Asheville breakfast: the ultimate guide by locals

Best Breakfast and Brunch Restaurants in Asheville

Welcome to our guide to the best breakfast and brunch spots in Asheville.

We had so much fun putting this best of Asheville food guide together for you! As a reminder, we don’t take offers to be featured on our site. These are just places that we have tried, loved and want to share with you!

Overview of our Asheville breakfast and brunch guide

If you’re looking for the perfect spot to have a quick breakfast or maybe a brunch on a special occasion, this guide to Asheville breakfast will steer you in the right direction. We’ve got the best breakfast and brunch spots organized by type of restaurant. See below for a table of contents to get started!

  1. Map of Asheville’s best breakfast and brunch spots
  2. Table service cafes for breakfast
  3. Counter service cafes for breakfast
  4. Diners and comfort breakfast in Asheville
  5. Weekend brunch specials in Asheville

1. Map of Asheville’s best breakfast and brunch restaurants

2. Best Table Service Cafes for Breakfast in Asheville

Kicking off this mega post with one of our favorites: breakfast cafes with table service! Sunny Point may be my favorite of the group, but all are great and definitely recommended by us. Hope you see something you love!

Sunny Point Cafe – West Asheville

Without a doubt, Sunny Point Cafe is one of our favorite breakfast spots in Asheville. Their menu has something for everyone and they have great outdoor seating and a very laid-back cafe vibe. PS: their kids menus come with crayons.

Sunny Point is consistently voted as the best breakfast + brunch in Asheville in the best of series by Mountain Xpress. They also serve lunch and dinner (and you can’t go wrong!)

Fried Green Tomato sandwich from Sunny Point Cafe in West Asheville

About Sunny Point Cafe

map marker icon Location: 626 Haywood Road | West Asheville

asterisk Breakfast Details: Everything from huevos rancheros to shrimp and grits. Their menu feels very brunch-y and it’s available all week. Their bacon is in a league of its own. Try the fried green tomato sandwich and get a carrot hotcake with cardamom cream cheese for the table!

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: You’ll find coffee, fresh juice, teas, lattes, and a spicy bloody mary on their breakfast menu.

star icon Parking: There is a very small parking lot at the restaurant as well as street parking available in the area.

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Early Girl Eatery – Downtown, West Asheville & South Asheville

A great local spot for breakfast and brunch (and lunch and dinner!) that focuses on fresh, local and organic bites. Early Girl has a few locations around town, all of which have outdoor seating. Downtown is awesome if you can snag a spot outside!

Bow to the king breakfast from Sunny Point Cafe

About Early Girl Eatery

map marker icon Location: Three locations!

asterisk Breakfast Details: Delicious breakfast + brunch foods with a gourmet twist. We love their Biscuit French Toast— you can get it with chicken fingers if you order the Bow to the King. So good! Their organic grit cake with tons of vegetables is delicious. Lunch and dinner also available.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Farm to Cup coffee, tea, fresh juice, mimosa flight (!!), bloody mary

star icon Parking: Downtown has pay-to-park street parking and garages. West AVL has a parking lot on the side of the building and street parking. South AVL has a large parking lot.

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Isa’s French Bistro – Downtown Asheville

You’ll feel like you entered a corner cafe in France when you walk through the front gate of Isa’s. It’s located at a busy intersection, but all of the passersby and the occasional trolley sighting add to the charm of Isa’s.

Isa’s would be my pick if I was in town on a romantic weekend in Asheville and wanted a nice brunch outside. Great people-watching and excellent food!

Exterior of Isa's French Bistro showing outdoor seating with red umbrellas and several colorful plants

About Isa’s

map marker icon Location1 Battery Park Downtown

asterisk Breakfast Details: Chicken & French Toast is my go-to! Their saffron cinnamon bun is also divine and the bistro hash skillet is always a good choice.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Coffee, espresso, bloody mary and mimosas (blood orange, lavender-lemon, cranberry-grapefruit, pineapple, orange.)

star icon Parking: Metered street parking and garages close by

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Bomba – Downtown Asheville

Bomba is another breakfast spot where you’ll feel like you are on vacation even if you aren’t! It’s located just across from Pack Square and offers an excellent vantage for people-watching and amazing Latin fare. Bomba is also the perfect place to catch up on the paper over a divine latte or cortado.

