Best Breakfast Restaurants in Asheville
Breakfast in Asheville is about as good as it gets. The morning menus around town include a little bit of everything– huevos rancheros, grits, a classic breakfast special with eggs and protein, almond rose croissants, migas, giant biscuits and more.
There is so much variety and an overwhelming amount of outstanding dishes. But don’t worry– we have created a guide to Asheville breakfast for you!
So, rise and shine! And expect a great meal at any of the restaurants on this guide to Asheville’s best breakfast restaurants.
What You’ll Find In This Article
- Map of Breakfast Restaurants
- The Ultimate List
- Tastee Diner
- Liberty House Cafe
- The Med
- Sunny Point Cafe
- Tiger Bay Cafe
- Corner Kitchen
- Early Girl Eatery
- All Day Darling
- Ultra Coffeebar
- La Bodega
- The Rhu
- Abuela’s Little Kitchen
- OWL Bakery
- Biscuit Head
- Taco Billy
- Abeja’s House Cafe
- Tupelo Honey
- Well-Played Board Game Cafe
- 5 Points Restaurant
- Home Ground
- Bargello
- The Dining Room
- Hemingway’s Cuba
- The Blackbird
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.
Where To Get Breakfast in Asheville
Below you’ll find Asheville’s best breakfast restaurants, including everything from diner classics like The Med, hearty offerings from Tupelo Honey, breakfast tacos from Taco Billy, bagel sandwiches from Ultra Coffeebar, chilaquiles from Little Abuela’s, croissants from OWL, and, well, so much more.
Dive bar with outdoor seating and a great breakfast menu
Tastee Diner is the perfect West Asheville dive bar with breakfast. The menu is homestyle American fare with everything from fried chicken + grits, to an elevated yogurt and granola bowl, a few breakfast sandwiches and a 10/10 hash brown.
The interior feels like an old-school diner with a rock & roll vibe. And they have great outdoor seating. The people are cool, the service is great and the food is delicious. It’s a must-try as far as we are concerned!
What To Order: Try The Big Tastee– it includes 2 eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns and a flapjack. Plus, it’s served all day!
Beverage Details: Tastee has a full bar, plus coffee and nitro cold brew.
Parking: Street parking out front
Garden seating, a sourdough pancake and great coffee drinks
Liberty House is absolutely one of our top recommendations for breakfast in Asheville. This is especially true on a nice day where you can enjoy their garden seating. It’s a small space inside with only a handful of tables, but they have a lot of outdoor seating.
Liberty is an order-at-the-counter place and there’s typically a line out the door. But it’s worth the wait! It’s our go-to spot when we have friends in town.
Not only do they have daily breakfast, but they also have lunch menu items as well as weekend breakfast specials. Breakfast and lunch are on the same menu and available all day. And don’t miss the pastry case!
What To Order: Sourdough pancake! The breakfast plate with sourdough bread is also great, as well as anything in the pastry case.
Beverage Details: Coffee, espresso drinks, sparkling water, kombucha, Honest juice boxes
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.
Hurricane Update: The Med is raising money to support staff until they can reopen.
Cool diner in downtown Asheville with excellent food
The Med is a pretty fun spot 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!!
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 toast, egg scrambles, biscuit sandwiches…) And you can’t go wrong! The Med is always fresh and tasty.
Beverage Details: coffee, cold brew, tea, soft drinks, orange juice, bloody mary, mimosa, Irish coffee, beer
Parking: Metered street parking (especially along Lexington Ave) and parking garages. The Rankin Avenue Garage is close by.
Hurricane Update: Sunny Point is offering free breakfast and lunch in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Check their socials for the latest updates.
All-day, every day breakfast in West Asheville
Without a doubt, Sunny Point Cafe is one of our favorite breakfast restaurants in Asheville. Their menu has something for everyone and they have great outdoor seating and a very laid-back cafe vibe.
There’s typically a wait, especially on the weekends, but you can grab a coffee and pastry from Rabbit Hole. It’s in the same parking lot (and shares an owner with Sunny Point!)
What To Order: Their menu feels very brunch-y and is available all week. We definitely recommend carrot hotcakes with cardamom cream cheese for the table! Their bacon is also fantastic.
