If you’re looking for the most delicious, exquisite, decadent and tasty breakfast food in Charlotte, North Carolina, you can stop looking for you are in the right place!
From delightful French bistros to our favourite diners, and everything in between, we have got you covered.
Whether you’re looking for pancakes, eggs, pastries, or even just the very best coffee Charlotte NC has to offer, there is something in our list for everyone.
So no matter who you’re travelling with, how long you’re staying, or what you plan to do, tuck into our bucket list of the best breakfast places in Charlotte NC! With some epic brunch spots too for good measure!
By the way if you’re looking for ideas for things to do to in North Carolina, be sure to check out our list of the Best Things To Do in North Carolina, the Ultimate NC Bucket List!
12 Best Places for Breakfast in Charlotte North Carolina You Must Try
Community Matters Cafe
Community Matters Café is a fantastic social enterprise supporting people recovering from addiction. They also happen to serve some amazing food and we love to drop by when we’re in town – a favourite for breakfast in uptown Charlotte North Carolina!
They serve their breakfast options all day here, and we love them! Sugar crusted French toast with ricotta? Yes. Cajun sausage skillet? Hell yes! Breakfast bowl with grits, chorizo, onion, radish, crema and a sunny egg? OMG, yes!
Community Matters Café also has a great drinks list, we can’t go past the gingerbread latte, although the spiced cranberry hibiscus lemonade is also ace. Get them both!
The service here is great, the initiative is wonderful, we just love it. Community Matters Café is hands down a must do place for breakfast in Charlotte NC. Please tell them we sent you!
Easy Like Sunday
Located in the Parktowne Village Shopping Centre, Easy Like Sunday is one of our favourite spots for the best breakfast in Charlotte North Carolina!
Enjoy delicious food in interesting surroundings at Easy Like Sunday. We love it and we know you will too!
Their epic breakfast and brunch menu, available all day, reads like a dream. From ‘handheld favourites’ (what a notion!) such as a breakfast burrito or fried chicken sandwich, to sweet options such as ricotta stuffed French toast, or the basics, including eggs with a choice of protein side – the menu here is seriously impressive.
Their coffee is also incredible to boot, which never hurts!
This family run restaurant is a great stop and we highly recommend it. Whether you’re looking for pancakes in Charlotte NC, grits, a classic eggs benedict or something else, Easy Like Sunday is one of the best Charlotte NC breakfast restaurants. And brunch! All day, baby!
The Asbury
As their website proudly states, the Asbury celebrates the very best of what the South has to offer, in ingredients, technique, creativity and hospitality. They are seriously committed to this vision and, while not exclusively a breakfast joint, it’s definitely at the top of our list for the best places for breakfast in Charlotte North Carolina!
The menu is short and snappy, encompassing the breakfast classics we know and love. And while it may not be extensive, everything here is executed so beautifully that you’ll be plotting a return visit before you leave.
We can’t go past their banana pudding pancakes, served with caramelised banana, pastry cream and vanilla crunch, or their sausage omelette, with chorizo, sweet potato, kale and goat feta. Yum!
They also serve brunch until 2pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Perfect for the morning after a big night!
For the best breakfast in uptown Charlotte NC, the Asbury is where it’s at!
By the way if you’re looking for great restaurants in Charlotte North Carolina for lunch and dinner, check out our list!
Coco and the Director
Coco and the Director is a fantastic coffee house serving up some of the best coffee in Charlotte North Carolina. We love to drop in for breakfast, it’s one of our favourite breakfast places in Charlotte NC.
Aside from incredible coffee, they offer delectable pastries and sandwiches. Get your face around a fresh chocolate hazelnut croissant, or Coco’s signature cronut. You won’t regret it! If you’re looking for a savoury option, we love their sausage, egg and cheese on an English muffin.
We think Coco and the Director offer the best coffee in Charlotte. Whatever your order, you will not be disappointed. Their smoothies are also incredible, we love their Ms Coco, with cold brew, peanut butter, almond milk, chocolate whey protein and cinnamon. It’s so good!
It’s a great spot to while away some time, with a great retail store plus free wifi, Coco and the Director is an iconic spot, which also offers some of our favourite breakfast food in Charlotte NC!
La Belle Helene Restaurant
If you’re looking for somewhere to splash out on a decadent breakfast in brunch surroundings, you’ll want to add La Belle Helene to your to do list, it’s one of our favourite places for brunch in Charlotte North Carolina.
La Belle Helene is a French bistro and their food is exquisite. From fresh croissants to fluffy omelettes, incredible crepes to mouth watering waffles, there’s something here to impress everyone.
We love their gaufre a la citrouille – pumpkin waffle served with warm cinnamon apple compote, spiced Chantilly cream and candied pecans. Ooh lala!
Or there’s the croque madame, a grilled cheese sandwich with jambon de bayonne, cheese sauce and topped with a fried egg. We freaking love it.
As you’d expect, the coffee here is also amazing.
Important to note, La Belle Helene Restaurant is only open for brunch on weekends and we recommend booking ahead! You won’t regret a visit here, we drop by everytime we’re in town, it’s hands down the best brunch in Charlotte NC!
Ruby Sunshine
Ruby Sunshine is one of our favourite breakfast places in Charlotte North Carolina, offering different menu options to the standard fare.
Breakfast starters (!) include French toast bites, pig candy bacon bites (!!) and fried green tomatoes. They’re all SO good.
Their specialties, which are made from scratch, include biscuits and gravy, breakfast tacos, and grilled fish “St Peter” – grilled fish of the day over cheesy grits cake, sauteed spinach and tomatoes with a skewer of grilled shrimp and served with creole mustard hollandaise. Amazing!