About Bomba

map marker icon Location1 SW Pack Square Downtown

asterisk Breakfast Details: Great breakfast menu with Latin twists to breakfast classics. Try the shrimp and grits with house chorizo and plantain. Their mexique fruit salad with avocado and yogurt is also great! They also have a lunch menu.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Espresso drinks, horchata, mimosas, beer, champagne, wine

star icon Parking: Metered street parking and parking garages

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Mayfel’s – Downtown Asheville

A slice of New Orleans in the heart of downtown Asheville! An excellent way to start your day at Mayfel’s is with an order of beignets, a cajun fried chicken biscuit and a bourbon peach iced tea.

Like many of the places on this list, Mayfel’s can get busy. They don’t take reservations or call aheads, but it’s worth the wait if you have time. They have dog-friendly seating on their covered porch (with a view of Pritchard Park!)

About Mayfel’s

map marker icon Location: 22 College Street Downtown

asterisk Breakfast Details: Louisiana fare! They have a great cajun fried chicken biscuit and multiple benedicts on the menu (ex. smoked salmon benedictcrab cake benedict.) And French Market Beignets, of course!

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Coffee, cold brew, sodas, juice, mimosa, bourbon peach iced tea and a bloody mary bar until 4pm.

star icon Parking: Metered street parking and parking garages

Tupelo Honey Cafe – Downtown & South Asheville

Tupelo Honey opened its doors in downtown Asheville and now has locations in 14 states. Including a second location in South Asheville. They specialize in southern food with breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Breakfast is where they really shine, though. Tupelo Honey has an extensive menu and a ton of fun drink options.

About Tupelo Honey

map marker icon Location12 College Street | Downtown Asheville (their original location) and 1829 Hendersonville Road | South Asheville

asterisk Breakfast Details: Southern classics (fried green tomatoesshrimp and grits) as well as traditional breakfast (wafflesbreakfast bowlavocado toast.) They have great fried chicken and waffles! Tupelo Honey also serves lunch and dinner.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Summit Coffee! Tupelo Honey has one of the best boozy breakfast drink menus in town. They have six types of bloody marys and several mimosa flavors. The blueberry lavender mimosa is so unexpected and tasty!

star icon Parking: Street parking and parking garages are available downtown. Their south AVL location has a large parking area.

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

3. Best counter service cafes for breakfast in Asheville

And now onto my favorite type of breakfast place: counter service cafes! We have two young kids, so anywhere I can order in advance and leave at the drop of a hat is definitely best for us. Below are several cafes that we absolutely love visiting, whether with kids or alone.

Liberty House Coffee and Cafe – North Asheville

Though there are several definite recommendations from us on this list, Liberty would be at the very top! You’ll find excellent food and coffee and the best outdoor seating in Asheville. They have live jazz music in the garden area on Sundays which is always a treat.

Read more about their food and seating in this spotlight on Liberty. And check out our Q+A with their pastry chef Logan about her favorite things to do eat and do in Asheville.

award icon Liberty House Coffee and Cafe is featured on our Best Coffee Shops in Asheville List!

Side salad with the avocado toast at Liberty Cafe

About Liberty House Cafe

map marker icon Location221 S Liberty Street | North Asheville

asterisk Breakfast Details: Daily menu with a few specials. The sourdough pancake is awesome, as well as the breakfast plate and avocado toast. We also love their pastries!

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Coffee, espresso drinks, sparkling water, kombucha

star icon Parking: Street parking is available but it fills up (Asheville Yoga Center is next door.) We can always find a spot on Orange St near the Liberty St intersection if there isn’t one on Liberty.

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Tiger Bay Cafe – West Asheville

Another favorite of ours! Tiger Bay is a takeout-only cafe with an excellent breakfast menu featuring sandwiches, bagels and tacos. Tiger Bay is located in the same house as BattleCat Coffee (and it’s a match made in heaven!) We recommend ordering breakfast online and then getting an espresso drink from BattleCat when you arrive.

We wrote a spotlight article on Tiger Bay breakfast and BattleCat coffee if you want more details! BattleCat is also featured on our best coffee shops in Asheville list (and it’s partially because of the great breakfast from Tiger Bay!)

