Asheville Brunch & Breakfast Edition: Where to Start Your Day Right
Let’s be honest — Asheville doesn’t just do breakfast. It elevates it. Whether you’re craving a garden-fresh biscuit, a classic Southern plate, or something retro with a side of sass (looking at you, Butter Punk), this town has you covered. And don’t worry — we’ll get to the coffee soon. But first: breakfast of champions.
Here’s your local’s guide to some of the best ways to start your day in Asheville, whether you’re a visitor on the hunt for brunch gold or a local looking to branch out beyond your go-to spot. This is just a teaser list to get you started — more mouthwatering options are on the way.
If your go-to didn’t make the cut (yet), don’t come for me… I can only eat so much in a day, and I’m writing this bite by bite — literally. Stay tuned for “Still Hungry | Part II,” where we’ll dive into more reasons to skip making breakfast at home
Breakfast & Brunch Spots
Sunny Point Café
If you haven’t waited 45 minutes for Sunny Point, have you even been to Asheville? This is one of the most recommended breakfast spots in town — the kind everyone insists you have to try. And honestly? They’re not wrong.
Thankfully, their back garden gives you a lovely space to wander while you wait. Your tiny humans will love exploring. Bonus points for offering gluten-free options — and being a spot where most dietary needs still gets something delicious.
Just a few standouts: fried green tomatoes, carrot hotcakes, shakshuka, shrimp & grits, stuffed french toast, and their signature biscuits and gravy — narrowing it down to one favorite is impossible.
It’s a true garden-to-table gem in West Asheville, serving up legendary breakfasts made with fresh ingredients straight from their on-site garden. It’s truly a delightful spot — one that earns every bit of the hype.
Early Girl Eatery
Let’s start with the grits. Early Girl’s stone-ground grits deserve their own fan club — creamy, comforting, and just Southern enough to feel like a hug from your grandma (if your grandma was cool like mine, with a love for butter and soul). Whether they’re the base of your shrimp & grits or just a trusty side, don’t skip them… you need them in your life.
Early Girl has a few locations, but their Wall Street café is a standout — tucked into one of the most walkable, art-lined corners of downtown Asheville. It feels casual in all the right ways, with a menu full of Southern staples that lean fresh, local, and inclusive (gluten-sensitive folks, you’ll have options).
Whether you’re craving sweet potato hash, buttermilk fried chicken & waffles, or a mountain breakfast bowl with all the fixings, Early Girl delivers consistently hearty plates and friendly service — no matter your diet. That gluten-free fried chicken? It could bring a grown woman to tears. Ask me how I know
Liberty House Café
Full disclosure: I’ve personally never eaten here — so we’re going to have to rely on word-of-mouth and public praise for this one. But based on the high praise by locals, I wanted to include it in Part One of our breakfast series.
Located in a cozy 1920s cottage in the Montford neighborhood, Liberty House Café looks like the kind of spot Asheville brunch dreams are made of — with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, a warm and welcoming vibe, and a garden out back that adds to its laid-back charm.
Honorable mention: the farmhouse skillet, bison burgers and sourdough pancakes are standouts, and people consistently mention the peaceful outdoor seating and thoughtful details.
It’s the kind of place where you can sip slowly, and then take a stroll through Montford — one of Asheville’s most walkable historic neighborhoods, full of shady streets, blooming gardens, and front porches that look like they belong in a storybook.
Five Points Asheville
Step into Five Points Restaurant and you’re stepping into a piece of Asheville history. Family-owned since 1972, this beloved neighborhood spot has been serving up hearty, homemade meals for over 50 years. Now operated by third-generation Greek owners, Louie and Pati Sellas, Five Points offers an experience that’s equal parts diner, local institution, and comfort-food haven.
With over four decades of restaurant experience behind them, the Sellas family takes pride in offering fresh, from-scratch dishes with warm, welcoming service. Their motto says it all: Come as guests, leave as friends.
You’ll find a wide-ranging menu that includes everything from classic Southern breakfasts and stacked burgers to Italian-American favorites and generous Greek comfort food. Fan favorites include massive portions of moussaka, crispy bacon cheeseburgers, and some of the best biscuits in town. It’s a place where generations gather, locals keep coming back, and visitors find a true taste of Asheville hospitality.
Whether you’re craving a nostalgic diner breakfast or a plate of old-school Greek comfort food, Five Points is the kind of place where real food and real people still matter — and always will.
All Day Darling
Can I get a kale yeah? Because All Day Darling is giving kale its main-character moment — again. Sure, kale may not be the “it girl” it was back in 2014 when it was headlining salads and starring in Beyoncé videos, but here? It’s still stealing scenes, especially when tucked into a breakfast bowl or shakshuka.
Tucked into the Montford neighborhood (yes, again — Montford charm), All Day Darling delivers on both name and vibe. It’s so darling, in fact, you might blush a little just saying it out loud. But don’t let the cuteness fool you — this place is serious about breakfast.
It’s bright, casual, and effortlessly cool — the kind of spot where you order at the counter, grab a shady seat on the patio, and your food shows up like a little gift from the brunch gods. They accommodate gluten sensitivities thoughtfully (including a gluten-free fried chicken option!), and yes — the tater tots are legendary enough to start a mild obsession.