The huevos rancheros are a crowd favorite and can be made vegan with tofu chorizo. That dish alone makes it the perfect destination for vegan breakfast in Asheville.
Beverage Details: You’ll find coffee, fresh juice, teas, lattes, and a spicy bloody mary on their breakfast menu.
Parking: There is a very small parking lot at the restaurant as well as street parking available in the area.
Takeout breakfast sandwiches in West Asheville
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.
Breakfast Details: We absolutely love their breakfast bagel sandwich and the breakfast panini.
Beverage Details: Grab coffee and other drinks from BattleCat located in the same building
Parking: Street parking only
Daily breakfast cafe in Biltmore Village
Corner Kitchen is a darling bistro located in the historic Biltmore Village. They serve a great daily breakfast/brunch and dinner. You’ll want to make reservations to avoid a long wait.
The breakfast menu at Corner Kitchen includes a little bit of everything. You’ll find boozy french toast, a classic eggs benedict, chilaquiles, omelets and even chicken & waffles.
Corner Kitchen has a few offerings for kid’s breakfast, including a mini breakfast plate, a waffle and a grilled cheese.
What To Order: We love the classic Biltmore Basic breakfast with bacon, grits, toast and eggs your way. The house made corned beef hash with horseradish aioli is also a fun order!
Beverage Details: Coffee, juice, tea and breakfast cocktails including a mimosa with a choice of juice, Bloody Mary, Sangria and a Mango Bellini.
Parking: Street parking is available around Biltmore Village. Make sure to drive slowly and watch out for one-way streets!
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 awesome if you can snag a spot outside!
What To Order: We love their Biscuit French Toast— you can get it with chicken fingers if you order the Bow to the King. Their organic grit cake with tons of vegetables is delicious.
Beverage Details: Coffee, juice, hot tea, Bloody Mary and several options for mimosas. You can either get just one, a mega one, a flight of four seasonal flavors or bottle service mimosas!
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.
Hurricane Update: All Day Darling re-opened on October 11, 2024 for coffee from 8am to 4pm. They will also serve a single dinner special ($10 per plate.) Starting 10/12, All Day Darling will be open for coffee 8am to 7pm with a limited food menu through 4pm, and the dinner special starting at 4pm.
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.
Breakfast Details: Their menu includes pastries, pancakes, shakshuka with greens and feta, a chicken biscuit with harissa aioli, and a breakfast bowl with kale and chimichurri.
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.
Parking: Street parking on Montford Ave and various side streets. It can fill up at busy times!
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 fun options! Two that stand out are the shakerato (espresso shaken with ice and strained) and the Rick James (espresso, Mexican coke + vanilla bean syrup.)
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.
What To Order: Bagel sandwiches! We 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.
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!
Parking: Small lot out front with additional street parking and lots nearby.
Hurricane Update: La Bodega staff is raising money to support hourly employees of the Curate family of restaurants.
Counter service breakfast by the exceptional Cúrate team
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 offers counter service breakfast beginning at 8am Wednesday through Sunday. There are a few tables downstairs near a small market area for dining. They have a seated brunch starting at 11am upstairs.
Breakfast Details: We love their French-style omelet on a baguette and the croissant bikini sandwich. La Bodega also has excellent pastries. Try the xuixo!
Beverage Details: Counter Culture coffee and espresso drinks, orange juice, cold brew, sparkling water, Mexican soda
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.
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.
What To Order: The Dirty South Biscuit with pulled pork, pimento cheese and seasonal greens is a pretty fun order. And really, get a brownie for the road! It’s one of our favorite dessert treats in Asheville.
Beverage Details: Espresso drinks, coffee (drip, pour-over & iced), tea, draft soda, hot chocolate
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.
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.
You’ll find seating inside as well as an outdoor patio. It can get really busy on the weekends! Everyone is super friendly and they serve breakfast until 3pm.
What To Order: 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 quesadilla, Mexican egg benedict (!), omelets, breakfast chimichangas. And our son loves their french toast!
Beverage Details: Coffee, juice, soft drinks, licuados (like a smoothie but not as thick) and aguas frescas.