Breakfast sandwich from Tiger Bay Cafe in West Asheville with an iced latte from BattleCat Coffee in the background

About Tiger Bay Cafe

map marker icon Location373 Haywood Road West Asheville

asterisk Breakfast Details: We absolutely love their breakfast bagel sandwich and the breakfast panini.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Grab coffee and other drinks from BattleCat located in the same building

star icon Parking: Street parking only

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

All Day Darling – Montford

A perfect neighborhood spot in Montford for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! All Day Darling is a popular spot for locals, especially neighbors who live close enough to walk. They have a pastry case as well as classic breakfast items like pancakes to shakshuka and a chicken biscuit with harissa aioli. Our kids love dining at All Day Darling just as much as we do!

award icon All Day Darling is featured on our Best Coffee Shops in Asheville List!

Chicken biscuit and tater tots from All Day Darling in Montford Asheville

About All Day Darling

map marker icon Location: 102 Montford Avenue Montford

asterisk Breakfast Details: Their menu includes pastries, a chicken biscuit with harissa aoili, pancakesshakshuka with greens and feta, and a breakfast bowl with kale and chimichurri.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Coffee, espresso drinks, lululemonade (citrus, matcha, chlorophyll, soda), sproda, cold brew, golden mocha and blended drinks like a yum yum with strawberries, blueberries, banana, almond butter and oat milk.

star icon Parking: Street parking on Montford Ave and various side streets. It can fill up at busy times!

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Ivory Road Cafe – South Asheville

A hidden gem cafe in South Asheville! Ivory Road is an excellent stop on the way to or from the NC Arboretum. You can order online and grab a picnic lunch to go. Their food is fresh and the menu includes everything from quiche to nutella and banana stuffed french toast. They have a great outdoor seating area complete with a Little Library.

award icon The owners of Provisions Mercantile named Ivory Road their favorite spot for breakfast in Asheville in our Asheville Locals Love Q+A!

About Ivory Road Cafe

map marker icon Location: 1854 Brevard Road South Asheville

asterisk Breakfast Details: Ivory Road has an awesome menu that includes quichehash soul bowl with pulled confit duck, shakshuka, and nutella + banana stuffed french toast

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Drip coffee, espresso drinks, mimosa (including one with rosé), smoothies

star icon Parking: Parking lot out front

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Biscuit Head – Downtown Asheville, West Asheville, South Asheville

A favorite for locals and tourists alike. Biscuit Head has three locations in Asheville as well as one in Greenville, SC. You’ll find biscuits, of course, as well as an amazing jam and butter bar!

Biscuit Head is definitely an Asheville breakfast institution at this point. And for a great reason– it’s awesome! You’ll find a laid-back atmosphere at all three locations and excellent food.

Takeout from Asheville's Biscuit Head

About Biscuit Head

map marker icon Location: Three locations in AVL!

asterisk Breakfast Details: They have a ton of fun biscuit sandwiches (think: fried chicken, sweet potato butter, sriracha slaw), biscuit donuts and biscuit french toast. They also have gravies and sides like eggs, bacon, pimiento cheese gritsjalapeno pimiento cheese and fried green tomatoes, so you can build a pretty epic plate!

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: PennyCup coffee, espresso drinks, fresh-squeezed orange juice, maple bacon latte, sodas

star icon Parking: All of their locations have parking lots

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Ultra Coffee Bar – River Arts District

You’ll find some of the best bagel sandwiches in Asheville at Ultra in the River Arts District. They also have a great pastry section, but I typically always go for a bagel sandwich because they are just so good. Ultra has indoor seating as well as tables out front.

I love their drink selection– they have everything from a shakerato (espresso shaken with ice and strained) to a Rick James (espresso, Mexican coke + vanilla bean syrup.) And regular coffee and espresso drinks, too, of course.

award icon Ultra Coffee Bar is featured on our Best Coffee Shops in Asheville List!

Sunrise bagel sandwich from Ultra Coffee Shopo

About Ultra Coffee Bar

map marker icon Location: 242 Clingman Ave Ext | River Arts District

asterisk Breakfast Details: Bagel sandwiches! I love the sunrise bagel (multigrain bagel with egg, garlic herb cream cheese, tomato, pickled onion and spinach) and the RAD bagel (everything bagel, arugula, cream cheese, cucumber, balsamic) is also delicious.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details:  Espresso drinks, cold brew, nitro, cafe au lait. Try the Rick James with espresso, Mexican coke and vanilla bean syrup if you need a good wake up!

star icon Parking: Small lot out front with additional lots nearby.

