Brian Nagele
In the Queen City, the day begins with a symphony of flavors and aromas, thanks to the Best Breakfast Spots in Charlotte. Whether you’re an early riser or a late-morning adventurer, Charlotte’s breakfast scene has something special for everyone. From classic diners serving up stacks of fluffy pancakes to trendy cafes crafting artisanal pastries, this city caters to your breakfast cravings. Join us on a gastronomic journey through Charlotte’s top morning havens, where coffee is freshly brewed, omelets are fluffy as clouds, and the atmosphere is as warm as a southern sunrise. So, grab your appetite and prepare for a culinary morning delight that will leave you ready to conquer the day ahead.
The Flying Biscuit Café
Multiple locations
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The Flying Biscuit Café has served breakfast all day for 25 years, meaning they know how to do breakfast right! Visitors can find the café in Park Road Shopping Center. With gluten-friendly options and a vegan and vegetarian section, there is variety for everyone to enjoy. The Flying Biscuit Cafe is the perfect choice if someone is looking to indulge in a Southern-style breakfast on their vacation. Chicken and waffles, a Build Your Own Grits option, scrambles, omelets, burgers, sandwiches, bowls, and plates make the Flying Biscuit Cafe a strong contender for your breakfast or brunch. Additionally, almost every meal comes with a signature “fluffy flying” biscuit.
Original Pancake House
Multiple locations
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The Original Pancake House is another number one spot for pancake lovers! Come find sixteen different types of pancakes, six types of waffles, and three types of French toast at either their Midtown or South Park Mall locations. The Original Pancake House branches out into offering more typical breakfast favorites- omelet and egg breakfasts are available, with plenty of meat options. Savor one of their many crepes, try a slice of quiche, or if visiting for brunch, a nice salad or sandwich. The Original Pancake House is delightfully everything a classic breakfast restaurant should be!
Amélie’s French Bakery & Café
Multiple locations
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Amelie’s French Bakery & Café makes for an enjoyable breakfast dining experience, with plenty of options to please at any of their four locations in NoDa, Rock Hill, Carmel Commons, or Park Road. Enjoy traditional French toast, yogurt, granola parfait, or irresistible overnight oats! If you’re like me and a fan of quiche, you’ll rejoice with Amelie’s crustless quiche (offered seasonally) and their veggie and Lorraine quiches. Breakfast sandwich lovers can come to Amelie’s to make one! For beverages, enjoy tea, coffee, espresso, hot drinks, and cold drinks in addition to their hearty menu. Amelie’s has a wonderful atmosphere created by its menu and service team.
Another Broken Egg Cafe
11324 N Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
980-207-4407
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Another Broken Egg Café promises breakfast and breakfast recipes that honor traditional southern-inspired cuisine here in Charlotte. Meet them at the corner of Ballantyne Commons and Community Roadhouse to get a seat! Every bite at Another Broken Egg will be unique and delectable. My favorite part is their seasonal selection menu, which rotates throughout the year. Currently, Brunch Short Ribs, Godiva Chocolate Chip Pancakes, and Blackened Mahi Benedict Eggs are very popular. And, of course, you can always order that perfect mix of savory and sweet chicken and waffles.
Cafe Monte French Bakery and Bistro
6700 Fairview Rd #108, Charlotte, NC 28210
704-323-5914
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Café Monte French Bakery and Bistro is one of my favorite places to eat in the city overall. Their slogan, “your escape from every day,” is rightfully earned- the food served here is unique to them. Find something for yourself at Café Monte on Fairview Road! Whether you prefer savory or sweet, Café Monte has you covered. Hot Beignets, omelets, quiches, crepes, and waffles are just a few of the many options you’ll enjoy ordering at the Café Monte French Bakery and Bistro. The atmosphere is welcoming, a comfortable, casual place to have brunch with your girlfriends and to take pictures as you sip your mimosas or fancy coffees. My favorite is the cappuccino paired with a plate of the two golden crepes.
Cafe South
7901 Forest Pine Dr, Charlotte, NC 28273
980-224-7328
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Café South is the perfect place for a classic breakfast. Family-owned, you can’t beat the atmosphere of this little restaurant, and you’ll agree once you take a bite of their irresistible omelets. You can find and enjoy this spot of heaven right in South Charlotte, on the Forest Pine Drive and West Arrowood Intersection. It’s also close to Montclaire South, Old Whitehall, and Ayrsley neighborhoods. Bring yourself, bring your family; this is the perfect place to reconnect and enjoy a hearty meal together. Café South has an impressive variety of breakfast foods– you can enjoy a breakfast sandwich, oatmeal, biscuits, pancakes, French toast, waffles, and more.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
3203 Queen City Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208
704-393-2670
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Who doesn’t love a Cracker Barrel? These restaurants are paramount in any vacation experience. Play giant checkers in the country store as you wait or that infamous peg game right at your table. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store serves your homestyle meals all day long. That means you can enjoy a homestyle, hearty breakfast for lunch or even for dinner. The best, and my personal favorite, is Grandma’s Sampler, which includes a bit of everything. Get two pancakes, two eggs, some bacon, sausage, and ham, and add fried apples or their yummy hashbrown casserole.
