This list shares the best places for breakfast in Asheville, including everything from diner classics, Southern fare, breakfast tacos and bagel sandwiches.
Hurricane Update: This list of where to get breakfast in Asheville has been updated since Hurricane Helene. Several changes were made, including removing Tastee Diner, Corner Kitchen, Tiger Bay and La Bodega.
Where To Get Breakfast in Asheville
Breakfast Restaurants in Asheville
The following list features the best breakfast spots in Asheville. Make sure to check out our ultimate guide to brunch in Asheville— it includes several spots with weekend-only brunch specials.
Garden seating, sourdough pancakes and great coffee drinks
Liberty House is one of our top recommendations for breakfast in Asheville. This is especially true on a nice day when you can enjoy their garden seating.
Not only do they have daily breakfast, but they also have lunch menu items as well as weekend breakfast specials. Their sourdough pancake is a crowd favorite.
Can’t miss biscuit & bake shop in Asheville
ButterPunk is a new restaurant in Asheville and absolutely worth a visit. It’s the perfect spot for a buttery biscuit– their daily specials are can’t miss! They also have pastries and cake slices available.
While ButterPunk is a fresh face in the brick-and-mortar restaurant scene, owner Beth Kellerhals is far from new to Asheville’s food lovers. For years, Beth has captivated the community with her delightful butter creations at local farmers markets and pop-ups.
Cool diner in downtown Asheville with excellent food
The Med is a great diner in downtown Asheville to grab breakfast in Asheville. It’s deceivingly big, though it’s often full with a wait.
You’ll find really unique breakfast dishes at The Med (think: catfish & grits, pulled pork over grits…) as well as classic breakfast offerings. All are delicious!!
Wondering what to order? Try the Pisgah Bowl with pulled pork over grits. You can also go for the classics (french toast, egg scrambles, biscuit sandwiches…)
All-day, every-day breakfast in West Asheville
Sunny Point Cafe in West Asheville has great outdoor seating and a very laid-back cafe vibe.
There’s often a wait, especially on the weekends, but you can grab a coffee and pastry from Rabbit Hole next door.
Try the carrot hotcakes with cardamom cream cheese. The bacon is also fantastic!
Locally loved spot with an all-day breakfast menu and a mimosa flight
Early Girl Eatery is a great local spot for breakfast (and lunch and dinner!) in Asheville. They have a focus on fresh, local and organic bites and serve their breakfast/brunch fare all day.
Early Girl has a few locations around town, all of which have outdoor seating. Downtown is especially great if you can snag a spot outside.
As far as what to order, try their famous Biscuit French Toast— you can get it with chicken fingers if you order the Bow to the King.
Order-at-the-counter breakfast in Montford
All Day Darling is the perfect neighborhood spot in Montford for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! It’s 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.
Delicious breakfast bagel sandwiches in 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 selection and several vegan breakfast options.
Their drink selection includes the classics like coffee and espresso drinks, as well as a few really unique options like an espresso with Mexican Coca Cola.
Ultra has indoor seating as well as tables out front. It’s a fun spot to grab coffee and a bit while gallery-hopping in the River Arts District.
Pastries, biscuits and charm in downtown Asheville
The Rhu is a casual order at the counter restaurant with great pastries. They actually supply many of the coffee shops around town with croissants and other goodies. We especially love their brownie!
Apart from pastries and sweets, you’ll also find delicious breakfast sandwiches on the menu.
The Rhu feels small when you enter, but there is actually a lot of seating upstairs. You can access it via the door to your left when you walk in.
A go-to restaurant for chilaquiles in South Asheville
Abuela’s Little Kitchen is an unexpected find on Long Shoals Road in South Asheville. They serve traditional Mexican dishes, like huevos rancheros, chilaquiles and a breakfast chimichanga. They also have American dishes like steak & eggs and avocado toast.
It’s a locally loved spot and worth the wait if there’s a line.
