The best restaurants to grab cheap breakfast around Charlotte for $10 or less
Rise and shine, breakfast lovers! ☀️ From early morning risers to those who like to sleep in, going out to a local breakfast or brunch restaurant can run up a bill. But, if you know where to look, Charlotte has an abundance of breakfast spots that are both local and wallet-friendly.
Whether you are interested in vegan dishes or meaty platters, breakfast tacos or handhelds, you can find a quality meal within budget for every palate in the Charlotte area.
I’ve combed Charlotte’s streets in search of the best morning meals for $10 or less. So, let’s raise a toast to my top picks of affordable breakfast spots around Charlotte:
Athena’s Cafe
Location: 591 River Hwy N, Mooresville, NC 28117
Athena’s is just the place to go if you’re craving Greek, Italian or American cuisine. The restaurant, which just opened in March of last year, has everything from omelets and breakfast platters to sandwiches, biscuits and pancakes all within the $3 to $15 range.
Cheap meal option: Athena’s gravy biscuit with two eggs is just $6.99.
Bob’s Carry Out Pile ‘Em Up
Location: 3422 Statesville Ave, Charlotte, NC 28206
This hidden gem was once located on The Plaza — but it’s been at its “new” location on Statesville Avenue for a couple of decades. CharlotteFive photographer Alex Cason wondered aloud if Bob’s Carry Out Pile ‘Em Up was the “best bacon dish ever” when he placed an order recently. Considering the amount of bacon included, we see where he’s coming from!
Cheap meal option: Breakfast platter with home fries, eggs and bacon: $8.50
Chuck’s Grill & Restaurant
Location: 8001 Old Statesville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269
Don’t blink when you’re looking for Chuck’s Grill & Restaurant, or you might miss it. The brick building (which has been painted white) is small on the outside, but it’s serving big meals for good prices on the inside. The open kitchen view allows you to peep your short-order cook creating a masterpiece at the grill for you.
Cheap meal option: French Toast Special comes with two pieces of French toast, two eggs, two links, sausages and bacon. It’s served with tea or coffee for just $6.25.
The Common Market
Location: 2007 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 235 W Tremont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 4420-A Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 161 W Main St, Rock Hill, SC 29730
The convenience store which doubles as a deli and a bar, describes itself as a “local spot for an uncommonly good time.”
The Plaza Midwood Common Market might an especially good place to swing by on your morning breakfast run if you’re looking for diverse dietary options, as it has the option of turning any sandwich you have into a grits or spinach bowl.
Cheap meal option: Go simple with the breakfast “samich”: Carb, egg, cheese, protein (you pick), starting at $6.25. A bonus is that you can customize to make vegan or vegetarian — including the choice of vegan eggs.
Corine’s Cafe
Location: 559 E Plaza Dr, Mooresville, NC 28115
Corine’s Cafe, is place you can go for it’s “home-cooked food” and “polite staff,” as mentioned by one Google reviewer. The cafe, which has been around since 2005, has hush puppies, hot dogs, Philly cheesesteaks and burgers, in addition to breakfast items like casserole, biscuits and gravy, liver mush and omelets.
Cheap meal option: The two eggs served any style with smoked sausage is just $5.35.
Dee’s Vegan To-Go
Location: 1540 West Blvd Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28208
Dee’s Vegan To-Go is the ultimate destination for those vegan comfort food cravings. The business that got its start at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market in 2016 features items such as vegan burgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders and wraps. In addition, the to-go spot also has a vegan dessert menu with items like double chocolate cake and lemon pound cake.
Cheap meal option: Order a hearty breakfast wrap with JUST eggs, Beyond breakfast sausage, hash browns, and vegan cheddar for $8.49.
Dino’s Family Restaurant
Location: 350 E Sugar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28213
This family-owned restaurant has been serving up comfort food since the mid 1980s, and if you want to take a step back in time, you don’t need a time machine. Simply show up at Dino’s and order a stack of hot cakes or a breakfast platter. It’ll feel just like you took a trip to 1987.
Cheap meal option: Go for a breakfast platter — two eggs with two pieces of ham or one piece of bologna or livermush. It comes with hash browns or grits, biscuits or toast, butter and jelly, and it’ll only set you back $9.95.
