There are few things that can motivate you to rise before the sun on a weekend, but discovering the breakfast scene in Asheville should be one of them. Imagine a crisp mountain morning, sunlight filtering through the trees, birds singing, and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked pastries, buttery biscuits, and locally roasted coffee filling the air. It’s undoubtedly time for breakfast, and Asheville offers some of the best breakfast food experiences you can imagine.
We polled our community of food lovers, both locals and visitors, to find the absolute must-try breakfast and brunch spots in Asheville. The response was overwhelming, and we’ve compiled a list of the top breakfast restaurants in the Asheville area that you simply can’t miss.
Sunny Point Cafe
Sunny Point Cafe in West Asheville is a breakfast institution, so popular that people willingly wait in line, even in the rain, for a table. This beloved eatery has garnered national acclaim from publications like Fodor’s and Southern Living, all highlighting the exceptional breakfast fare served here.
What to order: Don’t miss their award-winning Huevos Rancheros, a finalist in Good Morning America’s Best Breakfast in America competition. This dish is a flavor explosion, featuring savory black bean cakes, Snow Creek chorizo sausage, feta cheese, roasted tomatillo salsa, and herb-tossed red skin spuds. It’s all topped with two free-range eggs cooked to your liking, cilantro crema, and crispy tortilla strips. It’s a breakfast that truly sets the bar.
Tupelo Honey Cafe
Tupelo Honey Cafe is a cornerstone of Asheville’s thriving culinary scene. Recognized by national publications such as the New York Times, Frommer’s, and Rachel Ray, this celebrated restaurant is known for its innovative take on Southern cuisine. Starting as a downtown Asheville gem, Tupelo Honey has expanded, now boasting two locations in Asheville and others stretching from Georgia to Colorado. Be sure to arrive early, as lines form quickly once the doors open, a testament to its popularity.
What to order: Start your Tupelo Honey experience by sharing an order of their famous Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer. These perfectly crisp tomatoes are served atop creamy goat cheese grits and garnished with fresh basil. Pair this with their signature rosemary-peach house-made lemonade for a truly delightful Southern breakfast.
Biscuit Head
Biscuit Head lives up to its motto of putting “south in your mouth” with a fresh and playful approach to Southern comfort food. With three convenient locations across Asheville, Biscuit Head is an accessible and delicious way to kickstart your day of exploring the city. The star of the show here is the biscuit – massive, fluffy “cat-head” biscuits that serve as the foundation for your breakfast creation. From classic eggs and bacon to more adventurous toppings like pulled pork and a fried egg, the combinations are endless. And don’t forget to explore their impressive array of homemade jams and jellies to sweeten your biscuit experience.
Biscuit Head
What to order: Embrace Asheville’s Beer City status and indulge in the “gravy flight.” Choose three of their savory gravies to smother a warm, fluffy cat-head biscuit. It’s a uniquely Asheville breakfast experience that’s as delicious as it sounds.
Moose Cafe
Located conveniently next to the Western North Carolina Farmer’s Market, Moose Cafe takes farm-to-table breakfast seriously, featuring fresh, local vegetables daily. Their menu of home-cooked, Southern-style comfort food has made them a beloved spot among locals. Their popularity has even earned them recognition in Southern Living magazine, and celebrity sightings, like Miranda Lambert, are not uncommon. Every meal starts with complimentary hot homemade biscuits and made-from-scratch apple butter, setting the stage for a comforting and satisfying breakfast. Beyond the food, the mountain views from the dining room provide a scenic backdrop to your morning.
What to order: Dive into Southern breakfast favorites – you truly can’t go wrong here. Fried chicken, meatloaf, mac and cheese, and collard greens are consistently praised dishes that embody Southern comfort food at its finest.
Early Girl Eatery
When a restaurant’s motto is “Made from Scratch,” you know you’re in for a treat. Early Girl Eatery, nestled on downtown Asheville’s charming cobblestone Wall Street, is a farm-to-table gem serving Southern comfort food, and the best part? Breakfast is available all day long. Featured on Rachel Ray’s “$40 a Day” series on the Food Network, Early Girl Eatery is a testament to delicious, accessible breakfast food.
What to order: Go big and bold with their Porky Breakfast Bowl. This hearty dish is loaded with homefries, flavorful BBQ pork, scrambled eggs, and farmstead cheese, all smothered in Benton’s smoky bacon gravy. It’s a breakfast that will fuel your Asheville adventures.
Green Sage Cafe
Green Sage Cafe stands out for its commitment to health-conscious and community-focused dining. With three locations, Green Sage Cafe offers a menu that is “nutrient-rich, chemical-free, 95% organic, and thoughtfully-sourced.” They cater to various dietary needs, with most menu items easily adaptable for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets.
What to order: The Pura Vida Bowl is a Green Sage classic, featuring two sunnyside up eggs, black beans, sautéed kale and onions, root hash, brown rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, and salsa verde. Other breakfast favorites include the Everything Avocado Toast, Breakfast Burrito, and the Appalachian Trail plate, offering a range of healthy and flavorful options.
Honorable Mentions
Our Facebook community overwhelmingly agreed that Asheville’s breakfast options are seemingly endless. While the restaurants above topped our poll, Mayfel’s and Posana also received significant praise and deserve a mention as excellent breakfast destinations in Asheville.
