The Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Raleigh, N.C.

By Visit Raleigh | Updated July 2026

Weekends are meant to be brunched on! Time spent with family and friends over stacks of blueberry pancakes or the perfect eggs Benedict should be cherished—in the Raleigh area, it is. We get asked about brunch spots all the time, so we've put together this list of some of the area's favorite places to convene for muffins and mimosas. Cheers!

Note: Reservations are always recommended, though a few on this list may be walk-in only. 

St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar

Brunch should have beignets. And a fried oyster hotcake. Probably some shrimp and grits with coconut curry and mushrooms. Add a bloody mary and an Irish coffee to round things out.

Those are just some of the New Orleans-centric offerings at St. Roch, the cherished downtown Raleigh restaurant from former “Best Chef: Southeast” contender Sunny Gerhart. Whether at an outdoor table, barstool, or wooden booth, it’s one of the best seats in town each weekend.

• The Vibe: Gulf-Inspired / Southern-French Fusion / Energetic
• Best For: Indulgent brunch spreads with a seafood twist.
• 223 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, NC 27601

Hummingbird

Like its namesake, Hummingbird is a tiny, impressive creature. The tiled bar is almost as petite as the indoor dining space, but fear not—the L-shaped covered patio makes it easier to find a seat for weekend brunch.

Chef Coleen Speaks can execute any dish, from huevos rancheros to the oft-requested brunch burger with pimento cheese. It’s hard to choose between the smoked pork collard melt and eggs benedict with fried green tomato, so just get both.

• The Vibe: New-Orleans Inspired Brunch / Cozy-Chic / Lively
• Best For: Grabbing a seat on the patio and eating their seasonal specials.
• 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Rd., Suite 111, Raleigh, NC 27604

Parkside Restaurant

Recognizable by its retro green awning and what is apparently “the longest-running neon restaurant sign in North Carolina,” Parkside is a downtown Raleigh staple known for playing the hits. At the corner of Nash Square—hence, “park-side”—the restaurant shifts to a brunch menu on weekends that features bananas foster challah French toast, short rib benedict, a chorizo breakfast burrito, and other favorites.

Parkside is ideal for casual, laid-back mornings recounting the last night’s adventures.

• The Vibe: Casual Brunch Bar / Relaxed / Modern Comfort
• Best For: Groups that want a mix of breakfast and lunch options.
• 301 W. Martin St., Raleigh, NC 27601

Standard Beer and Food

The smashburger at Standard is too popular to leave the menu at brunch-time, but it gets a breakfast makeover with egg and hash brown added to the patty. The rotating menu might also include avocado toast and fried chicken and waffles, but despite the “Standard” name, its reliable excellence is rare.

This Oakwood neighborhood staple on the edge of downtown Raleigh is a hit with families thanks to its ample outdoor seating and speedy service.

• The Vibe: Group-Friendly Spot / QR-Order System / Comfort
• Best For: Pairing a cold beer with brunch-style comfort food.
• 205 E. Franklin St., Raleigh, NC 27604

Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing

Looking for a weekend brunch spot with a view of the downtown skyline? Wye Hill’s patio offers a prime backdrop. Chef Bobby McFarland and head brewer Connor Tyo tag-team this Boylan Heights restaurant and brewery, where everyone orders the Everything Brussels small plate.

The sweet potato hash, wagyu burger and shrimp and grits are also top picks. Yet it’s a mistake to skip the bread pudding French toast or the deviled eggs with country ham.

• The Vibe: Patio Sunrise Energy / Scenic Brunch Terrace / Easygoing
• Best For: Lingering over coffee and cocktails.
• 201 S. Boylan Ave., Raleigh, NC 27603

Peck & Plume

Step inside the Mayton hotel in Cary to experience the gorgeously designed modern restaurant Peck & Plume. It attracts visitors from around the region with its weekday breakfast and weekend brunch menus.

Options range from light dishes like the egg white frittata to the hearty biscuits and gravy every day of the week, though there is some variance between the two—like a fried chicken biscuit during the week and a croque monsieur on the weekend.

• The Vibe: Refined Brunch / Calm / Modern American Comfort
• Best For: Slow weekend breakfast with every option and side you can think of to order.
• 301 S. Academy St., Cary, NC 27511

The Shiny Diner

The Shiny Diner is, quite literally, a reflective, metallic restaurant. For almost 20 years, this retro staple has beckoned customers on Raleigh’s western edge seeking patty melts and fried bologna and eggs alike.

The massive breakfast menu—served daily—includes more than a dozen omelets, a signature pancake sandwich and corned beef hash. Owners Michelle and James Park know how to please a crowd, operating Peak City Diner in Apex and Raleigh’s Tucker Street Diner.

• The Vibe: Old-School Breakfast Counter / Retro / Comfort-First Style
• Best For: If you want a big Southern breakfast all in one place.
• 1550 Buck Jones Rd., Raleigh, NC 27606

Rosewater Kitchen & Bar

Brunch at North Hills anchor Rosewater is a Sunday kind of love. The American-style restaurant from heavyweight Giorgios Hospitality Group and chef Lam Nguyen focuses on classics at brunch—but there’s nothing average about the execution.

Rosewater offers some of the highest expressions of the forms for biscuits and gravy or its steak and eggs. More open-minded diners will love dishes like the breakfast risotto with pancetta or the seafood omelet with crab and shrimp, too.

