BARGELLO

7 Patton Ave, Downtown Asheville 

Brunch offered Saturday and Sunday | 10am–2pm 

Located within Hotel Arras in Downtown Asheville, Bargello is a casual fine-dining destination with a focus on Italian and Mediterranean flavors, welcoming visitors for brunch on the weekends with a solid menu and lots of patio seating. You can start with nibbles like avocado toast—seasoned with aleppo pepper and feta from Three Graces Dairy—or doughnut holes made with pumpkin zeppole, cream cheese mousse, a caramel sauce and candied pecans. Heartier options include omelets and French toast, along with a handful of creative sandwiches, including a hot honey chicken made with fried chicken, a cilantro and lime aioli, arugula and cucumber. 

THE BLACKBIRD

47 Biltmore Ave, Downtown Asheville

Brunch offered daily | 10am–2:30pm 

As one of the few restaurants in town that offer a daily brunch, The Blackbird offers a menu that mixes its New Southern cuisine with classic brunch faves. Plenty of hearty egg plates—including steak and eggs, eggs Benedict and assorted omelets—along with shrimp and grits, corned beef hash, and fried chicken with biscuits and gravy. Snag a seat by the big windows that get opened during warm-weather months and check out the options from the bar, including a “Boozy Brew” with housemade cold brew, vanilla Stoli vodka and a nutty liqueur. 

CHESTNUT

48 Biltmore Ave, Downtown Asheville

Brunch offered Saturday and Sunday | 10am–2:30pm 

Brunch at the always-popular Chestnut features some of the best local ingredients, utilized in creative ways in spot-on dishes. A five-star breakfast sandwich is offered on a buttered croissant with sausage from Hickory Nut Gap Farm and eggs from Far Side Farms, topped with melted gouda and arugula. Meanwhile, the Southern Shrimp N’ Grits, is a standout meal featuring a regional who’s who of food producers, with North Carolina tailon shrimp, South Carolina’s Adluh grits and Tennessee’s beloved Benton’s bacon. Don’t miss the chance to try the bacon-infused vodka Bloody Mary, mimosas by the glass or carafe, or one of the custom brunch cocktails. 

CLAYWOOD

317 7th Ave E, Hendersonville

Brunch offered Sunday year-round, 11am–2pm | plus Saturday in spring and summer 

This comfortably chic place in downtown Hendersonville attracts a crowd for weekend brunch. Known for its artisan charcuterie boards, which are next level, Claywood offers a “Brunch Board” with Belgian waffles, apple-smoked bacon, chorizo Cajun grits and wild boar sausage. It’s a showpiece that starts a conversation. Pair it with one of Claywood’s cool beverage boards, which include a “Mimosa Board”—a flight of three drinks, assorted pastries and fresh fruit—or a “Bloody Mary Board”—which serves two and comes with stuffed peppers and olives, pickled veggies, candied bacon, Monterey Jack and port salut. 

TALL JOHN’S

152 Montford Ave, Asheville

Brunch offered Sunday | 9am–2pm 

This neighborhood gem in Montford, housed in a beautiful historic building that was formerly a church, offers a great brunch menu of mostly American classics. Clear the way for the Florentine—which is served on a brioche from Mother bakery, with locally sourced spinach, a poached egg and a delightfully creamy bearnaise—or consider a clever twist with their breakfast wedge salad, which has romaine, bacon, a sieved egg and bleu cheese. All wine bottles are 25% off on Sundays, so settle in for the afternoon, and check out the patio if it’s open for good weather. Reservations available and walk-ins welcome.