Discover the best Brunch Spots in Knoxville, where the city’s vibrant food scene comes alive on weekends! As you wander through the charming streets of downtown Knoxville, the tantalizing aromas of freshly brewed coffee, crispy bacon, and sweet pastries will lead you to the most mouth-watering brunch destinations.
However, if you have multiple options to choose from, how do you know which one is the best? Look no further! In this article, we embark you on a tour of the brunch places in Knoxville city ranging from cozy cafes to trendy restaurants.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re craving traditional Southern food, innovative fusion dishes, or sinful desserts, we have you.
Therefore, your fork and all of your brunch-loving friends are the only people you need to enjoy the best brunch in Knoxville.
20 Highest-rated Brunch Spots in Knoxville
When in Knoxville, there are sumptuous motives that compel you either too early or too late in the weekend. Certain eaters say Knoxville is home to the best brunch in the area either on the weekends or holidays.
Indulge in anything from a dish of creamy cheese grits with braised pig belly to a down-home meal of fried eggs and easy coffee.
Whether you are a morning person or a night owl, Knoxville offers opportunities for a relaxed and productive weekend that might include eating your favorite food and drinking beverages that make you happy.
Below is our recommended list of highly-rated brunch spots in Knoxville:
1. The Plaid Apron Café
Website: https://theplaidapron.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaidapron/
Brunch Menu:
- Quiche
- Avocado toast
- Breakfast sandwiches
- Pancakes or waffles
- Breakfast burritos
The Plaid Apron began its operations in the year 2011 by Drew and Bonni, which is the owners in Knoxville, driven by the fact that they only loved the Southern food, to be consumed in homes.
Their Saturday brunch menu answers to the ambition of fulfilling those dark fantasies. Although, feel 100% old school area of Tennessee cuisine by merely tasting their fragrant and unbearably soft sourdough french toast or their plain chicken biscuit grilled in buttermilk.
The establishment does not compromise on this, and with its contemporary, cool style, you’ll certainly feel at home, given that you can sit on a couch and eat your favorite foods without worrying.
If Saturdays aren’t your thing, they have Yummi Bowls, brunch selections available every day of the week as well as breakfast items. You can choose from a large menu.
Restaurant Location: at 1210 Kenesaw Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919.
2. Downtown Brewery
Website: http://www.downtownbrewery.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knoxdgb/
Brunch Menu:
- Breakfast pizza
- Omelettes
- French toast
- Breakfast tacos
- Breakfast sliders
Large and welcoming, Downtown Brewery is a Gay Street landmark known for its long history and handcrafted brews made on-site.
The service is usually first-rate, and the black-and-white photos on the walls inside tell a fascinating story of Knoxville in the past.
The menu is a large blend of American and Mexican food, and their Bloody Mary menu is highly recommended for those planning a wild brunch.
Come by on a Sunday for their well-known jazz brunch, where you can eat a special menu and listen to a live saxophonist from 12.30 to 3.30 p.m.
Restaurant Location: 424 South Gay Street, Knoxville, Tennessee!
3. Old City Java Café
Instagram: oldcityjava
Brunch Menu:
- Bagels with cream cheese or lox
- Breakfast pastries
- Yogurt parfait
- Breakfast wraps
- Breakfast bowls
This café has an edgy, artsy air and draws a young, student clientele with its rustic exposed brick exterior and a ceiling painted in the style of Van Gogh’s The Starry Night.
Enjoy a light brunch in the heart of Knoxville at Old City Java, which serves outstanding coffees and freshly baked croissants along with a choice of sandwiches and other quick nibbles. After brunch, head out to make the most of the remainder of your day.
Restaurant Location: 109 S Central St, Knoxville, TN 37902
ALSO READ:
- Cutest Brunch Places in Dallas
- Why is Brunch a Great Option for Late Risers?
- Why is Brunch a Perfect Meal for Indecisive Eaters?
4. Four Market Square
Website: https://www.4marketsquare.com/
Instagram: cafe_4
Brunch Menu:
- Brunch buffet
- Eggs Benedict
- Belgian waffles
- Breakfast quesadillas
- Granola and fruit bowl
One of Knoxville’s most well-liked brunch spots, Four Market Square is open day and night as a bustling venue for a variety of performances and shows, and by day it’s a comfortable café providing delicious Southern comfort food.
This is a laid-back, quaint place to eat, drink, and maybe return later to party. For a true taste of the South, try the fried green tomatoes. Another popular option is the lobster BLT flatbread, which is served on their elegantly designed mezzanine.
