Asheville, NC is already known for businesses that lean into using local produce & foods, having healthy options, supporting a wide variety of dietary needs, and being eco-friendly, but one spot stands out to me for fast-casual dining – Green Safe Café. Keep reading for more about the Green Sage Café Merrimon location and why this is my go-to stop for a healthy breakfast / brunch when I visit Asheville.
At a Glance
Here’s what I observed from my visit in October 2026:
- Diana’s Parking Anxiety Rating: 1/4 (Easy Breezy)
- Seating: Indoor and Outdoor
- Wi-Fi: Available (but I didn’t try it)
- Dog-friendly: On the patio
- Vibe: Fast Casual (order at the counter, seat yourself, bus your table)
- Reasons to Dine Here: Healthy food options, local sourcing, organic ingredients, dietary-friendly options, eco-friendly, casual vibe, potentially a good spot for large parties
- Local Sourcing & Partnerships: From the Green Sage Café website: “We partner with local farmers and trusted suppliers for humanely-raised meats, wild-caught salmon, and quality dairy products.”
Read more details below.
A quick note: Details are based on my experience and information available when this blog post was written or updated. Hours, menus, prices, parking rules, and other policies can change. Please confirm important details with the business or property operator before your visit, and always follow posted signs and restrictions.
The Atmosphere & Experience
Dining at Green Sage Café Merrimon feels like visiting your favorite, casual neighborhood joint. The lighting is bright and the space is open & airy with plants and local photography as primary decorations for natural aesthetic that aligns well with their values.
Simply order at the counter, get a number for your table, pick your most ideal spot, grab a free water, and wait for your food to arrive.
With no waiters and plenty of tables available, you can take your time eating and even hang out for a bit if you want to work or relax. If a restaurant is full, I usually don’t linger. But even when it gets busy here, there are plenty of open tables for others.
Come Here For…
Seating & Setup
Seating is super easy at Green Sage Café Merrimon. There are plenty of seating options inside and outside. It’s one of the reasons I love this place, because no one wants to drive over an hour and then realize there’s nowhere to sit or a long wait.
For indoor seating, there’s a mix of tables & chairs and booths. There are signs on the booths that they are reserved for larger parties.
Best For…
Green Sage Café Merrimon is a great spot for locals and tourists alike. Whilst the downtown location usually skews higher on the tourist side, my tourist self prefers the Merrimon location for ease of parking and the larger seating area. I also find it a bit more calm energy-wise.
- Casual breakfast, brunch, and / or lunch.
- Healthy food options at a moderate price.
- Large vegetable servings to help you hit your daily veggie goal whilst traveling or living in the WNC area.
- A relaxed catch-up with friends and loved ones. I haven’t seen many large parties here, but I imagine with all the tables that it would be fairly easy to hold 6-10, though you may want to call the restaurant in case they have special requirements for large parties.
- A healthy lunch break with co-workers.
- Reading a book with yummy eats.
- Working from “home” with coffee, tea, food, smoothies, and / or snacks.
What to Order / Staff Favorites
Menu
I find the menu to be just the right size. It has enough variety to satisfy most palates and keep return diners engaged. There are lighter / smaller options plus more robust / larger dishes too.
Potentially one of the best features, besides the local & organic ingredients, is how dietary-friendly they are. There are quite a few options that are vegan and / or gluten-free.
My Recommendations
Here are some of my personal favorites on the Green Sage Café Menu for breakfast / brunch:
- Woodstock (Vegan) $15.95: “Organic tofu scramble with tomatoes, sautéed kale and onions, and tempeh-bacon”. Served with a side of root hash and toasted sourdough. This is my go-to since I love tofu scrambles and don’t easily find them. On top of that, this dish is FULL of vegetables – from the kale sauté to the root hash – this helps me reach my daily veggie goals with ease.
- Buttermilk Pancake (Gluten-Free) $6.95 (for a single): “Almond and organic brown rice flour pancakes served with maple syrup and butter with a strawberry garnish“. When I’m super hungry (or simply craving a pancake), I like to order one buttermilk pancake with my Woodstock. They are so good! I even had to double-take when I was writing this blog post because I had no idea these pancakes are gluten-free (which is what the menu indicates). Some GF foods can def taste it, but these taste like regular pancakes to me.
And my faves for lunch:
- Zen Bowl (Vegan / Gluten-Free) $15.95: “Marinated fried organic tofu, organic brown rice, cabbage, peppers, kale, red onions, carrots, golden spiced organic chickpeas, green onions, and organic toasted sesame seeds with sesame ginger sauce“. This hearty bowl is super filling, and I love the Asian-inspired flavor. This is my most favorite item on the lunch menu.
