20 Best Raleigh Breakfast Spots

© Tupelo Honey

Tupelo Honey is a casual café next to Cameron Village and the North Carolina State University that specializes in Southern food, craft beers, and classic cocktails. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; the inviting, family-friendly restaurant uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients and regional produce to create menus of traditional Southern fare with a creative twist. Signature dishes include Avocado Toast & Eggs, Fried Chicken & Biscuits, Southern Shakshuka, Griddled Appalachian Pork, Bourbon Peppercorn Glazed Meatloaf, Low Country Catfish, and Roasted Mountain Trout. The full-service bar offers a variety of libations, ranging from casual wines from around the world, craft and draft beers, and classic cocktails made with top-shelf spirits. Tupelo Honey is open for lunch and dinner daily.

425 Oberlin Rd, Raleigh, NC 27605, Phone: 919-723-9353

© The Mecca Restaurant

The Mecca is a long-standing, family-owned restaurant that has been serving classic Southern comfort food since the 1930s. Established by Greek immigrant Nicholas Dombalis almost 90 years ago, the restaurant exudes an intimate ambiance with dark wood paneling and walls adorned with signed photographs of well-known politicians and framed newspaper articles that have a timeworn patina. Lunch and dinner menus feature all-time Southern favorites such as fried catfish, shepherd’s pie with collards and black-eyed peas, fried chicken, and old school diner-style burgers. A well-stocked bar serves craft and draft beer, casual wines and Prohibition-era classic cocktails like the Sidecar, Scofflaw and Southside Fizz. The Mecca is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily.

13 E Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27601, Phone: 919-832-5714

© beats_/stock.adobe.com

Brigs Great Beginnings Restaurant is a popular breakfast spot that specializes in traditional Southern-style all-day breakfasts. The long-standing breakfast and lunch café offers heaving plates of fresh eggs cooked in several ways, generous portions of bacon and grits, French toast, and stacks of pancakes or waffles smothered in maple syrup. The lunch menu features casual fare such as gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads, burgers, and hearty sides, and the food is accompanied by freshly brewed coffee and tea, fresh fruit juices, and soft drinks. Brigs Great Beginnings Restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, daily.

8111 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh NC 27613, Phone: 919-870-0994

© Gypsy's Shiny Diner

Located in the Devonshire Place, Gypsy's Shiny Diner is an elegant old-fashioned silver diner with a retro vibe serving classic American fare since 1997. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner until late, the casual dining spot…

1550 Buck Jones Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606, Phone: 919-469-3663

© Happy + Hale

Happy + Hale focuses on fresh, healthy and organic fare made from local and regional ingredients sourced from surrounding artisans, farms, and producers. The local neighborhood spot is one of several branches throughout North and South Carolina and specializes in health-conscience fare such as fresh salads and healthy bowls, all-day breakfast, and a variety of smoothies and fresh juices. Signature dishes include quinoa bowl, Thai chicken crunch, and almond smoothies, and all-day breakfast plates range from scrambled eggs and acai bowls to breakfast wraps and avocado toast. Happy + Hale is open for breakfast and lunch, daily.

Raleigh - City Plaza: 443 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC 27601, Phone: 919-307-4148

© Lucettegrace

Lucettegrace is a contemporary patisserie in the heart of downtown Raleigh that serves delicious freshly baked pastries, buttermilk and fig scones, and a rotating selection of mouthwatering cakes and pies. Owned by pastry chef Daniel Benjamin, the warm and welcoming café features industrial-style décor with exposed brick walls and brightly colored tables and chairs and serves breakfast and lunch dishes of fresh salads, homemade soups, gourmet sandwiches, and lunch boxes. The café also offers catering services for private events and customized cakes and sweet treats for special occasions, and Lucettegrace is open for breakfast, lunch and early dinner, daily.

235 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601, Phone: 919-307-4950

© karinrin/stock.adobe.com

Manhattan Café is an urban-chic diner in downtown Raleigh that serves breakfast and lunch in a casual, laid-back ambiance. Owned and operated by the Vorbeck family, the local restaurant has fast become a neighborhood favorite where locals go for hearty breakfast plates of steaming eggs and omelets, French toast, and stacks of pancakes with sweet syrup. Lunch dishes include gourmet sandwiches and wraps, hearty burgers with a variety of toppings, paninis and specialty subs, quesadillas, house-made pasta dishes, and a warm and welcoming Southern hospitality. A selection of beers, wines, and soft drinks accompany the fare, and the café is open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week.

