10 North Carolina Biscuit Shops Worth Setting Your Alarm For (One Even Invented Its Own Jam)

Nothing says ‘good morning’ in North Carolina quite like a fresh, buttery biscuit.

I’ve spent years hunting down the flakiest, most mouthwatering biscuits across the Tar Heel State, often rolling out of bed at ungodly hours to beat the crowds.

From mountain bakeries to coastal kitchens, these ten biscuit havens showcase North Carolina’s dedication to this beloved breakfast staple.

Grab your appetite and set that alarm clock—these biscuits are worth losing sleep over!

1. Biscuit Head: Go Big Or Go Hungry

My first visit to Biscuit Head in Asheville left me speechless—partly because my mouth was stuffed with a cat-head biscuit the size of my palm! The name isn’t just clever marketing; these fluffy mountains require two hands and a serious appetite. What truly sets this place apart is their jam bar, featuring over a dozen homemade spreads ranging from traditional berry to mind-blowing sweet-and-spicy combinations.

The gravy flight—yes, a flight of different gravies—lets indecisive folks like me sample multiple toppings without commitment issues. Early birds catch more than worms here; they snag seats before the inevitable line stretches down the block. Pro tip: Their gluten-free options don’t taste like sad compromises, making this a rare haven for those with dietary restrictions.

2. Rise Biscuits & Donuts: The Sweet-Savory Morning Dilemma

Stumbling through the door of Rise at 7 AM, I faced the eternal breakfast question: sweet or savory? This Durham institution brilliantly solves this dilemma by excelling at both donuts AND biscuits under one roof. Their biscuits strike that magical balance between buttery richness and cloud-like texture.

I’m particularly weak for their fried chicken biscuit drizzled with honey—a combination so perfect it should be illegal before 10 AM. The constantly rotating menu keeps regulars on their toes, with seasonal specialties appearing alongside classics. Even on weekdays, locals queue up before opening, coffee mugs in hand. What began as a single shop has expanded across North Carolina, proving that good things really do rise to the top.

3. Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen: Drive-Thru Delights Worth The Wait

Legend has it that Chapel Hill students can smell Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen’s heavenly aroma from their dorm rooms. Operating solely as a drive-thru in a tiny building that hasn’t changed since the 1970s, this place turns out biscuits that have launched a thousand hangovers into recovery. Cars snake around the block every weekend morning, but locals know the wait is part of the experience.

Their chicken biscuit has achieved cult status—juicy meat encased in a crispy coating, tucked into a biscuit that somehow remains structurally sound despite its tender flakiness. Owner David Allen still uses his grandmother’s recipe, mixing dough by hand each morning starting at 4 AM. When they sell out, they close up shop, making that alarm clock setting non-negotiable for biscuit hunters.

4. Flo’s Kitchen: The Coastal Biscuit Queen

Tucked away in Wilson, Flo’s Kitchen occupies an unassuming white building that I drove past twice before realizing it housed biscuit royalty. Owner Flo—a firecracker in her 70s—still oversees the kitchen where her famous cheese biscuits have been drawing crowds for decades. These aren’t your typical cheese biscuits. Flo’s version incorporates hoop cheese, a regional specialty that melts into the dough creating pockets of gooey goodness.

The result is a slightly crisp exterior giving way to a tender, cheesy center that haunts my dreams. Arrive by 8 AM or prepare for disappointment—they regularly sell out by mid-morning. Cash only and closed Sundays, Flo runs things old-school, but one bite explains why no one dares suggest she change a thing.

5. Neal’s Deli: The Artisanal Approach To Tradition

Neal’s Deli in Carrboro approaches biscuit-making with the precision of scientists and the soul of poets. I arrived skeptical that any biscuit could justify their reputation, but left a convert after one bite of their pastrami biscuit. Using locally milled flour and European-style butter with a higher fat content, Neal’s creates biscuits with distinct layers that shatter beautifully when broken.

The husband-wife team behind the counter cure their own meats and pickle their own vegetables, bringing an artisanal touch to every element. Their signature invention—sweet potato biscuits with sage honey—showcases North Carolina ingredients in a way that feels both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition. The tiny space fills quickly, but the patio offers prime people-watching in this eclectic college town.

