Big Ed's City Market Restaurant

Brunch culture in America is part ritual, part performance, and part comfort food therapy session — and this place understands all three.

Set in Raleigh, NC, Big Ed's City Market Restaurant has carved out a corner of the city's weekend brunch scene with a personality of its own. The room comfortably seats a mix of solo diners working through a coffee and a newspaper, couples splitting a stack of pancakes, and friend groups settling in for a slow, three-hour Saturday.

The hash deserves attention: crisp-edged potatoes, caramelized onions, peppers, and a runny egg on top, with hot sauce on every table.

Menu highlights

Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at Big Ed's City Market Restaurant. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.

• Brioche French toast dusted with powdered sugar and seasonal berries
• Breakfast burrito with eggs, chorizo, beans, cheese, and salsa roja
• Veggie scramble with spinach, mushrooms, and goat cheese
• Crab cake Benedict with old-bay hollandaise (regional specialty)
• Acai bowl with granola, banana, coconut, and honey drizzle
• House bloody mary with bacon, olives, and pickled vegetables
• Buttermilk pancakes with whipped butter and warm maple syrup
• Avocado toast on grilled sourdough with chili crisp and a soft egg

There's a small patio out back that fills up the moment the weather turns, and a wait list that moves faster than it looks.

The eggs Benedict here is a study in restraint: a properly toasted English muffin, paper-thin Canadian bacon, and a hollandaise that's lemony enough to cut through the richness.

If you're a group of four or more, call ahead. They sometimes take small reservations for parties of four-plus, even when the website says walk-in only.

Like a lot of the best brunch spots in Raleigh, Big Ed's City Market Restaurant is at its most magical on weekend mornings, when the kitchen is firing on all burners and the room slowly fills with the kind of low, happy hum that only good food and unhurried company can produce. Whether you're a tourist with one weekend in town or a local with a Sunday ritual, this is a place that earns its reputation plate by plate.

Tips from the regulars

• Vegetarian and gluten-free diners have real options, not just sad fruit cups.
• Tip generously — the brunch shift is the toughest in any restaurant, and the staff here keeps it warm even at peak rush.
• Save room: the pastry case at the front is part of the experience.
• Best time to go: arrive before 9:30 a.m. on weekends to skip the worst of the wait at Big Ed's City Market Restaurant.
• Best for: groups of 2 to 4 — larger parties may want to call ahead.

Hours

Frequently asked questions

What time does Big Ed's City Market Restaurant open for brunch?

Posted hours are: Mo-Fr 7:00-14:00;Sa 7:00-12:00;Su 8:00-13:00. Hours can change on holidays — call ahead if you're traveling.

Does Big Ed's City Market Restaurant take reservations?

Most brunch spots in Raleigh are walk-in friendly, with a wait list during peak hours. Larger parties (5+) should call ahead to ask about a reservation.

Is Big Ed's City Market Restaurant kid-friendly?

Yes — Big Ed's City Market Restaurant welcomes families. Most brunch menus include simple kid-friendly options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Highchairs are usually available.

What kind of cuisine does Big Ed's City Market Restaurant serve?

It's classified under american — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in Raleigh.

Is there outdoor seating at Big Ed's City Market Restaurant?

Outdoor seating is not always confirmed. We recommend calling ahead during nice weather.

Location

Located at Raleigh, NC. Coordinates: 35.7761, -78.6360. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.