Duck Donuts
1710 Kenilworth Ave #220, Charlotte, NC 28203
704-910-5355
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Not only is the duck mascot adorable, but the donuts are incredible! Located near the corner of East Blvd and Kenilworth Ave, each donut is unique to Duck Donuts. My fan favorites are the blueberry pancakes and the s’mores. If those and their 23 other fan-favorite flavors don’t sound good, you can always make your own! Duck Donuts specializes in made-to-order donuts, where you can personalize everything! This is my absolute go-to; I love customizing and making new recipes whenever I go. Take a classic vanilla donut, and top it with any of the 11 available coatings. Add one out of seven toppings and finish your creation with one out of four drizzles.
Eddie’s Place Restaurant
617 S Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
704-442-0147
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At Eddie’s Place Restaurant, you can order breakfast all day long! Eddie’s Place is a neighborhood bar and restaurant in South Park/Cotswold area and strives to make you feel like a regular from the first time you enter the door. Enjoy chicken and waffles, country-fried breakfast, French toast, oatmeal, and plenty more. Customize your plates and ask for samples if you can’t decide between two options- Eddie’s seeks to make you happy in any way they can. Pair that enthusiasm with their kind and helpful servers, and you’ll discover why Eddie’s Place Restaurant is the place to be.
Famous Toastery
Multiple locations
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French Toastery is my favorite place to enjoy breakfast and brunch with a mimosa, and I especially enjoy their delicious Irish coffee. Come find French Toastery in the University, Charlotte area to eat breakfast and brunch all day. Famous Toastery has griddle greats, like pancakes and some delectable stuffed French toast. They also have great egg-based breakfasts, like benedicts, egg-filled burritos, and a collection of omelets to order, as well as a build-your-own-omelet option. My personal favorite is the avocado omelet with fresh avocado, tomato, bacon, and parmesan cheese.
Hazelnuts Creperie
9830 Rea Rd suite d, Charlotte, NC 28277
980-339-7661
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Hazelnuts Creperie has some of the most delicious, savory crepes around. Pick from their breakfast sweet, savory, and vegetarian crepes. Pair a crepe with the Almost Greek salad or the Nutty Infusion salad! Find them for yourself right on Rea Rd. Hazelnuts are a trendy little eatery with a large selection of crepes to please any eater. My personal favorites are the breakfast Pig and Swiss, the savory Chipotle Chicken, the veggie Pesto Capri, and the sweet Chunkster. They serve breakfast crepes all day, so come anytime between 8 AM and 9 PM to indulge in a hearty, delicious treat.
JP Charlotte
601 S College St #1829, Charlotte, NC 28202
704-375-2600
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JP Charlotte is a classic stop to get a filling breakfast. Located right in the heart of Charlotte, JP Charlotte has griddle greats, egg-based delights, an omelet bar, a bakery, and Starbucks drinks to order. With meals made from local ingredients, JP Charlotte has a casual ambiance where you can sit down and enjoy company and breakfast with those you love most. It also makes a nice space for business meetings, brunches with the girls, or whatever else you need!
Living Kitchen
2000 South Blvd Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28203
704-333-0008
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Living Kitchen is an entirely organic, plant-based trendy restaurant with food to satisfy at breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, or even dessert! Come to Southside Park, where there’s something for everyone! Brunch options and breakfast (served all day!) will provide an array of choices that will leave you full and happy. My favorite is the biblical breakfast, which is bread with peanut, almond, and coconut butter with figs, fresh fruit, and a drizzle of maple syrup. Living Kitchen is an extremely creative eatery; everyone can enjoy many plant-based options. You can feel good about every bite you eat because of the quality ingredients and care from the Living Kitchen Crew.
Midnight Diner
420 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
980-207-3641
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The Midnight Diner is my favorite place to have a classic, home-cooked breakfast. You can count on your everyday breakfasts: toast, omelets, crispy bacon and hashbrowns, and eggs made to your liking. Midnight Diner prides itself on crafting comfort, and everyday food. And at any time of day- Midnight Diner is open nearly 24 hours, true to its name! You can find the Midnight Diner right near downtown Charlotte. And once you’re there, order my favorite side- the Fresh Idaho Shredded Hashbrowns paired with a delectable buttermilk biscuit sandwich.
RedEye Diner
210 E Trade St c149, Charlotte, NC 28202
980-585-2867
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RedEye Diner is the place to go for all-day breakfast, and I have many times! Find RedEye Diner right by the Spectrum Center, ready to impress with these reasonably priced, deliciously crafted, traditional meals. Count on your favorites- omelets, French toast, buttermilk pancakes, buttermilk biscuit sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, and waffles. RedEye serves these favorites in a family atmosphere crucial to every family vacation. You won’t regret sharing a casual, family breakfast at the RedEye diner.
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 6 credible sites and blogs, including Tripadvisor.com and Charlottesgotalot.com.
We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible.
Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 6 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g49022-zfp2-Charlotte_North_Carolina.html
https://www.charlottesgotalot.com/articles/eat-drink/your-guide-to-breakfast-in-charlotte
https://foursquare.com/top-places/charlotte/best-places-breakfast-food
https://www.charlottemagazine.com/10-must-try-breakfasts-in-charlotte-2021/
https://charlotte.axios.com/65353/must-eat-breakfasts-charlotte/
https://charlottelifestyles.com/best-breakfast-spots-in-charlotte/
