Highest-rated breakfast restaurants in the Burlington, North Carolina area by diners

Written by:
March 25, 2025
Oksana Mizina // Shutterstock

Highest-rated breakfast restaurants in the Burlington, North Carolina area by diners

Breakfast holds a special place in American culture, serving not only as a source of nourishment to start the day but an opportunity to create traditions. It's a daily ritual for more than 290 million Americans and is often regarded as the most important meal of the day, according to data from the Department of Agriculture.

While staples like eggs, bacon, and pancakes are common nationwide, regional preferences showcase America's culinary diversity. In the South, biscuits and gravy are a staple, while the East Coast is known for dishes like eggs Benedict and bagels with lox. The Midwest often favors hearty skillet breakfasts, while the Southwest's spicy breakfast burritos and huevos rancheros reflect the region's Mexican influence.

There are a wide variety of restaurants that serve breakfast today. Traditional diners often feature laminated menus filled with pages of combo meals pairing eggs with a breakfast meat of your choice served alongside hash browns, buttered toast, and endless coffee refills. Then there are modern breakfast spots that embrace innovation, adding global influences and creative twists to traditional dishes. Avocado toast, kimchi fried rice, and churro waffles are some of the more recent popular offerings that reflect how multicultural flavors have become part of contemporary breakfast traditions.

American breakfast culture has evolved significantly over the years. In the mid-20th century, diners and coffee shops dominated the morning meal landscape, catering to workers and families with fast, affordable options. Then, the rise of fast-food chains in the 1960s and 1970s shifted breakfast trends, introducing convenient grab-and-go items like McDonald's Egg McMuffin. By the early 2000s, the brunch boom transformed weekends into social events, with restaurants offering elaborate dishes, bottomless mimosas, craft Bloody Marys, and vibrant atmospheres that encourage extended Saturday and Sunday morning dining experiences.

Today, breakfast culture continues to balance nostalgia with innovation as classic comforts meet modern trends in both casual diners and brunch destinations, ensuring that morning meals remain a meaningful and celebrated part of life.

Curious about where to head near Burlington for your next breakfast or brunch? Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated breakfast restaurants in the Burlington area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of March 2025. Restaurants with at least 20 reviews tagged as "breakfast & brunch" on Yelp that are open at 7 a.m. and are within a 10-kilometer radius of Burlington were included. Some restaurants featured may serve other food items besides breakfast food. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with more than 15 locations nationally, based on the Yelp data, were not included.

Keep reading to discover new inventive egg-centric dishes or time-honored classics for your next leisurely morning!

#12. Wam Bam Bagels

- Rating: 3.6/5 (61 reviews)
- Address: 1046 South Williamson Ave. Burlington, North Carolina
- Categories: Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch, Bagels
- Read more on Yelp

#11. Grillworx

- Rating: 3.6/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1233 West Webb Ave. Burlington, North Carolina
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American
- Read more on Yelp

#10. The Park Restaurant

- Rating: 3.8/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1610 South Church St. Burlington, North Carolina
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

#9. Carver's Restaurant

- Rating: 3.9/5 (41 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3352 South Church St. Burlington, North Carolina
- Categories: New American, Breakfast & Brunch, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

#8. The Mark at Elon

- Rating: 4.1/5 (32 reviews)
- Address: 605 North O'Kelly Ave. Elon, North Carolina
- Categories: New American, Southern, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

#7. Rise & Shine Diner

- Rating: 4.1/5 (20 reviews)
- Address: 640 East Harden St. Graham, North Carolina
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

#6. Biggby Coffee Burlington

- Rating: 4.1/5 (41 reviews)
- Address: 1429 University Drive Ste 101 Burlington, North Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

#5. Pete's Grill

- Rating: 4.2/5 (31 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 137 Piedmont Ave. Gibsonville, North Carolina
- Categories: Barbecue, Breakfast & Brunch, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp

#4. Burch Bridge Cafe

- Rating: 4.4/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2303 Burch Bridge Road Burlington, North Carolina
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American
- Read more on Yelp

#3. The Old Sharkey's Grill

- Rating: 4.4/5 (46 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 203 South Anthony St. Burlington, North Carolina
- Categories: Southern, Breakfast & Brunch, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

#2. Pano's Cafe

- Rating: 4.4/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1218 South Church St. Burlington, North Carolina
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Salad, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

#1. Danny's Cafe

- Rating: 4.4/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 110 West Front St. Burlington, North Carolina
- Categories: American, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 293 metros.

Trending Now