They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and we’re happy to say, the Queen City has no shortage of places to fuel up in the mornings. From quick grab-and-go spots to sit down meals, this list of our favorite breakfasts in Charlotte has something for everyone.
South End
Uptown Yolk
1220 S. Tryon St
Hours: 8AM — 3PM, Daily.
The Scoop: This popular South End breakfast spot has everything you need to fill the breakfast sized hole in your heart. For a sweet option, try the sweet potato waffle with pecan butter and maple whipped cream. For something savory, check out the “theres fire” dish, with brown butter biscuits, smoked chicken gravy, and jalapeño jam.
The Waterman
2729 South Blvd Suite D
Hours: 11AM — 3PM, Saturdays & Sundays.
The Scoop: This neighborhood seafood joint has an awesome weekend brunch. The whole menu is great, but two of our favorites are the bourbon berry french toast, which is cream-filled & deep-fried brioche, cinnamon, berry compote, whipped cream, and powdered sugar, and the lobster bene, which is a buttermilk biscuit, two poached eggs, butter-poached lobster, and waterman hollandaise. Plus, you can get a cocktail flight with four drinks for just $18 or other brunch cocktails with your meal, too.
Salted Melon Market and Eatery
100 W Worthington Ave Suite 107
Hours: 7AM — Close, Mondays — Fridays & 8AM — Close, Saturdays & Sundays.
The Scoop: The all day breakfast menu at Salted Melon means you can grab a breakfast bite anytime, any day. We love the B.E.C (bacon, egg and cheese) sandwich with sriracha aioli, and the overnight sensation overnight oats.
Ruby Sunshine
332 W. Bland St
Hours: 7:30AM — 2PM, Daily.
The Scoop: Enjoy a New Orleans inspired brunch at Ruby Sunshine. Start with the french toast bites or seasonal beignets, then select one of their eggs bennies, pancakes, sandwiches or salads to fill you up.
Link & Pin
155 New Bern St
Hours: Starting at 10AM, Saturdays & Sundays.
The Scoop: Link & Pin brunch is a one of a kind experience in the Charlotte area. The food is delicious, and the ambiance is perfect for a date or girls brunch out. We love their unique take on chicken and waffles, with crispy chicken tenders, sticky bun bourbon, maple syrup, and mint watermelon, as well as the steak & eggs and shrimp & grits.
SouthPark
Cafe Monte
6700 Fairview Rd #108
Hours: 9AM — 3PM, Tuesdays — Sundays.
The Scoop: The breakfast sandwiches, quiches, and bakery items at Cafe Monte are the perfect way to start your morning. Try the croque monsieur or florentine quiche for something more hearty, or a simple almond croissant for a lighter choice.
The Original Pancake House
4736 Sharon Rd
Hours: 6:30AM — 2:30PM, Mondays — Fridays & 7AM — 3PM, Saturdays & Sundays.
The Scoop: Is any breakfast list complete without the Original Pancake House in SouthPark (or their other Charlotte location in Midtown). Their menu has, you guessed it, pancakes, as well as waffles, french toast, eggs, crepes, quiche, and more.
Snooze
4425 Sharon Rd S170
Hours: 6:30AM — 2:30PM, Mondays — Fridays & 6:30AM — 4PM, Saturdays & Sundays.
The Scoop: Snooze is the holy grail of the Charlotte breakfast scene. With locations in SouthPark, South End, and Plaza Midwood, and a large menu with both classic and unique breakfast options, a trip to Snooze will never disappoint. Grab a pancake flight, breakfast tacos, mix and match eggs benedict dishes, and don’t forget to order a side of hash browns.
The Fox & Falcon
4905 Ashley Park Lane
Hours: 10:30AM — 2PM, Saturdays & Sundays.
The Scoop: The Fox & Falcon by David Burke is now open for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 am until 2 pm. The brunch menu offers a wide range of options, including classic breakfast dishes, seafood delights, and some of Burke’s signature dishes, like lobster dumplings and DB clothesline bacon popovers.
