Asheville has garnered many impressive monikers over the years as the cool cultural capital of North Carolina; the Paris of the South, the Land of the Sky, Beer City USA, and New Age Mecca.
You’ll find a diverse range of ways to start your day off right in this town full of happening hotspots and hip havens for mouthwatering morning meals. If you need a caffeine fix, there’s no shortage of cute cafes roasting up some of the finest beans around.
Deciding which delicious destination to choose can be the hardest part of partaking in the bustling brunch scene here, so we’ve narrowed it down for you with these best breakfast in Asheville.
Where to Get the Best Breakfast in Asheville
Vortex Doughnuts
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: Donuts, vegan, gluten free
- Address: (GPS)
- Website: Link
Set in South Slope, Vortex Doughnuts definitely has a cult following in Asheville. They support local farmers and suppliers and make some seriously craveable doughnuts fresh each day. So for a quick and uh, nutritionist breakfast in Asheville we recommend grabbing some donuts for the fam. We recommend trying the Matcha Vanilla or Cinnamon Swirl and dunking it in any of the delicious coffee drinks.
There are plenty of vegan and gluten-free variations here as well. They have all the usual espresso culprits as well as signature creations and pour-over styles.
Green Sage Cafe
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: Health food restaurant
- Address: 1800 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville (GPS)
- Website: Link
The Green Sage Cafe cooks up all healthy and organic fares with a strong focus on sustainability. They have three locations throughout the city and are among some of the best restaurants in Asheville. Pure is the name of the game here. Everything is nutrient-rich, chemical-free, and so thoughtfully sourced.
The menu caters to all kinds of food sensitivities, so anyone with a more strict diet will feel at home here. There are plenty of dishes to choose from with their all day breakfast. The Pura Vida Bowl is the perfect way to start any day in Asheville. Beverages abound here as well, with world-class smoothies, teas, coffees, and juices. Give the Golden Milk Shake a go!
The Rhu
- Price: $
- Cuisine: Roasted coffee, Sandwiches
- Address: 10 S Lexington Ave, Asheville (GPS)
- Website: Link
For one of the best breakfast places in Asheville hit up The Rhu. The Rhu is an adorable artisanal eatery that is both a cafe and bakery. It has a country chic vibe and even sells locally made goodies like hot sauces and jams as it also functions as a gourmet pantry. Freshly made baked goods fill the display case and breakfast options like the bagel and biscuit sandwiches are to die for.
Try their famous Cruffin, which is surprisingly tasty, or order a custom bread and spread for a simple snack. Regardless, be sure to pair it with a specialty coffee or tea. They even have a build your own picnic option which is so cute to take out on a hike in the great outdoors of Asheville.
Old Europe Pastries
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: Roasted brews, european style pastries
- Address: 13 Broadway St, Asheville (GPS)
- Website: Link
This old-world spot is the OG of the breakfast scene in Asheville and heading here is one of the best things to do in Asheville. It was actually the first specialty coffee shop in the city, first opening in 1994. They offer traditional European treats and locally roasted brews. They open at 7 AM every day, which is good if you’re an early riser seizing the day.
The atmosphere is wistful and romantic. Pick out your perfect pastry and espresso drink and enjoy the peaceful, sun-drenched space. Sweet tooths will love this spot, and sometimes starting the day with a little sugar is just what you need. There’s usually a line out the door, but it’s well worth the wait at least once!
Sunny Point Cafe
Sunny Point Cafe is a family-owned spot serving up classic comfort food favorites all day long. The covered patio is delightful with some wonderful murals and each dish is delectable. Even the sides here are superb, and we love to get the Chipotle Cheese Grits and Biscuit with Sausage Gravy when we go.
They offer egg-ceptional and hot off the griddle plates, and the Carrot Hot Cakes come highly recommended as well.
BimBeriBon
BimBeriBon is a bright and modern space offering fares from all over the world. They make real feelgood food, meaning it’s all gluten-free and without any refined sugars. Each meal is nourishing and packed with flavor.
Meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans will all have plenty of plates to pick from and everything is made from scratch in-house from the freshly baked bread to the cashew cheese.
It’s an all day cafe for plant-loving people. The menu is always evolving and involves a wide range of styles and spices. The Chinese Jiang Beng Crepes and the Cuban Roasted Plantain Bowl are a couple standouts on this menu.
Tupelo Honey
Tupelo Honey is an iconic staple of the foodie scene in Asheville. They first opened in 2000 and now have a few locations around the city. Southern foods made from scratch with a modern twist makes for some seriously craveable morning meals here.
They’re widely considered the pioneers of farm-to-table fares in the city. The Biscuits for a Cause are super craveable, plus it’s fun to order and donate at the same time. You can pair your plate with a coffee, craft beer, or cocktail as well. The Fried Chicken and Buttermilk Waffles is the famous fare to try here.
Biscuit Head
Biscuit Head has a cult following in Asheville, and rightfully so. It’s not just from the adorable name however, the food here is actually fantastic. As they say, it’s the spot to go to put some south in your mouth.
They offer breakfast, lunch, and everything in between all day long. You can dress up these soft and fluffy fares in either sweet or savory styles. There are plenty of ways to make your breakfast gluten-free or vegan. The Filthy Animal is our favorite here.
Early Girl Eatery
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: breakfast dishes, vegan, gluten free
- Address: 444 Haywood Rd #101, Asheville (GPS)
- Website: Link
Early Girl has two convenient locations and made from scratch is the motto here. They make Southern inspired comfort food in a casual, charming atmosphere and you can get a beautiful breakfast here any day of the week.
They use all the best fresh and local ingredients for fares that are truly farm-to-table. Biscuit French Toast and the Yam Scram are both delicious dishes. The drinks list is extensive as well with coffee creations, cocktails, and craft beer.
All Day Darling
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: breakfast plates, salads & sandwiches
- Address: 102 Montford Ave, Asheville (GPS)
- Website: Link
All Day Darling is an aptly named eatery in Asheville and a solid staple for a hearty plate of delicious food to start your day before heading out on an Asheville hike. It’s a popular pick for tourists and locals alike and is often packed with hungry faces happily chowing down.
Market focused cuisine is the focus and the beverages are driven by Counter Culture coffee and unique house made tonics. Even the Standard breakfast is special and we love the Shakshuka here as well.
The Med
The Med is a delightful downtown diner serving up both Greek and American cuisine. It’s a casual atmosphere with cozy booths and counter seats that feels comfortable without any of the fancy frills.
They’ve been a neighborhood go-to since 1969, so there’s plenty of nostalgia here as well. They balance good old fashioned home cooking with creative takes on classic cuisine. You can’t go wrong with the Catfish and Grits, Hash Bowl, or the Royale Scramble. They serve High Noon Coffee alongside some boozy options like Bloody Maries or Mimosas.