Restaurant Location: 4 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902
Email Address: [email protected]
Contact Phone Number: 865-544-4144
5. Tupelo Honey Café
Website: https://tupelohoneycafe.com/restaurant/knoxville/
Facebook: TupeloHoneyKnoxville
Brunch Menu:
- Steak and eggs
- Biscuits and gravy
- Shrimp and grits
- Breakfast skillet
- Breakfast burgers
The delightful, modern Tupelo Honey Café is situated in the heart of Knoxville, inside the landmark Kern’s Bakery building. Visit us to sample our innovative take on Southern soul food.
If you’re seeking for a change of pace and an opportunity to try something a little different, this should be your brunch destination.
Their brunch-only menu offers inventive spins on classic dishes and makes use of fresh ingredients to produce an authentic taste. There’s nothing to dislike about this place—three varieties of Bloody Marys and complimentary coffee refills.
Restaurant Location: #1, Knoxville, TN 37902.
6. Copper Cellar
Website: https://coppercellar.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coppercellarwest/
Brunch Menu:
- Croissant sandwiches
- Frittata
- Breakfast hash
- Belgian-style pancakes
- Smoked salmon platter
You never have an excuse not to visit a Copper Cellar for brunch because there are three locations in Knoxville. There’s something quite antique about the original Copper Cellar location on Cumberland Avenue, with its raised wooden bar area and towering bar chairs.
In addition to a Sunday brunch buffet with enormous Belgian waffles that will keep you full for the rest of the day, it provides a variety of delicious burgers and expertly cooked steaks.
The Copper Cellar, a popular hangout for college students and local laborers, offers visitors a delightful peek into Knoxville daily life.
Restaurant Location: @ Number 1807 Cumberland-Ave, Knoxville-TN 37916
7. Bistro at the Bijou
Website: https://www.thebistroatthebijou.com/
Instagram: bistrobijou
Brunch Menu:
- Cornmeal pancakes
- Appalachian-style breakfast
- Sweet potato hash
- Smoked trout platter
- Breakfast casserole
Brunch at Bistro at the Bijou, which is housed in the same building as the Bijou theater and is one of Knoxville’s oldest homes, is a wonderful way to begin the day in the city.
This welcoming urban restaurant offers something for everyone, with a large menu of classic American comfort food and several vegetarian and gluten-free alternatives.
The combination of classical art pieces and various artifacts from bygone eras creates a charming, welcoming ambiance.
You may be confident that you’ll have a comfortable brunch thanks to the welcoming personnel.
Restaurant Location: 807 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
8. Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro
Website: https://dancingbearlodge.com/
Instagram: dancingbeartn
Brunch Menu:
- Breakfast flatbread
- Huevos rancheros
- Breakfast nachos
- Breakfast tacos
- Oatmeal brûlée
At Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, we are aware that delicious cooking starts with locally produced, high-quality ingredients. Chef Jeff Carter and his culinary team’s Modern Appalachian menu features tasty, in-season meals that are rooted in tradition but elevated with daring new flavor additions and component combinations that could surprise and please you.
Dancing Bear offers a first-rate hotel experience. We apply the same dedication to quality to our full bar and award-winning restaurant.
We want your night out in Townsend to be unforgettable, whether you’re having a celebratory supper with the whole family or just a romantic evening for two.
We serve a classy selection of contemporary Appalachian food, all while taking in the gorgeous settings and peaceful views of the surrounding woods.
Restaurant Location: **7140 E Lamar Alexander-Pkwy, Townsend, TN-37882.
9. Balter Beerworks
Website: https://www.balterbeerworks.com/
Instagram: balterbeerworks
Brunch Menu:
- Crab cake Benedict
- Prime rib hash
- Lobster omelette
- Stuffed French toast
- Breakfast ribeye steak
In Knoxville’s downtown area sits the scratch kitchen brewpub, Balter Beerworks. We provide a friendly atmosphere that honors handcrafted brews and meals prepared from scratch.
At Balter, each snack and each drink is made fresh every day with the best ingredients. Our beer and food menus are always changing to showcase the best seasonal offerings.
Balter is a venue that combines urban aesthetics with the heritage of an ancient service station, providing a gathering spot for friends and family.