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Green Sage Cafe – Downtown Asheville, North Asheville, South Asheville

If you are looking for a healthy breakfast in Asheville, look no further than Green Sage. And the best part is that they have three locations in Asheville so you should be close to one no matter where you are. Their menu items are all so fresh and unique.

Takeout from Green Sage in Asheville

About Green Sage Cafe

map marker icon Location: Three locations:

asterisk Breakfast Details: Green Sage has several breakfast bowls, all of which are great. We especially love the pura vida bowl with eggs, black beans, kale, onions, root hash, brown nice, avocado and salsa. Their apple sunflower oatmeal is a favorite of our kids. They also have omelets and smoothies.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Smoothies, golden milk milkshake (!), cold-pressed juice, espresso drinks, tea, coffee

star icon Parking: Parking lots available

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

The Rhu – Downtown Asheville

An excellent breakfast spot in downtown Asheville that will make you feel like you are in a much bigger city. The Rhu’s pastries are amazing and they have a fun all-day breakfast + lunch menu too. It’s a great spot to hop in for a quick breakfast while shopping around downtown.

We love working from The Rhu because they have an awesome space upstairs.

award icon The Rhu is featured on our Best Coffee Shops in Asheville List! And their build your own breakfast sandwiches made our list of the best on-the-go breakfast sandwiches in Asheville.

Apple danish pastry on bakery paper

About The Rhu

map marker icon Location:  10 S Lexington Avenue Downtown

asterisk Breakfast Details:  Pastries! Plus bagels and biscuit sandwiches. Their pimiento cheese and collards is such a unique menu item and is delicious! We also love their ham and jam (two biscuits– one with ham, one with jam!)

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Espresso drinks, coffee (drip, pour-over & iced), tea, draft soda, hot chocolate

star icon Parking: No street parking out front but there’s a pay-to-park lot across the street from The Rhu. There’s also a parking garage down the block.

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

La Bodega by Cúrate – Downtown Asheville

Just down the block from The Rhu is another great local Asheville restaurant: La Bodega by Cúrate. You can count on excellent breakfast sandwiches, like their croissant bikini with ham, mushrooms, caramelized onions, egg and manchego. They also have great baguette sandwiches.

La Bodega has an upstairs wine bar that opens for brunch/lunch Wednesday-Sunday at 11am. Counter service is available beginning at 8am on those days. I will say that La Bodega is not necessarily the first place take I’d take my kids for breakfast. We love to go sans kids, though!

award icon La Bodega is featured on our list of the best on-the-go breakfast sandwiches in Asheville.

Exterior of La Bodega by Curate in downtown Asheville

About La Bodega

map marker icon Location: 32 S Lexington Avenue Downtown

asterisk Breakfast Details: We love their French-style omelette on a baguette and the croissant bikini sandwich. La Bodega also has excellent pastries.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Counter Culture coffee and espresso drinks, orange juice, cold brew, sparkling water, Mexican soda

star icon Parking: There is no street parking out front, but there’s a pay-to-park lot close by and a parking garage down the block.

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Home Ground Coffee Bar – West Asheville

A great coffee shop and deli just across from Carrier Park in West Asheville. Expect a local feel and a wonderful breakfast, whether you are just grabbing a pastry or are ready to feast on one of their many breakfast offerings. You’ll find tons of outdoor seating at Home Ground in the back and everyone is always so friendly.

Home Ground is a sister restaurant to the much-loved HomeGrown in North Asheville.

Exterior of Home Ground Coffee Bar and Deli in West Asheville with large metal rooster out front

About Home Ground

map marker icon Location: 219 Amboy Road West Asheville

asterisk Breakfast Details: They have everything from pastries granola and yogurt to hearty breakfast plates. We love their mountain scramble with sausage, onions, potatoes, veggies and cheddar. And the fried chicken breakfast sandwich on an English muffin is also great!

