18 Top-notch Galley Kitchens with a Breakfast Bar that You’ll Surely Like

Most people think that having a galley kitchen is only suitable for a small and compact sized kitchen.

While creating a layout like that in a large kitchen is going to be counterproductive because it only wastes the space.

How wrongly misunderstood this galley kitchen is.

In fact, a galley kitchen doesn’t have to be small and tiny. You can even add a breakfast bar to it.

How is it possible to have a breakfast bar in a galley kitchen?

Isn’t it supposed to be a corridor kitchen that will remind you of office hallways and school?

That’s the reason why you should incorporate a galley kitchen in a more spacious area.

Building a galley kitchen with a breakfast bar in an open floor plan would be even better. This way, you don’t have to worry about the limited space.

There are many pretty designs that you can use to create a galley kitchen with a breakfast bar. You can make a small breakfast bar at the corner of the island or use one side of the entire island as a breakfast bar.

Either way, it’s not that hard to add this kind of bar into a galley kitchen.

Here are some top-notch pictures of them to spark your inspiration:

1. Enclosed Galley Kitchen with a Tiny Breakfast Bar at the Island’s Extension

This contemporary galley kitchen is too narrow for an island because it’s an enclosed kitchen, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t have a breakfast bar.

The designer managed to tuck it in the base cabinet on the right side.

From this angle, it seems that the breakfast far floats because that’s where the cabinet ends, but the countertop goes onto the wall.

You may wonder how it is supported.

According to the designer, under the countertop’s length, there were two 1.5” square steel tubes running under it. They supported each end below the countertop. On the other hand, the countertops are made of Caesarstone in “White Ash” color.

Due to the lack of space, this galley kitchen can only accommodate a tiny breakfast bar for two people at once.

This breakfast bar is higher than the window sill, but it doesn’t seem to be a problem. Instead, the owners can have their breakfast while enjoying the view outside.

2. Dark Galley Kitchen with a Wide Island as a Breakfast Bar

Since this galley kitchen is not as small as the previous one, it doesn’t matter if it’s mostly in the dark.

The cabinets and the island are finished in the dark, and the gold brass hardware managed to accentuate it.

The large island works as a boundary, placed in the middle of the galley kitchen. It separates the kitchen from the breakfast bar on another side. The breakfast bar is made of a similar island, but it is situated on the opposite side.

There’s a large opening over the island to accommodate the breakfast bar and to open up the area.

This way, when the owners sit at the breakfast bar, they don’t get a full view of the kitchen because there are walls on both sides of the openings.

This breakfast bar itself is quite spacious. It can hold up to three people at once.

3. Galley Kitchen with Two Peninsulas on Both Sides to Create a Breakfast Bar

Most of us think that a galley kitchen should be perfect I-shaped. Even though it’s not entirely wrong, we should be open to any other layout in a galley kitchen.

In this project, you see that there’s a “galley” in the center of the kitchen made of two cabinets on both sides.

One cabinet is completed with peninsulas on both sides, though, and these peninsulas create a lovely U-shaped, with two small legs the U.

These peninsulas are useful for creating breakfast bars. It means that the homeowners don’t only just have one breakfast bar but also two.

Each breakfast bar can accommodate up to two persons at once. We can see from the two bar stools placed there.

Aside from being a breakfast bar, the peninsulas can also work as a bookshelf. You can see the built-in shelf below, a great way to add extra storage.

If these bars are not enough to accommodate the coming relatives and friends, the designer also added an extra sitting space in front of the bay window at the far end of this kitchen.

4. Gray Galley Kitchen with an Attached Round Table as a Breakfast Bar

This is a lovely example of a small galley kitchen in a traditional style. It is completed with flat panel cabinets, marble countertops, and stainless steel appliances.

It’s not possible to add an island to this kitchen. That’s why the designer added a round table attached at one end of the base cabinet that works as a breakfast bar.

This extension managed to maximize this galley kitchen.

This kitchen is mostly gray. The cabinetry, the bar stool, and the breakfast bar are all finished in gray. However, the countertop of the breakfast bar is made of natural wood, and the designer decided not to paint it.

The contrast between wood tone and gray showcases the different purposes of the different areas.

The whole gray cabinetry with white marble countertops works as a storage, a cooking zone, and a meal prep area. On the other hand, the wood top serves as a breakfast bar.

Its round shape also adds more character to the kitchen, creating a whole different zone.

5. Clean and Polished Galley Kitchen with a Breakfast Bar at One End of Each Cabinet

The designer of this project intended to make a galley kitchen that looks as clean, polished, and bright as possible.

That’s why you won’t find any upper cabinets and islands here because those are considered clutter, unimportant elements that will only cram the whole area of the galley kitchen.

