17 Weekday Breakfast Spots in Raleigh

Start your day on the right foot with a hearty meal at one of these sit-down restaurants that serve eggs, biscuits, acai bowls and more.
by Henry Thomas

a plate of pancakes topped with powdered sugar and blueberries. Also pictured is a glass of coffee, two glasses of water, and a mimosa. — *Credit @gdgn_raleigh on Instagram*

Breakfast is said to be the “most important meal of the day” — and it’s also a great meal to share with family, eat while catching up on work or to use to get to know a new colleague. Here in Raleigh, we’ve got plenty of great spots to order breakfast favorites like a stack of pancakes, scrambled eggs, acai bowls and more that are open during the week. Save this list for the next time you need a sit-down breakfast restaurant where you can take your time, order from a menu and sit down for table service, Monday through Friday.

Big Ed’s

Come hungry to this Southern greasy spoon! Big Ed’s is known for its big breakfasts, including its Farm Fresh Country Breakfast, Country Ham with Red Eye Gravy, and various omelets and hot cakes. It’s a bit of a walk from Fayetteville Street, in the quaint cobblestone streets of historic City Market.
220 Wolfe Street | bigedsnc.com

Multiple plates sit on a marble table. One plate has bacon, greens, and potatoes. Another has bacon and eggs topped with an herb. The topmost photo is of a breakfast burrito and salad. — *Credit @driftcoffee.kitchen on Instagram*

Drift Coffee & Kitchen

New to the Triangle is Wilmington-bred breakfast spot Drift. For fans of a light breakfast of acai or yogurt bowls, or a more rich pancake stack, Drift can satiate any craving. Also, enjoy Drift’s spread of hot and iced coffee, as well as — if you’re more in brunch than breakfast mode — an extensive cocktail menu (with three different kinds of mimosas).
3510 Wade Avenue | driftcoffee.kitchen

Two plates on on a floral table cloth. The first is a stack of pancakes topped with strawberries, icing and sprinkles. The other has some sort of breakfast sandwich with a sesame bun, and a bowl of breakfast potatoes. — *Credit @flyingbiscuit.raleigh on Instagram*

Flying Biscuit

A longtime favorite chain in the South is The Flying Biscuit Café, located in The Village District. Serving breakfast at all hours, the staple breakfast spot has an extensive menu, including a vegetarian-vegan menu. Each meal is also served with the restaurant’s signature biscuits, brushed with half and half and sprinkled with sugar before baking.
2016 Clark Avenue | flyingbiscuit.com

A plate of sunny-side up eggs, steak, breakfast potatoes, and toast. — *Credit @gdgn.raleigh on Instagram*

Good Day Good Night

Located in Raleigh’s “tribute portfolio” hotel, the Casso, Good Day Good Night is a perfect place to take your group of girlfriends for mimosas or avocado toast. The restaurant’s name is a hint to its transition from an upscale breakfast spot in the morning to a cocktail bar in the evening, complete with the modern and chill vibe of the interior. Good Day Good Night also serves affordable café standards and pastries in case you’re in the mood for something smaller.
603 W. Morgan Street | gdgnraleigh.com

Heirloom

Heirloom is as much a destination for its airy design scheme as it is for its Asian-influenced coffees and teas. Alongside a selection of muffins and scones from rotating local bakeries, consider the Japanese-Style Flash Iced Coffee, green tea infused Hojicha Latte, or “Xieng Khouang” Lao Fog Latte, made with Lao tea and condensed milk.
219 S. West Street | heirloombrewshop.com

Two plates sit on a counter in front of a kitchen. One of them is what looks like a Western omelette, filled with ham, greens, and chopped onions. The other is a plate stacked with toast. — *Credit @themeccarestaurant on Instagram*

The Mecca Restaurant

Get a taste of old Raleigh at one of its classic eateries, the Mecca Restaurant. Founded in 1930, the restaurant is known for its consistency, being in the same family until 2018 and leaving the menu largely the same for the past half-century. The Mecca Restaurant now serves brunch until 6 p.m. on Sundays.
13 E. Martin Street | mecca-restaurant.com