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Espresso drinks (a maple bacon latte!!), smoothies, soda, juice

star icon Parking: Parking lot out front

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Taco Billy – West Asheville

Ending this section of counter service breakfast spots with a great one: Taco Billy! They open at 8AM (except Mondays) and have the best breakfast tacos around! We love the Migas Taco with jalapenos and the Billy Ocean with home fries is also pretty great. Taco Billy is also a good choice for lunch and dinner, and they serve their breakfast tacos all day. We wrote an article about takeout from Taco Billy if you want additional detailsbom

award icon Taco Billy is featured on our list of the best on-the-go breakfast sandwiches in Asheville.

Lunch tacos from Asheville's Taco Billy

About Taco Billy

map marker icon Location: 201 Haywood Road | West Asheville

asterisk Breakfast Details: The best breakfast tacos in Asheville! They have several options and you can also build your own.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: PennyCup Coffee, Buchi Kombucha, Tea, Agua Fresca (watermelon, hibiscus, pineapple, limeade, antelope), Topo Chico, soda

star icon Parking: A few spots out front (not many!)

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

4. Best Diners and Comfort Breakfast in Asheville

The Med – Downtown Asheville

A diner in downtown Asheville! Excellent food in a laidback setting. You’ll find really unique breakfast dishes (think: catfish & grits, pulled pork over grits…) and classic breakfast offerings, as well. All delicious!! There may be a wait, but it’s worth it!

About The Med

map marker icon Location57 College Street | Downtown

asterisk Breakfast Details: The Pisgah Bowl with pulled pork over grits is such a unique and delicious menu item. You can also go for the classics (french toastegg scramblesbiscuit sandwiches…) And you can’t go wrong! The Med is always fresh and tasty.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: coffee, cold brew, tea, soft drinks, orange juice, bloody mary, mimosa, Irish coffee, beer

star icon Parking: Metered street parking (especially along Lexington Ave) and parking garages. The Rankin Avenue Garage is close by.

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Sawhorse – Near West Asheville

Sawhorse is like a not secret but also kind of secret local restaurant west of downtown Asheville toward Candler. It’s off the beaten path and has an awesome diner-style breakfast with hearty comfort food. You know, pancakes as big as the plates, biscuits smothered in gravy…

Sawhorse is a full-service restaurant open all day. Their menu has a French Canadian influence– you can get poutine on Sundays for brunch!

About Sawhorse

map marker icon Location101 New Leicester Highway | Near West Asheville

asterisk Breakfast Details: We love the breakfast sandwich with pickled onion and dijon. The classic sawhorse breakfast with eggs, home fries and maple sausage is also great. And I have to mention that 1. their pancakes are delicious and 2. they come with real maple syrup. Sawhorse’s Sunday brunch menu includes Chicken + waffles and poutine.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: coffee, soda, bloody mary, mimosa, aperol spritz

star icon Parking: Parking lot surrounds the building (front and side)

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Abeja’s House Cafe – South Asheville

A hidden gem in South Asheville! Abeja’s is open for breakfast and lunch most days and has an amazing menu. They have a focus on fresh ingredients and a menu rooted in Latin cuisine (though they also homemade croissants and a Greek omelet!) We love their huevos rancheros, gluten-free chilaquiles and the ginger ricotta and coconut flakes pancakes are exceptional.

About Abeja’s House Cafe

map marker icon Location: 1550 Hendersonville Road | South Asheville

asterisk Breakfast Details: They have a great menu with something for everyone. We can recommend the breakfast burrito (including an option for vegan), Mexican omelet, gluten-free chilaquiles and the ginger ricotta pancakes.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Guatemalan coffee, orange juice, milk, hot tea, soda

star icon Parking: Parking lot out front

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Abuela’s Little Kitchen – South Asheville

An unexpected find on Long Shoals Road in South Asheville. And another one with great chilaquiles— they soak them in green tomatillo sauce and then cook them to perfection.

There are two tables out front that would be great to snag on a nice Asheville morning. Otherwise, tons of seating inside, everyone is super friendly and they serve breakfast until 3pm.

Chilaquiles from Abuela's Little Kitchen

About Abuela’s Little Kitchen

map marker icon Location: 200 Julian Lane | South Asheville

asterisk Breakfast Details: Chilaquiles! If I can convince just one person to go there for these I will consider it a success. The Huevos Rancheros is also great. And the crepes! You also can’t go wrong with their breakfast quesadillaMexican egg benedict (!), omeletsbreakfast chimichangas. And our son loves their french toast!

