16 Tennessee Christmas Morning Breakfast Spots Locals Rely On Every Year
Holiday mornings in Tennessee start early, often before the wrapping paper hits the floor.
While ovens warm up and coffee brews, many locals slip out for a trusted breakfast tradition that makes the season feel extra special.
These beloved spots serve up fluffy pancakes, sizzling bacon, buttery biscuits, and warm cinnamon-scented pastries that feel like a reward during a busy week of celebrations.
Regulars know exactly where to go and what to order, year after year, especially in the days leading up to the holiday.
Across Tennessee, these breakfast stops are part of the holiday rhythm, offering comfort, familiarity, and a delicious pause before festivities truly begin.
1. Loveless Cafe — Nashville, Tennessee
Southern hospitality reaches its peak at this legendary roadside gem, where the scent of fresh biscuits greets you before you even step inside.
Loveless Cafe has been feeding hungry travelers since 1951, and its reputation for flaky, buttery biscuits with house-made preserves has only grown stronger with time.
The rustic barn-style building features weathered wood siding and vintage signage that screams old-school Tennessee charm.
Locals swear by the country ham and red-eye gravy, which pairs perfectly with those famous biscuits everyone talks about.
Holiday-week mornings here can feel like visiting your grandmother’s farmhouse, except the portions are bigger and the parking lot is packed, and Christmas Day service is not offered.
You’ll find it at 8400 Highway 100, Nashville, TN 37221, where the wait is always worth it.
2. Monell’s Dining & Catering — Nashville, Tennessee
Family-style dining takes on new meaning when strangers pass platters of fried chicken and bowls of grits around a communal table.
Monell’s operates out of a charming Victorian home built in the 1800s, complete with wraparound porches and cozy dining rooms that feel like stepping into a Tennessee time capsule.
Everything arrives on lazy Susans and serving dishes meant for sharing, so you better come hungry and ready to make friends.
The skillet-fried chicken and homemade biscuits disappear fast, but the kitchen keeps refilling the platters until everyone’s satisfied.
Christmas morning here transforms into an unexpected family reunion with people you just met five minutes ago.
Located at 1235 6th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208, this spot books up quickly during the holidays.
3. The Pancake Pantry — Nashville, Tennessee
Expect a line wrapping around the block at this Nashville institution that’s been flipping flapjacks since 1961.
The cozy cottage-style building sits in the heart of Hillsboro Village, with brick walls and cheerful yellow awnings that brighten even the coldest December morning.
Sweet potato pancakes steal the show here, arriving golden brown with a hint of cinnamon that makes your taste buds dance.
The menu offers plenty of pancake variety, so indecisive eaters might struggle to choose.
Holiday hours can differ in late December, and Christmas Day service is not offered, so checking the current schedule before you go is part of the plan.
Find it at 1796 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212, and bring your patience along with your appetite.
4. Nashville Biscuit House — Nashville, Tennessee
Biscuits the size of softballs arrive at your table still steaming, begging to be split open and slathered with butter.
This no-frills breakfast spot occupies a simple brick building that prioritizes substance over style, and locals wouldn’t have it any other way.
The menu focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well rather than offering endless mediocre options.
Sausage gravy blankets those massive biscuits in creamy, peppery goodness that’ll make you understand why Southerners take their breakfast seriously.
Holiday-week mornings here run smooth and fast, with servers who remember regulars by name and coffee order, but special holiday hours can vary.
Located at 805 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206, this spot proves that fancy decor can’t compete with perfectly executed comfort food done right.
5. Biscuit Love — Nashville, Tennessee
Bonuts changed the breakfast game forever when this innovative spot introduced the biscuit-donut hybrid to Nashville’s food scene.
The industrial-chic space features exposed brick walls, reclaimed wood tables, and Edison bulb lighting that creates an Instagram-worthy backdrop for your meal.
Princess biscuits topped with chocolate gravy sound like dessert but somehow work perfectly as a savory-sweet breakfast option.
The East Nasty biscuit sandwich, loaded with fried chicken and cheddar, has achieved cult status among locals who plan their weekends around it.
Lines can build fast during the holiday season, but the restaurants are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so planning around that schedule matters.
You’ll find it at 316 11th Ave South, Nashville, TN 37203, where modern Southern cooking meets serious creativity.