Instead, there’s an extra tiny built-in peninsula at one end of each cabinet. These peninsulas are meant to be a breakfast bar.

This galley kitchen is basically not that small. But, the designer wanted to keep the galley as wide as possible to promote comfort. So, the breakfast bar is only added at one end of each cabinet.

Each breakfast bar can only accommodate one person only. That’s why this galley kitchen with a breakfast bar is only suitable for newlyweds or a child-free couple.

6. Large and Trendy Galley Kitchen with a Breakfast Bar on a Waterfall Island

This is proof that you can use a galley kitchen in a more spacious area. It doesn’t have to be tiny to create a galley.

In fact, it would be more fun to work in a large area. It means that you don’t have to sacrifice anything, including your comfort and personal taste.

This galley kitchen is made of espresso cabinetry on one side and a white waterfall island on another side. The contrast between the cabinetry and the island is useful to keep the contemporary style alive.

After all, what’s more, contemporary than a simple black and white combo?

It turns out that the white waterfall island is not only meant for a contrast to the black cabinetry, but it also works as a meal prep zone and a breakfast bar. With such a wide island like this, it’s possible to double-function it.

The outer part of the island is used for a breakfast bar. There are bar stools placed along the island, and this sitting space can accommodate a lot of people!

As if it wasn’t enough, the designer also placed a formal dining table on the opposite side of the breakfast bar. This enables the homeowners to hold a fun get-together right in the kitchen.

7. Ultra-modern Galley Kitchen with Two Sides and a Bi-leveled Island for a Breakfast Bar

Wood is not exclusively meant for a rustic or a traditional look. Depending on the finishes, you can fit your wood element into any design.

For instance, in this galley kitchen, the polished and sleek wood gives an ultra-modern look no one can deny. Moreover, they made flat panel cabinets combined with a medium tone wood floor.

There’s one imposing waterfall island in the center of this galley kitchen that’s supposed to be a meal prep zone. Putting one large island in a large kitchen like this enables the homeowners to have two galleys in their kitchen.

Instead of using another side of the island to create a breakfast bar, the designer created a lower-level top attached to the island. It makes the island have a bi-level.

The lower top for a breakfast bar seems to be made of a dark tone the wood, which surely contrasts with the island that appears to be made of granite.

This breakfast bar is meant for three people at once.

8. Cosmic Black Galley Kitchen with Red Stools at the Breakfast Bar

This modern galley kitchen also has a black and white combination, like one of the pictures you’ve seen before. Yet, this one is quite the opposite.

The cabinetry is in white, while the island is finished in black. However, both have cosmic black granite countertops. The cabinetry and the island create a galley look in this kitchen.

It’s not new that red and black will deliver an elegant combination.

It’s true that white, paired with black, will deliver a timeless look. Yet, if you incorporate red in such a combination, you add a splash of color that works for them both. Red complements black and contrasts white at the same time.

That’s why the designer picked red colored bar stools for the breakfast bar in this kitchen.

The breakfast bar itself is situated on one side of the island, which is a typical placement of a breakfast bar in a galley kitchen.

Since the bar can only accommodate two people, the designer added an extra sitting space, which is a formal dining table across the room, over the large window.

It makes this place large enough to accommodate seven people at once sitting together enjoying their meals.

9. Classic Semi-outdoor Galley Kitchen with a Multileveled Top for a Breakfast Bar

It’s important to think that a galley kitchen doesn’t only work for an indoor kitchen.

If you plan to build an outdoor kitchen, you can always lean on this classic yet elegant layout. This classic semi-outdoor galley kitchen is situated on a covered porch at the poolside.

The galley is narrow, so the designer built a multileveled top for a breakfast bar. The breakfast bar has an elevated top.

From this angle, we can see that this breakfast bar is actually a usual dining table made like a bar. It is supported by a stone wall that complements the brick walls around.

This stone wall brackets the island cabinet on both sides, so they look like they were part of another, while they are actually two different things.

In this breakfast bar, the designer placed bar stools along the line of the elevated top. This is a simple look of a breakfast bar in a galley kitchen.

Having a multileveled countertop is another popular way to incorporate a breakfast bar.

10. Blue Galley Kitchen with a Wooden Breakfast Bar

The idea of having a multileveled top is still here, but this breakfast bar is situated on the lower top instead of, the higher one.

Plus, the designer also managed to play with the color. The full cabinetry in this kitchen is painted blue with black granite countertops.

On the other hand, the breakfast bar has a wood top, creating a contrasting look to the entire kitchen.