Dish
Location: 1220 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
The staff at Dish, located in Plaza Midwood, took it upon themselves to open during breakfast hours after the closing of Sammy’s Deli Restaurant on Pecan Avenue. And Monday-Friday, you can order up your favorite Sammy’s breakfast at Dish.
Dish is well-known for its Southern comfort food, so expect to fill up on grits, livermush, French toast or hash browns. The restaurant arguably has some of the most affordable breakfast options around, with items including its biscuits & gravy priced as low as $4.29. And Sunday brunch, with a separate menu, is now served all day.
Cheap meal option: Try Dish’s $5 Carolina Country Breakfast, served with two eggs, grits or hash browns and a biscuit. You can also add bacon, livermush or sausage for $2.50 more.
Fort Mill Family Restaurant
Location: 1358 SC-160, Fort Mill, SC 29715
This family friendly Fort Mill spot serves up some of my favorite home style dishes like biscuits and gravy and home fries. The Fort Mill eatery is no stranger to breakfast items like French toast, pancakes, waffles or Southern classics like livermush and grits.
Cheap meal option: The biscuits and gravy are made with homemade sausage gravy and only cost $4.49.
Isy Bell’s Cafe
Location: 1043 N Main St, Mooresville, NC 28115
Isy Bell’s, a classic Mooresville spot, has been serving up home cooked meals since 1995. Some of its satisfying breakfast items include items like biscuits, eggs Benedict, hot cakes and grits.
Cheap meal option: Grab a breakfast sandwich with a your choice of bread and protein for just $5.
JackBeagle’s
Location: 1404 W Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28208
Location: 3213 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
While this restaurant uses fresh ingredients, homemade sauces and what they call “the best ingredients possible,” its Beagle Biscuits are served all day, every day and topped with eggs, cheese and sometimes gravy with sausage or pepperoni for as low as $2.50.
Cheap meal option: Grab a bite of the JackBeagle’s steak, egg and cheese for $4.50.
Lula Bánh Mì
Location: 10400 Centrum Pkwy A, Pineville, NC 28134
This Vietnamese bánh mì and bakery makes its baguettes from scratch. You’ll be enamored by its menu’s handcrafted “bánh mì with baguettes baked in-house.” It’s also got croissants with bacon or ham, plus egg and cheese. And if you’re craving something sweet, Lula Bánh Mì also has coffee, boba, cupcakes, cheesecake bites and macarons.
Cheap meal option: Grab a spam and eggs Bánh Mì for $7.
Mattie’s Diner
Location: 3100 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205
Mattie’s Diner, which reopened in The Plaza last year, is like a breakfast heaven for nearly all diets as it features breakfast bowls, egg plates, breakfast sandwiches and pancakes. In addition, the diner also has vegan options for fries, sausage, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches and more.
Cheap meal option: We already told you that Mattie’s serves up the best blueberry pancakes in Charlotte, but there are more gems on its menu. Try building your own breakfast with one French toast for $2, vegan sausage for $4 and two eggs for $3.
New York Diner
Location: 6003 Albemarle Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212
This little diner on Albemarle Road is affordable and decadent at the same time. You can’t miss with whatever you order. Bonus: Your food comes out fast!
Cheap meal option: A breakfast sandwich with your choice of egg and your choice of cheese for $3.75 — then splurge for an additional 50 cents to have it on a croissant. You’ll thank us later! Or go for the same thing with sausage for $5.25 (plus the croissant upcharge).
Park Road Soda Shoppe
Location: 4121 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209
Ready to go cruisin’ for a bruisin’ down Park Road? Well, consider making a pit stop at this time capsule, also known as Park Road Soda Shoppe. The 1950’s style restaurant plates up classics like hot dogs and cheese burgers as well as its specialty sandwiches, salads and homemade chili.
Cheap meal option: Get a pork sausage sandwich for $3.99.
Patisserie Cafe
Location: 627 N Main St, Mooresville, NC 28115
The cafe, which features lunch, baked goods, breakfast and gluten free options, has the means to suit all of your breakfast needs. Its menu items include sandwiches, omelets, waffles and quiches.
Cheap meal option: Try the Lorraine quiche made with bacon and cheese with a side of fruit for $8.89.
PikNik’s
Location: 510 River Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117
This casual and full-service dining spot, is committed to delivering a fast service. Among items served at PikNik’s are burgers, hot dogs and all day breakfast items.