- Havana Bowl (Vegan / Gluten-Free) $15.95: “Marinated fried organic tofu, roasted sweet potatoes, organic brown rice, organic black beans, sautéed kale and onions, avocado, and organic toasted pumpkin seeds with chipotle mayo“. This is another bowl that keeps me full with a wide variety of nourishing ingredients and a fun flavor profile. I get this one when I want to switch things up from the Zen Bowl.
Keep reading for a couple staff favorites…
Staff Favorites
On this visit, I got the chance to talk to a couple team members about their favorites:
- Seth’s Favorite – the Pura Vida Bowl (Gluten-Free) $14.95. From the menu: “Two (2) sunny-side up eggs, organic black beans, sautéed kale and onions, root hash, organic brown rice, and avocado with a side of red salsa“. Seth said he likes this one because it’s very cost-effective, noting he can never finish it in one sitting, so he gets leftovers. Nice!
- Marley’s Favorite – the Havana Bowl (also one of my faves – see above for details). Marley said this bowl is “really yummy”, noting that the chipotle mayo is the right kind of spicy. She also really enjoys the sweet potato chunks and kale & onions. And a tip she shared too – you can swap the tofu for falafel!
As a side note, I was nervous to ask the team about their favorites, and Seth was the first person I spoke to. And he was so kind. He even offered to find someone else to share their fave – thus Marley’s recommendation. I was really touched by their friendliness but also how enthusiastic they are about the food! It definitely made me like Green Sage even more.
Local Roots & Thoughtful Sourcing
The Green Sage Café Philosophy
From the website:
“At Green Sage, we believe in nourishing both people and planet. Our thoughtfully curated menu features nutrient-rich, chemical-free ingredients sourced from trusted partners who share our commitment to sustainability.
From our organic farm-to-cup coffee to our scratch-made pastries and wholesome meals, every item is carefully selected by our dedicated team to ensure the highest quality and environmental responsibility.
Whether you’re seeking vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-sensitive options, our all-day breakfast and lunch offerings provide delicious, health-conscious choices that energize your day while supporting our community’s sustainable future.”
I just love how intentional they are about not only their ingredients & sourcing but their dedication to the environment too.
Diana’s WFH Rating (Work From Here)
Diana’s WFH Rating: Work-Friendly
Whilst I haven’t personally done many working sessions here, I do think that Green Sage Café is very work-friendly due to the abundant table space, Wi-Fi, fast-casual dining (no waiters), and there being plenty of outlets.
- Wi-Fi: Available (though I didn’t try it on this visit)
- Outlets: Plenty throughout the restaurant
- Seating: Indoor and outdoor seating, some large tables available to spread out, booths are noted for large parties
- Noise: Conversational
- Laptop policy: I think the booth sign indicated they are not for laptops and to use the other tables instead
- My take: I’d be happy to do a working session here
What to Know Before You Go
Here are some things to keep in mind before your visit:
- Green Sage Café Merrimon is open open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch (not dinner), so be sure to plan your day accordingly.
- Expect a casual dining experience sans waiters.
- Whilst the theme of the menu is healthy, there is more than salads & smoothies here. They also have sweet treats, burgers (local, grass-fed patty) & fries (house-cut russet and sweet potato), and more.
- This location isn’t as easy to walk to as the downtown location, though that does depend on where you stay, of course. There’s a good chance you should plan to drive here.
Location & Parking
Neighborhood
Green Sage Café Merrimon is located in the North Asheville / Grace neighborhood. It’s about an 8-10 minute drive from downtown.
Diana’s Parking Anxiety Rating 1/4 (Easy Breezy)
Ease of parking is something I love about the Merrimon location. I’ve never struggled to find a spot here, and I’ve probably dined here well over 20 times by now. There’s a free, flat lot in front of the restaurant.
There are about three large parallel spots to the side of the building, which are great if you want to park in some shade. On the rare occasion, I’ve parked in the flat lot behind the building, though I’m not sure if that’s officially part of the parking lot. So, I recommend checking with the restaurant before parking here.
Why I Recommend It
Green Sage is one of my fave spots when I’m looking for nourishing food made with thoughtfully-sourced ingredients. I especially appreciate its emphasis on organic & local produce and healthy meals, with a variety of delicious menu options so you can eat here frequently for those doing week long visits or dining here regularly.
Whether you’re looking for nutritious food on your visit to Asheville, wanting to read a book with a nice meal, ready for a casual catch-up with others, or in need of a cute spot to work, Green Sage Café Merrimon has you covered!
More Asheville Spots to Love
- High Five Coffee Riverside: This is my go-to post-brunch spot for a relaxing coffee by the river. It’s only 11-ish minutes away (even with highways turned off!) and is the perfect next stop for a fun & relaxing day.
Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoy your visit to Green Sage Café Merrimon!
Remember: Be kind, tip well, and tell them Diana sent you!