320 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601, Phone: 919-833-6105

© Tomasz Zajda/stock.adobe.com

The Morning Times is a casual bi-level coffeehouse with a bohemian, exposed-brick dining space and an upstairs gallery that serves light fare and locally-roasted coffee for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Established in 2006, the neighborhood café is a popular spot for house-made bagels on the go and plates of local and hormone-free eggs for breakfast, and gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads, biscuits and gravy, corned beef and hash, and grits for lunch and late-afternoon bites. The café serves freshly brewed Coffee Culture coffee and a variety of teas and juices, along with a selection of beers and handcrafted cocktails. The Morning Times is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily.

10 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601, Phone: 919-836-1204

© anonpichit/stock.adobe.com

Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant is a friendly, down-to-earth eatery on Western Boulevard that serves classic Southern-style comfort food in a warm, laid-back atmosphere. Owned and operated by Pam Medlin, the popular breakfast and lunch spot offers hearty dishes of eggs and grits, buttermilk biscuits and gravy, and warm oatmeal for breakfast, while lunch offerings include fried and barbecue chicken, hamburger steak with onion gravy, and sides of fried green tomatoes, okra and collards, and hushpuppies. Sweet tea is served in mason jars, along with freshly brewed coffee and juices for breakfast and a selection of beer and wine is available to enjoy with lunch. Pam's Farmhouse Restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, Monday through Saturday.

5111 Western Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27606, Phone: 919-859-9990

© Relish Craft Kitchen & Bourbon Bar

Relish Craft Kitchen & Bourbon Bar celebrates a love of food, drink, and entertainment in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The casual café and bar serve homey, rich and hearty Southern comfort food and specialty cocktails in a stylish, laid-back space along with a section that sells gourmet goods and imported items. The menu features Southern classics such as fried black eye peas, pimento cheese fritters, shrimp and grits, fish tacos, and Southern mac and cheese, and the full-service bar boasts an extensive collection of bourbons and whiskeys to enjoy by the glass, as well as fine wines, craft beers, and handcrafted cocktails. Relish Craft Kitchen & Bourbon Bar is open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

5625 Creedmoor Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612, Phone: 919-787-1855

© Rise Biscuits Donuts

Rise Biscuits Donuts is a popular chain with locations around the country that serves a variety of sweet and savory breakfast and lunch options. Located in Cameron Village, the family-friendly restaurant is renowned for its delicious biscuit sandwiches with fillings like buttermilk-brined fried chicken, salt-cured ham, crispy bacon and country sausage topped with eggs, cheeses, and spreads. The chain offers a monthly specialty biscuit such as a braised lamb with cucumber dill sauce, and a variety of freshly made doughnuts with a rotating menu of old school and new school flavors such as Maple Bacon Bar and Crème Brulêe. Other breakfast treats include chicken and other special sandwiches, and savory buffalo chicken with house-made buffalo sauce. Rise Biscuits Donuts is open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week.

530 Daniels St, Raleigh, NC 27605, Phone: 984-200-6966

© Simply Crêpes

Located in Lafayette Village, Simply Crêpes is a French-inspired crêperie that serves authentic French-style crêpes with a variety of fillings. Owned and operated by Karen Héroux, this unfussy Parisian-style café is set in an elegant French farmhouse-style space and offers a variety of sweet and savory crepes, such as the signature New Orleans crepe with cinnamon apple pie filling, glazed walnuts and caramel sauce smothered in vanilla ice cream. The café also offers freshly baked, flaky croissants with a selection of fillings like bacon or sausage with cheese, brie and strawberries, chocolate and raspberries. Simply Crêpes is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, daily.

8470 Honeycutt Rd #110, Raleigh, NC 27615, Phone: 919-322-2327

© Sola Coffee Café

Located in the Greystone Village, Sola Coffee Café is a locally-owned all-day café and coffee shop that serves breakfast, lunch, and in a warm and welcoming environment, and caters for a variety of community events throughout the year. The family-owned and operated bistro-style eatery and espresso bar offers a range of casual cuisine such as pizza, freshly baked pastries, gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads, and grilled cheese, along with live entertainment. A range of hot and cold drinks is offered, such as espresso and cappuccino, fruit juices, and soft drinks. Sola Coffee Café is open for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner, Monday through Saturday.

