September 12, 2023

Brunchin' in Oak City: Raleigh's Most Egg-citing Morning Hideouts

Discover Raleigh's top brunch spots, offering a scrumptious mix of classic favorites and innovative dishes, perfect for a leisurely weekend dining experience.

Richard Gargan
Richard Gargan
Reviewed from:
North Carolina
Brunchin' in Oak City: Raleigh's Most Egg-citing Morning Hideouts
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Get ready to indulge in Raleigh's most appetizing brunch scene! As the City of Oaks continues to charm visitors with its rich history and Southern hospitality, it's no surprise that its brunch offerings are equally enticing. In this culinary journey, we invite you to explore a handpicked selection of Raleigh's best brunch spots, guaranteed to satisfy your every craving. From hip cafes serving up innovative fare to classic brunch spots with a Southern twist, we've got all the flavors your heart desires. Join us as we dive into a world of fluffy pancakes, scrumptious omelettes, and Instagram-worthy avocado toasts.

First Watch

621 Hillsborough St Suite 101, Raleigh

(919) 561-5588

Reviewed by:

First Watch in Raleigh received glowing reviews for its quick and efficient service, friendly staff, and delicious food. Reviewers especially appreciated their server Li Ann, who was quick to help and made their experience even more enjoyable. The restaurant itself was also noted for its pleasant ambiance, and the food was cooked fresh and came out quickly, even for a large group of 10. Overall, First Watch was highly recommended for a fantastic brunch experience.

First Watch

631 E Six Forks Rd Suite 100, Raleigh

(919) 704-3984

Reviewed by:

First Watch in Raleigh is a great brunch spot with delicious food and great customer service. Although there may be a wait for your food at times, the quality of the food and service make up for it. The restaurant is clean, has outdoor seating, and offers a consistent experience across different locations. The staff, like Kyle, are knowledgeable and polite, making for a delightful dining experience. Highly recommended for brunch or an early lunch.

The Kitchen Table at Relish

5629 Creedmoor Rd, Raleigh

(919) 787-1855

Reviewed by:

The Kitchen Table at Relish is a fantastic spot for brunch, dinner, and games. The food is delicious, the drinks are great, and the service is friendly. The restaurant is clean and cozy, with a huge selection of games to play. The game master is knowledgeable and helpful, making the experience even better. The only drawback is that it can be a bit overpriced. Overall, it's a great place to go and have some fun with friends and family.

First Watch

6109 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh

(919) 789-3347

Reviewed by:

First Watch in Raleigh offers customers farm-to-table fresh and delicious food, with standout dishes including the Alaskan salmon Sockeye omelette and the bacon. The coffee is also highly recommended. The service is impressive, with friendly and energetic staff, particularly the server Jasmine. The restaurant is great for those who are health-conscious or have food allergies. While the restaurant can be busy on Saturdays, the experience and food are worth it. The only improvement needed is in clearing tables promptly after customers finish their meals. Overall, First Watch offers a great dining experience in Raleigh.

Morning Times

10 E Hargett St, Raleigh

(919) 836-1204

Reviewed by:

Morning Times in Raleigh is a charming and cozy brunch spot in downtown Raleigh. The iced vanilla latte and egg sandwich with added chicken on an everything bagel were both delicious. The upstairs dining area has a small cafe feel with local art and exposed brick. The service was exceptional, with friendly staff who went out of their way to accommodate requests. The breakfast bagel with avocado was also a hit, but the breakfast burrito was a bit underwhelming. The motivational notes on the wall were a nice touch. Overall, Morning Times is an awesome spot with amazing food and great cold brew. It's definitely worth a visit for anyone looking for a tasty and relaxing brunch experience.

State Farmers Market Restaurant

1240 Farmers Market Dr, Raleigh

(919) 755-1550

Reviewed by:

State Farmers Market Restaurant in Raleigh is a fantastic place to have brunch. The food is excellent, with delicious options like chicken and waffles, egg and cheese biscuits, and market boy omelettes. The biscuits are particularly amazing. The service is fast and kind, and the atmosphere is charming. The prices are very affordable, with three people able to eat for under $45. Overall, it's a great spot for anyone looking for authentic, quality country cooking.

