In this town, brunchin’ ain’t easy, but it’s necessary. Whether you’re on the hunt for fluffy eggs, fried chicken and waffles, or mind-blowing bloody marys, the options can get as overwhelming as the lines at times.
Luckily, you have us to scout things out. We’ve compiled a whole bunch of brunch options, along with menu recs and pro tips. Plan your weekend and pour those mimosas. Note: For some of these spots, the time listed is for brunch only; to see a restaurant’s complete hours of operation, visit its website.
Weekday wonders
Easy Like Sunday | Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. + Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Don’t miss Easy Like Sunday’s pancakes that are bigger than the plate.
Midnight Diner | Open 24/7 | This local favorite isn’t just a weekday wonder, it’s a 24/7 wonder. The classic diner menu features waffles, omelets, hash browns, pancakes, biscuits, burgers, and so much more.
Cafe Monte | Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. + Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | A SouthPark French restaurant that’s locally loved for its croissant breakfast sandwiches, crepes, and steak frites.
Eddie’s Place | Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. | Opt for this neighborhood restaurant for all-day breakfast options like chicken and waffles, french toast, and omelets.
Uptown Yolk | Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. | A contemporary breakfast + brunch spot located in the Vantage South End building.
Ruby Sunshine | Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. + Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | New Orleans-style cuisine (think: beignets, a bayou shrimp benedict + biscuits and gravy) served up at two locations in the Queen City.
Snooze, An A.M. Eatery | Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. + Saturday-Sunday, 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | This popular breakfast chain is known for its outrageously fluffy pancakes that come in funky flavors like blueberry danish, strawberry shortcake, and pineapple upside down cake.
Weekend warriors
Haberdish | Saturday + Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Head to this NoDa spot for southern classics like smoked deviled eggs, biscuits and gravy, shrimp and grit cakes, and fried chicken biscuits.
Haymaker | Saturday + Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Whether you’re there for the Bacon Fat Beignets, Fried Green Tomato BLT, or Tequila Whipped Coconut Matcha Delight, we have a feeling you’ll be planning your next visit before you even sign the check.
The Crunkleton | Saturday + Sunday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | If brunch isn’t complete without a little hair of the dog, The Crunkleton offers nine different brunch cocktails to try, including mimosas, espresso martinis, and honeysuckle daiquiris.
Mimosa Grill | Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. + Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Opt for a brunch classic like shrimp and grits or try a Mimosa original like the stuffed french toast with apple butter and candied pecans.
300 East | Saturday + Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Head to this Dilworth neighborhood spot for New American fare, including delicious biscuits, breakfast tacos, and grits.
204 North | Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. + Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Bring your appetite for 204 North’s menu featuring steak and eggs, chicken and waffles, deviled eggs, and a crab cake benedict.
Fahrenheit | Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Make a reservation to enjoy brunch with an unparalleled view of the Queen City.
Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails | Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. + Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Don’t sleep on the Turkish Eggs featuring Aleppo brown butter, yogurt, and dill.
Que Onda Tacos + Tequila | Saturday + Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Name something better than breakfast tacos and $3 mimosas ... we’ll wait.
Church & Union | Friday, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. + Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | One thing we know for sure — you’re going to want to order the Holy $h!t Breakfast featuring fried chicken, eggs, bacon, donuts, biscuits, and your choice of a mimosa or bloody mary.
The cheddar biscuits from Sunflour Baking Company can be enjoyed plan or as a fully loaded breakfast sandwich.
Photo via @sunflourbakingcompany
Pastry paradise
Renaissance Pâtisserie | Monday-Thurday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. + Friday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | This French bakery has crossiants, danishes, scones, and muffins galore.
Sunflour Baking Company | Hours vary by location | You can never go wrong with anything from Sunflour, but some of our favorite bites include the breakfast burrito, cheddar biscuit, hazelnut orange roll, and sugar vanilla roll.
Villani’s Bakery | Tuesday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. | Don’t be shy. Try as much as you can from this authentic Italian bakery’s menu — especially the cream puffs, lobster tails, white chocolate raspberry muffins, Italian cookies, and chocolate almond biscottis.