7705 Lead Mine Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615, Phone: 919-803-8983

© Sosta Café

Located under the RedHat building in downtown Raleigh, Sosta Café is a trendy coffee shop that serves casual café fare for breakfast and lunch. Based in a simple space adorned with local artwork, the café serves made-from-scratch sandwiches and wraps, fresh salads, vegetarian options, omelets, breakfast bowls, sweet desserts, and a selection of espresso, cappuccino, and specialty coffee drinks. A selection of scones, kolaches, croissants, cakes, and bagels are baked fresh every day and served with a variety of fillings and toppings. Sosta Café is open for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner, Monday through Saturday.

130 E Davie St #1806, Raleigh, NC 27601, Phone: 919-833-1006

© weyo/stock.adobe.com

The Spring Café is a casual neighborhood spot that serves as a gathering place for both locals and visitors to enjoy good food and drinks in a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. The menu features homemade fare prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and regional produce such as naturally-fed meats and chicken, farm-fresh eggs, and organic salads and vegetables. Breakfast plates include egg dishes and omelets, biscuits and gravy, pancakes and waffles, and French toast, while lunch and dinner dishes ranging from hot and cold gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads, and hearty burgers to liver and onions, quesadillas, and daily specials. Drinks include coffee, tea and fruit juices, and the café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily.

2900 Spring Forest Rd Suite #104, Raleigh, NC 27616, Phone: 919-977-3679

© State Farmers Market Restaurant

Located in the North Carolina State Farmers Public Market, State Farmers Market Restaurant offers an authentic Southern experience with fresh, home-cooked meals prepared from artisanal and regional products from surrounding farms and producers. Open daily for breakfast and lunch; the market sells and serves a variety of North Carolina-based products, including biscuits and gravy, fried green tomatoes, fried country steak and chicken, omelets, egg dishes, smoked sausage, and ham. Drinks include coffee, tea, and fruit juices, and guests can dine indoors or outdoors for breakfast and lunch, daily.

1240 Farmers Market Dr, Raleigh, NC 27603, Phone: 919-755-1550

© The Daily Planet Café

Located in the Nature Research Center of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, the Daily Planet Café is a bright and cheerful coffee shop that serves locally sourced dishes, North Carolina beers on tap and regional wines by the glass. Open for breakfast and lunch, daily and early dinner on Thursdays, the café serves breakfast plates of omelets, egg dishes, pancakes, waffles, and freshly baked pastries, and lunch options of seasonal salads, gourmet sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, corned beef and hash, and chicken and waffles. Drinks include coffee, tea and fruit juices, and the café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily.

121 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601, Phone: 919-707-8060

© The Flying Biscuit Café

Located in Cameron Village, the Flying Biscuit Café is a casual chain that is renowned for serving Southern comfort fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Exuding a quintessential neighborhood spirit, the locally-owned and operated café serves Southern-inspired menus of classic dishes made with fresh ingredients like shrimp and grits, biscuit pot pie, oven-fried chicken, mama’s casserole, and the famous grits and biscuits. Beverages include freshly squeezed juices and healthy smoothies, casual wines, craft beers and brunch-style cocktails like Mimosa, Bloody Mary, And Georgia Peach Punch. The Flying Biscuit Café is open for breakfast, lunch and early dinner, daily.

2016 Clark Ave, Raleigh, NC 27605, Phone: 919-833-6924

© Barry's Cafe

Located in the Swift Creek Shopping Center, Barry’s Cafe is a welcoming family restaurant that serves all-day breakfast and a casual lunch menu of all-American cuisine such as hamburgers, gourmet sandwiches, and salads. Established in 1992, the friendly café’s all-day breakfast features huge steaming plates of sausage biscuits, omelets, and egg dishes, and corned beef hash, accompanied by fresh fruit juices, freshly brewed coffee and tea and other drinks. A selection of wines and beers are available with lunch, and the café is open for breakfast and lunch, daily.

2851 Jones Franklin Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606, Phone: 919-859-3555

© Big Ed’s City Market Restaurant

Big Ed’s City Market Restaurant is a family-friendly restaurant in the City Market that was founded by Big Ed Watkins who uses age-old recipes handed down by his great-grandfather to create a delicious menu of breakfast and lunch dishes. Antique farm implements and political memorabilia adorn the restaurant, which specializes in Southern fare such as biscuits and gravy, ham with red-eye gravy, fried catfish, local Nahunta spicy pork sausage, fresh eggs cooked any way, corned beef hash, and their famous homemade buttermilk biscuits with butter. Saturday mornings have a Dixieland band playing live music, and the restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, daily.

220 Wolfe St, Raleigh, NC 27601, Phone: 919-836-9909