Parking: Parking lot out front
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.
What To Order: Everything! We love getting a box of mixed pastries from OWL. The almond rose croissant is a crowd favorite, as well the apple strudel when available. The ham & cheese croissant makes for a great hiking snack!
Beverage Details: Coffee, cold brew, espresso drinks, hot chocolate, tea, orange juice
Parking: Street parking at West Asheville and a tiny lot out front in North Asheville.
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 basically 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.
Biscuit Head is definitely an Asheville breakfast institution at this point. You’ll find a laid-back atmosphere at all three locations and excellent food.
What To Order: 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 grits, jalapeno pimiento cheese and fried green tomatoes, so you can build a pretty epic plate!
Beverage Details: PennyCup coffee, espresso drinks, fresh-squeezed orange juice, maple bacon latte, sodas
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!
Breakfast Details: The best breakfast tacos in Asheville! They have several options and you can also build your own.
Beverage Details: PennyCup Coffee, Buchi Kombucha, Tea, Agua Fresca (watermelon, hibiscus, pineapple, limeade, antelope), Topo Chico, soda
Parking: A few spots out front (not many!)
Hurricane Update: Abeja’s House Cafe reopened on October 8, 2024. They are cash only until they have internet again.
Hidden gem restaurant with pancakes, french toast and huevos rancheros
Abeja’s is open for breakfast and lunch most days and has a laidback atmopshere 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.
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.
Beverage Details: Guatemalan coffee, orange juice, milk, hot tea, soda
Parking: Parking lot 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.
What To Order: You’ll find Southern favorites like a fried chicken biscuit, shrimp & grits, traditional breakfast plate and even a pimento grilled cheese. They also have mac & cheese waffles with hot chicken if you are up for it!
Breakfast Availability: Breakfast is available at Tupelo Honey daily from 9 am to 4 pm.
Breakfast Beverages: They serve Summit Coffee and have an extensive breakfast cocktail menu. You’ll find a classic bloody mary, a spicy bloody mary, four different mimosas (try the bluberry lavender mimosa!) and several signature cocktails like their summer berry sangria and a lemon + lavender vodka drink. Tupelo Honey also has beer, wine and non-alcoholic cocktails.
Parking: Street parking and parking garages are available downtown. Their south AVL location has a large parking area.
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 program where you pay a monthly, quarterly or annual fee.
Beverage Details: Coffee, espresso drinks, tea, hot chocolate, soda, boozy coffee, beer, wine and cocktails.
Parking: Street parking out front in South Slope.
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. There 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.
What To Order: Classic breakfast plates, waffles, french toast, pancakes, eggs benedict, omelets— everything you’d expect!
Beverage Details: coffee, tea, juice, soda
Parking: small parking lot out front (it’s often full!)
Permanently closed April 2024
Coffee shop and eatery with outdoor seating
Home Ground is 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.
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!
Beverage Details: Espresso drinks (a maple bacon latte!!), smoothies, soda, juice
Parking: Parking lot out front
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 Details: If it’s the weekend, 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.
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.
Parking: Metered street parking and a parking garage close by
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. The a la carte menu items include eggs benedict, an omelet, buttermilk pancakes, Belgian waffle and a power bowl.
The breakfast buffet at The Dining Room includes scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns casserole, chia pudding and assorted cereal. There’s also a biscuit bar with sausage gravy, grits and various jams and butters, as well as a smoked salmon bagel station, french toast, pastries, fruit and a yogurt parfait.
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.
Breakfast Details: We love their Bistec a Caballo (marinated flank steak) and the Vaca Frita Hash con Huevos is another great dish. And I always like to get an order of tostones!
Beverage Details: Coffee, espresso, cortadito, juice, mimosa, bloody mary and other breakfast cocktails
Parking: Metered street parking and garages close by
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.
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.
Beverage Details: Coffee from Dripolator, juice, cold brew, hot tea and brunch cocktails. Cocktails include their signature Blackbird Bloody Mary, a mimosa with a choice of juice, a french press Irish Coffee, Boozy Brew and a thin mint rum-based drink.
Parking: Metered street parking and the Aloft Hotel parking garage (the first hour is free)