Libations 317

317 W Morgan St APT 117, Raleigh

Reviewed by:

Libations 317 is a fantastic spot for brunch in Raleigh. The chicken biscuit with pimento cheese is a must-try, along with the fried potatoes. The mimosa is a perfect way to start the day. The service is great, and there's plenty of seating. The vibe is fun, vibrant, and grown-up, with a cool decor. The menu is surprising, with a great brunch menu for Saturday and Sunday, as well as a regular menu. The southern Benedict, chicken biscuit, and shrimp and grits are highly recommended. The staff is attentive and accommodating. It's a cozy spot to grab a drink and relax, and the prices are reasonable. Overall, a must-visit for anyone in Raleigh.

Plates Neighborhood Kitchen

301 Glenwood Ave # 100, Raleigh

(919) 828-0018

Reviewed by:

Plates Neighborhood Kitchen offers an excellent brunch experience with delicious food, cute mason jar drinks, and good service. The ambiance is cool and inviting. The only downside is their reservation policy, but it didn't deter the positive experience. The chef, David Mitchell, also wows with his creations and the wine dinner event was unbelievable. Overall, Plates is a must-visit spot for anyone looking for a great brunch in Raleigh.

Brigs Great Beginnings Restaurant

8111 Creedmoor Rd Suite 169, Raleigh

(919) 870-0994

Reviewed by:

Brigs Great Beginnings Restaurant is a must-visit if you're in Raleigh and looking for a fantastic brunch experience. The service is excellent, with friendly and welcoming staff who are efficient and attentive. The menu is full of amazing options, with must-try dishes like the French toast and blueberry waffles. The Alaska Omelette was a delicious surprise, with tender lump crab and shrimp, cream cheese, and a special sauce that added a lot of flavor. While the home fries were cold, everything else was hot and fresh. The restaurant is small, but they handle a lot of people with ease. The wait might be a little long, but it's worth it for the top-notch food and service. The reviewer recommends Brigs Great Beginnings Restaurant to anyone in the area, and is sure to return.

Coquette

4351 The Cir At N Hills St, Raleigh

(919) 789-0606

Reviewed by:

Coquette offers a fantastic brunch experience with delicious food and a beautiful atmosphere. The restaurant can get busy on weekends, so reservations are recommended. While the service can be slow, the food is worth the wait. The warm biscuit with Bree and jam and assorted pastries are fantastic, as is the eggs Benedict. The brie biscuits are a must-try item on the menu. The ambiance and drinks are excellent, and the service is exceptional. Coquette is accessible and has plenty of parking. Overall, it is a great choice for families and small groups looking for authentic French cuisine in Raleigh.

First Watch

6320 Capital Blvd Suite 130, Raleigh

(919) 900-8355

Reviewed by:

First Watch in Raleigh is a fantastic place for brunch. The staff is friendly and accommodating, with great recommendations and service. The food is delicious and fresh, making for a fantastic start to the day. Manager Kyle even came over to show the group the ropes, adding to the great experience. However, one reviewer had a negative experience and found the lack of consistency between the locations to be frustrating. Despite this, First Watch still comes highly recommended for breakfast.

Metro Diner

6325 Falls of Neuse Rd #73, Raleigh

(919) 578-9053

Reviewed by:

Metro Diner in Raleigh provides a delicious brunch experience with a short wait time for seating and food. The croissant French toast is a must-try, but the steak scramble could use more seasoning. The environment is enjoyable and Mimosa's are worth ordering. The fried chicken is a standout dish and the service is friendly. While one person had a disappointing experience with their omelette, overall the food is impressive. Overall, Metro Diner is recommended for their excellent breakfast and friendly atmosphere.