Gourmet pastries and excellent coffee with two Asheville locations
OWL Bakery is such a treat! You’ll find everything from a cardamom bun, to a savory danish, coffee walnut strudel and seasonal quiche.
They have some of the best coffee in Asheville and every menu item is a bit elevated and gourmet.
OWL has several varieties of pastries on the menu as well as bread, spanakopita and quiche. They have two locations but we prefer the West one for both parking and the outdoor seating.
One of Asheville’s best known breakfast spots…
If you are planning a trip to Asheville, then you have probably heard of Biscuit Head. It became synonymous with Asheville breakfast when it opened in 2013. And we get it– what’s not to love about giant biscuits with a jam and butter bar??
A favorite for locals and tourists alike. Biscuit Head has three locations in Asheville (West, South and near downtown) as well as one in Greenville, SC.
Delicious breakfast tacos in West Asheville
Taco Billy is a great local taco shop with a few all-day breakfast taco options. We love the Migas Taco with jalapenos and the Billy Ocean with home fries is also pretty great.
Taco Billy is open all day and has a great outdoor patio . You order at the counter and then grab a table. Coffee is self-serve.
Hidden gem restaurant with pancakes, french toast and huevos rancheros
Abeja’s is open for breakfast and lunch most days and has a laidback atmosphere and a great 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.
There’s seating inside and a few tables out front.
Southern breakfast with an extensive cocktail menu
Tupelo Honey opened its doors in downtown Asheville and now has locations in over ten 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.
Board game cafe with daily breakfast
Here’s an unexpected find on our breakfast in Asheville list! Well Played is a board game cafe with a daily breakfast menu. We can guarantee that Well Played is the best spot for a fun breakfast.
You’ll find croissants, french toast sticks and bagels on the menu. They even have a bagel sandwich with bacon and egg.
As far as games go, they have over 700! You can either pay for a day pass or join their Gamers Guild membership program.
258 Broadway Street | Five Points/UNCA
Beloved diner in North Asheville
If you are in need of some classic diner vibes, head to Asheville’s 5 Points Restaurant in North Asheville. Here you’ll find a true diner with breakfast and lunch served daily.
It’s a spot loved by locals and is charming in an old-school diner kind of way. Their prices are good and the food is delicious! But not in a classic elevated-fare Asheville way– instead, you’ll find comfort food like hot cakes, french toast and egg plates.
Upscale breakfast at an impressively beautiful restaurant
Bargello is an upscale restaurant with a great daily breakfast. It’s located at the Kimpton Hotel Arras in the heart of downtown Asheville. The Kimpton is one of the most pet-friendly hotels in Asheville.
We love the interior at Bargello, and the outdoor seating is also nice when the weather allows.
Breakfast buffet at a four-star restaurant fit for a Vanderbilt
Did you know that you can enjoy breakfast in the Four-Star Dining Room at the Biltmore Estate? Well, you can if you are a guest of one of the hotels on the Biltmore Estate! You also can if it’s 1) between January and October and 2) you have a daytime ticket or are a passholder. Access is restricted to hotel guests only during the busy holiday months!
If you do end up enjoying breakfast at The Dining Room, you’ll get to choose from a breakfast buffet or a la carte options.
Daily rooftop breakfast in Asheville
If you are looking for breakfast with a view, Hemingway’s Cuba is the spot! They have an amazing view with a Cuban-inspired menu.
Hemingway’s is at the top of the Cambria Hotel in downtown Asheville. They have daily breakfast and a special menu for weekend brunch.
Daily breakfast in downtown Asheville with fun cocktail options
The Blackbird in downtown Asheville has a great daily breakfast menu. It has everything from pulled pork eggs benedict to a toad in a hole with avocado. Their menu celebrates the ingredients and traditions of the Carolinas.
The Blackbird is located at the bottom of the Aloft Hotel. It’s one of our picks for the most kid-friendly hotels in Asheville. Speaking of, The Blackbird has a kids section on the breakfast menu. It includes french toast sliders, a breakfast plate and chicken tenders.