Restaurant Location: 100 S Broadway St, Knoxville, TN-37902
10. The Chop House – W. Knoxville
Website: https://www.thechophouse.com/knoxville-steakhouse-west.html
Facebook: thechophouseknoxvillewest
Brunch Menu:
- Eggs Florentine
- Chorizo breakfast burrito
- Lemon ricotta pancakes
- Smoked chicken hash
- Breakfast quesadilla
Welcome to The Chop House® restaurants, where they work hard to give every customer warm, attentive service in a welcoming setting. We guarantee both our food and service!
With 12 locations spanning 4 states, Mike Connor founded The Chop House® in 1992 with the assistance of his family and friends. Since then, it has grown to become one of the leading casual dining concepts in the Southeast.
Providing each and every visitor with an exceptional dining experience is their top priority. They achieve this by serving ample servings of delectable food made with the freshest ingredients and with service that is guest-obsessed.
Restaurant Location: 9700 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN-37922
ALSO READ:
- Top Brunch Spots in Chicago
- Why is Brunch Good for Catching Up on Sleep?
- Why is Brunch a Great Option for Birthdays?
11. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
Website: https://firebirdsrestaurants.com/knoxville
Facebook: FirebirdsKnoxville
Brunch Menu:
- Shrimp and grits
- Breakfast flat iron steak
- Avocado Benedict
- Lemon ricotta pancakes
- Breakfast risotto
Located near West Town Crossings in Knoxville, Tennessee, is Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. They are an American steakhouse and restaurant renowned for its robust flavors, homemade cuisine, and warm, welcoming ambiance.
Savor their hallmark dishes, which include aged steaks carved by hand and fresh seafood, as well as carefully chosen wines and creative drinks.
Enjoy happy hour at FIREBAR® or on the terrace Monday through Friday from 4-630 PM, and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 11 AM. They provide elegant eating at a reasonable cost together with excellent service.
Restaurant Location: #101, Sevierville, TN-37862
12, STIR
Website: https://www.stirknoxville.com/
Instagram: stirknoxville
Brunch Menu:
- Shrimp and grits
- Breakfast flat iron steak
- Avocado Benedict
- Lemon ricotta pancakes
- Breakfast risotto
Good cooking begins with local, fresh ingredients. Fresh oysters and seasonal seafood are available at our famous raw bar, and everything in our kitchen is made from scratch.
Famous for its craft cocktails is STIR. They mature some cocktails in oak barrels for deeper flavors, carve and freeze 300-pound blocks of artisanal ice in-house, and put others on draft for crispness and fizz.
Cocktails that are distinctly enhanced as a result. Their love of good booze also forces us to track down and distribute rare bottles, many of which are very challenging to locate.
Knoxville is invited to partake in their unparalleled mixed drinks, delicious fish, and traditional fare in an authentically welcoming setting.
Restaurant Location: Number 144 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902.
13. Saloon 16
Website: knoxville/restaurant/saloon-16
Instagram: saloon16knox
Brunch Menu:
- Cowboy breakfast skillet
- Chicken and waffles
- Texas-style French toast
- Breakfast enchiladas
- BBQ breakfast sandwich
Savor treats like the Rocky Top Omelet and the Volunteers Breakfast alongside a brunch-themed cocktail selection. The Power T Punch, which combines vodka, orange juice, pineapple, crushed strawberries, mint, and prosecco, is a favorite.
Another popular drink is the Wake-Up Call, which is a variation of the classic espresso martini made with vodka, Muletown Cold Brew, Mr. Black, and espresso beans.
The General Neyland’s Bloody, which comes in an oversized glass cowboy boot and is loaded with bacon-infused vodka, house-made bloody mix, celery, olives, candied bacon, shrimp, peppers, and rosemary, is a must-try for daring brunch goers.
Restaurant Location: 1706 Cumberland Avenue Knoxville-TN 37916
Contact Phone Number: (865) 437-5500
14. Café 4
Website: https://www.4marketsquare.com/menu
Instagram: cafe_4
Brunch Menu:
- Monte Cristo sandwich
- Breakfast panini
- Cinnamon roll pancakes
- Quinoa breakfast bowl
- Breakfast bruschetta
Brunch at Café 4 offers a selection of coffee drinks made with regional Three Bears coffee beans, bowls of sangria or gin punch, and hearty dishes including shrimp and grits, hash brown bowls, lobster BLT flatbread, and more.
Restaurant Location: Number 4 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902.
