The Best Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Franklin, TN
Just about a half an hour south of Nashville is a charming suburb that deserves to be a destination all its own. With an idyllic downtown, charming homes, locally owned businesses, and a lively music scene, small town Franklin, Tennessee exudes warmth, but with a modern, creative twist.
Although cute little downtown Franklin is well known for its historic architecture, music scene, and Southern roots, the town’s food scene has evolved over the years into something worth making the trip for. Whether you’re just visiting for the day or are thinking about a move, Franklin’s brunch scene is one you should know about. From Southern-style biscuits to vibrant grain bowls and beyond, Franklin has got a little bit of everything—from comfort food to trendier dishes. Here are some of the best brunch spots in Franklin that you’ve got to add to your list:
Biscuit Love
If you’ve been to Nashville before, you’ve likely heard something about Biscuit Love. The darling breakfast spot often has a line out the door on busy weekend mornings, and for good reason. The Downtown Franklin outpost serves up “Bonuts”—fried biscuit dough tossed in sugar, topped with lemon mascarpone, and served over blueberry compote—biscuit sandwiches like the fan-favorite “Princess”—a buttermilk biscuit topped with a Nashville-style hot chicken thigh, pickles, mustard, and honey (with the option to add an egg)—as well as more traditional breakfast favorites like waffles, eggs, and chicken and waffles. The hotspot doesn’t take reservations, so make sure to get there early on the weekend!
Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant
Located in Downtown Franklin, longtime community favorite Puckett’s serves up Southern classics in a laidback, casual atmosphere. The restaurant regularly features live music and is family friendly. Try the “Skillet Cinnamon Roll”—a giant, cream cheese-glazed cinnamon roll baked in a cast iron skillet—”The King’s French Toast”—thick French toast with peanut butter-cream cheese fluff and topped with fresh bananas, powdered sugar, and whipped cream—or “The Clucker”—fried chicken, hot honey, chipotle ranch, and pickles on a biscuit.
Sojourner at Southall Farm & Inn
Located on a gorgeous farm just out of town, Sojourner is one of two restaurants at this upscale, luxury inn. You can expect to find seasonal items on the menu, featuring ingredients grown on the property, artisan breads, fresh juices, and more. Try the “Sweet Potato Hash”—Bear Creek Farms brisket, apple chutney, onion, fall herbs, sunny-side egg—”Orange Dreamsicle French Toast”—orange, pistachio, whipped cream—or the “Chicken and Waffles”—roasted jalapeño, bee pollen, honey butter.
You won't be able to resist the picturesque farmland (where many of the fresh ingredients come from) or the chic hotel. Sojourner is a great spot for a relaxing yet beautiful meal. The welcoming atmosphere, yet feeling that it's located a bit off the beaten path makes it the perfect destination for great conversation—and a stellar meal.
55 South
Inspired by the part of I-55 that runs from Memphis to New Orleans, 55 South’s menu is full of the flavors of the Mississippi Delta. The restaurant’s weekend brunch menu is full of bold flavors (and even includes crowd-pleasers for the kids). Try the “Shrimp & Grits”—sautéed shrimp, apple-smoked bacon, and mushrooms in a white wine butter over local cheese grits—the “Chicken Biscuit & Sausage Gravy”—fried chicken, house-made sausage gravy and buttermilk biscuits, chile-honey, sunny-side-up eggs, and roasted tomatoes—or the “Cinnamon Roll Pain Perdu ‘Lost Bread’”—French bread French toast topped with traditional glaze with bacon on the side. The menu also features a variety of brunch cocktails.
Merridee’s Breadbasket
Open Monday through Saturday (closed Sundays), Merridee’s Breadbasket is a cute and cozy downtown Franklin bakery and cafe (they even serve gluten-free items). The relaxed, homey atmosphere is perfect for casual breakfasts any day of the week. Try “Reba’s Baked Oatmeal”—seasonal berries, almonds, brown sugar, whole milk—the “Country Ham Eggs Benedict”—buttermilk biscuit, country ham, poached egg, and Tabasco hollandaise—or “The Homestyle”—egg, Swiss cheese, spinach, and bacon served on grilled Oatmeal Bread.This sweet spot has limited indoor seating, so get there early or go on a nice day.
Two Hands
This Australian-inspired cafe features light, fresh dishes packed with tons of flavor. This breezy spot has plenty of gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free options for those with dietary restrictions or allergies. Try the “Smoked Salmon Toast”—smoked salmon, herbed cream cheese, pickled zucchini, poached egg—the “Brekky Muffuletta”—New Orleans-style muffuletta sandwich with shaved ham, sunny egg, arugula, giardiniera, and lemon kewpie on house-made focaccia—or the “Seasonal Scramble”—soft ribboned eggs, lemony English peas, mint, snap pea salad, white balsamic, feta, macadamia nut pesto on toasted sourdough.