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Coffee, juice, soft drinks, licuados (like a smoothie but not as thick) and aguas frescas.

star icon Parking: Large parking lot out front

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

5 Points Restaurant – North Asheville

If you are in need of some classic diner vibes, head to Asheville’s 5 Points Restaurant in North Asheville. There you’ll find a true diner with breakfast and lunch served daily.

Our kids love sitting in the booths that line the front wall, though they wish we would let them sit at the counter. We haven’t dared to do that with them yet!

French Toast at 5 Points Diner in Asheville, NC

About 5 Points Restaurant

map marker icon Location: 258 Broadway Street | North Asheville

asterisk Breakfast Details: Classic breakfast plateswafflesfrench toastpancakeseggs benedictomelets— everything you’d expect!

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: coffee, tea, juice, soda

star icon Parking: small parking lot out front (it’s often full!)

5. Best Restaurants in Asheville for Weekend Brunch

Onto our final section of our guide to Asheville’s breakfast and brunch: weekend brunch. Most of these restaurants are located on hotel properties and offer daily breakfast and a special brunch menu on the weekends. Vivian, W.A.L.K and Strada (the first three on this list) are the only exceptions.

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Vivian – River Arts District

Oh, brunch at Vivian. This is my ideal Sunday!! I’d start with the cake donuts or sticky bun and a cup of their house blend with PennyCup. And then I’d probably get the quiche and a mimosa (though the steak and eggs is also amazing!) I always feel like I’m on vacation at Vivian. It’s an excellent spot that is loved by locals and friendly to all!

Exterior sign of Vivian Restaurant

About Vivian

map marker icon Location: 348 Depot Street | River Arts District

map marker icon Brunch Availability: Sundays 10:30 am – 1:30 pm.

asterisk Breakfast Details: They have an excellent and diverse brunch menu! You’ll find a homemade sticky bunlobster parfaitquichesteak ‘n eggslamb benedict and a classic 2 egg breakfast plate.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: PennyCup coffee + cold brew, tea, orange juice, mimosa, bloody mary, KY Cappuccino (bourbon, cream, cold brew, cinnamon)

star icon Parking: Free street parking and a lot just across the street.

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

W.A.L.K. – West Asheville

You’ll find cheeseburgers for brunch at W.A.L.K! It’s a pub in West Asheville, after all. They also have all of the regular brunch items you’d expect, too. Like a classic breakfast plate and amazing biscuits and gravy. W.A.L.K is a really laid-back spot for brunch and would be an especially great option if in town for a guys’ trip!

About W.A.L.K.

map marker icon Location: 401 Haywood Road | West Asheville

map marker icon Brunch Availability: Sundays

asterisk Breakfast Details: Great variety on the menu! They have migasfrench toaststeak & eggsshrimp & grits and a cheeseburger with a bun from Geraldine’s Bakery. The biscuits with Hickory Nut Gap sausage gravy is awesome!

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Coffee, Irish coffee, mimosa, bloody mary, hot toddy

star icon Parking: Free street parking

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

The Blackbird – Downtown Asheville

A great brunch with everything from pulled pork eggs benedict to El Nica (toad in a hole avocado toast.) Their menu celebrates the ingredients and traditions of the Carolinas. The Blackbird is located at the bottom of the Aloft Hotel. They have large windows on Biltmore Avenue that are perfect for people-watching.

What I really appreciate about The Blackbird, though, is that they have a kids section on the brunch menu (french toast, sliders, breakfast plate and chicken tenders.) Our oldest loves their french toast!

Exterior sign of The Black Bird in downtown Asheville

About The Blackbird

map marker icon Location47 Biltmore Avenue | Downtown

map marker icon Brunch Availability: Saturdays & Sundays 10:00 am – 2:30 pm.

asterisk Breakfast Details: Start with beignets and a boozy cold brew! We love their french toast with sweetened cream cheese and fruit. The steak & eggs is also a great dish and you can’t go wrong with their goat cheese omelet.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Coffee, tea, fruit juice, Bloody Mary, Mimosa, Irish Coffee, a rum-based cocktail and boozy cold brew

star icon Parking: Metered street parking and the Aloft Hotel parking garage (the first hour is free)

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Strada – Downtown Asheville

If burgers for brunch aren’t your thing, maybe breakfast pasta is! Strada Italiano in downtown Asheville has just that– carbonara, ravioli and ziti ragu all make an appearance on their weekend brunch menu. You’ll also find fluffy ricotta pancakes and eggs benedict on the menu, so don’t fret if you need a classic breakfast!