If we look more carefully, it’s clear that this breakfast bar is basically only a long dining table placed against the island. The table is finished in a lighter blue to complement the cabinetry, but it has a different top.

The difference in this kitchen is actually a message. It tells people the different purposes of each top. This is the easiest way to create a breakfast bar.

All you have to do is custom-building a dining table and make sure it runs the length of the island. After that, place it against the island and complete it with some stools.

Yes, this idea works better in a galley kitchen. It’s because it takes a long island and long dining table to create a look like this, and a long island is often associated with a galley kitchen because it perfectly forms a galley with base cabinetry on the opposite side.

11. Contemporary Galley Kitchen with an Extended Island as a Breakfast Bar

This contemporary galley kitchen has a wide island in the middle, which creates a galley to the cabinetry. Its bright and crisp white is beneficial to make this kitchen look brighter, cleaner, larger, and more open.

The cabinetry and the island are also completed with white countertops to match the white appliances, backsplash, and cabinets.

Despite the fact that this is actually a large kitchen, the designer didn’t use one side of the island as a breakfast bar. Instead, the breakfast bar is added to one end of the island.

It seems that this island has been extended to this full length, and the extension part is used for a breakfast bar.

The reason why the designer didn’t use one side of the island it’s because there are drawers in it. This is meant to be a storage island.

Extending the island is the most reasonable way to incorporate a breakfast bar in this galley kitchen. At least it’s enough to accommodate four people.

12. Beach Style Galley Kitchen with a Peninsula to Create a Breakfast Bar

Judging from the white color with wood elements in this galley kitchen, it’s safe to say this is a beach-style area.

Actually, this is an open floor plan kitchen, and the peninsula serves as a physical boundary to border this kitchen and separates it from the dining area.

The designer preferred to use a peninsula to an island because it seems that the homeowners wanted a wider opening to access this kitchen. This way, one end of this “island” should be attached to the wall, creating a peninsula.

The different length between the cabinetry and the peninsula that creates a galley leaves one large opening.

The peninsula has two levels of countertops. The main countertop seems to be made of black marble, similar to the top of the cabinetry.

The black tops are supposed to be used as a meal prep zone. On the other hand, there’s a raised area in the peninsula with a wood top, and it is used as a breakfast bar.

The breakfast bar is elevated to accommodate the high bar stools. After all, this is meant to be a bar. And a bar should always have high stools to indicate that it is a bar.

13. Rustic Galley Kitchen with a Breakfast Bar and a Dining Table

This luxurious large kitchen has a rustic style; you can see it from the exposed beams at the ceiling and the wood element dominating this area.

Like any typical large kitchen, the designer placed one long island in its center, and this island creates a galley with the opposite side cabinetry. Usual and mainstream.

The designer managed to make this galley kitchen look different, though. They added a round dining table made of wood at one end of the island.

Both the island and the dining table have different levels, so it’s safe to say that they were not originally attached.

It means that you can easily recreate this look. Instead of remodeling your island to add an extension, you just have to place your dining table on one end of it. It works for a smaller dining table like this.

You can just place it against the island for a longer one, assuming that your kitchen is high enough.

Yet, the dining table is not meant to be a bar. It is used as a more formal sitting space. The breakfast bar is on the island, next to the meal prep zone.

Having a breakfast bar and a formal dining table is only suitable for a large and open floor plan kitchen like this.

The dining table can make the whole area look different if the breakfast bar and the galley layout are just way too typical.

14. Transitional and Spacious Open Galley Kitchen with a Small Breakfast Bar

If you have a large kitchen, instead of putting a large island in the center to create two galleys, it’s better to place a long sofa against the island.

Put two dining tables along the length of the island and some chairs on another side of the table to create a formal dining room. It means that the dining room is placed back to back with the galley kitchen.

To add extra seating, you can incorporate a breakfast bar like this.

This breakfast bar is practically simple. It is made of an overhang of the island, so there won’t be enough place to accommodate more than just two stools. Yet, this overhang breakfast bar is placed at each end of the island.

This innovative layout makes you use your kitchen space effectively. You can incorporate multiple sitting spaces for different needs in this galley kitchen.

The 13 1/2’ island creates an open galley on the left side of this picture. The island shares a breakfast bar and a prep zone. There’s no difference between them both.

They have durable mitered honed quartz countertops in white color that contrasts the thick walnut dining tables.

15. Wood Galley Kitchen with Clear Stools at the Breakfast Bar

This trendy galley kitchen is made of wood. It has an open floor plan, complete with an island in the center.

This island works as a separator to distinguish the galley kitchen and the long breakfast banquette that is installed against the wall on the opposite side of the kitchen.

