Big Ed's City Market Restaurant is a diner in Raleigh, NC. Open: Mon Closed; Tue–Sun 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Phone: (919) 836-9909. Average rating is 4.6 stars from 3,061 reviews. Website: https://www.bigedsnc.com/.
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Exterior view of Big Ed's City Market Restaurant with signage.
4.6 3,061 reviews Today 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Downtown Raleigh's Legendary Southern Breakfast Since Forever

Huge portions, checkered tablecloths, and real North Carolina comfort food at 220 Wolfe Street.

About Us

Exterior view of Big Ed's City Market Restaurant.
Exterior view of Big Ed's City Market Restaurant.

Walk through the door at Big Ed's City Market Restaurant and you immediately understand why 3,000-plus diners have given it a 4.6-star rating. The walls are covered floor to ceiling in NC memorabilia, old signs, and trinkets collected over decades. The tablecloths are red-and-white checkered. The coffee arrives fast. Nobody here is pretending to be something they're not.

The food earns every word of praise. The bacon and cheddar omelette is the kind that fills a plate edge to edge. The catfish, fried to a golden crisp, has sent more than a few first-timers back for a second visit. Portions run large across the board, which is the point. This is the breakfast you eat when you mean it.

Sitting at the corner of Wolfe Street in Raleigh's City Market district, Big Ed's has been a morning anchor for locals, state government workers, and travelers who do their homework before visiting. If you want avocado toast and oat milk lattes, you can find those somewhere else. If you want a proper Southern breakfast served without fuss in a room that feels genuinely lived-in, this is your table.

What We Offer

The menu reads like a love letter to the Carolina breakfast tradition. Fluffy omelets come loaded with fillings and served alongside grits or home fries. Pancakes arrive thick and golden. Country ham biscuits, eggs any style, and biscuits with gravy cover the classics without cutting corners.

Brunch and lunch round out the day. The Southern catfish plate is a recurring highlight in reviews, and the daily specials pull from the same tradition of generous, satisfying cooking. Everything is made to feed you, not to photograph well on a small plate.

Located steps from the historic City Market, the restaurant is easy to reach from downtown hotels, the convention center, and the state capitol. Seating fills quickly on weekend mornings, so arriving early rewards you with shorter waits and your pick of the room.

Gallery

Take a look at our space and what we have to offer

What Our Customers Say

Don't just take our word for it - hear from our satisfied customers

Click to Rate & Review This Business ✍️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2 months ago
"Wonderful Southern breakfast right in Downtown Raleigh. No frills place with checkered tablecloths and old trinkets and NC memorabilia scattered all over the walls. The bacon & cheddar omelette served with breakfast potatoes was stellar ($12.50)- neither side was overcooked and their bacon is quality and thick cut. Breakfast potatoes were darn near small french fries, which is always welcomed. Additional rye toast and bottomless coffee as well. I was able to convince my fiance to split a hotcake the size of the plate! ($8.50). Split-worthy indeed. It was thick and fluffy as a hotcake should be. Was completely satisfied with our breakfast and the prices were actually pretty adequate, especially being in downtown. The hotcake is a little steep, but understandable for how filling it is. Highly recommend Big Ed's for a solid breakfast."
— Jake Neurer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7 months ago
"If you are a local or traveling to Raleigh do yourself a favor and stop in! The food was so good that the plate was cleared completely off!! The catfish was cooked to perfection and left a lasting taste and memory all day unto the night. Our waitress Kathy was the best hands down when we go again we would request her by name. She made us feel right at home and it was not an act she genuinely loves the customers she treated every table like they were family. Please tell me you’re still reading this review because you’re on your way to the restaurant! The surrounding downtown area is suited perfectly for all people! There is a place for your dog, your kids, or jump on a scooter! You won’t regret coming to Big Ed’s! If I could rate higher than 5 stars it would be 10/10"
— Vinetta Keller
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5 months ago
"Big Ed’s City Market is a must-stop for a classic North Carolina breakfast. The vibe is casual and old-school, the portions are huge, and everything feels like real comfort food. I got a hearty plate with eggs and sides, and the biscuits were the kind you come back for—soft inside, a little crisp outside, and perfect with gravy. Service was friendly and kept things moving even when it was busy. If you’re in Raleigh and want a filling, no-frills breakfast with great flavor, this place delivers."
— Matt Robie
⭐⭐⭐⭐
9 months ago
"I'm visiting North Carolina and my boyfriend suggested Big Ed's for the country style breakfast. He easily found street parking nearby. It is first come first serve, but the line went very quickly. We maybe waited five minutes for a table. The service here is 10/10. Our waitress was the sweetest, but honestly everyone was nice. Southern hospitality at its finest! I also loved the decor. It definitely falls in line with a good ole country southern restaurant. The food was pretty good. I enjoyed the spicy sausage on my breakfast biscuit. The biscuit itself was a bit dense, but still buttery. The eggs were cooked to perfection. I had a few bites of my cheese grits and they were cooked well. I like my grits thicker, but that's a personal preference and I had to add a good amount of salt. Overall, I enjoyed my time here and i definitely would return!"
— Raven A
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5 months ago
"We absolutely love Big Ed's!! Wonderful southern breakfast restaurant with everything you could want! The food is always fantastic and we come whenever we're in town. This place can draw a serious crowd during peak times on weekends so be prepared for a bit of a wait if that is when you visit. But it's well worth it. Service is always kind and attentive. Ask about the hotcake challenge where you can win a T-shirt for eating 3 hotcakes in 45 minutes. Would highly recommend!"
— A Graham

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Big Ed's City Market Restaurant located?

Big Ed's is at 220 Wolfe Street in Raleigh, NC 27601, inside the historic City Market district. It's walkable from downtown hotels, the convention center, and the state capitol building.

What meals does Big Ed's serve?

Big Ed's serves breakfast and lunch. The menu focuses on Southern breakfast classics including omelets, pancakes, biscuits, country ham, and grits, plus lunch plates like the popular fried catfish.

Is Big Ed's a good choice for visitors who have never been to Raleigh?

Absolutely. It's one of the most reviewed and highest-rated breakfast spots in the city, and it gives visitors an authentic taste of North Carolina food culture that no chain restaurant can offer.

How busy does it get on weekends?

Weekend mornings are popular, so expect a wait if you arrive mid-morning. Arriving early, closer to opening time, usually means shorter waits and a better chance of grabbing your preferred seat.

What are the most popular dishes at Big Ed's?

Reviewers frequently mention the bacon and cheddar omelet, the fried catfish plate, and the biscuits. Portions across the menu run large, which is part of what keeps people coming back.

Does Big Ed's have a website where I can see the full menu?

Yes. You can find more information, including menu details, at bigedsnc.com before your visit.

Is the restaurant cash only or do they accept cards?

For the most current payment policy, we recommend checking bigedsnc.com or calling ahead, as policies can change. It's always a good idea to confirm before your visit.

Hours of Operation

Closed · Opens Sunday at 7:00 AM
Monday Closed
Tuesday 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Wednesday 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Thursday 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Friday 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday Today 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
78° Cloudy Raleigh
Sat 92° 73°
Sun 91° 74°
Mon 78° 68°
Tue 88° 68°
Wed 95° 72°
Thu 102° 75°
Fri 101° 79°

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