The menu hits that perfect balance of Southern-ish comfort food, clean-eating bowls, house-made pastries, and just enough wellness flair to make you feel like you’re doing something good for yourself… even if you’re eating fried chicken for breakfast.
It’s laid-back enough to show up in yoga pants, but good enough to make you feel like you’ve made excellent life choices. Whether you’re here for a quick bite, a long brunch, or just need to reset your day with a latte and some sunshine, All Day Darling always hits the spot — all day.
Biscuit Head
This place is another highly recommended spot in town — and if you’ve ever driven past their West Asheville location, you’ve probably seen the line wrapped around the building.
Their cathead-style drop biscuits are huge. The gluten-free version is also vegan — and it’s delicious.
I’m a big fan of their house-made jam bar, with rotating flavors like maple bacon, peach rosemary, and classic strawberry.
A few standouts: mimosa fried chicken biscuit, the Filthy Animal, fried bologna Benedict, biscuit donuts, and the Nutella Elvis.
They’ve got three Asheville locations — Biltmore Ave, Haywood Rd, and Hendersonville Rd — so no matter where you are, there’s probably a biscuit within reach.
Butter Punk
There’s a new biscuit in town — and it’s bringing all the energy. Butter Punk is shaking things up in the River Arts District with bold flavors, retro vibes, and a playful take on Southern baking.
Full disclosure: since I don’t eat gluten, I can’t personally speak to the biscuits (and they don’t offer a gluten-free version). But my gluten-eating, biscuit-loving friends have done the legwork — and the verdict is in: these biscuits are massive, flaky, and every bit as satisfying as they look.
Beyond the food, what makes Butter Punk shine is where it lives. The River Arts District isn’t just a backdrop — it’s a whole experience. Home to some of Asheville’s most beloved creatives, this area is bursting with murals, working studios, and galleries, and it’s making a vibrant comeback since Helene.
So grab your biscuit, sip something fun from their espresso bar (yes, miso caramel latte is a thing), and take a stroll through one of Asheville’s most colorful neighborhoods. Window shop. Pop into a studio. Support the artists who make this place what it is.
Because let’s be honest — biscuit in one hand, local art in the other? That’s pretty much the Asheville dream.
City Bakery
City Bakery on Charlotte Street is guaranteed to crash your carb count — in the best possible way. The smell alone? Unreal. Fresh sourdough, buttery pastries, something sweet in the oven… I can actually feel my self-control leaving my body the moment I walk through the door.
Now, I can’t eat gluten… but that doesn’t stop me from standing in front of the pastry case like I’m about to make some questionable choices. If I ever wanted to test whether I still need to be gluten-free, this would be the place I’d roll the dice. Their baked goods are that gorgeous.
Thankfully, they also make a hash brown crusted quiche that I can eat — and it’s honestly worth a whole feature of its own. Crispy golden crust, fluffy interior, baked to perfection every single time. It’s what quiche dreams are made of.
You’ll also find a solid lineup of fresh sandwiches, cheddar-scallion biscuits (before 11 AM), turkey clubs, veggie melts, and sprouted wheat creations with creamy goat cheese. Bonus points for offering Devil’s Foot sodas — a fizzy Asheville favorite — and fresh-squeezed orange juice that hits the spot.
This is real-deal breakfast and lunch without the fuss — just honest food, great people, and a local vibe that makes you want to linger long after your plate’s empty.
Special Shoutout: Chestnut
Chestnut is downtown brunch done right — thoughtful, polished, and full of flavor. It’s also a meaningful stop because its sister restaurant, Corner Kitchen, is rebuilding after Hurricane Helene, so every visit supports their comeback.
I went with their Shrimp & Grits — gluten-sensitive and so good I found myself side-eyeing everyone at the table who didn’t order their own. Not out of judgment, but because I knew their regret was coming — and I wasn’t about to let anyone slide a fork into my plate for a taste. That creamy bite demands full brunch justice. It lives up to every ounce of hype.
Another local favorite? The Pimento Cheese Tater Tots — crispy little bites with jalapeño remoulade and bourbon sorghum drizzle. And yes, they’re gluten-free. Order the multiples. Trust me on this one — you’re not gonna wanna share them with the people at your table either.
Chestnut is exactly what you want before (or after) a downtown stroll: cozy in here, lively out there, and always authentic Asheville. Brunch here feeds both your appetite and your city soul.
Still Hungry? Stay Tuned…
Part two of our Asheville Breakfast & Brunch Edition is still on the griddle — and it’s called “Still Hungry?” We’ll be sharing even more mouthwatering breakfast spots you’ve told us to include.
And don’t worry — our full Asheville Coffee Shop Guide is coming soon, too. Because yes, we believe great mornings deserve great biscuits and great brews.
Did We Miss Your Favorite?
If you’ve got a favorite local breakfast or brunch spot we didn’t mention, let us know!
Shoot us an email at Kristen create@artofambrosia.com so we can make sure your go-to makes the list next time.