6. Arcade Restaurant — Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis’s oldest cafe opened in 1919 and still serves breakfast in the same Art Deco building where Elvis Presley once ordered his morning meal.
The long marble counter, vintage tile floors, and original wooden booths transport diners back to an era when jukeboxes played and milkshakes cost a nickel.
Sweet potato pancakes reign supreme here too, arriving fluffy and golden with just enough spice to warm you from the inside out.
The restaurant appeared in several movies, including The Firm, which only added to its legendary status among film buffs and foodies alike.
Christmas morning at the Arcade feels like celebrating with Memphis history itself, surrounded by black-and-white photos of the city’s past.
Located at 540 South Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103, this timeless spot never goes out of style.
7. Brother Juniper’s — Memphis, Tennessee
Quirky artwork covers every inch of wall space in this eclectic breakfast haven that refuses to take itself too seriously.
The cozy bungalow-style building houses mismatched furniture, colorful paint schemes, and a laid-back vibe that makes everyone feel welcome, even before coffee kicks in.
Cinnamon French toast arrives thick-cut and custardy, with a caramelized exterior that crunches satisfyingly under your fork.
The restaurant takes its name from a follower of St. Francis of Assisi known for his joyful spirit, which perfectly captures the cheerful energy here.
Vegetarian and vegan options abound, making this a rare Southern breakfast spot where plant-based eaters don’t feel like afterthoughts.
Holiday hours can differ, and their posted Christmas Day schedule highlights a mid-day meal window rather than breakfast service, so the best move is to plan for another morning during Christmas week.
8. Sunrise Memphis — Memphis, Tennessee
Massive omelets stuffed with everything imaginable arrive at tables throughout this bright, modern breakfast spot that opened with a mission to do classic dishes exceptionally well.
Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the contemporary space with natural light, while clean lines and minimalist decor create a refreshing change from traditional diner aesthetics.
The Kitchen Sink omelet lives up to its name, packed with ham, bacon, sausage, peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and cheese that threatens to spill over the plate edges.
Biscuits and gravy get elevated here with house-made sausage that’s seasoned perfectly without overwhelming the creamy gravy.
Located at 670 Jefferson Ave, Memphis, TN 38105, this spot fills up fast during the holiday season, and past holiday notices have listed Christmas Day closures, so checking the current schedule before you build a Christmas morning plan is essential.
9. Bryant’s Breakfast — Memphis, Tennessee
Cash-only policy and no-nonsense service define this Memphis institution that’s been feeding locals for years.
The small, unassuming building features simple booths, a short counter, and absolutely zero pretension about what it offers: honest breakfast food at honest prices.
Pancakes here come three to an order, each one nearly the size of your plate and fluffy enough to require strategic syrup distribution.
The sausage gets made in-house with a blend of spices that regular customers claim they’d recognize blindfolded.
Seasonal schedules matter here, and their own FAQs note they’re closed on major holidays, including Christmas, so Christmas week mornings are the safer bet.
Located at 3965 Summer Avenue, Memphis, TN 38122, Bryant’s proves that sometimes the best breakfast spots are the ones that never try to be anything they’re not.
10. Pete’s Restaurant & Coffee Shop — Knoxville, Tennessee
Generations of University of Tennessee students and downtown regulars have slipped into this classic spot for comfort breakfasts and celebration meals since it opened in 1986.
The narrow storefront building features a classic lunch counter with swivel stools, tight booth seating, and walls covered in vintage Volunteers memorabilia that tells decades of football stories.
Corned beef hash gets made from scratch here, crispy on the outside and tender inside, served with perfectly runny eggs that mix into the hash for maximum flavor.
The coffee flows endlessly from pots that never seem to empty, poured by servers who’ve worked here longer than some customers have been alive.
Holiday traditions matter, but posted holiday hours have included closures on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so planning a visit earlier in Christmas week is the better play.
Find it at 540 Union Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902, where breakfast tastes like Tennessee history.
11. Gourmet’s Market & Cafe — Knoxville, Tennessee
Upscale breakfast meets casual market shopping at this unique spot where you can watch the kitchen work its magic.
The attached market sells specialty ingredients and prepared foods, making it easy to grab dinner fixings after your morning meal.
Crab cake Benedict elevates the classic dish with jumbo lump crab, perfectly poached eggs, and hollandaise that’s rich without being heavy.
