With spring finally making its debut and Mother’s Day on the horizon (don’t forget your mommas!), FranklinIs thought you might be in need of a few weekend brunch ideas on where to eat in downtown Franklin! From tasty foods with fresh ingredients to lovely indoor and outdoor dining options, here are some recommendations for memorable restaurants offering breakfast and brunch in beautiful historic downtown Franklin, Tennessee. 

55 South – 403 Main St

With a namesake that reflects the best food in the South stretching from Memphis to New Orleans, 55 South offers inventive Southern comfort food and treats everyone like family. Their weekend brunch menu offers some unique crowd favorites like oysters and shrimp & grits. But it also has distinct “Brunchy Stuff” ranging from savory huevos rancheros and chicken biscuits & gravy to chicken & waffles and cinnamon rolls made from French toast bread.  Their “Youngin’s” menu for ages 12 and under in particular is a great value for your family. Kids pick two filling food items for $6.95 a plate.  Hours Brunch on weekends only.  Saturday & Sunday brunch hours are 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.  RSVP Seating is first come, first served.  Order Online Call 15-20 minutes ahead to place to-go orders on weekdays (not available on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.)

GRAY’S on Main – 332 Main St

If you’re less about breakfast but can handle some breakfast favorites in combination with your lunch, then GRAY’s on Main is an excellent choice. One of several menu recommendations is to order the pimento cheese biscuits to share; a few other breakfast-like favorites are the bacon wrapped figs and white popcorn gouda grits.  As for the more lunchy items that Momma might like, GRAY’s has a homestyle chicken salad sandwich, Nashville hot chicken, and tasty salads.  Hours Serving lunch Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.  Closed Sunday & Monday.  RSVP Call to make reservations, which are only available for parties of 8+. Smaller parties are first come, first served. Order Over the Phone You can place takeout orders over the phone Tuesday through Saturday.

McGavock’s Coffee Bar & Provisions – 130 2nd Ave. N

A stand alone restaurant that just so happens to be located in the Harpeth Hotel, McGavock’s is a European-style bar featuring a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Its brunch menu is a signature selection of specialty breakfast items – like the omelette, egg white frittata, chorizo bowl, lemon and berry pancakes, biscuits & gravy, and more – that are served daily with a variety of freshly baked pastries, breads, and other savory items.  McGavock’s also offers outdoor seating and dining options. Hours Open daily 7 a.m.–3 p.m. RSVP Seating is first come, first served. Order Online You can place takeout orders. 

The Coffee House at Second & Bridge – 144 2nd Ave. N

The Coffee House is a relaxed and special dining experience. Converted from a house to a restaurant, The Coffee House offers a variety of unique dining rooms. It’s also not unusual to see local musicians performing in the shop. Their brunch menu ranges from bagels and eggs to breakfast burritos and a classic American breakfast with pancakes. They also happen to specialize in both sweet and savory crepes!  And as far as coffee goes, they do it all: hot and cold, espresso, latte, macchiato, cappuccino, and more. Hours Open daily 7 a.m.–6 p.m. RSVP Seating is first come, first served. If you’d like to rent a room for your group of 10+, you can actually reserve the Library Room, which is free for the first hour. Learn more about booking here. Order Online The entire drink and food menu is available for pickup orders Sunday through Saturday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m.

Biscuit Love Franklin – 3rd Ave. South

With “biscuit” in the name, it’s no wonder Biscuit Love of Franklin is Southern comfort food. A small breakfast chain restaurant, Biscuit Love of Franklin is housed in the historic Corn House building. Their menu of biscuit platters can be ordered with various toppings – Nashville hot chicken, local sausage gravy, and strawberries, to name just a few – and their “without a biscuit” platters include a roasted veggie bowl, shrimp & grits, and lindstrom. Biscuit Love is also famous for their fresh-squeezed orange juice and signature jam   And for all the pet-lovers who prefer to bring their pooches to brunch, Biscuit Love has a pet-friendly patio! Hours Open daily 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. RSVP Seating is first come, first served.  Order Online You can order carryout and delivery.

