Best Breakfast in Greenville

Coach House has been serving Simpsonville for over 20 years and is practically a landmark in this suburban community located just outside of Greenville. With a large menu, covering breakfast, lunch and dinner, it's worth a drive to experience this family restaurant. Breakfast is served all day at Coach House, which offers several different omelets and gut-busting griddle specialties like apple pancakes and a Monte Cristo. You will definitely want to check out their "Low Country Traditions" with Southern classics like chicken fried chicken and country fried steak. The portions are huge and service always comes with a smile at this eatery that exudes Southern hospitality.

Near the end of the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Travelers Rest, you will find a delightful creperie and coffeehouse called Tandem. Unlike many other restaurants in the Greenville area, Tandem's main focus is on crepes, with only a few other items on the menu that do not fall into that category. Since crepes are the specialty, expect some delightful variations on the theme like the Lumberjack, a savory crepe composed of ham, bacon, eggs and cheese or a tiramisu-inspired sweet crepe with mascarpone cream, espresso, wafers, and dark chocolate. Tandem's coffee offerings are nothing to scoff at either, because who has breakfast without coffee?

I have been singing the praises of Greenfield's New York-style bagels for years but now another northeast state is planting its flag in the bagel business. New Jersey Bagel Brothers is packing the house with diners waiting in line to get their hands on the Upstate's newest bagel joint. Grab a variety pack of bagels to take home or dine in-store with a classic array of breakfast sandwiches or bagels & lox. Be warned, this place has caught diners' attention right out of the gates, meaning some mornings the line runs right out the door. Weekdays, mid-mornings are your best bet for a shorter line but, alas, favorites like the Everything bagel might already be gone for the day.

M. Judson Booksellers continues to redefine everything one might expect from a local bookstore. From sit-down suppers, local pop-ups, and an extensive cookbook selection, quality cuisine has always been a major part of the conversation. It makes sense, then, that they now give us Camilla Kitchen which dishes out specialty coffees and tea, an array of scones, breakfast bars, and muffins, as well as a gluttonous selection of cookies and brownies. The jalapeño, bacon, and cheddar scone borders on a life-changing experience and is arguably the best grab-and-go breakfast bite Downtown Greenville has to offer.

Part of a regional chain based in Asheville, N.C., Tupelo Honey Cafe has called Greenville home since June 2013. The cuisine is Southern at heart, to the tune of gigantic sweet potato pancakes and apple cider pork belly hash. The menu offers something for everyone, even those with sensitivity to gluten. Even better, Tupelo Honey prides itself on featuring ingredients responsibly sourced from local farmers and other food purveyors. Inside, bright yellow walls set a sunny vibe in the casual dining room, which is flanked by an open kitchen right in the heart of Downtown. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays.

This Greenville landmark sports an uncluttered exterior and a nondescript decor, but having breakfast at Stax's has been a local tradition for more than 30 years. Recognized for the warmth of the staff, many of whom have worked there for ages, and the hearty, down-home breakfasts, Stax's comes highly recommended. From southern biscuits to eggs, hotcakes, grits, and all the basics, you will find the menu satisfying, just like your mom used to make. All is this is available in what was once a 1950's pharmacy and soda shop for a nostalgic atmosphere that you can only find at Stax's.

Anyone who has ever been to New York knows that the bagels and pizza are hard to match. They say it has something to do with the water but one visit to Greenfield's puts that matter to rest. These bagels are the real deal and every bit as delicious as anything you will find in the Big Apple (or anywhere else for that matter). Their location at Laurens Road and Verdae Boulevard has long been THE place to get bagels in the Upstate but, thankfully, we now have additional locations in Greer and in Downtown Greenville to look forward to.

As the name implies, Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery is just off the Swamp Rabbit Trail, making it a convenient stop for cyclists, as well as a great place to kick off your day. Before heading out on your bicycle, nip into the cafe for a yummy breakfast (made with local ingredients) featuring a variety of baked goods like scones, croissants, and donuts. They even offer vegan and gluten-free options to ensure that everyone is taken care of. Swamp Rabbit also has a nice selection of beverages to help get your day going like flavorful smoothies, an array of coffee drinks, and locally sourced juices.

Once upon a time, 20 years ago in the Candler Park neighborhood of Atlanta, Flying Biscuit Café sold out of biscuits at 11 am on their first-ever day of service. And then, they did that again and again until they could meet demand and branch out to other Georgia locations and, eventually, Greenville's West End. The menu is daunting in all the best ways, meaning that you cannot visit just once as too many items demand the attention of your taste buds. Simple classics like biscuits, eggs, and gravy give way to chicken & waffles, omelets, grit bowls, and even burgers. A full cocktail menu does not hurt anything either because, why wouldn't you?

Does it get any more Southern than this? If gravy practically runs through your veins, Biscuit Head is the place for you. Traditional biscuits and gravy are on the menu, but the gravy choices go far beyond what your grandmother used to make. We're talking espresso red-eye gravy, sweet potato coconut gravy and veggie chorizo gravy. If you can't decide, order a flight of three gravies to sample. Plenty of variations on biscuits are on offer as well, like the Mimosa fried chicken biscuit that comes with sweet potato butter, sriracha slaw and a poached egg. If you're in the mood for something more familiar, there's always the classic, with egg and cheddar cheese.