Easter brunch hunt: Why these Knoxville or Smokies restaurants should be in your list
Easter is in March for the first time since 2016, and that means it's not too early to start making reservations for Easter brunch - or at least thinking about where you and the family should go.
Knoxville has many options for the holiday, which falls on March 31 this year. Whether you want a downtown brunch in Market Square or want to explore local favorites in West or South Knoxville, we've got you covered. There are even special Easter events close to the Smoky Mountains, though you might need a reservation.
Here are 25 Easter brunch options in Knoxville and the surrounding region.
Aretha Frankensteins
Easter hours: 7:30 a.m-3 p.m.
Menu highlights: Thick, fluffy pancakes and Waffles of Insane Greatness
Reservations: No, but you might want to get there early, since the wait can be long.
Address: 3318 Chapman Highway
Balter Beerworks
Easter hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Menu highlights: Biscuits and gravy, fried green tomato benedict and shrimp and grits
Reservations: Yes, you can make a reservation online.
Address: 100 Broadway SW
Café 4
Easter hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Menu highlights: Ooey-Gooey Cinnamon Roll, chicken and waffles and Tennessee Cheesesteak
Reservations: Yes, you can make a reservation online.
Address: 4 Market Square
Chesapeake's
Easter hours: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Menu highlights: Belgian waffle, crab cake benedict and Maryland seafood salad
Reservations: Yes, you can make a reservation online.
Address: 415 Locust St. and 9630 Parkside Drive
Mahogany's at Crowne Plaza
Easter hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Mahogany's will serve a special Easter buffet
Reservations: Call 865-522-2600.
Address: 401 W. Summit Hill Drive
Marble City Kitchen
Easter hours: Regular breakfast menu 7-10 a.m. and special Easter brunch 10 a.m. -2 p.m.
Menus change seasonally
Reservations: Yes, you can make a reservation online.
Address: 501 W. Church Ave.
First Watch
Easter hours: 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Menu highlights: Farm stand breakfast tacos, lemon ricotta pancakes, pesto chicken quinoa bowl
Reservations: No, but First Watch lists wait times online.
Address: 6474 Kingston Pike, 111 Lovell Road, 11682 Parkside Drive
The French Market Crêperie
Easter hours: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., closing one hour earlier than its regular hours.
Menu highlights: Monte Cristo crêpe, Bavarian cream crêpe, chicken salad croissant sandwich
Reservations: No.
Address: 412 Clinch Ave., 161 Brooklawn St.
Frothy Monkey
Easter hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
Menu highlights: Andouille and pimento cheese biscuit, huevos rolandos, French toast
Reservations: No.
Address: 419 S. Gay St.
Farmacy
Easter hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Menu highlights: Beignets, southern fried tofu sandwich, churro waffles
Reservations: Yes, you can make a reservation online.
Address: 5018 Kingston Pike
Harvest
Easter hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Menu highlights: Appalachian shrimp and grits, shakshuka, smoked salmon benedict
Reservations: Yes, you can make a reservation online.
Address: 5200 Kingston Pike, 141 S. Gay St.
Holly's Gourmet Market & Café
Easter hours: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Menu highlights: Biscuit bread pudding, Toad in the Hole, rib sticker breakfast bowl
Reservations: No.
Address: 5107 Kingston Pike Suite B
Maple Street Biscuit Company
Easter hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Menu highlights: Sticky maple chicken biscuit, iced cinnamon biscuit, biscuit French toast
Reservations: No.
Address: 9314 Kingston Pike #112, 10837 Hardin Valley Road
Mimi's Café
Easter hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
Menu highlights: Pain perdu, quiche lorraine, hickory-smoked ham and swiss crêpes
Reservations: Yes, you can make a reservation online.
Address: 10945 Parkside Drive
Oliver Royale
Easter hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Menu highlights: K-town hot chicken and grits, pulled pork breakfast tacos, breakfast poutine
Reservations: Yes, you can make a reservation online.
Address: 5 Market Square
The Plaid Apron
Easter hours: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Menu highlights: Steak and eggs, patty melt, market salad
Reservations: Yes, you can make a reservation online.
Address: 1210 Kenesaw Ave. in Sequoyah Hills
Ruby Sunshine
Easter hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Menu highlights: Loaded tots, eggs cochon, bananas foster French toast
Reservations: Yes, you can make a reservation online.
Address: 37 Market Square
Scrambled Jake's Breakfast Co.
Easter hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Menu highlights: Deep fried deviled eggs, naan breakfast pizza, spinach mushroom strata
Reservations: No, but you can join a wait list online.
Address: 7428 S. Northshore Drive
Seasons Innovative Bar and Grille
Easter hours: 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Menu highlights: Honeysuckle buttermilk chicken, roasted corn bisque, brunch burger
Reservations: Yes, you can make a reservation online.
Address: 11605 Parkside Drive
Sunspot
Easter hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Menu highlights: Nashville hot chicken biscuit, lemon ricotta waffles, farmhouse breakfast
Reservations: No.
Address: 2200 Cumberland Ave.
Thistle & Brier Restaurant
Easter hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Menu highlights: Bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, pecan crusted stuffed chicken
Reservations: Yes, you can make a reservation online.
Address: 4705 Old Kingston Pike
Tupelo Honey
Easter hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Menu highlights: Sausage and beer gumbo, honey-dusted fried chicken, mac-and-cheese waffles
Reservations: Yes, you can make a reservation online.
Address: 1 Market Square
Volunteer Princess Easter Brunch Cruise
Easter hours: Boarding at 12:30 p.m., cruising 1-2:30 p.m.
Menu highlights: Brown sugar and orange glazed ham, rosemary chicken with lemon cream sauce
Tickets available online. Adults are $66 and children are $36.
Address: 956 Volunteer Landing Lane
Dancing Bear Lodge in Townsend
Easter hours: 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Special buffet will include Friend of the Bear favorites, brunch classics and a Bloody Mary and mimosa Bar
Reservations: Yes, you are strongly advised to make a reservation online.
Address: 7140 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway
The Old Mill Pottery House Café in Pigeon Forge
Brunch with the Easter Bunny
Hours: 8:15 a.m. breakfast or 10 a.m. brunch on Saturday, March 30
Tickets are $25 for adults, $12 for children younger than 12. Call 865-406-6558.
Address: 3341 Old Mill St.
Daniel Dassow is a growth and development reporter focused on technology and energy. Phone 423-637-0878. Email daniel.dassow@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Book your Easter brunch at these Knoxville, East Tennessee spots