Cheap meal option: You can get two pancakes served with choices of ham, bacon, sausage or livermush for just $7.79.
Que Fresa
Location: 1500 W Morehead St A, Charlotte, NC 28208
Fresa, which translates to the word “strawberry,” is Mexican slang for preppy. The taqueria and bar nestled in Wesley Heights is known for its tacos, burritos and soft-serve margaritas. Among items on its weekend brunch menu are a chimichanga, chicken and waffles, French toast and beef machaca and choripapa tacos.
Cheap meal option: Bacon, egg and cheese taco with scallions and pico de gallo for $4.50.
Rhino Market & Deli
Location: 1500 W Morehead St E, Charlotte, NC 28208
Location: 1414 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 400 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 5501 Josh Birmingham Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28208
Location: 2320 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Location: 4300 Congress St, Charlotte, NC 28209
This blend of both a neighborhood market and restaurant serves options like salads, soups and both vegetarian and meatatarian sandwiches
During the morning hours, Rhino Markets’ breakfast items include, sandwiches, bagels, burritos, french toast and steel cut oats.
Cheap meal option: The Classic English Muffin Sandwich comes with egg, protein and cheese for just $4.99.
Rise Cafe
Location: 9525 Birkdale Crossing Dr, Huntersville, NC 28078
This Lake Norman breakfast and lunch spot has “carefully designed” dishes with local and fresh ingredients. And, you can count on having a welcoming experience at Rise Cafe, as it prides self on “friendly service.”
Cheap meal option: Dine for just $7.95 with Rise’s sausage patty melt, served with side choices of homefries, hashbrowns, grits or sliced tomatoes.
Skyland
Location: 4544 South Blvd A, Charlotte, NC 28209
This family-style restaurant has traditional options to choose from, like omelets, eggs served with your choice of meat, pancakes and breakfast sandwiches.
Cheap meal option: Take a crack at one of Skyland’s breakfast platters. For just 6.95, you can order a platter served with two eggs, any style and pick either hash browns or grits and a biscuit or toast.
Stacks Kitchen
Location: 11100 Monroe Rd, Matthews, NC 28105
Location: 1315 N Broome St, Waxhaw, NC 28173
At this family oriented restaurant, you’ll get “good food and plenty of it.” Stacks, serving breakfast all day, uses “home-made recipes to prepare” its dishes along with local ingredients.
Cheap meal option: Try a bacon, egg and cheese on a Kaiser roll, or a biscuit with a side of hash browns for $6.25
Stockyard Restaurant
Location: 4925 Rozzelles Ferry Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216
At Stockyard, on Rozzelles Ferry Road, you are sure to be served “country-style home-cooking” — all made from scratch and locally sourced . So, expect to be tempted by anything from corned beef hash, pork chops and country ham to pot roast, meatloaf and fried chicken.
Cheap meal option: Try the Stockyard Scrambler baked with bacon, tomatoes, jalapenos and cheese, served with your choice of hash browns, home fried potatoes or grits. Along with those fixings, you’ll also have the option of either toast or a biscuit for just $7.75.
Sunflower Family Restaurant
Location: 5400 Statesville Rd #704, Charlotte, NC 28269
As a Nextdoor neighborhood fave , this diner has all day breakfast options, including pork chops, chicken, corned beef hash, steak, ribs and ham.
Cheap meal option: For $8.99, you can grab a plate of two eggs, bacon and your choice of hash browns, grits, tomatoes, apple sauce, peaches, french fries, toast or biscuit.
Tatsis Restaurant
Location: 2328 N Graham St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Serving the Charlotte area for more than 60 years, Tastis is quite the local community staple . The restaurant, known for its reasonably priced home-style meals has wide variety of comfort food options from grilled cheese to spaghetti, plus breakfast.
Cheap meal option: Grab a smoked sausage and egg sandwich for $3.75.
Toucan Louie’s
Location: 2753 Rozzelles Ferry Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Wake up to smell of fresh coffee at this homey neighborhood spot. Toucan Louie’s, a café in West End, is so “focused on offering fresh, house made items,” that it even roasts its own coffee beans.
Cheap meal option: A short stack of pancakes is $7.25. P.S. Don’t sleep on the yummy pastries by former manager Jamie Patterson. Delicious!