• The Vibe: Earthy / Upscale Brunch Spot / Magical Garden Feel
• Best For: Ordering multiple plates with friends and staying there awhile.
• 110 Park at N. Hills St., Raleigh, NC 27609

La Farm Bakery

Lionel Vatinet started a bakery renaissance in greater Raleigh when he opened La Farm in 1999. Later named a James Beard Award semifinalist for “Outstanding Baker,” Vatinet and his famed sourdough have defined the format and grown to a half dozen locations in the last 27 years.

Not surprisingly, the best breakfast and brunch items at La Farm feature the bakery’s bread—from the deluxe breakfast sandwich on ciabatta to the avocado toast on multigrain.

• The Vibe: Artisan Bakery / French-Inspired café / Classic
• Best For: Grabbing a quick breakfast sandwich or pastry with a delicious coffee.
• 4248 NW Cary Pkwy., Cary, NC 27513

Sola Coffee Café

The line moves quickly at north Raleigh neighborhood café Sola, which is great news considering it sometimes snakes around the building. The seasonally-rotated breakfast menu—available Tuesday through Saturday—is sandwich- and toast-heavy, including the smoked salmon toast with smashed avocado.

Order an acai bowl, iced coffee and some hot mini donuts at the counter and then grab a seat on the newly covered back patio or try your luck at finding an indoor table.

• The Vibe: Community Coffeehouse / Laid-Back / Breakfast Staple
• Best For: Weekend morning mini-donut runs after youth sports games.
• 7705 Lead Mine Rd., Raleigh, NC 27615

Scratch Kitchen & Taproom

Run by a group of industry vets who preach the gospel of scratch-made meals, Scratch Kitchen & Taproom is one of Apex’s most important restaurants.

Beneath the wood beams of the historic Tobacco and Mule Exchange Buildings downtown, Scratch’s team serves up weekend brunch specials like unforgettable cheddar drop biscuits and jalapeño cornbread as well as an avocado toast kicked up a notch with strawberries and balsamic glaze. No wonder the restaurant expanded with a Cary outpost.

• The Vibe: Rustic Coastal / Industrial / Southern-Fusion
• Best For: Adventurous comfort-food crowds.
• 225 N. Salem St., Apex, NC 27502

State Farmers Market Restaurant

Open nearly every day of the year, the plainly named State Farmers Market Restaurant draws a crowd to its high-ceilinged dining area with its famed biscuits.

Options abound, including chicken fried steak and country ham. Yet the showstopper is the “World Famous” Jim Graham Biscuit, honoring North Carolina’s former agriculture commissioner and topped with “streak o’lean,” a Southern, bacon-adjacent salt pork. The hot cakes and country breakfast also offer a strong start before perusing the farm-fresh produce.

• The Vibe: Early-Morning Risers / Classic Southern Breakfast / Comfort Food
• Best For: If you want to eat brunch in a fast-paced, bustling environment.
• 1201 Agriculture St., Raleigh, NC 27603

101 Kitchen

Knightdale’s treasured Latin American restaurant celebrates breakfast with the same mix of cuisines as the rest of its menu. The arepas—a simple yet delicious essential in countries like Colombia—are a must. Waffles can be ordered as Belgian, cornbread or cheese bread pan de bono, helping to make 101 Kitchen one of the most unique breakfast options in the region.

Find it in an unassuming Knightdale Commons storefront, just 15 minutes from downtown Raleigh.

• The Vibe: Modern / Neighborhood Brunch / Clean
• Best For: Elevated weekend brunch and daytime dining.
• 4001 Widewaters Pkwy., Suite G, Knightdale, NC 27545

FAQs about brunch in Raleigh

What are the best brunch spots in Raleigh, NC?

Raleigh is home to standout brunch destinations like St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar for seafood-inspired dishes, Hummingbird for creative Southern plates and Rosewater Kitchen & Bar for upscale dining. From indulgent classics to globally influenced menus, the area offers something for every brunch style and preference.

Where can I find the best brunch in downtown Raleigh?

Downtown Raleigh offers excellent brunch options, including St. Roch for New Orleans-inspired flavors, Parkside Restaurant for laid-back classics and Standard Beer and Food for casual comfort. The downtown dining scene continues to grow, with many restaurants serving creative brunch menus near Fayetteville Street and Nash Square.

What are the best brunch spots with outdoor seating in Raleigh?

Outdoor brunch is popular in Raleigh, with Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing offering skyline views and a spacious patio. Hummingbird provides a cozy covered patio, while Standard Beer and Food and Sola Coffee Café offer relaxed outdoor seating, making them great choices for enjoying brunch in the fresh air.

Are there good brunch spots in Raleigh for large groups?

Raleigh features several brunch spots suited for groups, including Parkside Restaurant with its diverse menu and comfortable setting, Rosewater Kitchen & Bar for shared plates and longer meals and Standard Beer and Food, where a casual atmosphere and quick ordering system make group dining easy and accessible.

Where can I get a Southern-style breakfast or brunch in Raleigh?

Classic Southern flavors can be found at The Shiny Diner, known for hearty breakfasts, and the State Farmers Market Restaurant, famous for biscuits and country-style dishes. Scratch Kitchen & Taproom in nearby Apex adds a modern twist with scratch-made comfort foods rooted in Southern culinary traditions.