Best Brunch in Raleigh: 12 Top Spots to Try in 2026

The best brunch in Raleigh spans a lot of ground in 2026 — Mediterranean small plates at Vidrio in Glenwood South, French bistro classics at Coquette Brasserie in North Hills, New Orleans-inspired seafood at St. Roch downtown, and Southern comfort food at Irregardless and NOFO at the Pig. Below are 12 of the best spots across Raleigh with what to order at each.

This post was originally published in 2020 and has since been updated and recirculated for May 2026.

Best Brunch in Raleigh: 12 Top Spots to Try in 2026

Barcelona Wine Bar

Photo via Barcelona Wine Bar Instagram

Barcelona Wine Bar in Raleigh’s Warehouse District serves up a delicious tapas menu any time of the day on one of the prettiest patios around. Their brunch menu is especially delightful, especially the steak and eggs. You also should order the pan con tomate, spinach & chickpea cazuela, whipped sheep’s cheese, and patatas bravas. Book your reservation online.

Barcelona Wine Bar is at 430 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Coquette Brasserie

Coquette is one of my favorite spots for a girls’ brunch in Raleigh, especially before shopping around North Hills. I will always order their truffle fries, and I love their bibb salad with chicken. If you want something more traditionally French, the Croque Monsieur is a great option. Reservations are highly encouraged, especially for larger parties, though walk-ins are also welcome. Make your reservation online here.

Coquette is at 4351 The Cir At N Hills St, Raleigh, NC 27609.

Gussie’s Bar, Bottles, and Bites

Gussie’s is the perfect neighborhood spot for a meal, and their disco brunch is so fun for a leisurely weekend brunch. Their biscuits and gravy are great, though I always enjoy their burger. This casual spot does not take reservations, though there is plenty of seating, whether at the bar, in the cozy booths throughout, or on the patio! I tend to prefer to sit at the bar here if that is more your speed.

Gussie’s is at 927 W Morgan St, Suite 116, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Hummingbird

Photo via Hummingbird’s Instagram

For a lovely, alfresco brunch experience, look no further than Hummingbird in Dock 1053. The menu does have some seasonal changes in addition to classic brunch items such as shrimp and grits, steak and eggs, and huevos rancheros. They also feature the “peacemaker po’ boy,” which comes with fried oysters and shrimp and is served with Duke’s mayo. Make a reservation online.

Hummingbird is at 1053 E Whitaker Mill Rd STE 111, Raleigh, NC 27604.

Irregardless

For a quintessential Raleigh dining experience, book a reservation online for brunch at Irregardless. The crab cake Benedict with a side of home fries is my go-to order. The burger with a fried egg is David’s choice. Irregardless has a lovely patio for dining as well.

Irregardless is at 901 W Morgan St, Raleigh, NC 27603.

NOFO at the Pig

NOFO at the Pig is located in the former Piggly Wiggly building in Raleigh’s 5 Points neighborhood and offers a great brunch menu and a fun market to browse either before or after brunch. I enjoy their traditional brunch options, such as their buttermilk fried chicken & eggs, though I often opt for their buttermilk fried chicken salad. Make a reservation online because it gets busy on weekends!

NOFO at the Pig is located at 2014 Fairview Rd, Raleigh.

Rosewater Kitchen

Rosewater Kitchen opened in the Fall of 2019 in North Hills’ Midtown, and wow, is it a beauty! The food is equally tasty, and sitting on the patio feels like you have been transported to a European café. The avocado toast is my move here for Sunday brunch. The next time I visit, I am checking out the Manhattan mussels if they are on the menu. You will definitely want to make a reservation for Sunday brunch.

Rosewater Kitchen is located at 110 Park at N Hills St, Raleigh, NC.

SmokeStacks Cafe

One of my favorite hidden gems in Raleigh is SmokeStacks Cafe. They post their menus on their website daily, so check their social media channels to see what they will be serving that day. One consistent item on their menu is their deviled eggs, and they are delicious! When I had brunch with friends, they had a buffalo soft-shell crab sandwich, so you definitely order that if soft-shell crabs are in season. SmokeStacks Cafe does not take reservations, and it is a small space, so get there early. It is worth the wait, though!

SmokeStacks Cafe is at 701 E Lane St, Raleigh, NC.