Franklin Mercantile Deli – 100 4th Ave. N

Known locally as the “Merc,” Franklin Mercantile Deli has earned a reputation as the perfect destination for anyone with a big appetite. Owners Graeme and Corrie combine their love for Louisiana “zing” and Tennessee comfort foods to make tasty breakfast and lunch dishes. Their breakfast menu includes a veggie breakfast plate, Graeme’s specialty omelette, sweet potato pancakes, Southern parmesan cheese grits, and more.  The atmosphere is also bright and cozy, featuring homestyle wooden tables, assorted chairs, various wall décor, and string lights. Hours Open daily 8 a.m.–2 p.m.  RSVP Seating is first come, first served. Order Online You can place takeout orders over the phone or order for delivery. 

Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant – 120 4th Ave. S 

As a local favorite and a tourist destination, Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant is fast approaching 3,000 Google reviews. The second location following the original restaurant in Leiper’s Fork, Puckett’s in Franklin is a friendly country store atmosphere featuring a breakfast menu of Southern classics (served until 11 a.m. daily), including French toast, pancakes, build-your-own biscuit, and a platter of chicken or ham with breakfast fixins’, among other options.  Another fun fact about Puckett’s in Downtown Franklin? It’s built a name for itself hosting live, local musical acts looking to be discovered. One Puckett’s performer is Jimmie Allen, the 2021 CMA “New Artist of the Year.”  Hours Opens daily at 7 a.m., with breakfast served until 11 a.m.  RSVP Accepts reservations through OpenTable. Order Online  Order takeout or delivery.

Merridee’s Breadbasket – 110 4th Ave. S

For the early risers, Merridee’s Breadbasket is a modern cafe and bakery, decorated in a country-chic style, that serves breakfast starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 11 a.m. In addition to delicious coffee, their breakfast menu features platters like a build-your-own omelette, French toast, biscuits & gravy, quiche, and bakery pastries, of course. Customers also rave about the soup and sandwiches, salads, and pies. No wonder it’s been featured in Southern Living Magazine and the Food Network’s “Best of Baker’s Show.” With the fresh spring weather, Merridee’s is now offering outdoor seating in their Downtown Franklin courtyard! Hours Breakfast Monday through Saturday 7–11 a.m. Closed on Sundays.  RSVP Seating is first come, first served.  Order Online Place an order online. 

Frothy Monkey –125 5th Ave. S

You might be surprised to learn the first Frothy Monkey that opened outside Nashville’s city limits is located in the heart of Franklin. The local chain serves brunch every day until 5 p.m. (until closing time at 3 p.m. on Sunday & Monday): breakfast sandwiches, omelettes, biscuits with chorizo gravy, French toast, a ham & pimento cheese biscuit, and much more. Frothy’s drink menu is also extensive and diverse with its local coffee brew, signature & seasonal coffee, tea, cocktails, wine, and beer.  The Franklin Frothy Monkey dining experience is unique; it’s housed in the Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church and features a wide wrap-around porch, original fireplace, and spacious rooms.  Hours Open Tuesday through Saturday 7 a.m.–9 p.m.  Open Sunday and Monday 7 a.m.–3 p.m. RSVP Reservations not available for brunch. Dinner RSVPs are accepted only after 5 p.m. Order Online Order online with curbside pickup.

Ruby Sunshine – 231 Public Square

All-day brunch? That’s the purpose of Ruby Sunshine! Their all-brunch menu is large and features the unique flavors of New Orleans: bayou shrimp, fried green tomato over a buttermilk biscuit with poached eggs and hollandaise, a florentine omelet, bananas foster pain perdu, and much more. You can also order signature cocktails, beer, or coffee to match your mood and perfectly complement your brunch. Ruby Sunshine totes its use of fresh and local ingredients whenever possible and prepares food to-order in its scratch kitchen. Hours Open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m.–2 p.m.  Open Saturdays and Sundays 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m. RSVP While they do not take reservations, Ruby Sunshine asks guests who want to RSVP to choose a time on their day-of waitlist so that you can avoid waiting at the restaurant.  Order Online Order takeout or delivery.