West Asheville (Favorite Breakfast Joints)

While in Asheville, we made it a point to eat out plenty. We had heard such great recommendations for restaurants, but the only problem was, with three boys aged 7 and younger, it’s not always easy to eat out at a new place. But one meal always seems easier with the kids: breakfast. So we tried three different breakfast places (one of them we went to twice!), and were really pleased with all!

The first was Sunny Point Cafe in West Asheville, where the indoor atmosphere is diner-like, but the outdoor space is all garden. We were warned to stay away on the weekends, as the crowds can make for a long wait. So we headed there early on a weekday morning and were seated right away (though it was still pretty crowded). The boys enjoyed carrot pancakes with sorghum cider syrup. They were certainly healthier and heartier than the usual pancakes, and though I consider our boys to be picky eaters, they all ate every last bite. I had the Huevos Rancheros, which were delicious — make sure you’re hungry if you order this one, it’s the perfect meal if you’re about to embark on a nice long hike as it sticks to the ribs!

My favorite part of this restaurant was the huge garden in back of and to the side of the cafe. A welcoming place for all, the garden has pathways and even a little space for kids to play. Just be sure to respect the fruits and veggies they are growing there (for the food you just ate) by looking, not touching. 

The next spot (and decidedly our favorite) is West End Bakery & Cafe, also in West Asheville. This inviting space has a large play space for the kids, with shelves of well-cared-for books, couches and chairs, and toys. The rug area is open and wide, placed by the front of the bakery where light shines through the windows.

I can’t say enough about a child-friendly space like this. It makes going out to breakfast so enjoyable! We went with our friends Cat and Garriy, who drove in from Knoxville to visit for the day. Having the space for the kids to play quietly and read allowed for us to have actual grown-up conversations while we waited for our food. And speaking of food, I highly recommend the veggie bagel, which comes with herbed cream cheese, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, and sprouts. It was fresh and light. The other breakfast sandwiches looked really good too. The boys ordered cinnamon rolls, which were massive but not heavy. Happy campers, all!

And of course, we had to try Biscuit Head (also in West Asheville, just down the street from West End Bakery — you really must go to Haywood Road if you want to eat well in Asheville!). 

The biscuits are clearly the star of the show here. They are massive, but light and fluffy, and not at all crumbly or heavy. I recommend ordering the fresh fruit plate alongside a biscuit, then trying as many of the house-made jams and butters as possible at the butter bar (above). I also ordered a vanilla latte, which came in a huge cup and tasted like melted marshmallows. Yum. 

Andrew ordered the Classic, an egg sandwich on a biscuit with cheese. It looked divine. Another benefit, a separate children’s play area with a small train table and a few books, though looking around, there were children seated everywhere and all seemed happy. We ended up heading here twice, it was so good!

If we had to choose a favorite breakfast place in Asheville, it would have to be West End Bakery because the atmosphere was right up our alley. Plus, Milo read their copy of The Velveteen Rabbit on the comfy couch as soon as he scarfed down his cinnamon roll, and didn’t want to leave until he read every last word. Now that’s a good place!