Amélie’s: A French Bakery & Cafe | Hours vary by location | Amélie’s is a Queen City staple boasting fresh pastries, sandwiches, soups, salads, breakfast items, espresso drinks, and more.
The Salty Donut | Sunday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. + Saturday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. | The brown butter and salt donut, Oreo cake donut holes, and cinnamon cereal milk latte are must-try’s when visiting this South End donut shop.
For a special occasion
STIR | Saturday + Sunday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Don’t miss the Filet Oscar Benedict with crab and a petite filet. Plus, no trip to STIR is complete without ordering a cocktail made with the restaurant’s signature artisanal ice.
Supperland | Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. + Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | This heavenly brunch buffet features frittata, eggs benedict, and skewer stations as well as lobster deviled eggs, assorted pastries, buttermilk biscuits, and caviar service for an additional price. Reservations are $65 for adults + $25 for children ages 12 and under.
Gallery Restaurant | Saturday + Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | Located inside The Ballantyne Charlotte hotel, this restaurant has a large brunch menu with everything from steel cut oatmeal and chorizo hash to french toast and avocado toast.
Mico | Saturday + Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Elevate your weekend with a visit to this Argentinian restaurant located inside the Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte.
Le Belle Helene | Saturday + Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Enjoy timeless French cuisine within a contemporary dining space.
Link & Pin | Saturday + Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Favorites on this restaurant’s vast brunch menu include the shrimp and grits, lobster roll, huevos rancheros, wedge salad, and mimosa tray with your choice of champagne.
RH Rooftop | Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. | Revel in an opulent brunch experience at this elegantly decorated rooftop restaurant featuring dishes like avocado toast, shaved ribeye on charred garlic bread, broiled salmon, and truffle grilled cheese.
Sweet Crunch Waffles can also serve as a great sweet snack.
Photo via @sweetcrunchwaffles
Quick and easy
Sweet Crunch | Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, 9 a.m.- 8p.m. + Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Grab one of this spot’s warm liege waffles that are available in flavors like cinnamon-sugar, maple bacon, and s’mores.
Green Brothers Juice & Smoothie Co. | Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | Visit one of Green Brothers’ locations for smoothies + smoothie bowls, juices, wellness shots, and gluten-free baked goods.
Zada Jane’s Corner Cafe | Wednesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. + Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. | We’re firm believers that every Charlottean must try The Zada Jane 28205 Basic Breakfast at least once in their lifetime. Plus, an order of Zada’s Cinnabuns is a must if you’re visiting on the weekend.
milkbread | Thursday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-8p.m. + Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. | Yes, you should order a donut. But don’t overlook the sausage and chilled jammy egg biscuit, avocado toast, and morning bowl with labneh, mint, and local honey.
Poppy’s Bagels and More | Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. + Friday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | Poppy’s offers 10+ flavors of kettle-broiled bagels (we’re big fans of the garlic bagel with veggie cream cheese), breakfast and lunch sandwiches, wraps, paninis, soups, and salads.
Great outdoors
Suffolk Punch Brewing | Hours vary by location | Visit one of Suffolk Punch’s two locations — with a third in Birkdale Village coming soon — for ample indoor and outdoor seating + brunch favorites like deviled eggs with whipped pimento cheese, a breakfast flatbread, and a quinoa breakfast hash.
State of Confusion | Saturday + Sunday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Bring your appetite to try an eclectic mix of Latin + low country flavors.
Local Loaf Cafe | Wednesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. + Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Nosh on signature brunch items like shakshuka and chicken fried steak from this NoDa eatery’s no frills patio space.
Roots | Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. + Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Enjoy brunch crafted with locally sourced ingredients at this quaint South End cafe complete with a lush outdoor patio.
Penguin Drive-In | Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. + Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Bring the whole gang out for brunch at this swanky yet casual joint with ample outdoor seating in a covered patio.
littleSpoon Eatery | Wednesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. + Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Opt for brunch on littleSpoon’s patio while enjoying some of the thickest bacon in the Queen City.