6. Flying Biscuit Café: Southern Comfort Goes All Day

Walking into Charlotte’s Flying Biscuit Café feels like entering your eccentric aunt’s kitchen—if your aunt could bake biscuits that taste like clouds. Their pillowy creations come with almost every dish, from traditional breakfast plates to unexpected lunch offerings. The cranberry apple butter served alongside each biscuit was my personal revelation. This sweet-tart spread turns an already excellent biscuit into something transcendent.

Despite expanding to multiple locations, they’ve maintained quality by sticking to their original recipe, which requires a 20-step process and overnight rising. While some purists scoff at their all-day breakfast concept, I applaud any establishment that understands biscuits shouldn’t be confined to morning hours. Their vegetarian-friendly menu options make this a rare Southern breakfast spot where everyone can find something delicious.

7. Biscuit Factory: The Hidden Industrial Gem

Housed in a converted textile mill in downtown Durham, Biscuit Factory marries industrial chic with downhome cooking in a way that shouldn’t work but absolutely does. My Saturday morning visit coincided with their farmers market pop-up, adding fresh produce shopping to my biscuit pilgrimage. Their signature “mill worker’s biscuit” comes loaded with country ham, red-eye gravy, and a fried egg—hearty enough to fuel a day of actual mill work.

The open kitchen lets you watch bakers folding dough with hypnotic precision, creating the distinctive laminated layers that make their biscuits both sturdy and tender. The coffee program deserves special mention—locally roasted beans prepared by baristas who take their craft as seriously as the biscuit bakers. This attention to detail elevates the entire experience from mere breakfast to morning ritual.

8. Jubala Coffee: The Biscuit That Launched Its Own Jam Company

Coffee shops with good food are rare; coffee shops with exceptional biscuits are practically unicorns. Jubala in Raleigh defies expectations with biscuits so popular they’ve become the star attraction alongside their pour-overs. Owner Andrew Cash created a blackberry jam specifically for his biscuits that became so legendary, customers demanded to take it home. Now sold in jars as “Cash Blackberry Jam,” this sweet-tart concoction perfectly complements their slightly salt-forward biscuit recipe.

The biscuit dough incorporates buttermilk from a local dairy, giving it a subtle tang that balances the richness. Space fills quickly with laptop workers, but the communal tables foster conversation between strangers bonding over shared biscuit appreciation. Come weekends, their biscuit bar features seasonal toppings from local producers—further cementing Jubala’s reputation as a community hub.

9. Big Ed’s City Market: Where Time Stands Deliciously Still

Stepping into Big Ed’s in Raleigh’s historic City Market feels like time travel—checkered tablecloths, ceiling fans, and country ham hanging from the rafters. I squeezed into the last seat at the counter and watched in awe as bakers produced trays of cathead biscuits with assembly-line efficiency. Founded by “Big Ed” Watkins in 1989, they still use his mother’s recipe from the family farm.

These aren’t fancy or pretentious biscuits—just honest, substantial rounds with a golden crust and tender interior that soak up egg yolk and gravy like they were designed for it. The waitresses call everyone “honey” regardless of age or gender, and they’ll remember your order on your second visit. Weekend specials include rarely-seen Southern classics like liver pudding—perfect for adventurous eaters looking to pair something unique with their biscuit.

10. Windy City Grill: The Unexpected Biscuit Champion

Despite its Chicago-inspired name, Windy City Grill in Wilmington serves biscuits that would make any Southern grandmother weep with joy. This unassuming strip-mall eatery became my accidental discovery during a coastal road trip when rain forced a detour from beach plans. Owner Maria Rodriguez incorporates her Mexican heritage into special fusion biscuits alongside traditional versions.

The chorizo gravy biscuit—my personal revelation—combines crumbled chorizo, queso fresco, and cilantro atop a perfectly executed buttermilk biscuit. Their standard biscuits arrive with a crackling exterior giving way to a pillowy center with visible butter pockets. Regulars include surfers fueling up before dawn patrol and fishermen grabbing sustenance before heading to nearby docks. Maria starts baking at 4:30 AM, and the aroma alone is worth arriving early for.