By Jennifer Scates
If you've not spent a Saturday morning on Market Square watching the farmers market fill in while you wait for beignets and a Bacon Bloody Mary, you are missing one of the better arguments for living in this city. Weekend brunch in Knoxville is genuinely good.
The best brunch spots Knoxville has to offer can hold their own against any Southern city.
Key Takeaways
- Ruby Sunshine brings New Orleans to Market Square: Open seven days a week, with a scratch kitchen and a cocktail program rooted in New Orleans tradition
- Tupelo Honey is the gold standard for weekend brunch: Open from 9 a.m. on weekends at the base of the Oliver Hotel, with 25-plus years of scratch-made Southern food behind every plate
- Farmacy is the best brunch in Bearden: Women-owned, locally sourced, and genuinely interesting menu with strong vegetarian and vegan options alongside Southern comfort food
Ruby Sunshine
Ruby Sunshine on Market Square is a New Orleans-born brunch restaurant open seven days a week, serving a scratch kitchen menu from early morning through the early afternoon.
- The food: Built around New Orleans brunch traditions with spicy, layered flavors. Signature dishes include Eggs Cochon, Bananas Foster Pain Perdu, peach beignets, and spicy eggs Benedict. The scratch kitchen cooks to order using fresh ingredients
- The drinks: The cocktail program includes a Bacon Bloody Mary and an extensive mimosa menu. Ruby Sunshine describes itself as serving "eye-opening cocktails," and the reviews back that up consistently
- The setting: Ruby Sunshine's corner spot on Market Square puts the Saturday farmers market directly in view. It is one of the more pleasant ways to spend a Saturday morning in downtown Knoxville
Ruby Sunshine is my top recommendation for first-time visitors who want to feel what downtown Knoxville looks like on a Saturday morning.
Tupelo Honey
Tupelo Honey at the base of the Oliver Hotel has been a Knoxville brunch institution long enough that people sometimes forget it started as an Asheville restaurant.
- The food: Scratch-made Southern food with Blue Ridge and Appalachian influence. Weekend brunch highlights include fried chicken with biscuits and milk gravy, shrimp and grits, and a fried green tomato stack
- The drinks: Full bar with hand-crafted cocktails, local craft beers, and wines. The Hoot and Holler Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. with half-off appetizers and drink specials
- The setting: Dining at street level in the Oliver Hotel with Market Square visible through the windows is a genuinely pleasant weekend experience. The patio is dog-friendly
Tupelo Honey rewards a reservation, as weekend mornings fill up quickly.
Farmacy
Farmacy on Kingston Pike in the Bearden neighborhood is women-owned, locally sourced, and built around a menu that takes Southern comfort food seriously without limiting itself to the expected versions.
- The food: Locally sourced Southern food with a modern, produce-forward approach. The menu covers a Vitality Bowl, Farmacy Burger, tofu tacos, Strawberry Pecan Salad, and rotating seasonal specials
- The atmosphere: Hip and casual without being pretentious. A patio and an interior that stays lively without being loud make it work for both a quick brunch and a longer conversation
- The drinks: Full bar with happy hour specials. The Bearden location also puts it near other good shops and restaurants for extending an afternoon
Farmacy is the right answer when someone asks me for the best brunch spots Knoxville has in its Bearden corridor.
Southern Grit
Southern Grit in the Old City is a Lowcountry and Southern comfort food restaurant in Knoxville's most storied neighborhood. Tall ceilings, warm wood accents, and large windows give it a sense of openness unusual for a neighborhood that still reads as gritty and lived-in.
- The food: Shrimp and grits is the signature, with buttery grits, tender shrimp, and sausage. The SG Burger with pimento cheese, sliced green tomato, and SG sauce is a strong second choice. Fried green tomatoes, jambalaya pasta, and pot pie round out a consistent menu
- The drinks: Full bar with craft beers, cocktails, and bourbons. The bar draws a regular crowd on its own, particularly on weekend afternoons
- The neighborhood: The Old City is one of Knoxville's most interesting places to spend a few hours. Independent shops, bars, and proximity to Market Square make it a natural brunch-and-explore destination
Southern Grit is where I take people who want to feel like they found Knoxville.
FAQs
Which Knoxville brunch spot is best for a group?
Tupelo Honey handles groups the most gracefully, with reservations available and a menu broad enough for everyone. Ruby Sunshine is another strong option, particularly for a crowd that wants a livelier cocktail atmosphere.
What is the best brunch spot in downtown Knoxville?
Both Ruby Sunshine and Tupelo Honey are on Market Square and genuinely excellent. Ruby Sunshine suits a casual all-day-brunch vibe. Tupelo Honey is the choice for something more special or celebratory.
How does proximity to Knoxville's brunch scene factor into real estate decisions?
More than most people expect. Walkability to Market Square and the Old City comes up consistently as a difference-maker for buyers who value their weekends. Living close enough to walk to Saturday brunch shapes how people feel about an address over time.
Contact Jennifer Scates Today
I am an East Tennessee native, a Broker and Realtor with Wallace Real Estate, and a Luxury Portfolio International Master Class Certified member with 16 years of experience. I work with residential, commercial, and investment properties across Knoxville and the surrounding region.
If you’re buying or selling (a home near Market Square, an investment property, or anything in between), reach out to me,
Jennifer Scates.