About Strada

map marker icon Location: Metered street parking and the Aloft Hotel parking garage (the first hour is free)

map marker icon Brunch Availability: Saturdays & Sundays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

asterisk Breakfast Details: A wonderful and diverse breakfast menu. You’ll find breakfast classics (eggs benedictpancakes), brunch plates (shrimp & gritsbreakfast poutine) and even a few pastas. I myself love their Bombolina Monte Cristo!

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Coffee, ginger beer, tea, fruit juice, Bloody Mary, Mimosa, Peach Bellini, Irish Coffee, specialty cocktails

star icon Parking: Metered street parking and parking garages close by

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Benne on Eagle – Downtown Asheville

At Benne on Eagle you’ll find authentic Appalachian soul food on a quieter street in downtown Asheville. Benne on Eagle is located at the amazing Foundry Hotel property that encompasses the majority of a full city block. They serve breakfast daily and have Sunday Brunch specials.

Benne on Eagle is one of the few restaurants where I would recommend reading the about us page on their site. If their story and welcoming words don’t make you want to eat there, I don’t know what will!

About Benne on Eagle

map marker icon Location35 Eagle Street | Downtown

map marker icon Brunch Availability: Sundays (though they have daily breakfast, too)

asterisk Breakfast Details: The menu changes but you can always find something fantastic. We love their trout and grits and the benne breakfast sandwich with pepper jelly is always a crowd pleaser! Even their oatmeal is good (it comes with granola by The Rhu and candied ginger.)

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Coffee, breakfast cocktails (mimosas, bloody marys, rum tea, and other house specialties.)

star icon Parking: Metered street parking and garages nearby

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Hemingway’s Cuba – Downtown

If you are looking for a rooftop brunch with a view, Hemingway’s Cuba is the spot! They have an amazing view with a Cuban-inspired brunch menu. Hemingway’s is at the top of the Cambria Hotel in downtown Asheville. It’s another place with daily breakfast and a special menu for weekend brunch.

About Hemingway’s Cuba

map marker icon Location15 Page Avenue | Downtown

map marker icon Brunch Availability: Breakfast every day & brunch on Sundays

asterisk Breakfast Details: We love their Bistec a Caballo (marinated flank steak) and the Vaca Frita Hash con Huevos is another great dish. I always like to get an order of tostones!

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Coffee, espresso, cortadito, juice, mimosa, bloody mary and other breakfast cocktails

star icon Parking: Metered street parking and garages close by

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Bargello – Downtown

Another hotel restaurant with an absolutely awesome breakfast and brunch. Bargello is located at the Kimpton Hotel Arras in the heart of downtown Asheville.

They have a daily breakfast but we are focusing on their brunch because they have the MOST AMAZING rosewater glaze and pistachio donut holes. You’ll also find shakshuka on their brunch menu and lamb toast! Bargello is a great place if you are in the mood for a fancy brunch or want to celebrate something special.

About Bargello

map marker icon Location: 7 Patton Avenue | Downtown

map marker icon Brunch Availability: Breakfast every day & brunch on Saturdays and Sundays

asterisk Breakfast Details: Start with the doughnut holes! We also love their BECA sandwich with sundried tomato aoili and their Korean BBQ fried chicken sandwich. The classic bargello breakfast plate is also great choice.

coffee cup icon Beverage Details: Coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice, espresso drinks, cold brew mimosa, bloody mary and specialty breakfast cocktails like the Blushing Botanist with gin, blood orange and campari.

star icon Parking: Metered street parking and a parking garage close by

chevron icon Jump to table of contents

Other Guides You May Enjoy

Breakfast Sandwich from Well-Bred with "The Best Breakfast Sandwiches in Asheville" written over it
Vortex Doughnuts with text "Locals' Favorite Spots for Donuts in Asheville"
Lattes on table at Session Cafe with text "asheville coffee shops with outdoor seating"

Disclaimer: Hours, pricing, menus, etc. may have changed since we last updated this post, so make sure to confirm all of this directly prior to visiting any business or attraction listed on our site.

When In Asheville does not accept sponsored posts. All opinions are our own. This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.