Adding a formal dining room in a galley kitchen as extra seating is one thing, but building a long breakfast banquette that follows the lines of the island, really ups the ante. It makes this open and large kitchen a suitable spot to throw a party.

Look how many clear bar stools are in the breakfast bar on the wooden waterfall island. This breakfast bar can only hold up to six people at once.

The breakfast bar and the breakfast banquette create another galley in this kitchen. It’s actually pretty usual to have two galleys in a large galley kitchen.

One thing to step up the game is by adding a whimsical element that complements the whole design of your kitchen.

In this galley kitchen with a breakfast bar, it’s obvious that the elevating element is the clear bar stools. They add a modern and minimalist vibe to this contemporary kitchen.

16. Mountain Style Galley Kitchen with a Touch of a Modern Vibe and a Breakfast Bar

Mountain style doesn’t have to be classic and traditional. In this kitchen, the designer managed to add some modern vibes to this mountain-style galley kitchen.

The mountain style can be seen through the wooden bar stools, the panel ceiling, and the exposed wooden beams. Yet, the cabinetry and the island’s black, white, and gray color palette deliver a more modern look.

The galley in this kitchen is not too long. It is created with the position of the base cabinetry and the island. What makes it not too long is the island itself is quite short.

The breakfast bar is added to one side of the island. It seems that this is a custom-made island made to fit the homeowners’ needs.

The island is simple and considerably small. That’s why the breakfast bar is actually made of an overhang, an extension that runs over the edge of the meal prep zone.

The homeowners just have to add some bar stools along this extension to create a breakfast bar.

Simple, but the fact that this galley kitchen is connected to the outdoor one is what makes the whole area look impressive, stylish, and open.

17. Open Floor Galley Kitchen with a Long Breakfast Bar

The galley kitchen in this picture also features a mountain-style design, but it looks more classic. You can see it from the dark tone it has.

The long island creates a long galley in this kitchen. The island and the cabinetry beautifully bracket the foot area.

Actually, judging from the layout of the room, this open floor plan kitchen has already been built in a long and narrow area. So, it just makes sense if the designer came up with a galley design when they designed this kitchen.

At the far end of the kitchen, where the island ends, there’s a cozy living room with no physical boundary to separate it from the kitchen.

The island seems to be made of granite with a waterfall design, classic yet trendy.

The breakfast bar in this project is easy to make. The homeowners just placed some comfortable upholstered armless chairs along the line of the island.

This island has enough leg room for the owners to sit comfortably, because it seems that this is not a storage island.

18. A Pretty Curved Breakfast Bar in a Galley Kitchen

Having a whimsical design of kitchen islands like this is always tempting. See how this curved island creates a unique look to this galley kitchen.

Typically, a galley kitchen forms an I-shaped, long “corridor” with two long, straight-lined cabinetry and an island.

Yet, this galley kitchen is different. It doesn’t have a normal I-shaped layout. The curved island makes it D-shaped with separated lines in the center.

The island has two levels of countertops. The lower top has a straight line, like a usual island. This area is meant to be a cooking area.

The elevated top has a curvy design. It wraps the lower top partially, and it’s supposed to be a breakfast bar.

These tops are made of different materials. The lower top of the island, similar to the cabinetry, seems to have a glossy marble countertop. The breakfast bar has a more matte finish.

To complete the look of the breakfast bar, the designer incorporated cushioned bar stools with a low back along the curved line of the top.

There are six stools for six people at once, enough to hold the whole family to enjoy their breakfast.

Closing

What do you think about having a galley kitchen in a spacious kitchen?

Do you think adding a breakfast bar in a large kitchen would be easier, or do you feel more challenged to incorporate a breakfast bar in a compact galley kitchen?

Either way, make sure you have enough room to move around. Don’t force anything.

For a small galley kitchen, it’s recommended to add a breakfast bar at the corner of the island.

However, after seeing the pictures above, we can’t deny that creating a galley kitchen out of an island in an open floor plan is an excellent idea. The island can work as a physical boundary to zone the kitchen and separate it from other areas.

Add some stools along the outer part of the island to create a breakfast bar.

Color is another thing that you should put into account, too. It would be nice if you distinguish the breakfast bar from the rest of the kitchen by using two different colors, or even materials and finishes, for them.

For instance, you can paint the whole cabinets in your galley kitchen in a soft blue color, but the top for the breakfast bar can be made of natural wood.

The contrast will make people see the function of each part of your breakfast. And the color is one of the easy ways to differentiate them.

Don’t forget to match the color, the materials, and the finishes with the whole style of your kitchen.

Remember that a galley kitchen with a breakfast bar can fit into any home design style. From rustic to coastal, you’ve seen all of them.

Which one do you think looks best? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.