Suffolk Punch
4400 Sharon Rd Space G23D
Hours: 8AM — 11AM, Mondays — Fridays & 10AM — 2PM. Saturdays & Sundays.
The Scoop: This beloved South End brewery now has a spot in the SouthPark mall that’s perfect to grab a bite before a day of shopping. Try the biscuit bowl, or the parfait with whipped ricotta, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, granola, and local honey. Don’t forget to add one of their signature coffees to your order, too!
Plaza Midwood/Elizabeth
Zada Jane’s Corner Cafe
1601 Central Ave
Hours: 8AM — 3PM, Wednesdays — Fridays & 8AM — 4PM, Saturdays & Sundays.
The Scoop: We love grabbing breakfast at this cozy little cafe in Plaza Midwood. Zada Jane’s offers tons of different options and substitutes, so you can make your breakfast completely customized to your liking. Pro Tip: if you visit on a weekend, you must try Zada’s Cinnabuns with pecan compote and cream cheese icing.
The People’s Market
1609 Elizabeth Ave
Hours: 7AM — Close, Mondays — Fridays & 8AM — Close, Saturdays & Sundays.
The Scoop: Order at the counter then sit down, or take your food to go, at the People’s Market. This Elizabeth staple has delicious breakfast options all week long. You can’t go wrong with the breakfast burrito stuffed with scrambled eggs, pepper jack cheese, hash browns, tortilla strips, pico de gallo, and salsa. Add a coffee for a complete meal. GREAT NEWS, The People’s Market is opening in the old Mellow Mushroom spot in Myers Park, on Selwyn by Colony.
Milkbread
1431 Central Ave
Hours: 7AM — Close, Daily.
The Scoop: If you’re looking for a casual but delicious breakfast, Milkbread can’t be beat. This tiny shop in the heart of Plaza Midwood serves delectable donuts, cinnamon rolls, morning bowls, toasts (like nutella, avocado, and mushroom) and biscuit sandwiches.
NoDa
Rhino Market
2320 N Davidson St
Hours: 8AM — 11AM, Mondays — Fridays & 9AM — 12PM, Saturdays & Sundays.
The Scoop: Rhino Market, which has locations all over the Charlotte area; not just in NoDa, is a casual breakfast spot for every day of the week. The breakfast burrito with scrambled egg, potato hash, sausage, Boar’s Head Sharp Wisconsin Cheddar cheese, and salsa on a tortilla is a customer favorite.
Sunflour Baking Co.
515 Jordan Pl
Hours: 7AM — 4PM, Daily.
The Scoop: This popular Charlotte bakery chain has recently opened a new location in NoDa that’s perfect to grab a quick bite in the morning. Pick up a breakfast sandwich made on your choice of bread (sourdough, rosemary, or whole grain) in the mornings, or order delicious breakfast pastries like croissants, biscuits, and scones all day.
Uptown
Coquette
400 S Tryon St #101
Hours: 8AM — Close, Tuesdays — Saturdays & 11AM — Close, Sundays.
The Scoop: Grab a breakfast pastry and coffee from Coquette next time you’re looking for a way to start your day Uptown. Their Pâtisserie menu includes croissants, tea cakes, eclairs, cream puffs, tarts, biscuits, and more.
Famous Toastery
330 S Tryon St
Hours: 7:30AM — 2:30PM, Mondays — Fridays & 7AM — 3PM Saturdays & Sundays.
The Scoop: This Uptown breakfast spot would be the perfect place to eat solo before work, or take the family to another one of their Charlotte locations. We love the avocado benny which is a split avocado baked with cajun seasoning, two eggs any style topped with melted pepper jack & pico de gallo.
Angeline’s
303 S Church St
Hours: 7AM — 10AM, Mondays — Fridays.
The Scoop: We love eating breakfast at this elegant Uptown restaurant. For a savory option, try the avocado toast with thick-cut, house-made ciabatta, smashed avocado, everything spice, pickled onions, tomato and lemon oil. For a sweeter option, order the ricotta toast with thick-cut, house-made ciabatta, lavendar honey, berry jam and pistachio.