St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar

As long as St. Roch is open, it will remain one of my top recommendations. I generally gravitate towards savory dishes, and the Carolina Calabash with fried shrimp and crawfish hushpuppies is a must-order if it is on the menu! Otherwise, try the fried oyster hotcake or the Po’ Boy. I will always order the pimento’d oysters here, so I highly recommend adding those to your order. And while I am not much for a sweet tooth, I will not miss the beignets at St. Roch. Make a reservation online, and there is walk-in seating available at the bar.

St. Roch is located at 223 S Wilmington St, Raleigh.

Vidrio

The newest brunch spot on this list, Vidrio on Glenwood South, rolled out a Mediterranean-inspired weekend brunch. We started with the warm goat cheese, which you absolutely must order when you go. We split the tomato-pepper Shakshuka and the crispy chicken sandwich. The Mimosa duo is a crowd pleaser–beautiful and tasty. Walk-ins are welcome, though I would suggest a reservation, especially if you are coming with a crowd.

Vidrio is located at 500 Glenwood Ave, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Whiskey Kitchen

This gem right in the heart of downtown Raleigh offers a beautiful patio, a bright interior, and a delicious brunch menu. David loves monkey bread, so this is always non-negotiable to start with for brunch here.  David orders the fried chicken sandwich from their lunch menu, and I really enjoy their bread & butter BLT. Walk-ins are welcome, though I recommend a reservation.

Whiskey Kitchen is located at 201 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC.

Wye Hill

My friends at Wye Hill offer an amazing brunch with the best view of the city! We start with their deviled eggs as a share plate. The Wye Hill burger is David’s favorite to order here, while I either order the breakfast sandwich or their BLT if it is on the menu. Walk-ins are welcome, though you will want to make a reservation if you are trying to sit on the patio. Note: Their menus are seasonal, so what you see online is their sample menu. 

Wye Hill is located at 201 S Boylan Ave, Raleigh, NC.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brunch in Raleigh

What is the best brunch in Raleigh right now? In my opinion, there is no single “best,” though Vidrio, St. Roch, Coquette Brasserie, and Irregardless consistently stand out for variety and quality, while neighborhood spots like Gussie’s and SmokeStacks Cafe are favorites for a more casual vibe.

Where can I get brunch in Raleigh with a great patio? Barcelona Wine Bar, Irregardless, NOFO at the Pig, Rosewater Kitchen, Whiskey Kitchen, and Wye Hill all have patio seating that is worth requesting on a nice day.

Is there a Mediterranean brunch in Raleigh? Yes. Vidrio on Glenwood South added a Mediterranean-inspired brunch menu, with dishes like shakshuka and pistachio baklava French toast.

Do I need a reservation for brunch in Raleigh? It depends on the spot. Places like Barcelona Wine Bar, Hummingbird, and Irregardless get busy and are best booked online ahead of time. Others, like Gussie’s and SmokeStacks do not take reservations at all. Others, such as NOFO, St. Roch, and Vidrio, do take walk-ins, though reservations are always recommended.

What is a good brunch spot in Raleigh for a group? NOFO at the Pig, Whiskey Kitchen, and Vidrio are all well-suited to bigger groups.

Which Raleigh neighborhoods have the most brunch options? North Hills (Coquette, Rosewater Kitchen), Glenwood South (Vidrio), Five Points (NOFO at the Pig), downtown’s Warehouse District (Barcelona Wine Bar, St. Roch, Whiskey Kitchen), and the Boylan Heights area (Wye Hill) all have strong brunch scenes.

Final Thoughts

Raleigh’s brunch scene has come a long way in just a few years, and it keeps getting better every season. What I love most is how much variety lives within a short drive of downtown — New Orleans-leaning seafood at St. Roch, Southern comfort food at Irregardless and NOFO at the Pig, and casual, no-reservation neighborhood spots like Gussie’s and SmokeStacks Cafe for when you just want to show up and eat. Whether you are catching up with girlfriends over truffle fries at Coquette, splitting deviled eggs with your partner on the patio at Wye Hill, or rounding up a crowd for Vidrio’s mimosa duo, there is a Raleigh brunch spot for every mood, every group size, and every craving.

Pull up the map above, pick a neighborhood, and start checking these off your list!

Which Raleigh brunch spot is your go-to? Let me know in the comments below!