8 Great Breakfast Destinations in Asheville

Before embarking on any wonderful outdoor adventures in WNC, you will want to fuel up with a healthy breakfast. The appeal of many of these outdoor destinations lies in their desolateness. Thus, due to a lack of commercialization, you will want to grab something to eat before you head out as options are limited. Asheville (a great base for exploring the wonders of WNC) is a foodie destination with plenty of interesting choices across the culinary board. While a number of these top rated foodie establishments are highly overrated, there are a handful of gems to be found here and there. After living in the area for several years, I have compiled my list of the top local hotspots to check out prior to your adventures.

1. All Day Darling

• Highlights: Delicious pastries, amazing Shakshuka, shady patio seating, serves award winning Counter Culture coffee
• Vegan/GF options: Most items can be made GF and DF including pancakes and avocado/almond butter toast
• Location: Montford neighborhood (102 Montford Ave)

This hidden gem in the historic Montford neighborhood serves specialty espresso drinks, plus a unique breakfast menu which features specialty toasts, GF pancakes, fried chicken biscuits, and breakfast bowls. The highlight here is the Shakshuka, a delicious Middle Eastern dish consisted of poached eggs in a savory tomato based sauce, served with pita bread and sautéed kale. A number of specialty toasts including mushroom & brie, smashed avocado, and almond butter with fresh fruits and oats, are a healthy alternative to the standard eggs, fried potatoes, and meat breakfast. Enjoy whole grain sourdough or opt for GF toast.

All Day serves award winning Counter Culture coffee, a roaster based out of Durham. In addition to the standard drip and espresso based drinks, a number of specialty options are on the lineup. The Golden Mocha (turmeric, chocolate, cardamom, ginger, espresso, and milk) is a nice immunity boosting choice. Another interesting selection is the Hemp Latte featuring CBD extract, honey, ginger, sea salt, and oat milk (note 18+ only).

All Day is located inside a beautiful space with large open windows. The setting is casual, so it’s a perfect stop before enjoying the great outdoors. If the weather is nice, there is a relaxed shady patio to linger over a cup of coffee. This is my favorite local coffeehouse house to visit during the summer months – I love the patio!

What to do nearby: Take a walk or bike ride around French Broad River Park. This shady riverside park connects to the 2.8 mile long French Broad River Greenway, a great place to enjoy a leisurely weekend workout in a pretty setting.

2. Ivory Road Kitchen

• Highlights: A beautiful covered patio, scratch made meals, affordable pricing, peaceful rustic location
• Vegan/GF options: Items which can be made vegan are marked, GF bread available
• Location: 1854 Brevard Rd, Arden, NC 28704

This charming local family-owned restaurant features a cozy setting and a beautiful patio for dining outside during the milder spring and fall seasons. Ivory Road is a fantastic choice for anyone who wants to explore the foodie scene outside of the busy downtown limits. This cafe is located near the North Carolina Arboretum, and thus, a great brunch choice prior to exploring the beautiful gardens. The setting is very casual and relaxed, so you can come in pre-hike without worrying about a stuffy vibe.

The breakfast menu is quite small, although there are plenty of choices for everyone including a few vegetarian options. The best entree here is the Hash Soul bowl featuring roasted potatoes, roasted bell peppers and Brussel sprouts, your choice of meat or veggies, cheddar cheese, an optional fried egg, and siracha aioli. Add on a side of multigrain toast (served with jam and honey butter) and a cup of local coffee (from Asheville roaster High Noon). The Southern Skillet featuring cheddar cheese grits is another favorite. Ivory Road makes everything on-site and works with a variety of local companies.

What to do nearby: Explore the North Carolina Arboretum, home to a world class bonsai garden and 10 miles of maintained hiking trails.