15. Seasons
Website: https://seasons-cafe.com/
Instagram: Seasonsturkeycreek
Brunch Menu:
- Smoked salmon Benedict
- Chicken fried steak and eggs
- Stuffed brioche French toast
- Breakfast tartine
- Blueberry almond pancakes
Seasons has a special Easter brunch buffet available. Freshly made danishes and muffins made by the chef, exotic fruit, salads made with penne pasta and artichokes, a display of imported cheeses, a station for peeling and eating shrimp, quiche, biscuits and gravy, a variety of vegetables, fresh salmon filet, slow-roasted beef, and more. a wide selection of exquisite treats.
Restaurant Location: #11605 Parkside Dr, Knoxville-TN 37934, USA
16. Copper Cellar West
Website: https://coppercellar.com/
Instagram: coppercellarwest
Brunch Menu:
- Crepes (sweet and savory)
- Breakfast sliders
- Irish breakfast
- Breakfast poutine
- Croissant French toast
A special Easter brunch is being held at Copper Cellar, featuring a waffle bar, omelet bar, prime rib, turkey, fried chicken, mac and cheese, a variety of veggies, and a dessert bar.
For $27, you can have a full brunch package that feeds four to five people, which includes fruit, cinnamon buns, breakfast casserole, and mimosa kit for an additional $15.
If staying in is more your style, you can also get a meal for just $17. A choice of bread, baked ham, Maryland crab cakes, specialty sides, and specialty butcher cuts are all included in the Easter meal package.
Restaurant Location: **7316 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN-37919
ALSO READ:
- Top-Notch Brunch Spots in Boston
- Why is brunch the best meal of the day?
- Why is Brunch Good for a Post-Workout Meal?
17. Holly’s Gourmets Market and Cafe
Website: https://gourmetsmarketandcafe.com/
Instagram: hollysgourmetsmarket
Brunch Menu:
- Southern breakfast plate
- Veggie scramble
- Breakfast BLT
- Quiche of the day
- Breakfast bagel sandwich
Holly’s brunch specialties, which include their “Market Legends,” Breakfast Bowls, Burritos, Omelets, and more, will be available starting at 8 a.m. They also have a large selection of vegan and vegetarian choices.
Inspired by the owners’ family history, they perform a traditional Greek game for Easter where guests must move from guest to guest while dyeing hard-boiled eggs red. The winner receives a gift card or dessert on the house.
Restaurant Location: #5107 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN-37919
18. Volunteer Princess
Website: https://volunteerprincess.com/
Instagram: volcruises
Brunch Menu:
- Smoked salmon platter
- Belgian waffles
- Eggs Benedict
- Fresh fruit salad
There are Easter brunch and dinner cruises available on the Volunteer Princess. Enjoy Easter with the best view of Knoxville has to offer! Take a 1.5-hour morning cruise or a 2-hour evening sail around Knoxville. There are private tables and special packages available.
Restaurant Location: **Knoxville, TN 37902.
19. Mimi’s Cafe
Website: restaurant/profile/
Facebook: MimisKnoxville
Brunch Menu:
- Buttermilk pancakes
- Breakfast crepes
- Country fried steak and eggs
- Croissant breakfast sandwich
- Belgian waffle combo
They have a breakfast and lunch menu, so you may pick from savory or sweet selections, or even make your own combo. If you’re dining with a family, they also have an award-winning kid’s menu.
Also, they call their meal “fresh, hand-prepared American-French comfort food,” so it sounds like just what you’re looking for when it comes to a brunch restaurant.
In addition to catering and takeout, their website states that a separate space may be reserved for gatherings and business meetings.
Restaurant Location: **10945 Parkside Dr, Knoxville, TN 37934
20. Nama Sushi Bar
Website: https://namasushibar.com/
Facebook: NamaSushiDowntown/
Brunch Menu:
- Sushi brunch platter
- Breakfast sushi rolls
- Japanese-style omelette (tamagoyaki)
- Miso soup with added breakfast ingredients
- Sushi rice breakfast bowl with toppings
Nama is the best place to get sushi in the Knoxville area and has been chosen as the best sushi restaurant on multiple occasions.
Nama is the ideal spot for you whether you’re heading out for a night with friends or family, want to try sushi for the first time (as many have since we opened), or are seeking a romantic supper on date night.
Restaurant Location: 506 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
Final Words
Great people, there you have it! The definitive resource for Knoxville’s top brunch spots. There is something for everyone in Knoxville’s brunch scene, ranging from inventive fusion cuisine to traditional Southern comfort food.
Whether you’re a guest hoping to sample the city’s culinary delights or a local searching for a new favorite restaurant, we hope this post has motivated you to start brunching!
Always have a large appetite when you arrive, and don’t forget to tag us on social media with your brunch experiences.