Big Bad Breakfast
Founded by James Beard Award-winning Chef John Currence, Big Bad Breakfast is an answer to the question, “what if we actually treated breakfast like it was the most important meal of the day?” With locations in states across the Southeast, Big Bad Breakfast takes breakfast and lunch classics and makes them even better. Try the “Pecan ‘Cluster’ Shortstack”—chocolate chip and pecan pancakes, topped with chocolate and caramel sauces and whipped cream and served with BBB syrup—the “Creole Omelet”—shrimp, andouille, onion, tomatoes, cheddar, topped with tomato gravy and scallions—or the “Biscuit ‘Crumble’”—crumbled buttermilk biscuits, grits, tomato gravy, crumbled bacon, tomatoes, two eggs, and scallions.
McGavock’s Coffee Bar & Provisions
Located in the lobby of the Harpeth Hotel in Downtown Franklin, this cute coffee shop and brunch spot is perfect for hotel guests or anyone looking for a quiet spot while out and about in Downtown Franklin. Try the “Lemon Blueberry Pancakes”—fresh blueberries, lemon curd, whipped butter—the “Pork Belly & Grits”—Leiper’s Fork honey, caramelized onions, spinach—or the “Egg White Omelet”—shitake mushrooms, carmelized onions, spinach, cheddar, organic greens, crispy potatoes.
They also offer plenty of grab-and-go items for those who can’t carve out the time for a full leisurely brunch. Just need a quick pick-me-up? You can find a wide selection of espresso drinks and other offerings at this cute little coffee house.
Tupelo Honey
Tupelo Honey mixes classic Southern flavors with modern twists. Famous for their fried chicken, Tupelo Honey also features a wide variety of breakfast, lunch, and dessert options. Try the “Sweet Potato Pancake”—oversized pancake, spiced pecans, powdered sugar, whipped butter, with choice of: apple cider bacon, breakfast sausage, chorizo pork sausage, or soy-sage—the “Mountain Morning Bowl”—two sunny-side-up eggs, rosemary and parmesan crispy potatoes, cheddar cheese, chopped apple cider bacon, green tomato salsa, red pepper sauce, stone-ground goat cheese grits—or the “Classic Chicken & Waffles”—honey-dusted fried chicken, buttermilk waffles, powdered sugar, whipped butter.
Tupelo Honey is also an excellent choice for large groups—and because they take reservations, you can plan ahead for a smooth and stress-free morning
No matter what kinds of breakfast or brunch food you love—classic Southern comfort food like biscuits and gravy or sweet potato pancakes, or something lighter like healthy omelets or veggie-packed toasts—you can find it in Franklin. Regardless of where you decide to spend your morning, you really can’t go wrong..
FAQs
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Brunch is commonly served on weekends from around 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., but each restaurant operates a little bit differently. It’s a good idea to check the restaurant’s website or social media accounts for the most up-to-date information.
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At more popular spots that take reservations, like Sojourner, it’s a good idea to make a reservation. It’s also always a good idea to make reservations if you’re planning to dine with a large group. For more casual spots, you can walk in, but prepare to wait, especially on weekends or busy days.
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Many of these spots have at least some gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, or vegan options. If you’re with people with a lot of dietary restrictions, Two Hands might be your best bet. If you’re not sure which dishes are safe for you to eat at any particular restaurant, ask your server—they should be able to help you.
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Lots of Franklin restaurants feature patio or sidewalk seating when the weather is nice. Spots like Merridee’s have outdoor tables so you can enjoy your food—and the weather.
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Lots of families live in Franklin, so kids are definitely welcome at most brunch spots. Places like Big Bad Breakfast, Puckett's, and Tupelo Honey are especially great for kids since they're casual and offer lots of comfort food options, but spots like Merridee's or Biscuit Love can also be a good fit, especially if your little one doesn't mind waiting. description
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Lots of places offer a variety of local beers, creative cocktails (including indulgent Bloody Marys), and bubbles. 55 South, Tupelo Honey, and Sojourner all offer a wide selection of great choices.
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There are a number of different places you could park if you're planning to go out for brunch in Downtown Franklin. In addition to street parking—which can be hard to come by—there are also a few public parking garages you could park in. Because most of these spots are fairly close to downtown, you can park centrally in a garage and then walk to your destination.
