At the Fairhope location, one of the great pleasures is simply sitting on the deck with a cup of coffee under a magnificent old live oak while breakfast is being prepared. It is the kind of place visitors remember and locals return to again and again.
A Family Business Run by Sisters
Two Sisters is run by sisters Elizabeth and Debra, along with John Lazano, who is Elizabeth’s husband and Debra’s brother-in-law. Together they operate the two locations, which carry slightly different names, and focus on freshly made food that appeals to a wide range of tastes.
As of 2022, the business had been serving the Eastern Shore for 11 years, long enough to learn exactly what its customers want. Diners can eat in or take their orders to go, which makes both locations popular with commuters, families and anyone grabbing lunch on a busy day.
Breakfast Worth Lingering Over
Breakfast at Two Sisters often starts with an order of beignets, the square, deep-fried pastries dusted generously with powdered sugar. Beignets are a New Orleans signature, introduced to Louisiana by French colonists and made famous by the coffee stands of the French Quarter, and they have become a beloved treat all along the Gulf Coast. Paired with coffee on a shaded deck, they set the tone for a leisurely morning.
The breakfast menu offers a wide selection:
- Breakfast wraps and sandwiches for diners who want something handheld.
- Traditional egg dishes for those who prefer a classic plate.
- The Waffle Sandwich, a favorite among regulars.
- The Little Italy panini, another standout.
Breakfast plates are served with fresh fruit, a nice touch that lightens up even the most indulgent order.
Lunch Favorites: The Reuben and the Chicken Salad
At lunchtime, the Reuben is hard to beat. The classic deli sandwich, traditionally built with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian or Thousand Island dressing on grilled rye, is one of those dishes that reveals a kitchen’s care, and Two Sisters’ version has plenty of fans.
The Chicken Salad Sandwich is also hugely popular. Chicken salad holds a special place in Southern lunch culture, a staple of tearooms, church luncheons and cafes across the region, and a good one can build a restaurant’s reputation on its own.
Beyond sandwiches, the menu includes fresh salads and wraps, along with shakes, malts and smoothies for something cold on a warm Gulf Coast afternoon.
A Bakery Case With Something for Everyone
Two Sisters also offers a large variety of baked goods, including cookies, brownies and gluten-free desserts, a thoughtful option for diners with dietary restrictions who often find the dessert case off-limits.
The cafe also serves Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream, a local favorite with deep roots in Mobile. The shop that became Cammie’s first opened on Old Shell Road in 1969 and has been scooping for generations of Mobilians. Offering a hometown ice cream brand is the kind of detail that shows someone is paying attention to what locals love.
Two Locations on the Eastern Shore’s Main Routes
Both Two Sisters locations sit along the Highway 98 corridor that ties together the communities of the Eastern Shore.
The Fairhope cafe is on Scenic 98, the winding, tree-shaded road that follows the bluffs along Mobile Bay between Daphne, Montrose, Fairhope and Point Clear. It is one of the most beautiful drives in coastal Alabama, lined with centuries-old live oaks, historic homes and glimpses of the bay. Those same live oaks, with their broad, sprawling limbs draped in Spanish moss, are one of the signatures of the Eastern Shore, and dining beneath one is part of the Two Sisters experience.
The Daphne location is on U.S. Highway 98, the busy main artery that carries traffic through Daphne and on toward Fairhope and south Baldwin County. It is a convenient stop for people heading to work, running errands or looking for a quick, reliable lunch.
Fairhope and Daphne have both grown rapidly in recent decades, and the Eastern Shore has developed a lively dining scene that ranges from white-tablecloth restaurants to casual neighborhood spots. Family-owned cafes like Two Sisters remain a big part of what gives the area its character.
Breakfast Culture on the Eastern Shore
Part of what makes a spot like Two Sisters so appealing is the setting around it. Fairhope was founded in 1894 by a group of reformers from Iowa who established a single-tax colony on the bluffs above Mobile Bay, and the town has kept much of its small-town, walkable character even as it has grown. Its downtown, known for flower-lined streets, independent shops and galleries, draws visitors year-round, and the city’s municipal pier and bayfront parks give residents a daily connection to the water.
Daphne, just to the north, is one of the oldest communities on the Eastern Shore and has grown into one of Baldwin County’s largest cities. Its location along Interstate 10, just across the bay from Mobile, makes it a gateway to the Eastern Shore for travelers coming from Mobile.
In both towns, the leisurely breakfast is something of a local tradition. Mild weather for much of the year means outdoor seating is usable in nearly every season, and many residents treat a long weekend breakfast with friends or family as a ritual rather than a quick stop. Cafes that combine fresh food, friendly service and a comfortable place to sit, preferably in the shade, tend to become neighborhood institutions.
The live oaks that shade so many Eastern Shore porches and decks are part of that experience. Southern live oaks can live for centuries and grow limbs that stretch far wider than the trees are tall, and many of the oldest trees along Mobile Bay predate the towns that grew up around them.
Planning a Visit
A few tips for anyone heading to Two Sisters:
- Bring guests. The relaxed atmosphere and wide-ranging menu make it a natural choice for hosting visitors.
- Try the deck in Fairhope. On a pleasant morning, the outdoor seating under the live oak is hard to top.
- Start with beignets. They are a crowd-pleaser and a fitting introduction to Gulf Coast breakfast.
- Consider takeout. Both locations offer carryout for those on the go.
- Check before you go. Menus, hours and offerings can change, so it is a good idea to confirm details with the restaurant before visiting.
With a menu that has something for everyone, a family behind the counter and a setting that invites you to linger, Two Sisters has earned its place as an Eastern Shore favorite for breakfast and lunch.