3. Biscuit Head

• Highlights: Amazing homemade cathead biscuits, self-service jam bar & gravy flights, allergy friendly
• Vegan/GF options: Biscuits (GF & vegan option), 2 veggie gravies, 3 GF gravies, various sides
• Location: Downtown Asheville (417 Biltmore Ave), west Asheville (733 Haywood Rd), south Asheville (1994 Hendersonville Rd)

“Put some south in your mouth” at longtime favorite Biscuit Head. Known for their humongous cathead biscuits, this tourist favorite (opened in 2013) has spread to include 3 locations. A line often begins to wrap around the building just after opening. The biscuits, although delicious enough plain, can be served alongside a gravy flight or topped with jams (from over a dozen flavorful options) of your choice via a self-service bar. The Half Breakfast special (2 eggs, a side, and a biscuit) is a real steal at just 6 bucks. In an overpriced tourist town, this is hands down the best breakfast value. GF/vegan biscuits, as well as a tasty vegan sweet potato coconut gravy will please those avoiding wheat/dairy.

If you are heading out early for a hike, consider visiting the less hectic South Asheville location. The food quality is the same, although the line is always much shorter. Take a seat on the covered patio, enjoy a cup of coffee from local roaster Pennycup, and enjoy the tastiest biscuit in town.

What to do nearby: Take a hike at the Collier Cove Preserve, a little known quiet gem featuring fantastic views of the Butler Mountain range via a moderately steep 1 mile hike.

4. Blue Ridge Artisanal Buffet at the Omni Park Grove Inn

• Highlights: Amazing mountain views via floor-to-ceiling windows, excellent variety, omelet bar, delicious coffee
• Vegan/GF options: Fresh squeezed juiced drinks, chia seed pudding, assorted GF pastries/bread
• Location: Omni Park Grove Inn (290 Macon Ave)

For the best breakfast in town, along with the most picturesque views, there is no better choice than the Blue Ridge Artisanal Buffet at the luxurious Omni resort. First off, the views here are tremendous – totally enchanting. Second, the food offerings are diverse & plentiful, with everything from juiced drinks, to donuts, to chia seed pudding on the lineup. The quality is actually quite good here versus a traditional buffet which tends to put all the focus on quantity. Lots of healthy options which I appreciate plus a lot of selections for those with food allergies. To top it off, their coffee is also excellent. Service is always professional and prompt.

A bit pricey at $28 bucks a person, but worth it for the terrific range of offerings and incredible vistas. After your meal, there are plenty of resort shops to browse. Take a coffee to go and enjoy the stunning mountain vistas from a vantage of viewpoints. If you feel like shelling out big bucks (it’s not cheap!), consider a treatment at the award winning spa. Note – During the winter they host an incredible gingerbread competition. Around the holidays, you will want to view these artistic masterpieces and then treat yourself to a salted caramel hot cocoa by the massive lobby fireplace.

What to do nearby: Check out Grovewood Village, a living historic landmark home to an antique car museum and numerous galleries. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Grovewood once housed the weaving/woodworking operations of Biltmore industries.

5. Tupelo Honey

• Highlights: Homemade biscuits, southern style fare, trendy ambiance
• Vegan/GF options: Very limited options
• Location: Downtown Asheville (12 College St) & south Asheville (1829 Hendersonville Rd)

This farm-to-table new Southern restaurant has been growing strong since its’ beginnings in Asheville back in 2000. Today, you can enjoy creative Southern fare in 11 states. All entrees are made from scratch using responsibly sourced ingredients. Chef Eric Gabrynowicz is a 4 time semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard award and was voted “People’s Best New Chef of New York” in 2012 by Food and Wine Magazine. Brunch is the best time to visit, both to avoid the heavy crowds, and to enjoy delicious “hard to duplicate at home” morning fare.

First off, you need to start with a plate of their cathead buttermilk biscuits, delicious topped with either whipped butter or honey. The brunch menu is diverse and includes creative options such as Mountain Blueberry Pancakes, Fried Chicken and a Cathead Biscuit, and the flavorful “Old Skool Breakfast bowl” which features 2 eggs, rosemary and parmesan potatoes, salsa, cheddar cheese, roasted red pepper sauce, heirloom grits, and goat cheese. Also, you will definitely want to add a short stack of their delicious sweet potato pancakes for a mere 5 bucks.

What to do nearby: Enjoy a coffee and authentic New Orleans’s style beignets at Bebbette’s New Orleans Coffee House and shop the small boutiques at The Grove Arcade. Also, there is a great champagne bar/bookshop inside The Grove called Battery Park.