Brunch. That magical, (mostly) morning meal that permits diners to mix pancakes and sandwiches, eggs and entrees – perhaps with a little hair of the dog to boot.
For weekend travelers, brunch also offers another opportunity to sample the local flavor. And in Asheville, N.C., also known as Foodtopia, there is no shortage of choices.
In Asheville, there's no one way to do brunch, and it would be difficult to sum up the entire brunch scene in a single list. Nevertheless, in an attempt to tackle some of Asheville's possibilities, here are some ideas for your next brunch outing:
Best at Breakfast
According to our Facebook fans, many of the most popular spots for brunch are restaurants that serve breakfast all week long. Longtime favorites like the sweet potato pancakes at Tupelo Honey Cafe, the huevos rancheros at Sunny Point Cafe, the creative benedict dishes at Early Girl Eatery and the big-as-your-face biscuits at Biscuit Head all topped the list. Other morning choices such as Moose Cafe, Green Sage Cafe and City Bakery are also beloved brunch stops.
Don't forget about the fluffy sourdough pancakes at Liberty House Coffee and Cafe or the grand Sunday brunch buffets at the Deerpark Restaurant at the Biltmore Estate and the farm-to-table bacchanal at The Omni Grove Park Inn.
Pro tip: these restaurants get busy on Saturday and Sunday mornings – and for good reason! Make sure you're not in a rush or visit on a weekday for a shorter wait time.
James Beard Brunch
Two of Asheville's James Beard Award-recognized chefs are cooking up something a little different for the weekends. At Curate, chef Katie Button puts a morning spin on her authentic Spanish cuisine. And look for breakfast and lunch dishes filled with local fruits, veggies and meats at John Fleer's Rhubarb, or for delicious pastries, head next door to The Rhu.
A Little Something Unexpected
There's another group of restaurants that are perhaps better known for something else but which offer a scrumptious brunch that shouldn't be overlooked.
Three prime dinner time hotspots – Limones and Chestnut – offer fresh and affordable brunch plates as well. And Posana, famous for its delicious, you-would-never-guess-it gluten-free menu, makes waves at a meal so often dominated by toast. Don't miss the shrimp and grits at The Med or the warm beignets and savory po'boys at Mayfel's.
Bargello's offers a weekend brunch menu with innovative sweet and savory creations like tortilla española, chocolate espresso cake doughnut holes and brioche french toast.
Tacos, Tacos, Tacos
Is there ever a bad time for tacos? No, no there isn't. If tacos are how you decide to brunch, then here's a great list of places to find them during your weekday or weekend stay. Let the smell of warm tortillas be your guide:
White Duck Taco (Locations in Downtown, RAD or South Asheville)
Mamacita's Taqueria
Taco Billy (Locations in West Asheville and Black Mountain)
Grey Eagle Taqueria
Taqueria Muñoz
Taco Temple
Mountain Madre
Looking North
For some more fresh choices, head north of downtown. In addition to their mouthwatering barbecue and sides, Luella's Bar-B-Que injects brunch-ier specials and entertainment on Sunday mornings. And in nearby Weaverville, the eclectic menu of Stoney Knob Cafe adds creative french toasts and pancakes to its world cuisine.