Ballantyne/Fort Mill/Rock Hill
Eggspectation
14815 Ballantyne Village Way, Suite 150-160
Hours: 7AM — Close, Daily.
The Scoop: This brand new, all-day breakfast and brunch restaurant in the Ballantyne area is sure to satisfy your breakfast craving. They serve all your favorite breakfast dishes, like chicken and waffles, lemon ricotta blueberry pancakes, veggie omelettes, and more.
The Pump House
575 Herrons Ferry Road, Rock Hill
Hours: 10AM — 3PM, Sundays.
The Scoop: The Pump House in Rock Hill is the perfect place to go for an upscale Sunday brunch with the girls or as a date. The chicken biscuit with a pimento cheese & buttermilk biscuit, sage & sausage gravy, and two eggs any style is unbelievable, as are the shrimp & grits, portobello hash, and shrimp and sausage omelette. Don’t forget to pair your brunch with a mimosa!
First Watch
13743 Conlan Cir
Hours: 7AM — 2:30PM, Daily.
The Scoop: First Watch has a giant breakfast menu to choose from, all day, every day. We love the Brooklyn breakfast sandwich, with eggs, caramelized onion pastrami, gruyere cheese, pickled red onion, arugula, mustard, and everything but the bagel seasoning. Plus, First Watch has other locations around Charlotte, too!
Cast Iron Waffles
9604 Longstone Ln
Hours: 7AM — 4PM, Daily.
The Scoop: Authentic Belgium waffles, premium coffee, lattes, and blended drinks can all be found at Cast Iron Waffles in Ballantyne. For those who want a classic waffle, get the naked waffle which is perfectly dusted with powdered sugar. If you want to indulge a bit more, try the peanut butter cup or the deluxe, with nutella, strawberries, bananas, and whipped cream.
Napa at Kingsley & Napa on Providence
1310 Broadcloth St, Fort Mill & 110 Perrin Pl
Hours: 11:30AM — 3PM, Saturdays & 11AM— 3PM, Sundays.
The Scoop: The Napa restaurants provide a delicious breakfast meal in an elegant setting at both locations. Try the chicken and waffles, french toast, napa avocado toast, or croque madame next time you stop in for breakfast.
Farther Away But Worth A Drive
Port City Club
18665 Harborside Dr, Cornelius
Hours: 11:30AM — 2PM, Saturdays & Sundays.
The Scoop: Weekend brunch is available at Port City Club with dishes to kickstart your day. Some of our favorites include the Shrimp & Grits with artisan grits, andouille sausage and cajun gravy and the Banana Foster French Toast with caramel and pecan syrup.
Drift on Lake Wylie
315-M Lanyard Ln, Belmont
Hours: 10:30AM — 2PM, Saturdays & Sundays.
The Scoop: Enjoy weekend brunch with a view at Drift on Lake Wylie. We can’t get enough of the shakshuka, made with pomodoro, chèvre, peperonata, caramelized onions, buttered toast points, and three sunny side up eggs, or the fresh berry french toast.
Bonus: Breakfast Food Trucks
Donut I Love U
Traveling
Hours: Varies.
The Scoop: This adorable donut food truck can be found all over the Charlotte area, and can even be booked for your next private event. Donut I Love U serves up mini gluten-free donuts and locally roasted coffee. All their flavors are incredible, but we especially love the strawberries and cream and Oreo varieties. Keep up with their schedule on their website or social media accounts.
27 Pancakes Breakfast Co.
Traveling
Hours: Varies.
The Scoop: 27 Pancakes Breakfast Co. is another breakfast food truck you can find traveling around the Charlotte area serving up some delicious breakfast. Track where they are on social media or their website, or book them for a private event. Their 27 pancake flavors rotate each week, and pancake batter is also available for purchase.
Author’s Note: This article was written by Alex Maloney. You can find more of her Charlotte related content on Instagram, @slicesandsushi.