Big Ed's North Restaurant

Corners Shopping Center, 5009 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh

(919) 747-9533

Reviewed by:

Big Ed's North Restaurant in Raleigh is a fantastic Southern-style breakfast spot with friendly service and great food. The cornbread is a must-try, and the country ham and cheese grits and fried catfish are excellent breakfast dishes. The menu has a variety of classic country favorites. The staff is busy but attentive, and the restaurant has a warm, family-oriented atmosphere. While some dishes may fall short (as in any restaurant), the management makes a sincere effort to address customer satisfaction. Overall, Big Ed's is a recommended spot and a winner for breakfast, brunch, and lunch.

Zest Cafe & Home Art

8831 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh

(919) 848-4792

Reviewed by:

Zest Cafe & Home Art offers delicious and healthy food options with great service and a charming atmosphere. The staff wears masks and the prices are reasonable. The cafe also has outdoor seating, curbside pickup, and a small shop for home gifts. Highly recommended for a casual and tasty meal, with desserts that shouldn't be missed. The staff is amazing, and the food is fresh and clean.

Flying Biscuit Café

2016 Clark Ave, Raleigh

(919) 833-6924

Reviewed by:

The Flying Biscuit Café in Raleigh serves amazing brunch with delicious dishes like French toast and Southern Style Eggs Benedict with pimento cheese. The creamy dreamy grits and biscuits with fresh strawberry jam are highly recommended. The staff is friendly, accommodating, and always wearing masks. The atmosphere is lovely with indoor and outdoor seating, but expect a wait on weekends. Overall, a great place for brunch with mouthwatering food and excellent service.

Happy + Hale

200 Park at N Hills St #101, Raleigh

(984) 200-3802

Reviewed by:

Happy + Hale in Raleigh offers great vegan and gluten-free options with a charming Santa Monica vibe. The staff is friendly and takes pride in their work, making for a delightful dining experience. The build-your-own bowl option allows for customization, and the Lemon Tahini and Vegan Caesar sauces are highly recommended. The food is fresh, flavorful, filling, and the portions are good. The service is fast, and the staff ensures that the customers are taken care of, making Happy + Hale a must-try place in North Hills for healthier eats.

Parkside Restaurant

301 W Martin St, Raleigh

(984) 232-8969

Reviewed by:

Parkside Restaurant in Raleigh is a highly recommended brunch spot, with great service and outstanding food. The fried chicken waffle sandwich and shrimp and grits are particularly noteworthy, while the French toast and eggs are also great options. While there may be a wait, the bar area is a comfortable spot to sit and enjoy drinks. The margarita and pretzel are also highlights. While some dishes, such as the prime rib and surf and turf, may not be perfect, the overall experience is positive and friendly.

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

425 Oberlin Rd, Raleigh

(919) 723-9353

Reviewed by:

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar in Raleigh offers delicious Southern classics with a cool atmosphere and friendly staff. The menu is not overwhelming and offers goat cheese grits, well-seasoned fried chicken, and delicious fried green tomatoes. While some may encounter dry chicken, the overall experience is positive and worth a reservation to avoid long wait times on weekends. The salad is highly recommended and the cold brew coffee is a great addition.

STIR

4242 Six Forks Rd #100, Raleigh

(984) 200-8614

Reviewed by:

STIR in Raleigh was a fantastic experience for brunch, dinner, and sushi. The cocktails were delicious, and the food was outstanding, with highlights including the fried green tomato burger, chicken piccata, and scallops. The service was friendly and helpful, although it was a bit slow during one visit. The pimento tomato appetizer and salmon were particularly noteworthy. Overall, STIR is a highly recommended restaurant with great food and a cheerful staff.

Simply Crêpes Cafe of Raleigh

8470 Honeycutt Rd #110, Raleigh

(919) 322-2327

Reviewed by:

Simply Crêpes Cafe of Raleigh is a hidden gem with amazing food and a cute atmosphere. Although there were some issues with the Maple Sausage Stacker, the Simply Strawberry Crepe and the chicken cordon blue breaded with panko were exceptional. The portions were surprisingly filling and delicious. The only downside was weak service, but the food is highly recommended with a score of 10/10.

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