They also offer a range of pancakes, omelettes, French toast and eggs benedict. Something for everyone!
And if you’re looking for a boozy brunch you’ll want to check out their great range of breakfast cocktails!
Ruby Sunshine, which is truly a great name, is one of the best breakfast restaurants in Charlotte NC! Definitely one for your Charlotte NC bucket list.
Red Eye Diner
The Red Eye Diner is our favourite place for breakfast in downtown Charlotte.
“We’re cooking up Charlotte’s favorite dishes for breakfast…” is the boast of this epic venue, and they really are.
You’ll want to be hungry when you visit! There’s nothing not to love here! We recommend their buttermilk biscuit sandwiches, with all the traditional options such as country ham, sausage and egg, and fried chicken.
Other options include pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy, omelettes and French toast. Chuck in a side of fresh Idaho hash brown and you’ll be on top of the world!
If you’re feeling particularly indulgent, grab one of their premium milkshakes – vanilla, chocolate or strawberry, with fresh whipped cream and a cherry on top!
For the breakfast food in Charlotte NC, look no further than the Red Eye Diner! Did we mention this is a 24/7 restaurant? Breakfast for dinner – come at us!
Oh My Soul
If you’re looking for a vegan breakfast in Charlotte North Carolina, look no further than Oh My Soul.
Run by a South African family, this 100 per cent vegan restaurant offers cruelty free food in a quaint patio setting with a century old oak tree.
It should be noted that breakfast is only available on weekends (although there are waffles available every day!). But it’s definitely worth scheduling a visit!
We love their Let’s Avocuddle, with sliced avocado, served with lemon oil over beetroot hummus, topped with cumin roasted chickpeas, sprouts, pickled red onion, feta and a delightful tahini dressing, served with sourdough.
Or there’s the Howzit Bru, a South African-style breakfast roll, filled with Just Egg patty, Impossible sausage, grilled onions, friendly bacon, ketchup, and cheese served with two hash browns. Lekker!
Oh My Soul is a great vegan breakfast in Charlotte NC. There’s something here for everyone!
Famous Toastery
The Famous Toastery is the spiritual home of the all-day breakfast in Charlotte North Carolina.
Despite being a chain, having multiple locations around town simply means added convenience. Known for its omelettes, which include a Greek Omelette with sauteed spinach, caramelised onion, tomato and feta, and the South Western omelette with spicy chorizo, tomatoes, roasted peppers and cheddar. We also love the option to build your own! So much to choose from!
Not surprisingly, the founder’s favourites menu options are a hit with the locals and include a turkey and brie melt (served with chips!), the breakfast pizza, and the Huevos Rancheros – two eggs (any style!), fresh avocado, pico de gallo, and coriander, served on a bed of black bean salsa, cheddar, feta and crispy tortilla strips. Incredible!
There may be many of them, but the Famous Toastery is a winning breakfast spot in Charlotte NC! They never lost their cottage charm.
Snooze Eatery
One of our favourite places for brunch in Charlotte North Carolina is Snooze Eatery. They pride themselves on offering ‘fresh and responsibly sourced breakfasts’ in Charlotte NC and they are not kidding.
Locally known for their exquisite range of eggs benedict options, we love their Habenero Pork Belly Benny, as well as their Parmesan-Panko Crab Cake Benedict (OMG!) and if you’re struggling to choose, there is also a Benny Duo so you can pick two from their range of eight.
If you prefer a sweet breakfast, they offer a variety of pancakes including traditional chocolate chip, cranberry orange, and pineapple upside down pancakes!
They also offer treats such as mimosas and bloody Mary’s, as well as a great range of juices and coffees including a lavender latte.
Snooze Eatery offers the best Charlotte brunch. We love it and we know you will too!
Original Pancake House
The Original Pancake House is one of our favourite breakfast places in Charlotte North Carolina. Although there are a few around the traps, this restaurant is a solid and consistent contributor to the breakfast scene.
We love the Yeasty Old Fashioned Buckwheat Pancakes, with our favourite side of old fashioned hickory smoked ham (if you like bacon with your pancakes we heartily encourage you to give this a go!). Or try the local special – Pumpkin Pecan Pancakes topped with whipped cream.
For a smaller or healthier option, there’s also a Yoghurt Parfait. OR! If you prefer waffles try the Apple Waffles topped with fresh Granny Smith apples with cinnamon sugar and apple syrup.
With a massive menu covering every breakfast item and then some, a trip to the Original Pancake House is a trip to a very happy place – truly it is one of the best Charlotte NC breakfast spots! For pancakes in Charlotte NC, this is your jam.
Midnight Diner
The Midnight Diner is ‘serving up good eats for the whole family’, and they really aren’t kidding! It’s one of the best places for breakfast in Charlotte North Carolina!
They are a super sized menu and our favourites are easily the meatlover’s omelette – with Applewood bacon, sausage, ham and cheddar cheese, the fresh Idaho shredded hashbrowns (there’s so many options here, and frankly they’re all good), and the steak and eggs – an 8 oz New York strip with two eggs your way, hash browns or grits, with toast or a buttermilk biscuit. SO good!
Definitely check before you go to see if they’re offering in-restaurant dining, but if they’re not, it’s still worth grabbing takeaway from this Charlotte NC icon!
Midnight Diner is definitely one for the Charlotte NC bucket list. In fact, we’re pretty sure one visit will leave you wanting more! It’s absolutely some of the best breakfast food in Charlotte NC.
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