Tennessee Biscuit Breakfasts Worth Waiting For
Nothing says “good morning” in Tennessee like a plate of fresh, buttery biscuits. These fluffy pillows of heaven are a breakfast staple across the Volunteer State, where recipes are often passed down from generation to generation.
From Nashville to Knoxville, Tennessee breakfast restaurants pride themselves on making the perfect biscuit – crispy on the outside, soft on the inside.
1. Loveless Cafe’s Legendary Biscuit Platters
Since 1951, this Nashville institution has been serving what many consider the gold standard of Tennessee biscuits. The secret recipe hasn’t changed in decades, creating perfectly golden rounds that practically melt in your mouth.
Locals recommend the Country Ham Biscuit – thinly sliced salt-cured ham nestled inside a steaming biscuit. Pair it with their homemade preserves made from local fruits for the full experience.
Weekend wait times often stretch beyond an hour, but regulars insist the anticipation only enhances the first heavenly bite.
2. Biscuit Love’s East Nashville Bonanza
What started as a food truck has blossomed into one of Tennessee’s most celebrated biscuit destinations. Their ‘East Nasty’ creation – a buttermilk biscuit sandwich with fried chicken, aged cheddar, and sausage gravy – earned national recognition from Food Network.
Morning crowds gather outside before opening hours, clutching coffee cups while trading recommendations about which biscuit concoction to try first. The bright, airy space fills with laughter and the aroma of butter.
A fun fact: they use White Lily flour, a Southern staple since 1883, giving their biscuits that distinctive Tennessee texture.
3. Merridee’s Breadbasket’s Small-Town Charm
Tucked away in historic Franklin, this bakery feels like stepping into grandma’s kitchen. Hand-rolled biscuits emerge from the oven hourly, filling the cozy space with an irresistible aroma that draws folks from their Main Street shopping.
The standout is their sausage gravy biscuit – featuring locally-sourced pork and a peppery cream gravy that locals swear cures everything from hangovers to heartbreak. Each biscuit bears the subtle marks of being shaped by hand rather than machine-cut.
Early birds catch the freshest batch around 7 AM, when you might spot local musicians fueling up before studio sessions.
4. Beacon Light Tea Room’s Country Ham Biscuit Heaven
For over 80 years, this unassuming spot in Bath Springs has been serving what many road-trippers call the best country ham biscuits in Tennessee. The place hasn’t changed much since the 1930s – simple wooden tables, friendly servers who know regulars by name.
Their country ham is cured on-site, sliced paper-thin, and tucked into biscuits that achieve the perfect balance between flaky and sturdy. Regulars swear by drizzling a bit of sorghum molasses over the top for a sweet-salty combination.
Cash only and closed on Mondays – details that only add to its authentic charm.
5. Maple Street Biscuit Company’s Creative Combinations
Creativity reigns at this Chattanooga hotspot where traditional biscuit-making meets modern flavor combinations. The ‘Squawking Goat’ – their signature creation featuring fried chicken, goat cheese, and pepper jelly – creates a sweet-tangy-savory explosion that’s worth every calorie.
Rather than calling out numbers, they ask a quirky question of the day when you order. You might hear ‘What was your first concert?’ echoing through the restaurant as hungry patrons claim their biscuit treasures.
Community tables encourage conversation among strangers who quickly become friends over shared biscuit appreciation.
6. Blue Plate Special’s Memphis Morning Tradition
Memphis locals guard this downtown gem jealously from tourist guides. Their cathead biscuits – named because they’re ‘as big as a cat’s head’ – come straight from a cast-iron skillet, crispy-bottomed and cloud-soft inside.
Blues music plays softly in the background while early risers huddle over steaming plates. The signature move here is ordering biscuits with a side of their spicy honey butter, made with local honey and a hint of cayenne that perfectly balances sweet and heat.
Rumor has it Elvis himself once frequented this spot before recording sessions at nearby Sun Studio.
7. Smoky Mountain Biscuit House’s Mountain Magic
Gatlinburg’s favorite breakfast spot serves biscuits with a view of the misty Smoky Mountains. Their signature ‘Moonshiner’s Breakfast’ features apple butter-slathered biscuits alongside Tennessee country ham and scrambled eggs from a nearby farm.
The rustic log cabin setting enhances the experience, with rocking chairs on the porch where guests can savor their coffee while waiting during busy times. Blackberry preserves – made from wild berries picked in the mountains – are a must-try topping.
Arrive before 8 AM to beat the crowds of hikers fueling up before tackling nearby trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