A man with tattoos holding up a plate of avocado toast, topped with what looks like a sunny-side up egg, red onions, feta cheese, and scallions. — *Credit @themorningtimes on Instagram*

The Morning Times

One of the original downtown Raleigh destinations for an excellent latte or strong cup of coffee, The Mornings Times also offers a diverse breakfast menu, including various scones, muffins, and bagels, and sit-down favorites like French Toast, Corned Beef and Hash, and a Breakfast Burrito. Take food to go, or sit down in the cozy area upstairs or at a table outside.
10 E. Hargett Street | morningtimes-raleigh.com

A play of several slices of french toast, all topped generously with powdered sugar. — *Credit @pamsfarmhouse on Instagram*

Pam’s Farmhouse

A classic Southern breakfast for a fair price can be found at Pam’s Farmhouse, which has been in business for more than 30 years since Pam Medlin founded it after working at other classic joints. A down-home vibe serving a slice of heritage with each meal, enjoy Pam’s biscuits or a country ham plate.
5111 Western Boulevard | pams-farmhouse-restaurant.wheree.com

Someone holding up a cinnamon roll to the camera in the foreground. The background is blurred. — *Credit @tableraleigh on Instagram*

A Place at the Table

A bit of a walk from Fayetteville Street, this cafe is part restaurant, part nonprofit: it offers a pay-what-you-can model where patrons can have a meal, regardless of their means. But beyond that, A Place at the Table offers build-your-own breakfast platters, Huevos Rancheros, yogurt bowls, and pastries, plus a full complement of coffees and teas.
300 W. Hargett Street | tableraleigh.org

Two plates sit on a wooden table, one with crepes ropped with fruit and whipped cream, the other with a salad. Also on the table is a cappuccino in a mug and a glass of iced coffee. — *Credit @presscccraleigh on Instagram*

PRESS Coffee Crêpes Cocktails

Another new breakfast spot is Raleigh’s European-influenced coffeehouse, PRESS. Enjoy PRESS’ assortment of made-from-scratch sweet and savory crepes served all-day in addition to their coffee and baked goods sourced locally from Counter Culture and Guglehupf.
400 Hillsborough Street, Suite 108 | pressccc.com

In the foreground is a skillet with a breakfast sandwich and breakfast potatoes. In the background is a smoothie in a jar. — *Credit @simplycrepes on Instagram*

Simply Crêpes Craft Kitchen Raleigh

A neighborhood favorite, this “homespun craft kitchen” prides itself on mixing progressive with traditional recipes. Try one of their many crepe recipes, including chicken and waffles crepes, the breakfast crepe with eggs and bacon, or a dessert crepe like their nutella fruit crepe. However, the all-day brunch options don’t stop there; Come in and enjoy modern faves like breakfast tacos of creme brulee French toast–this place has it all.
8470 Honeycutt Road, #110 | simplycrepes.com

3 platters full of toast topped with varying ingredients, like berries, bananas, and avocado. In the middle are donuts covered in sugar. — *Credit @solacoffee on Instagram*

Sola

Coffee aficionados welcome here! Family-owned café Sola serves breakfast and a wide array of coffee, smoothies, and teas to provide for the under-caffeinated until 11 a.m. Come in and try one of their many breakfast sandwiches, omelets, or toast recipes.
7705 Lead Mine Road | solacoffee.com

Taco Bamba

A more unconventional breakfast option is Taco Bamba, serving breakfast tacos and empanadas all day, every day. This is a place you can take friends to experiment for brunch. Also, enjoy the taqueria’s free coffee, served everyday until noon!
3518 Wade Avenue | tacobamba.com

Tupelo Honey

Located in Raleigh’s The Village District shopping center is Tupelo Honey, a brunch chain that incorporates classic Southern and Appalachian recipes. Try out some of Tupelo Honey’s breakfast foods or fried chicken, including an impressive line-up of chicken and waffles. The perfect place to bring family for a soulful and hearty breakfast meal.
425 Oberlin Road | tupelohoneycafe.com

Working in the city? Take a look at these other sit-downs and some quick and easy breakfast spots located downtown here.

This article was originally published on July 25, 2024 on waltermagazine.com