Fresh-baked pastries tempt from a case near the entrance, making it nearly impossible to leave without a chocolate croissant for later.
Located at 5107 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, this spot attracts a crowd that appreciates quality ingredients and creative preparations without stuffy formality or inflated prices.
12. Scrambled Jake’s Breakfast Company — Knoxville, Tennessee
Breakfast puns cover the menu at this cheerful spot where scrambled eggs get taken seriously and served dozens of different ways.
The bright, modern space keeps things relaxed and family-friendly, welcoming families with kids and couples on date mornings equally.
The Garbage Bowl lives up to its name as a glorious mess of scrambled eggs, potatoes, cheese, and your choice of meats all mixed together in a bowl that requires serious appetite.
Biscuits arrive tall and flaky, perfect for sopping up any remaining egg yolk or gravy on your plate.
Holiday hours are clearly posted, including a Christmas Day closure, so Christmas week mornings are the right target instead of Christmas morning itself.
Located at 7428 S Northshore Dr, Knoxville, TN 37919, Scrambled Jake’s keeps breakfast easy for parents who want happy kids and great food.
13. The Plaid Apron — Knoxville, Tennessee
Farm-to-table breakfast gets served in a charming renovated house with multiple cozy dining rooms, each decorated with vintage finds and homey touches that make you feel like a welcomed guest.
The wrap-around porch offers outdoor seating when weather permits, though chilly holiday mornings usually find everyone snuggled inside the warm interior.
Shrimp and grits showcase local ingredients prepared with skill, creamy stone-ground grits topped with perfectly seasoned shrimp in a sauce that begs to be soaked up with toast.
The restaurant sources ingredients from nearby farms whenever possible, which means the menu changes seasonally but quality never wavers.
Located at 1210 Kenesaw Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919, this spot combines upscale food with down-home comfort in a way that feels distinctly Tennessee and utterly delicious every single time.
14. Bluegrass Grill — Chattanooga, Tennessee
Tiny doesn’t begin to describe this beloved breakfast spot where a dozen tables fill the entire dining room and a line out the door signals that something special happens inside.
The modest building sits unassumingly in a residential neighborhood, easy to miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for, but locals never forget where it is.
Oatmeal pancakes offer a lighter twist on the classic, arriving nutty and hearty with a texture that’s somehow both substantial and light.
The restaurant grinds its own wheat for breads and uses organic ingredients whenever possible, appealing to health-conscious eaters who still want their breakfast to taste indulgent.
Holiday hours matter here, and their posted schedule includes a Christmas Day closure, so aiming for earlier in Christmas week is the safer plan.
Find it at 55 E Main St, Chattanooga, TN 37408, where quality trumps quantity every time.
15. Niedlov’s Bakery & Cafe — Chattanooga, Tennessee
Artisan breads and pastries baked fresh daily fill the cases at this European-style bakery where breakfast feels like a trip to a Parisian cafe.
The industrial-modern space features concrete floors, metal accents, and an open layout that lets you watch bakers work while you sip coffee and settle into the morning.
Almond croissants achieve near-perfect execution here, flaky layers giving way to sweet almond paste filling that’s neither too dry nor overly gooey.
The breakfast sandwich on house-made ciabatta combines simple ingredients like egg, cheese, and bacon into something that transcends its humble components through sheer bread quality.
Located at 215 E Main St, Chattanooga, TN 37408, Niedlov’s attracts a crowd that appreciates craft baking, and holiday hours can include a Christmas Day closure, so Christmas week mornings are the right target.
16. City Cafe Diner — Chattanooga, Tennessee
Classic American diner vibes come alive at this retro-styled spot where red vinyl booths, checkerboard floors, and chrome accents create an atmosphere straight out of the 1950s.
The building itself looks like it could have been airlifted from a small Midwest town, complete with neon signage and a vintage aesthetic that feels authentic rather than manufactured.
Chicken and waffles hit the table crispy, hot, and ready to be paired with syrup for that perfect sweet-and-savory combination.
City Cafe Diner is listed as open 24 hours daily, which is exactly what locals appreciate when holiday plans run later than expected and breakfast needs to happen on your schedule.
Located at 511 Broad St, Chattanooga, TN 37402, City Cafe Diner delivers reliable comfort food in surroundings that make you nostalgic for an era you might not have even lived through.